Holiday events really start kicking into high gear across Fort Worth this weekend, with seven of the 15 options on our list designed to get you thinking about Christmas. Choices include the opening of an ice rink, two local theater productions, three comedians, three long-term holiday events, three popular music concerts, an opera concert, a symphony concert, and an annual holiday parade.

Below are the best ways to spend your free time this weekend. If you want more options, check out the calendar for an even longer list of the city’s best events. For a big list of 2025 holiday lights, go here.

Thursday, November 20

Stockyards Rodeo Rink
Ice skating returns to the Fort Worth Stockyards with daily skating sessions at the covered Stockyards Rodeo Rink. Holiday treats include Whataburger Tuesdays, when everyone who skates gets a coupon for a free Whataburger. Guests can also enjoy Herd Cattle Drives at 11:30 am and 4 pm daily, Cowboy Santa, Holiday Workshop, and more. The rink will be open rain or shine through January 5.

TCC NE Playhouse presents It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play
It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play is based on the classic holiday movie with a clever twist thrown in: the story is staged as a live radio broadcast. Actors portray numerous characters, and sound effects are done through Foley artists. It’s a different way to experience the life of George Bailey, who gets help from a lovable angel to show him what life would be like if he wasn’t born and understand the true spirit of the holidays. There will be four performances through Saturday at Tarrant County College – Northeast Campus.

Hyena’s presents Adam Carolla
Comedian Adam Carolla is known for his work on Loveline, The Man Show, and The Adam Carolla Show podcast. He has a unique comedic style that combines observational humor with biting social commentary. He’ll perform twice on Thursday at Hyena’s Comedy Nightclub in downtown Fort Worth.

Matt Mathews: Boujee on a Budget
Widely known and celebrated for his relatability and situational humor, Matt Mathews discusses a variety of topics and personal experiences in his stand-up, including his daily life of living on a farm, his career as a boudoir photographer, relationships, and more. The comedian will also bring his Confessions with Matt video series to the live stage, where he provides a real-time comedic take on audience members who voluntarily spill their deepest, darkest secrets. He’ll perform twice on Thursday at Will Rogers Auditorium.

Friday, November 21

Texas Christkindl Market
The Texas Christkindl Market is a traditional German-style market that brings Old World charm and holiday magic to the heart of Texas. Visitors will find handcrafted gifts, unique collectibles, and exclusive Käthe Wohlfahrt merchandise from the Rothenburg ob der Tauber German Christmas village. The market features a variety of vendors, seasonal food and beverages, live entertainment and children’s activities, including photos with Santa. The event, which is located in the North Plaza outside of Globe Life Field, takes place through Sunday, and then daily from November 28-December 23.

Fort Worth Botanic Garden presents Christmas in the Garden
A new tradition comes to Fort Worth Botanic Garden with Christmas in the Garden featuring a holiday light celebration that transforms the Garden into a winter wonderland with a giant illuminated Texas flag, 1,200 dancing LED bluebonnets, and more. There will also be nightly visits from Santa Claus through Christmas Eve, as well as food from local favorites like JD’s Burgers, Magdelena’s, Pulido’s, Curly’s Custard, and Margie’s Italian Gardens. The event takes place on select nights through January 4.

Playboi Carti in concert
Rapper Playboi Carti has been one of the top hip hop performers since he released his debut album, Die Lit, back in 2018. He’s only released two albums in the seven years since, but both of them – 2020’s Whole Lotta Red and the new Music – both went to No. 1 on Billboard’s Rap, R&B/Hip Hop, and overall 200 chart. He’ll perform at Dickies Arena as part of his Antagonist tour, joined by special guests Ken Carson, Destroy Lonely, Homixide Gang, and Apollo Red.

Fort Worth Opera presents La Belle et la Bête (Beauty and the Beast)
American composer Philip Glass’s La Belle et la Bête (Beauty and the Beast) is a bold fusion of opera and film, a genre-defying concert augmentation of Jean Cocteau’s 1946 cinematic masterpiece. In this production, Fort Worth Opera singers and musicians will perform Glass’s score live on stage, synchronized to the surrealist fairy tale projected behind them on the big screen. There will be performances on Friday and Saturday at Ridglea Theater.

Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra presents “Mozart and Mahler’s Fourth”
This concert by the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra will feature Austrian composer Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 4, which presents a musical interpretation of heaven. To balance out the program, British conductor Dame Jane Glover makes her debut as FWSO’s Principal Guest Conductor with pianist Imogen Cooper in Mozart’s final piano concerto, the No. 27 in B-flat major, and soprano Lauren Snouffer sings Exsultate, jubilate. There will be three performances through Sunday at Bass Performance Hall.

Hyena’s presents Pauly Shore
Pauly Shore tasted stardom in the 1990s thanks to his MTV show Totally Pauly, as well as starring roles in films like Jury Duty, In the Army Now, Bio-Dome, Encino Man, Son In Law, and A Goofy Movie. Apart from actively touring the country with his stand-up comedy, Shore has directed two films, the 2003 mockumentary Pauly Shore is Dead and the 2014 Showtime documentary Pauly Shore Stands Alone. He’ll perform four times at Hyena’s through Saturday.

Saturday, November 22

Casa Mañana presents Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Rudolph, Hermey the Elf, Yukon Cornelius, and the Abominable Snow Monster go on an unforgettable adventure in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Filled with holiday hits like “A Holly Jolly Christmas,” “The Island of Misfit Toys,” “The Most Wonderful Day of the Year,” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” the joyous musical is filled with friendship and self-discovery. The production runs through December 23 at Casa Mañana.

Christian Nodal in concert
Mexican singer-songwriter Christian Nodal experienced success right from the start of his career. His debut album, Me Dejé Llevar in 2017, went to No. 1 on the Billboard Regional Mexican chart, a feat he repeated with his next two albums. A couple of EPs, most recently Forajido 2 in 2023, have also charted well, showing that Nodal will remain a formidable force in the genre for years to come. He’ll play at Dickies Arena.

Wade Bowen in concert
Texas country/Red Dirt singer Wade Bowen has slowly but surely been making his way up in the industry, scoring three top 10 albums in recent years. He’s recently collaborated with Randy Rogers on three separate albums, including 2020’s Hold My Beer, Vol. 2. He’ll play at Billy Bob’s Texas in support of his 2024 album, Flyin.

Sunday, November 23

Six Flags Over Texas presents Holiday in the Park
Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington will transform once again into a winter wonderland for the annual Holiday in the Park. Attractions include a nightly Tree Lighting Ceremony, musical production Holly Jolly Trolley, the new show Tinker’s Toy Factory, performances by The MistleTones, a host of holiday characters spreading cheer throughout the park, a Looney Tunes Holiday Dance Party, rides themed for the season, and more. The event takes place on select dates through December 28.

GM Financial Parade of Lights
The City of Fort Worth’s official kickoff to the holiday season is the GM Financial Parade of Lights, which features floats, vintage cars, horse-drawn carriages, marching bands, and carolers along the 1.59-mile route in downtown Fort Worth. Carrying on the long-standing tradition, the largest illuminated parade in the state of Texas will conclude with a special appearance from Santa and Mrs. Claus on the specially designed, LED-lit, grand finale float. For tips on street closures, transportation, parking, TV coverage, and more, check out this story.

Photo courtesy of Parade of Lights