It’s finally starting to feel like fall in time for Halloween weekend. Two outdoor festivals taking place this weekend will allow you to get out and enjoy the cooler weather. Other choices include an annual film festival, the national tour of a Broadway musical, two local theater productions, two country hybrid concerts, a concert featuring a classic movie, a Halloween\/fall-themed festival, and the final days of a notable art exhibition.<\/p>\n
Photo courtesy of Sundance Square<\/p>\n
Thursday, October 30<\/strong><\/p>\n Lone Star Film Festival<\/a><\/strong> Broadway at the Bass presents A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical<\/a><\/strong> Friday, October 31<\/strong><\/p>\n Halloween happenings Casa Ma\u00f1ana presents West Side Story<\/a><\/strong> Theatre Denton presents Dial M for Murder<\/a><\/strong> Blanco Brown in concert<\/a><\/strong> Saturday, November 1<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/strong>Fort Worth Botanic Garden presents Fall Japanese Festival<\/a><\/strong> Sundance Square Catrina Fest<\/a><\/strong> Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra presents Jurassic Park in Concert<\/a><\/strong> Blackberry Smoke in concert<\/a><\/strong>
The 2025 Lone Star Film Festival will include 16 feature films and over 80 short films over six days. Highlights include opening night film Train Dreams, starring Joel Edgerton and Felicity Jones; closing night film Do No Harm; Recovering the Stories, a documentary about BIPOC communities in Dallas; and more. The festival takes place through November 4, with screenings taking place at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth and Movie Tavern on West 7th.<\/p>\n
A Beautiful Noise is the untold true story of a Brooklyn kid who became a chart-busting, show-stopping, award-winning American icon, created in collaboration with Neil Diamond himself. With 120 million albums sold, a catalogue of classics like “America,” “Forever in Blue Jeans,” and “Sweet Caroline,” an induction into the Songwriters and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame, and more, Diamond’s story is an energy-filled musical memoir that tells the untold true story of how America’s greatest hitmaker became a star, set to the songs that defined his career. The production runs through November 2 at Bass Performance Hall.<\/p>\n
<\/strong>For some people, Halloween is the best holiday of the year. Fort Worth restaurants are ready to serve<\/a> with spooky events, sweet treats, and special themed dinners<\/a>. For a list of haunted houses, click here<\/a>, and for thrills on stage, go here<\/a>. And for a can’t-miss Halloween-themed light show, head here<\/a>.<\/p>\n
One of the most beloved musicals of all time, West Side Story is a powerful tale of love, rivalry, and tragedy set on the streets of 1950s New York City, featuring music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. The adaptation of Shakespeare\u2019s Romeo and Juliet follows Tony and Maria, two young lovers torn apart by a bitter feud between the Jets and the Sharks. The production runs through November 9 at Casa Ma\u00f1ana.<\/p>\n
This fresh version of the thrilling murder mystery Dial M for Murder, adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher, depicts where one man\u2019s jealousy results in a web of deception and danger. The production runs through November 9 at Theatre Denton.<\/p>\n
Recent years have seen a number of artists combine the seemingly-disparate genres of rap and country, including Jelly Roll, Lil Nas X, and Shaboozey. Trying to make a name for himself is Blanco Brown, who gained some notice with his 2019 debut album, Honeysuckle & Lightning Bugs, which featured hit songs like “The Git Up” and “Just the Way.” He has yet to release a follow-up album, but did release three EPs in 2024 – Back 2 Basics, Cedar Walls & Whiskey, and Heartache & Lemonade. He’ll make his debut at Billy Bob’s Texas.<\/p>\n
The Fort Worth Botanic Garden’s Fall Japanese Festival offers an exploration of Japanese art and culture. Hosted in collaboration with the Fort Worth Japanese Society, the event includes cultural demonstrations, performances, unique shopping experiences, and traditional foods celebrating the Japanese zodiac’s year of the wood snake. The event takes place on Saturday and Sunday.<\/p>\n
The annual Sundance Square Catrina Fest transforms Sundance Square Plaza into a day-long D\u00eda de los Muertos celebration. The one-day festival will feature live music, dance performances, artisan vendors, food trucks, and one of the nation\u2019s largest Catrina contests.<\/p>\n
Jurassic Park transformed the movie-going experience for an entire generation and became the highest-grossing film of all time in 1993, winning three Academy Awards. It\u2019s one of the most thrilling science fiction adventures ever made, and it features an iconic and beloved musical score by John Williams. The groundbreaking film will be projected in HD with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra performing Williams\u2019 score live to picture. The concert takes place at Will Rogers Auditorium.<\/p>\n
Country rock band Blackberry Smoke is now in the third decade of their career, having released their debut album in 2003. They experienced their best run of success in the 2010s, when they had five straight top 10 albums on the Billboard Country chart, including two that went to No. 1. They’ll play at Billy Bob’s Texas in support of their 2024 album, Be Right Here.<\/p>\n