Both Santa’s Workshop and Fort Worth have something for everyone. Need help finding the right event to meet the desires of everyone on your list? Our comprehensive report of live performances and events in the city will help you start your holiday-themed planning.
parade of lights
Let Sonny Dykes, Texas Christian University head football coach and parade grand marshal, lead your family into the beginning of the season’s celebrations. This year’s parade will feature more than 100 floats and plenty of Christmas cheer, including appearances by the Grinch and Oscar the Grouch.
time: 6 pm
date: November 19th
position: Downtown Fort Worth. Click here for the entire parade route.
ticket: Street seat reservations start at $15.
lightscape
Get a new perspective on Fort Worth’s most manicured gardens on this 1.9-mile seasonally illuminated trail. Check out the displays set to holiday music, then warm up by the fire or with some hot cocoa. 80% of them are new additions this year.
time: 5:30pm – 8:30pm
date: November 17th to January 1st
position: fort worth botanical garden
3220 Botanic Garden Boulevard
fort worth
ticket: From $11
Gospel Black Nativity
Hear the Nativity story told by Langston Hughes and adapted by D. Wambui Richardson. The 1961 musical features soulful renditions of classic carols and several original songs.
time: 3pm, 7:30pm, 8pm
date: November 24th – December 23rd
position: jubilee theater
506 Main Street
fort worth
ticket: From $32
The best Christmas pageant ever
Meet the Hardman family, six children known as “the worst kids in the world.” The motley crew attends a Bible study just to take advantage of the free refreshments and end up being the stars of the church’s Christmas pageant.
time: 11am, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 5pm, 7pm
date: November 24th – December 23rd
position: Casa Mañana
3101 Lancaster Avenue
fort worth
ticket: From $19
vacation home
“Santa Claus is Coming to Town” and his orchestra as well. Hear the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra perform seasonal songs with the help of extraordinary opera singer Megan His Koch.
time: 2pm and 7pm
date: November 24th to 26th
position: bus performance hall
525 Commerce Street
fort worth
ticket: From $35
Poor Claire
Learn the story of St. Clare of Assisi through the regional premiere of Chiara Atiku’s play. Indulge in this tale of medieval teenager generosity for the holiday season.
time: 2pm, 7:30pm, 8pm
date: November 30th – December 17th
position: stage west theater
823 W. Vickery Blvd.
fort worth
ticket: From $40
the magic of eric eaton
If you’re more in the mood for naughty than nice, this adults-only comedy and magic show at Hyena might be just the thing for you.
time: 7pm
date: December 3rd
position: hyena
425 Commerce Street
fort worth
ticket: $20
Ricky Derek’s Merry Christmas Show
The show, in which Ricky Derek and his full string band perform original arrangements of Christmas classics for Bing Crosby, is for ages 21 and older.
time: 8pm and 10pm
date: December 7th to 9th
position: scat jazz lounge
111 W. Fourth Street
suite 11
fort worth
ticket: From $28
JD McPherson — SOCKS: Rock and Roll Christmas Tour
Oklahoma native JD McPherson travels through time as he performs songs from his acclaimed Christmas album, “Socks.” The album is named after a ubiquitous holiday gift, but it’s by no means conventional, featuring 11 of his original songs that blend modern ideas with classic his 1950s rock. Contains songs.
time: Doors open at 7pm, show starts at 8pm
date: December 8th
position: Tulip FTW
112 St. Louis Avenue
fort worth
ticket: $25
Amar and the Night Visitor
Gian Carlo Menotti’s one-act opera tells the story of three wise men who go on a journey to meet Jesus Christ, and along the way they meet a poor boy. Members of the Fort Worth Opera bring this story to the Fort Worth Botanical Garden.
time: 11am, 2pm, 3pm
date: December 8th – December 10th
position: Botanical Gardens in Fort Worth
3220 Botanic Garden Boulevard
fort worth
ticket: From $15.
Handel’s Messiah
Have you ever heard the “Hallelujah Chorus” performed by strings? Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra concertgoers will have the opportunity to do just that as the orchestra performs “Handel’s Messiah” in Will Rogers Auditorium. I can do it.
time: 7:30 PM
date: December 9th
position: Will Rogers Auditorium
3401 W. Lancaster Ave.
fort worth
ticket: Tickets start at $42
Texas Ballet Theater’s “The Nutcracker”
Do you have your eye on the Sugar Plum Fairy? Travel to candy land with support from Texas Ballet Theater. Local productions of Tchaikovsky’s classic works are choreographed by Ben Stevenson and run for two hours.
time: 2pm, 7pm, 8pm
date: December 8th – December 10th
December 14th to 17th
December 19th to 24th
position: bus performance hall
525 Commerce Street
fort worth
ticket: From $57
Winter Songs: Musical Holiday Celebrations and Songs
Seasonal expenses can add up quickly, but Fort Worth Opera is hosting free Sing-A-Long concerts to spread the holiday spirit. Start warming up your vocal cords.
time: 7:30 PM
date: December 15th
position: First Presbyterian Church
1000 Penn Street
fort worth
More information: click here.
Pentatonix: The most wonderful time of the year
The three-time Grammy Award-winning a cappella group from Arlington will fill Dickies Arena with the sounds of the season. Hear their harmony on December 20th.
time: 7pm
date: December 20th
position: dickies arena
1911 Montgomery Street
fort worth
ticket: From $34
Lone Star Murder Mystery Dinner and Show
Experience “unseasonable greed” as Sheriff Jim Cortright goes through a prank list of murder suspects disrupting holiday celebrations. Savor the mystery as you bite into the smothered pork chop and candied walnut salad.
time: 7pm
date: December 29th – December 31st
position: billy bob texas
2520 Rodeo Plaza
fort worth
ticket:From $66
Marcheta Fornoff covers art for the Fort Worth Report.Contact marcheta.fornoff@fortworthreport.org or twitter. At The Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independent of board members and financial supporters.Read more about our editorial independence policy here.