Why go?

• The Marfa Lights: Since early pioneer times, folks have reported sightings of unexplained, ghostly blobs of colorful light dancing on Marfa’s skyline after dusk. Some say it’s paranormal, others say it’s an atmospheric coincidence.
• Ballroom Marfa: Keep the artsiness going, and check out the rotating exhibitions of contemporary art at this non-collecting museum in the heart of town.
• The Prada Store: You’ve probably seen photos of this. It’s a real storefront on the outskirts of town, but no designer shoes or bags were ever sold there. Instead, it’s a conceptual art installation, created in 2005 by Berlin-based artists Elmgreen & Dragset.

Act like a local:

• Food: Hotel Saint George’s bar and restaurant is perfect for more upscale dinner and drinks (the cocktails especially are phenomenal), as is Jett’s Grill.
• Drink: Every outlaw needs a good watering hole, and Lost Horse Saloon should quench your thirst for the authentic cowboy experience. Planet Marfa is a quirky, outdoor-only bar that’s proven to be a tried-and-true favorite for locals and visitors alike.
• Shop: Marfa Museum Thrift Store showcases historical artifacts from the region, plus the opportunity to score a desert treasure to take back home.

Where to stay:

• Splurge hotel: Hotel Paisano (~$250/night) or Hotel Saint George (~$332/night)
• Save hotel: El Cosmico or Marfa House (~$70/night each)

• Old Crow Medicine Show | Thursday, Jan. 18 | 7:30 p.m. | Will Rogers Memorial Center, 3401 W. Lancaster Ave., Fort Worth | $25.95-$95.95 | The Nashville-based string band will perform in Cowtown as part of the Auditorium Concert Series.

• Mansfield Barracudas | Friday, Jan. 19 | 7-10 p.m. | Children’s Health Star Center Mansfield, 1715 E. Broad St., Mansfield | $19.32 | Get ready for an epic showdown as the semi-pro Mansfield hockey team takes on the Rock Springs Roughnecks.

• Clearfork Roundup | Saturday, Jan. 20 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | The Shops at Clearfork, 5188 Monahans Ave., Fort Worth | Free | The family-friendly event will have bull riding, a petting zoo, cotton candy, crafts, face painting, and more.
• Joya Grand Opening | Saturday, Jan. 20 | 6 p.m. | Joya at Oran Good Park, 13201 Tom Field Rd., Farmers Branch | Free | The new glow-in-the-dark playground will feature a climbing sphere, zipline, swings, and sensory play.
• Smokey Robinson | Saturday, Jan. 20 | 7:30 p.m. | Will Rogers Memorial Center, 3401 W. Lancaster Ave., Fort Worth | $45.95-$229 | The American R&B and soul singer and songwriter will bring hits like “Cruisin” and “Baby, Baby Don’t Cry” to Cowtown.

• The city has entered into a long-term contract with Sprocket Networks to install 300 miles of fiber optic cable throughout Fort Worth. The Texas-based provider will help the city bring high-speed internet to municipal sites, residents, and businesses over the next three years.

• Former Oregon coach Ken Wilson will join TCU football as the new linebackers coach. Wilson will join new defensive coordinator Andy Avalos, who replaced Joe Gillespie in December after a disappointing 5-7 season. Wilson worked with Avalos at Oregon in 2019-2020 as the linebackers coach. (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)

• A big kudos to students at North Side High School and Trimble Tech for showing off their talents at Fort Worth ISD’s Culinary Star Competition. Earlier this week, North Side HS emerged as the champion and will represent the district at an upcoming regional competition in Houston.

• Fort Worth Country Day broke ground on a new $25 million school for 350 students in grades 1-4. The Annie Richardson Bass Lower School — located at 200 Country Day Ln. — is expected to open in the spring of 2025 and will replace the existing 1964 Lower School. Scroll through the renderings.

• Next month, a new size-inclusive lingerie shop will open in the Near Southside at 607 W. Magnolia Ave. Wildflower Intimates will host a grand opening on Saturday, Feb. 10, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. with wine, non-alcoholic drinks, and light snacks.

• Fort Worth scored a perfect 100 for the inclusion of the LGBTQ community. To earn a perfect score from the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index, cities must embrace inclusive laws and policies that go beyond protections offered by the state or federal government.

• Grab your binoculars and learn more about our feathered friends during a 90-minute nature walk at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden. Join the Fort Worth Audubon Society on Saturday, Feb. 3, and learn how to identify various birds by sight and sound. Register by Thursday, Feb. 1.

• It’s the end of an era — Electronic signs with punny messages will be banned in 2026. The US Federal Highway Administration has given states two years to implement changes outlined in its new 1,100-page manual. Administration officials said the signs can be misunderstood or distracting to drivers. (WFAA)

• Is there a gym or fitness studio around town you’ve been wanting to check out? Get a free month of ClassPass + sample multiple gyms with just one membership.*