Pull up a chair and kick back for 40+ musical acts. | Photo courtesy of Mayfest
The 2025 edition of Mayfest opens on Thursday, May 1 for its 53rd Anniversary. The spring fling will welcome back 200,000+ patrons across 33 acres in Trinity Park.
Organized by Trinity Collaborative Inc. and dubbed “The Biggest Party in Fort Worth,” Mayfest raises money for the Trinity River, its surrounding parks, and community programs. Read on for an information-fest.
What to do
Eat everything from turkey legs to ice cream from 25+ vendors.
Watch dance recitals and performances from local groups and youngsters on four community stages.
Shop ~90 booths of artworks and gifts in the Art & Gift Market.
Play in the Children’s Area (ages 3-12) featuring 20+ free activities under the shade of trees. The area closes each night at 7:30 p.m.
Pro tip
Today through Saturday, May 3, head to a Fort Worth Public Library branch near you, present your library card, and receive a free ticket to this year’s Mayfest.
Claire Hinkle | 8-11 p.m. | Magnolia Motor Lounge | Free | Enjoy a live performance from the new Americana artist who’s from Cowtown.
Tuesday, April 22
Ancient Grains | 6:30-9 p.m. | Central Market Fort Worth | $85 | Get hands-on experience whipping up a quinoa and bulgur salad, barley and lentil soup, and mushroom kasha burgers.
Wednesday, April 23
2025 Tastemaker Awards | 7-9:30 p.m. | 4 Eleven | $75+ | If you love to eat and drink, then don’t miss CultureMap Fort Worth’s signature event featuring top local culinary talent.
J Balvin | 8 p.m. | Dickies Arena | $67+ | The Colombian artist will bring his “Back to the Rayo Tour” to Cowtown.
Thursday, April 24
Candlelight: Rings and Dragons | 8:45-10 p.m. | Fort Worth Botanic Garden | $64+ | Experience the magic of the music of “The Lord of the Rings” and “Game of Thrones” performed surrounded by candlelight.
Friday, April 25
WWE: Friday Night Smackdown | 6:30 p.m. | Dickies Arena | $125+ | Doors open at 5 p.m. to watch John Cena for the final time in Fort Worth with superstars Cody Rhodes, Charlotte Flair, and more.
Saturday, April 26
TRWD Spring Trash Bash | 8 a.m.-12 p.m. | Panther Island Pavilion | Free | Help clean local waterways at nine locations along the Trinity River — then celebrate your hard work with an after-party.
Fort Worth just gained its second Velvet Taco. Open today, the new location is in north Fort Worth, just south of the North Tarrant Parkway. Try the new Velvet Bowls or one of City Editor Elizabeth’s favorite taco flavors — spicy tikka chicken, Nashville hot tofu, or fish n’ chips. (CultureMap Fort Worth)
Theater
Got an extra $1,000 lying around? You can now use it to buy a seat nameplate at the Jane & Justin Foundation Omni Theater. Nameplates are limited to 30 characters, but guarantee a five-year term — plus, buyers are invited to an exclusive date to snag pics of their seat. Learn more about the theater.
Edu
TCU has approved the expansion of student housing, including 3,200+ new beds valued at more than $500 million. Construction is already underway by two private developers + should be finished by the 2027 fall term. (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)
Concert
Keyshia Cole, the Grammy-nominated “Princess of Hip-Hop” is hitting the road this summer and stopping by Dickies Arena on Saturday, July 26. Tickets to see the singer who brought you the “The Way It Is” go on sale this Friday, April 25 at 10 a.m. (CultureMap Fort Worth)
Plan Ahead
Presenting Freedom Vibes 2025 — a new festival brought to you by the National Juneteenth Museum is coming Thursday, June 19-Sunday, June 22. The weekend kicks off with two concerts at Bass Hall, then a block party at the museum featuring food vendors, artists, and interactive programs. Tickets are for sale now.
Shop
Look forward to two new shops coming to the Stockyards this summer. Pendleton, known for its woolen blankets and apparel, is set to open next month + Will Leather Goods, created by former actor Will Adler, is set to open in June. (PaperCity Fort Worth)
Quoted
Last week, the “Grandmother of Juneteenth” Opal Lee celebrated the grand opening of the new affordable housing complex named in her honor. “As kids would say it, this is off the chain,” Lee remarked during the opening ceremony. The $55 million, 338-unit complex is already 62% occupied. (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)
Trending
Dallas was the last city to unveil its host city poster ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Now that the cat’s out of the bag and Fort Worth artist Matt Cliff is in a well-deserved spotlight for his design, see how WFAA journalist Paul B. Livengood ranked his favorite posters among all 16 host cities.
Sports
Missed Saturday’s Stars game versus the Colorado Avalanche? Catch the team on the ice again for Game 2 tonight at 8:30 p.m., or get your daily dose of hockey from local experts of the Dallas Stars with LockedOn’s podcasts.
Show
Experience the haunting beauty of “Giselle,” a timeless tale of love, betrayal, and redemption. Reimagined by Artistic Director Tim O’Keefe, this powerful ballet blends ethereal choreography with raw emotion. Don’t miss an unforgettable performance at Bass Performance Hall, Friday, May 2 to Sunday, May 4.*
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I noticed a lot is going on in the 817 right now. I thought I’d give you updates on happenings across DFW that you might’ve seen in our newsletter before.
The 40th Cowtown Great American Cleanup turned out successful last month, with 3,700+ volunteers removing 84,800+ lbs of litter from 37 public areas citywide.
The city’s new Mobile Tool Shed sharing program is taking off. It proved to be helpful for one Fort Worthian whose lawn was up to her knees.
Dallas Mavericks CEO Rick Welts is still hunting for a new home arena. He aims to keep the Mavericks in Dallas and open the new court by 2031.
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