May Is the Month of Happiness in the Fort

It’s May! (Almost.) Possibly the loveliest month of the year in the Fort.

Not too hot. Not too rainy. The city is all green and pretty, and everyone is outdoors having fun! We have, as you friendly neighborhood Fun in the Fort aficionados, have gathered some great family-friendly things to do in Cowtown in May. So be sure to bookmark this page to refer to all month long!

Photo courtesy of Mayfest

Mayfest
May 2-5
Trinity Park

Mayfest is the biggest celebration of community in Fort Worth! Four days of live music, festival food, carnival rides, performing arts, pet adoptions, more than 100 Art and Gift Market vendors, free children’s activities, special attractions – the list goes on and on! Held on the first weekend in May on 33 glorious acres in Fort Worth’s Trinity Park along our beautiful river, Mayfest is one event you won’t want to miss!

My Brother & Sister with Wings
May 3, 4, 10, and 11
The Historic Rose Marine Theater

Experience the magic of live theater with Artes de la Rosa – Teatro de la Rosa’s latest production, “My Brother & Sister with Wings”. A brother and sister born with wings in 1900, who have endured a life of being sold and stolen from circuses and freak shows by their father, a corrupt former preacher, are finally rescued by their older sister and brought to a renowned doctor of abnormal conditions in a bustling City. The doctor has his own intentions for the twins. A parable for the Immigrant experience: children bravely traveling to a Promised Land of hopes and dreams only to be experimented on and kept in cages, until with the guidance of a Native American Thief with a heart of gold, they truly learn to fly. A timeless fairy tale for our times with imagery from indigenous Legends and folklore, inspired by Thunderbird lore and the magic of wings, the childhood wonder of flight.

Family Workshop: Story Sculptures
May 4
Amon Carter Museum of American Art

Let’s sculpt a story! Join us for an afternoon of fun and folklore as we explore the art of storytelling. Spend quality time talking about art as a family, then work with Carter Community Artist Colleen Borsh to create your own story sculptures. Family Workshops are a quarterly program designed for children 6 to 12 years old and their favorite adults.

Annual Sip & Shop at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden
May 4
Fort Worth Botanic Garden

Wandering Roots Markets will host 60+ local, artisan vendors for Fort Worth Botanic Garden Annual, Mother’s Day Sip & Shop, on Mother’s Day! Artisan Vendors, face painter, free Mother’s Day Card Craft Station (while supplies last!), food and sweets vendors, mobile bar & live music will be set up in Carters Grove, just out front of the main entrance of Fort Worth Botanical Garden. Bring the family, a blanket and make a day of event! Enjoy a beautiful spring day of shopping small with us!

Cinco in the Cultural District
May 5
Fort Worth Museum of Science and History

Join us for a 5 de Mayo Festival in the Fort Worth Cultural District! Celebrate Mexican American arts and culture with food-trucks, live music + entertainment, vendors + raffles, and family fun. Hosted by the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame, and Arts Fort Worth, enjoy free admission to three new exhibits: “Mexican Roots: Masks, Prints, and Traditional Arts of Mexico,” “Soldaderas to Amazonas: Escaramuzas Charras,” and “Soy de Tejas!” Don’t miss a special Lowrider Auto showcase and so much more!

The Amazing Acro-cats Stampede into Fort Worth
May 9-12
Stage West Theatre

The Amazing Acro-Cats, featured in the Netflix series Cat People, are coming to Fort Worth! This troupe of trained domestic house cats, all former orphans, rescues, and strays, give a one-of-a-kind purrformance that includes cats riding skateboards, jumping through hoops, ringing bells, balancing on balls, and performing other feats of agility and entertainment. The show finale is the only all-cat band in the world: Tuna and the Rock Cats. The Rock Cats play guitar, drums, and piano, and they’ve been joined by the Jazz Cats on saxophone, trumpet, and clarinet. The Acro-Cats tour to support Rock Cats Rescue, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Rock Cats Rescue is focused on saving cats “One Click at a Time” through cat welfare, rescue, and adoption. The Acro-Cats show promotes the importance of bonding and training cats with positive reinforcement, while also finding homes for rescued cats. Rock Cats Rescue has found homes for 330 kittens since 2009.

Lasting Impressions: The Immersive 3D Orchestra Experience
May 11
Will Rogers Auditorium

The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra invites you to the world premiere of “Lasting Impressions: The Immersive 3D Orchestra Experience”! Witness the spellbinding transformation of Impressionist masterworks and rediscover the emotional power of art through the combination of 3D technology and live music. With an exclusive introduction by Sophie Renoir, “Lasting Impressions” is an astonishing travelogue through Old Europe featuring 14 artists, including Van Gogh, Monet, and Renoir. Through the provided 3D glasses, you can view over 100 paintings on a custom stereoscopic screen, choreographed with an inspiring mix of classical music from the same period, such as Ravel and Debussy, as well as French and contemporary songs.

Fairmount Historic Homes Tour 2024
May 11-12
Fairmount Historic District

Treat your mother to a tour of some of the most beautiful houses in town! Tour six beautiful properties on this year’s tour. Pickup will be on May 11 and May 12 from 12-4 p.m. at Arts Fifth Ave 1628 5th Ave. Online tickets are available for purchase until midnight Friday, May 10th.

Afternoon Tea: Celebrate with Mom
May 12
Central Market Cooking School

Enjoy an afternoon out with Mom to celebrate her special day as you learn a little about tea, including how to brew the perfect pot and how to serve it. We’ll welcome those over 21 with a glass of sparkling rose’ and those under 21 with a tea-infused fruit punch, and after a brief introduction to the menu of the day, you’ll enjoy socializing and sampling a full afternoon tea menu that includes tea sandwiches, scones, and a few sweets. For ages 13 & up. Attendees not yet 13 must be accompanied by an adult who has purchased a ticket. Tickets are priced per person.

Cut Throat Finches Roller Skate Show
May 17
Silver Wheel Skating Center

Cut Throat Finches perform center rink at Silver Wheel Skate Rink, and are joined by DJ Son of Stan spinning vinyl hits for roller-kicks. We will start by 8:30 pm and be playing songs from upcoming album ‘Unraveled’. $20 gets you skates and pass plus BYOB!!! For 18 years and older. Sean will be skating during set w/ Brittany Mic… other Finches are unsure.

Stand-up Comic Residency: Jordan Carlos
May 16-17
Amphibian Stage

Jordan Carlos, the acclaimed stand-up comedian and actor, brings his comedic brilliance to Amphibian Stage this May! Known for his roles in hit shows like “Everything’s Trash” and “Nora From Queens,” Jordan’s razor-sharp wit and charm will light up the stage during his residency, promising evenings filled with laughter and unforgettable moments. Don’t miss the chance to catch this comedic powerhouse in action as he takes the spotlight.

After Hours in the Garden
May 17
Fort Worth Botanic Garden

Enjoy the beauty of the Garden after hours! Unwind after a long week, bring your friends, or bring a date! Relax with an adult beverage, and delicious bites, and enjoy live music. May’s After Hours is a special one, as the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra brings some of their all-string program favorites to FWBG. The strings’ use of playful pizzicato means they literally “Plink Plank Plunk!” in Leroy Anderson’s work. William Grant Still captures Panama’s vibrant cultural heritage and folk music in Danzas de Panama. This performance also features a collection of best-loved string serenades from Dvořák, Tchaikovsky, and Elgar.

The Artist’s Eye: Sandy Skoglund
May 18
Kimbell Art Museum

Internationally renowned artist Sandy Skoglund is known for her conceptual photography, which reflects her interest in popular culture, as well as for her directorial approach to arranging her sculptures with live models for the camera in meticulously wrought compositions. Skoglund—whose art is held in countless major museum collections across the United States—sculpted giant terracotta goldfish for an unsettling, dreamlike installation and photograph titled Revenge of the Goldfish (1981), one of the defining images of 1980s tableau photography. She continues to explore these issues in her imaginative and witty practice; but what does the art of the past mean to Skoglund, a contemporary artist? In this ongoing program, artists and architects discuss works in the museum’s collection, share the special insights of the practicing professional, and relate older art to contemporary artistic concerns, including their own.

Mike Wissel & the Pawn Shop Pistols
May 24
Central Market Patio

Come enjoy great weather, tasty food, cold beverages and live music by Mike Wissel and the Pawn Shop Pistols.

Art Camp, Almost 5
May 28-31
The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth

The Modern is excited to offer this special camp to preschoolers. Camp begins with an orientation on the first day, including a tour of the collection, museum facilities, and grounds. The rest of the week focuses on gallery projects with an artist who leads campers to respond to works on view. This camp prepares young children for future camps at the Modern. A snack is provided each day. Art Camp emphasizes learning through direct observation of art and thoughtful activities. We are especially excited to focus on the exhibition Surrealism and Us: Caribbean and African Diasporic Artists since 1940 for the 2024 summer season. Distinguished area artists design and lead art activities that encompass everything from artmaking in the traditional sense to interdisciplinary exploration. Art campers spend time in the galleries and on the grounds exploring the art and architecture, followed by time in the museum studio where they work with two artists each session. The last day of camp ends with a reception and exhibition of the campers’ artwork to celebrate their creative accomplishments with family and friends. Campers make exciting discoveries concerning art, the world, and themselves through Art Camp at the Modern.

FWSO’s Season Finale: Jennifer Higdon, Kevin Day, and Mahler 5
May 31 through June 2
Bass Performance Hall

In partnership with the International Trombone Festival and Texas Christian University, The FWSO’s season finale goes out with a blast, spotlighting the brass instruments of the orchestra. Music Director Robert Spano will lead the ensemble in a brand-new double concerto for trombone and piano titled DEPARTURES by Texas Christian University alumnus Kevin Day, as well as Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Jennifer Higdon’s river sings a song to trees. For the big finish: Mahler’s Symphony No. 5.

2024 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships
May 30 through June 2
Dickies Arena

The 2024 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships mark the second straight Olympic year Fort Worth has hosted the event, having most recently hosted the 2021 national championships in the lead up to the Tokyo Olympic Games. As in 2021, Fort Worth will again host America’s best artistic gymnasts including returning Olympians, defending champions, and world champions.

And finally…

May 29, 2016; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Jordan Spieth tees off on the 13th hole of the final round of the 2016 Dean & Deluca Invitational at Colonial Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports

Charles Schwab Challenge
May 20-26
Colonial Country Club

The Charles Schwab Challenge is a professional golf tournament on the PGA TOUR, played annually in Fort Worth, Texas at historic Colonial Country Club. The inaugural event was held in 1946, and won by hometown favorite Ben Hogan.