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The annual Sundance Square Christmas Tree Lighting at Sundance Square Plaza is a holiday favorite of many Fort Worth residents and visitors. (Courtesy Visit Fort Worth)
Over the next few months, the city of Fort Worth will transform completely for the holidays. If you happen to be organizing a conference or large group event in the city during the holiday season, there will be no shortage of activities for attendees to take part in. From ice skating to musical theater, here’s what delegates can expect when meeting in Fort Worth over the holidays.
Returning to the city’s premier drive-in movie theater, Coyote Drive-In, Nov. 22-Jan. 20, is Panther Island Ice, Fort Worth’s only outdoor ice-skating rink, which offers special rates for large groups. The drive-in also features ample food and beverage options from the snack bar. If your group is feeling especially festive, they can attend the annual Sundance Square Christmas Tree Lighting at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23. Beginning at 6 p.m. Nov. 24, delegates can enjoy the GM Financial Parade of Lights, an annual city tradition featuring more than 100 floats and more than half-a-million lights.
As one of Texas’ most musical cities, Fort Worth pulls out all the stops during the holidays. Some local performances include “Jack Frost” at Casa Mañana, located in the heart of Fort Worth’s cultural district. The theater is also available to rent out for special events — including two theater spaces and a rehearsal hall. In addition to “Jack Frost,” Casa Mañana also will host a Rat Pack-themed “A Dean Martin Christmas,” a celebration with stories and live music, Dec. 3-21. Another unique event venue getting in the holiday spirit is the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, which will be illuminated with lights Nov. 29-Feb. 2, and open late during the holidays on Tuesdays and Fridays. Plus, visitors can drive through the Gift of Lights, a Texas-sized drive-thru light park at Texas Motor Speedway. A portion of the proceeds go to various Fort Worth children’s charities.
Delegates can also attend holiday events at the Bass Performance Hall, like the DRUMLine Live Holiday Spectacular, Nov. 20; the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra’s “Home for the Holidays,” Nov. 29-Dec. 1; and Handel’s “Messiah,” Dec. 9. They can also enjoy some country music at Michael Martin Murphey’s “Cowboy Christmas,” on Dec. 16. Other holiday performances include the Texas Ballet Theater’s performance of “The Nutcracker,” through Dec. 29. The theater also performs a modern pop-culture take on the classic ballet, “The Nutty Nutcracker,” on Dec. 20.
Attendees also will have a chance to hear holiday classics combined with traditional Native American music and dance at “Brule: Silent Star Night, A Christmas Show” at the Stockyards, from Dec. 6-22. They also can take part in runs for charity and bowling fundraisers or go on a shopping spree or enjoy a cup of hot cocoa at Sundance Square.
Delegates visiting Fort Worth over the holidays will be transported to a winter wonderland, while enjoying all the Western charm and Southern hospitality Cowtown is famous for.
