DFW Weekend Guide: January 16–19, 2026

Mid-January in DFW brings rodeo season, markets, live music, and plenty of ways to get out without the holiday rush. Use this list as your quick-hit guide for events around Dallas–Fort Worth from Friday through Monday.​

Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo

The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo kicks off Friday at Dickies Arena, bringing daily rodeo performances, livestock shows, a carnival midway, live music, shopping, and classic fair-style food. The event is Cowtown’s marquee tradition and runs through February 7, so this weekend is the perfect time to catch the opening energy and All-Western Parade atmosphere.​

Fort Worth Symphony: “Wild West Rodeo” & Family Concert

To celebrate rodeo season, the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra presents “Wild West Rodeo,” a program of western-themed film music from scores like “The Cowboys,” “The Magnificent Seven,” and “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” at Bass Performance Hall. Families can also look for the “Unicorn’s Birthday” family concert this weekend, a narrated, interactive performance designed for kids.​

Tianyu Lights Festival – Cultural Performances (Grand Prairie)

In Grand Prairie, the Tianyu Lights Festival continues with large-scale lantern installations, cultural performances, and family-friendly entertainment on festival grounds near Texas Trust CU Theatre. Expect acrobatics, dance, and live shows alongside illuminated displays ideal for evening strolls and photos.​

Dallas January Experiences & Tours

Across Dallas, January event guides highlight year-round experiences like JFK and Sixth Floor Museum tours, small-group Dallas city tours, and AT&T Stadium tours that remain popular even after the holidays. These experiences are easy to plug into a flexible weekend schedule, especially for out-of-town visitors or locals playing tourist.​​

Creative Play at SPARK! Dallas

SPARK! Dallas continues its January programming with immersive, creative play installations for kids and families in a colorful indoor environment. It is a strong option for younger families looking for an active, weather-proof outing downtown.​

Dallas Nightlife & Live Events

Event platforms list a mix of nightlife and live events for Friday and Saturday, including themed music nights like Emo Nite at South Side Music Hall, open mics, comedy shows, and neighborhood bar events. These can be paired with dinner in Bishop Arts, Deep Ellum, or the Design District for a city-night spin on the weekend.​

Source Links

• Best Things to Do in Dallas This January 2026 – The Scout Guide: https://thescoutguide.com/dallas/editorial/best-things-to-do-in-dallas-this-january-2026/​

• Dallas January events aggregation – MyGuide Dallas: https://www.myguidedallas.com/events/january-2026​

• Dallas Events master calendar (concerts, nightlife, tours): https://www.visitdallas.com/events/​

• SPARK! Dallas events for January 2026: https://sparkdallas.org/events/tag/dallas/2026-01/​

• Reddit DFW Events 1/12/2026–1/18/2026 thread (regional music, theater, comedy, and festival listings): https://www.reddit.com/r/Dallas/comments/1qb4jk9/dfw_events_1122026_1182026/​

• Fort Worth Weekend Planner – Top events in Fort Worth this weekend (Jan. 15–18, 2026): https://fortworth.culturemap.com/news/entertainment/weekend-events-1-15-26/​

• 2026 Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo – Dickies Arena info: https://dickiesarena.com/event/2026-01-16-2026-02-07/​

• Visit Fort Worth events calendar (Stock Show, concerts, more): https://www.fortworth.com/events/​

• Eventbrite – January 16 events & activities in Dallas, TX: https://www.eventbrite.com/d/tx–dallas/january-16/​