The Cowtown Cookoff & Music Festival is set to take place this weekend at the Panther Island Pavilion in Fort Worth, offering attendees a vibrant mix of live music, Texas barbecue, and family-friendly activities. The festival runs from February 20 to 21, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day, with free admission for all.
This culinary celebration will feature a variety of local barbecue vendors, with each purchase of a barbecue plate supporting the nonprofit C4K, Fort Worth Cops for Kids. Attendees can also enjoy performances from local artists including Wade Hatton, Brett Watts, and Poo Live Crew, providing an engaging musical backdrop for the weekend.
As the weather warms and spring approaches, the Fort Worth arts scene is also preparing for a plethora of exhibitions. Visitors to the William Campbell Gallery can explore the works of Mexican-American artists Benito Huerta and David Lozano in their joint exhibitions titled “Brownsville” and “Puncture.” These exhibits will remain on view until March 14, showcasing Huerta’s reimagined ordinary items and Lozano’s intricate papel picado techniques.
For architecture enthusiasts, the Kimbell Art Museum will host a special lecture on February 20, titled “A Conversation about Louis I. Khan and His Last Notebook on His 125th Birthday.” The lecture features Sue Ann Kahn, daughter of the renowned architect, who will share insights from her father’s private sketchbook from 1974, the final year of his life. The lecture is scheduled for 6-7 p.m. and admission is free, although seats are limited.
Music lovers can look forward to an intimate concert by internationally acclaimed pianist Keiko Matsui, who will perform a blend of jazz, classical, and world music at the Arlington Music Hall on February 21. The performance is set to begin at 7:30 p.m., with tickets priced between $48 and $70.
In recognition of Black History Month, the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth will screen the influential 1991 film “Daughters of the Dust,” which tells the story of three generations of Gullah women residing on the Sea Islands. The screening will take place on February 24 at 6:30 p.m. and will be followed by a panel discussion facilitated by Dev’n Goodman from A Good Man’s Education. Admission is based on a pay-what-you-can model.
As the community gears up for these exciting events, residents are encouraged to engage with local arts and culture. Whether enjoying barbecue at the festival or attending an art exhibition, there are numerous opportunities to celebrate the vibrant local scene this weekend.
For those interested in submitting their own events to the community calendar, details can be shared through local platforms. Enjoy the weekend festivities, and remember to support local artists and organizations as they contribute to Fort Worth’s cultural landscape.
