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FIRST THURSDAYS ARE THE NIGHT TO BE IN DOWNTOWN ARLINGTON

Grab the family and text the group chat, it’s THE day to be in downtown Arlington! Enjoy once a month evening of live music, artistic experiences, and exploration at your favorite businesses!

Use our Google Map to plan your First Thursday: December First Thursday Map

Upcoming First Thursdays Dates

Plan ahead and mark every First Thursday on your calendar!

October 3, 2024

November 7, 2024

December 5, 2024

February 6, 2025

March 6, 2025

April 3, 2025

May 1, 2025

June 5, 2025

July 3, 2025

August 7, 2025

September 4, 2025

Our next installation of this event will be Thursday Dec. 5th from 5-8pm. Events and specials will be announced 2 weeks ahead of each event! 

DECEMBER MAIN FEATURE

First Thursday’s Levitt Holiday Market 

Kick off the holiday season at the Levitt Holiday Market! Shop for unique gifts from local vendors while enjoying live music from UTA Jazz 

Letters to Santa: Bring the kids to meet the man in red himself for our Letters to Santa event at the Levitt Pavilion Hospitality Center during First Thursdays from 4-7 PM. They can write letters to Santa with the help of friendly elves.

More to Explore: After visiting with Santa, continue your holiday adventure by exploring Downtown Arlington. Enjoy free artistic experiences, support local businesses, and soak up the festive atmosphere.

Be sure to visit these participating businesses and their activations: 

  • Persis Ann Dance Studio: “Elves in the Window” - Starting at 7pm, watch our talented dancers perform festive holiday routines from our studio windows. Bring a chair and enjoy the show from the sidewalk on West Main Street.
  • Ann’s Natural Grocer: “Live Music & Craft Beer Tasting” -  Stop by Ann’s to sample craft beer from local brewpub Dr. Jeckyll’s while listening to the tunes of live band Rotoscopic
    • Chosen One Tattoo”Open Gallery - Explore our gallery featuring a curated collection of artwork by local and international artists. Enjoy the unique atmosphere of our tattoo shop while admiring the diverse styles and techniques on display. Those who stop by can grab a gift bag & enter a raffle for a chance to win a free piercing! PLUS – enjoy chalk art out on the sidewalk!
    • Downtown Library: “Creative Corner x DIY Holiday Cheer” - Get into the holiday spirit by crafting your own personalized ornaments and cards! Use a variety of materials to create unique and festive keepsakes. Explore our makerspace and discover the exciting possibilities of technology and craft. And don't forget to enjoy our family-friendly games in the lobby.
    • Los Molcas”Live Music & Margs” - Join us for a night of live music, delicious food, and refreshing margaritas on our patio. Grab a bite to eat and sip on your favorite drink while enjoying the sounds of the night. See you there! 
    • Catalyst Creative Arts: “Live Pottery Making - Join us for a live pottery making demonstration at Catalyst Creative Arts. Watch as our skilled artists transform clay into beautiful works of art. Learn about techniques and tools used in pottery making and get inspired to stop by and create your own at one of our Pottery classes!
    • F6 Art Lounge: “Art & Music Showcase”- Join us for a vibrant evening of art and music at F6 for Downtown Arlington’s First Thursday. From 5-7pm, explore the art gallery and connect with local artists. At 7pm, check out the Open Jam Session. Show off your musical skills or simply enjoy the sounds of local musicians. Our open jam sessions are open to all levels, so come and join in the fun! 
    • Binion’s: “Bingo at Binion’s” - From 6-8pm, join us for a fun-filled evening at Binion's on First Thursdays! Test your luck playing bingo while enjoying delicious food and drinks. It's the perfect way to spend a Thursday evening in Downtown Arlington!
    • Fool’s Kava: “Game Night & Open Mic” - From 5-7pm, explore our wall of tabletop and board games and challenge your friends to a friendly match. Then at 7pm, take the stage and showcase your talents at our open mic night. Whether you're a singer, musician, poet, or comedian, we welcome all performers.

    • TAIPO - “Nepalese Nights” - Browse and purchase beautiful handcrafted art & goods made by local artisans in Nepal while listening to live music and enjoying Nepali-inspired food and drinks.
    • Mosaic Market“Make & Take Personalized Ornament” - Create a unique, personalized wooden ornament for the holidays! Use a Dremel or wood-burning tool to bring your artistic vision to life. Our expert artist will guide you through the process. All materials and tools provided. Feel free to shop the rest of our store for unique, hand-made gifts crafted by local artisans. 
    • Grease Monkey“Live Music on the Patio” - Join us on First Thursday from 5-8pm for a night of live music from Rosy L. and delicious food on the patio at Grease Monkey Burgers! We'll have the games on inside and a variety of drink specials. 
    • Zetta Apartments: “DIY Ornaments & Hot Cocoa” - Join us as we craft festive ornaments for the holiday season (while supplies last) while enjoying free hot chocolate. Learn more about our new rentable homes.
    • Inclusion Coffee“Ornament Making Mini-Classes” - Grab a hot beverage and enjoy an ornament making pop up class with Crafted Love Stories. First class is at 5pm with a new class every 30 mins, last class at 7:30pm. Cost $15 per person. Cash or credit. No registration needed. 
    • Howse Salon“Photos with the Grinch” - Done with Santa? Enjoy some Holiday Un-Tidings by grabbing you and your family’s photo with the one and only Holiday Grump himself - THE GRINCH!
    • Gilligan’s: “ Holiday Paint & Sip” - Gilligan's invites you to unleash your inner artist! Join is for a self-guided Holiday mini canvas painting session. We'll provide all the materials, including a mini canvas, paint, and brushes. Enjoy free chips and salsa while sipping on your favorite drink from the bar. Whether you're a seasoned painter or just looking for a fun and relaxing evening, this event is perfect for everyone. So come out and let your creativity flow, open to families, friends and all!
    • Commodities”Shop, Hot Choc-olate and Rock” - Warm up with free hot chocolate while enjoying live music from Trey Denton out front. Explore our curated selection of vintage and fresh sneaker drops. It's the perfect way to kick off the holiday season.
    • Sanford House Inn & Spa“Pop-Up Holiday Photos” - Come experience the Season with us - bring your friends and family to take festive photos around our property. From our front door, to our iconic winding staircase, the Grand Courtyard, and the elegant dining rooms of Restaurant506, our entire property is blanketed in bright and festive ornamentation, making a beautiful backdrop for photos!
    • Fuzzy’s Taco / Cheba Hut: “Live Music on the Patio” - Check out the newly opened Cheba Hut or grab some classic Fuzzy’s Tacos while enjoying live music on the new patio. 
    • Division Brewing“Rock the Growl - Open Mic Night” - Stop by and enjoy an open mic night showcasing local talent. Join us at GROWL this First Thursday for a night of live music, craft beer & delicious pizza from Division Brewing, and great company. Whether you're a seasoned performer or a budding artist, come out and rock the night away
    • Kung Fu Tea: “Hot Cocoa & Crafting the Kung Fu Tree” - Help us decorate our tree for the Holiday season! Order a hot chocolate or festive boba drink, tap into your inner artist while painting a provided ornament and then add it to our Kung Fu Community tree. All materials provided and free to participate. 

    Live Entertainment 

    • Mary Dooley Art - Live Chalk Art in the City Center Plaza 
    • UTA Jazz Band - At 7pm, enjoy the live music of the UTA Jazz Band filling the streets of Downtown Arlington at the Levitt Pavilion for our December First Thursday. 
    • Santa Claus - From 4-7pm, stop by the Levitt Hospitality Center on the 2nd floor during our Letters to Santa event to write a letter and hand it to the man in red himself, Santa Claus
    • Levitt Holiday Market: Get all of your early shopping in perusing through local artisans and vendors at the Levitt Holiday Market hosted by Pretty Little Things Market.
    • The Grinch - Done with Santa? Okay, now go enjoy some Holiday Un-Tidings by grabbing your photo with the one and only Holiday Grump himself at Howse Salon
    • Elves in the Window - At 7pm, stop by Persis Ann Dance Studio to enjoy festive holiday dances from their talented dancers through the studio windows
    • Create Texas Showcase & Open House - Enjoy live art in the windows and live music on the sidewalk at the former Arlington Museum of Art. Once inside, explore the renovated space and check out local art, plus tour the studios, Basement Gallery & Stage for the newly opened CreateTexas at Wellspring. 
    • Jorge Vargas Saxaphone - Enjoy the live sax stylings of musician Jorge Vargas at City Center Plaza in front of the library

    Interested in volunteering for First Thursdays? Fill out our form here

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