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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!

Our next installation of this event will be Thursday, August 6th from 5-8pm. Events and specials will be announced 2 weeks ahead of each event! 

Supported by

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August Featured Attractions

Featured Attraction: Miss Persis Studio of Dance Open House & Free Dance Party!

Get moving and groove into summer at one of our August Featured Attractions! Miss Persis Studio of Dance is hosting a completely free Open House Dance Party for all experience levels. It’s the perfect opportunity to tour the studio, meet the instructors, and dance your heart out.

Party Schedule by Age Group:

  • 5:30 PM: Adult Country Two-Step
  • 6:00 PM: Ages 2-6 Dance Party 
  • 6:30 PM: Ages 7-12 Hip Hop 
  • Where: Miss Persis Studio of Dance
  • Cost: FREE!

No registration required—just pick your time slot, show up, and get ready to dance!

Featured Attraction: Free Best of Broadway Cabaret Performances

Theatre Arlington presents a free evening of all your favs from Broadway! With shows at 5:15, 6:15, and 7:15, you'll be sure to catch DFW's finest musical theatre performers belting out the Best of Broadway for Downtown Arlington's First Thursdays!

Arlington Amplified presents: Street Sounds

This First Thursday, Downtown Arlington comes alive with the sounds of local DFW musicians, thanks to our partnership with Arlington Amplified! From 5-8 PM, talented buskers will fill the streets with their music, creating a unique and engaging cultural experience. Join us in supporting the thriving arts community of North Texas and discover your new favorite artist! The musical lineup will be refreshed each month. Enjoy live music from local DFW musician Amanda Clothier at Amore Mio. 

Symphony on the Streets with Symphony Arlington

Catch the music of the city! This month, Symphony Arlington is bringing high-quality classical flair directly into the community.

Featured Attraction: Downtown Arlington Buskers

Downtown Arlington brings curated live music to the sidewalks of Downtown.

Keep an ear out for this month’s featured performers:

Follow the music as you shop, dine and explore the vibrant spirit of our downtown community!

Check out our Interactive Google Map: 

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

Be sure to come early to visit these participating businesses and their activations for our August First Thursday event:  

  • The Mosaic Market: School is right around the corner, so celebrate with a Spanish literacy party for little learners, ages 3-7! Join children's book author Ashley Woods for a high-energy, interactive session where kids get up, move, dance, and discover how to read and say real words in Spanish using phonics. Through music, movement, and hands-on games, children will break words into syllables, act out characters, and build early reading confidence. There will be a session every hour: First: 5pm - 6pm; Second: 6pm - 7pm; and Third: 7pm - 8pm.
  • Inclusion Coffee: “Cookies & Crayons” - Come enjoy free coloring sheets of fun cookies, while grabbing some cookies and cookie dough from "From Dough Bakery." We will have free coloring sheets, as well as cookies and cookie dough for purchase at the event from 5pm-8pm.
  • Kung Fu Tea: “DIY Charm Bracelet Making” - Join Kung Fu Tea Arlington during First Thursdays for a creative DIY Charm Bracelet Making experience! Guests can sip on their favorite handcrafted boba drink while designing a personalized charm bracelet, creating the perfect blend of creativity, community, and fun! Free for all ages.
  • Tokyo Station: “Killer Queen Arcade Tournament” - Join the Hive! Every first Thursday of the month, Tokyo Station hosts a Killer Queen Arcade tournament. Starting at 8pm, this tournament places players on a randomized team of five. Competitors must work together to ensure victory in the ultimate arcade action game. As an added bonus, all new players get FREE venue the next time they return to the arcade. Try something NEW this Thursday with Nippon NewBees at Tokyo Station!"
  • Cheba Hut: “Karaoke at the Hut” - Looking for the best spot to spend your Thursday night? Starting at 7pm, Cheba Hut is hosting Open Mic Karaoke for August’s First Thursday! Grab your favorite toasted sub and join us for a night of music, drinks, and community fun. Everyone is welcome to sign up and sing!
  • Ann’s Natural Grocer: “Live Concert in the Grocery Store” - Stop by Ann’s during July First Thursdays for an evening of great tunes and free treats. Enjoy a live performance by local musician, Larry Ladale. Enjoy live local music while you browse the store and enjoy complimentary samples throughout the night from Susanna with Texuela Salsa providing samples of her award winning salsa. We will also have Steve (Vegan Bodybuilde) from Pirq Protein providing samples of their vegan plant-based protein beverages.
  • J. Gilligan’s: “Plant Bingo” - Join us on the restaurant side from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM for a special edition of Plant Bingo. It’s the perfect outing for families and friends—enjoy some classic pub favorites and play for your chance to win a beautiful new plant to take home!
  • Canvas & Co.: "Open House & Free Headshots” - Join Canvas & Co. Studio for an August First Thursday Open House! We’re inviting the Downtown Arlington community to tour our modern, creative production spaces. To celebrate, our team is offering two free professional headshots to guests during the event. Come take a look behind the scenes and update your professional profile for free.
  • Space Monkey Tattoo: “TBA”
  • Downtown Arlington Library: “Creative Corner x Warhol Painting”- In celebration of Andy Warhol's birthday, drop by the Downtown Library and make your own Andy Warhol-inspired soup can painting. This program is designed to be flexible on time so that families can participate at any time during the program's duration. 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. Thank you to the Friends and Foundation of the Arlington Public Library for their generous support of our programming.
  • Fool’s Kava: “Gamer Night” - THURSDAY = GAME DAY at Fool’s Kava House! Sip some kava and get your game on all day long with our PC, console, and VR setups. Whether you're here for the skills or just the vibes, come chill and level up your First Thursday with us. Enjoy $15 All-You-Can-Drink Kava specials.
  • Truth Serum: “Vinyl & Karaoke” - Enjoy exclusive drink specials available throughout the evening while you browse the stacks of curated vinyl. Stick around as the energy picks up for their popular Karaoke session starting at 7:00 PM. It’s the perfect night to shop for records, enjoy a drink, and sing your heart out!
  • Amore Mio ($): “TBA”
  • Wondrous Works Gift Shop: “Vintage Scavenger Hunt” - We will be doing a vintage Scavenger Hunt in the shop! Complete the scavenger hunt card, turn it in, and receive a coupon for 15% off your purchase the next time you visit the shop!
  • Odyssey Barbers Barbershop: “Sidewalk Karaoke” - Take the mic at Odyssey Barbershop for a night of sidewalk karaoke! Whether you’re a local legend or a first-timer, stop by to sing your favorite hits and enjoy the First Thursdays atmosphere while exploring the shop.
  • STASH VHS: ”Thrifty Thursdays & Game Night” - Head inside the shop for a classic video game night and outside, you can challenge friends to a game of cornhole. While you're there, be sure to take advantage of their special Thrifty Thursday deals!
  • Chosen One Tattoo: “Gallery Night & Tours” - Free walk in art gallery & free arcade night! Join us as we showcase our rare art gallery from around the world! Tattoo specials, free arcade night and refreshments for our guest!
  • Mi Tesoro Thrift: “Chalk the Walk” - Stop by Mi Tesoro Thrift on Front Street to help decorate the walkway for our "Chalk the Sidewalk" event. Grab a piece of chalk, show off your artistic skills, and then head inside to check out our latest curated vintage and thrift finds!
  • Donna’s Gift Closet: “TBA”
  • Acapulquito Taqueria Bar & Grill: “Free Salsa Lessons & Dance” -  From 6pm-10pm, head on over to Taqueria Acapulquito for their viral salsa night with dance company, Salsa in the Gardens. 
  • Cafe Americana: “Live Music” - Transport yourself this First Thursday at Cafe Americana. Enjoy an evening of soulful live music paired with our signature tapas and cocktails. Whether you’re winding down or starting your night, the rhythm of Downtown is best felt right here.
  • Division Brewing: “Rock the Growl Open Mic Night” -  Join us at Division Brewing for Rock the Growl Open Mic Night, where you can take the stage or cheer on local performers. While you're here, browse the vinyl pop-up shop, grab a fresh pizza from the kitchen, and be sure to try the official City of Arlington’s 150th Commemorative Beer on tap.
  • Hooligan’s: “Karaoke Night” - Stop by Downtown Arlington’s iconic Irish pub and sing your heart out with your friends during Karaoke Night on First Thursdays!
  • Rocketbelly: “TBA”

First Thursdays: Coming Soon!

Wondering what’s in the cards for the upcoming 2026 First Thursdays season? Get ready for an incredible lineup of community, culture and creativity. Join us in Downtown Arlington for these upcoming highlights:

SEPTEMBER: Arlington’s 150th Birthday Bash!

  • 150th Birthday Cabaret: A free celebratory performance at Theatre Arlington (7:30 PM)
  • Historic Knapp Heritage Park: Live music under the trees at Knapp 
  • Arlington Historical Society History Walk: A guided tour through Arlington’s landmarks, including Mineral Well and the Arlington Music Hall.

OCTOBER

  • Walktober: Join the City of Arlington for themed walking groups, including art and candy walks.
  • Arlington Camera Photo Walk: Capture the colors of autumn with our local photography experts.
  • Community Paint-By-Numbers: Help us create a massive, collaborative art piece with Lucas Dooley.

NOVEMBER

  • Pumpkin Art Build at City Hall: Join us for our 3rd year in bringing the art of Fall pumpkin design to the steps of City Hall!
  • Radiant Solz Fire Performance: Welcoming back a First Thursdyas favorite, Radiant Solz, for live fire performance, juggling and more to Rotary DREAM Park. 

DECEMBER

  • Elves in the Window: A whimsical holiday performance by Miss Persis Dance.
  • Raku Fire Pottery: Live demos at Division Brewing with artist Landon Palmer.
  • Letters to Santa: A dedicated station for holiday wishes and community cheer.

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