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Sep 21, 2023

Music, Painting, and More for Fall’s Downtown Outdoors

Temperatures are finally starting to cool down, so you know what that means? Downtown Outdoors returns! Downtown Outdoors is a series of programming dedicated to activating key outdoor spaces around Downtown Arlington by bringing together the community to connect and create. Each Spring and Fall seasons, people from all over the DFW metroplex come together to enjoy a rotating roster of family-friendly events and activities.

From photography to painting to music to food, there is a little something for everybody. Come get a taste of downtown and leave with your very own hand-crafted souvenir and a longing to come back for more.  Downtown Outdoors is a great way to connect to the city around you, build your portfolio, or simply enjoy a nice day outside. Here’s your overview of everything to look forward to this coming season.

Downtown Impressions: A Plein Air Experience

Downtown Impressions: A Plein Air Experience launched earlier this year as a recurring program where artists, regardless of experience level, are invited to join us in the heart of the city as we paint different locations in the downtown area. If you are unfamiliar with the concept of plein air painting, it is a historic form of painting outdoors popularized by French impressionism with a strong emphasis on surrounding yourself with open air. Plein Air painting is all about escaping the confines of a traditional art studio in favor of an open-air outdoor environment.

This is a great opportunity to explore and experience the unique character of the city while also having fun, meeting new people, and developing your artistic ability. Each session will be led by professional artists and painters as they teach us best practices and new methods to craft our own unique style of painting. Be sure to add the following dates to your calendar!

Downtown Community Picnics

Downtown Community Picnics is a new addition to the Downtown Outdoors line-up, combining two of some of Arlington's best features: food and music. Taking place on the second week of every month from October through December, Downtown Community Picnics is a great opportunity for people to relax in the various green spaces around Downtown Arlington while listening to a variety of local artists. 

Bring in whatever food and drinks you like, grab your friends, lay out a blanket, and savor the afternoon with some sweet tunes! This is the perfect after-work activity to decompress, eat some good food, and discover a new artist or see one of your favorites. 

  • Wednesday, October 11, 2023 
    • From 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
    • Location: Knapp Heritage Park
  • Wednesday, November 8, 2023
    • From 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
    • Location: DREAM Park
  • Wednesday, December 6, 2023
    • From 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
    • Location: Gene Allen Park

Downtown Photo Walks

For the artists looking to broaden their expertise or the beginners looking for a good jumping on point, the “Downtown Photo Walk” series returns! Each year Downtown hosts several photo walks, where photographers gather for photoshoots around Downtown while they learn from experienced individuals in the field. Fall weather makes for the perfect time to take a stroll around the city and capture the beautiful views of the changing landscape. Don’t forget to add these dates to your calendar and free up space on your memory cards because you’re going to need it!

  • Thursday, October 19, 2023
    • From 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
    • Location: Inclusion Coffee
  • Thursday, November 16, 2023
    • From 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
    • Location: Inclusion Coffee
  • Thursday, December 7, 2023
    • From 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
    • Location: Inclusion Coffee

Downtown Outdoors Special Edition: Disney’s Coco Movie Showing

Just in time for Día de Los Muertos, Downtown Arlington is partnering with UTA Excel to show Disney’s Coco in Gene Allen Park on Friday, October 27th, starting at 6:00 p.m.! The movie will be shown along with food and retail vendors to help celebrate the holiday. Come on out and sing your heart out to Un Poco Loco or cry your eyes out to Remember Me, all while shopping from local Mexican artisans, entrepreneurs, and restaurant owners.

The event is in combination with the Arlington Museum of Art’s “José Guadalupe Posada: Legendary Printmaker of Mexico,” opening October 21st through January 7th. This new exhibit honors one of Mexico’s most celebrated artists by highlighting his ability to create expressive images that conveyed the transitioning culture of Mexico City and its residents, many of whom were illiterate. You may be familiar with Posada's infamous "calaveras," or skeletons, which has grown to become his most iconic and recognizable work. Tickets go on sale September 22nd. Click here to learn more about the exhibit.

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