Spring into Action with Downtown Arlington

Daylight Savings is this Sunday, do you know what that means? More time to spend outside soaking in the beautiful weather and participating in Downtown Arlington’s various activities and events taking place this season. Springtime in the city is blooming with fun and entertainment for everyone. From photography to painting to shopping, you can find your favorite pastime right here in Downtown!

Downtown Impressions: A Community Plein Air Experience

This Spring, Downtown Arlington welcomes several new event series as well as a couple of familiar favorites. Starting March 18^th, we are introducing “Downtown Impressions: A Community Plein Air Experience,” a recurring program where artists, regardless of experience level, are invited to join us in the heart of the city as we paint key locations in the downtown area. 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 and developing your artistic capacity. These painting sessions will be led by professional plein air artists, and at the end of the series, participants can sell their artwork at a group exhibition hosted at Create Arlington. Downtown Impressions is a great way to meet new people, strengthen your skills, and gain bragging rights with your friends and family for being an accomplished, selling artist. If you are unable to attend the first session, don’t sweat it! Future sessions will be available on April 15^th, May 13^th, and June 10^th, so mark your calendars!

Downtown Photo Walks

Additionally, 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 themed photoshoots around Downtown while they learn from experienced individuals in the field. The series launches this year on March 22^nd with a Pet Portrait workshop; photographers are encouraged to bring their furry friends and discover how to capture their beauty in a photograph.

Whether you need pictures for your dog’s Instagram account, want more options for your screensaver, or if you’ve ever wanted a giant portrait of your fluffy freeloader hanging over your fireplace mantel, now is your chance! Photo walks are the perfect opportunity to build your portfolio, fill your camera roll with memories, and interact and befriend likeminded people in your field. Later Photo Walks include “Cityscape Chronicles” on April 12^th, “Model Moments” on June 14^th, and a West Main Arts walk on May 2^nd, so be sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to stay in the know on when registration opens!

Produce & Pickle

Speaking of social media, viral sensation Pickleball is coming to Downtown Arlington! In a brand-new event series, we take two separate beloved concepts and combine them into one day of fun, food, and family, known as “Produce & Pickle.” Located in the courtyard of Division Brewing, Produce & Pickle takes place on March 25^th, April 23^rd, May 21^st, and June 18^th from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Pickleballers will have the chance to put the paddle where their mouth is and compete against other teams in a friendly competition.

Between pickle sets, check out the numerous vendors selling fresh, in-season fruits and vegetables. Don’t forget to head inside Division Brewing for any of their ice-cold signature beers, and feel free to try some of their special releases, brewed just for this occasion.

St. Patrick’s Day Block Party

Of course, it wouldn’t be Spring in Downtown Arlington without one of our biggest traditions, St. Patrick’s Day at J. Gilligan’s! Every year people from all over the world converge on the Irish Nacho Capital to try their signature dish, enjoy some live music, and grab a drink with strangers-turned-friends. This year’s 44th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Block Party will not disappoint.

The fun begins at 11:00 a.m. on March 17^th, while the outdoor festivities start at 4:00 p.m. There will be live music from local bands such as September Moon, Don McCloud Bagpipes, Morning People, and more as well as face painting, ballooning, and giveaways. Grab your lucky charm and join us for green beer and Irish Nachos! Drink responsibly.

Wheel Wars 2023

Taking place directly after Produce & Pickle between Division Brewing and Growl Records, is Wheel Wars 2023! In this head-to-head competition hosted by Catalyst Creative Arts, eight amateur potters will be racing each other and the timeclock to see who can create the best pottery piece within each round’s guidelines.

West Main Arts Fest

To round out this Spring’s annual events is the 7thAnnual West Main Arts Fest on May 6^th from noon to 8:00 p.m. The festival features over 100 vendors, selling anything from art to clothing to candles and other homemade household essentials. While shopping and strolling, you’ll be serenaded by a variety of bands performing live on four different stages. The festival will be also accompanied by several food trucks and booths from some of your favorite Downtown eateries. Bring your friends and family out to a day of good vibes and good weather and go home with high-quality products of your choice.

Music, Movies, and More!

Downtown Arlington’s cultural arts destinations continue to deliver high quality entertainment for the community. Theatre Arlington’s 2023 season is filled with a diverse assortment of productions, including “Noises Off,” “On Golden Pond,” “Superior Donuts,” and “Avenue Q.” From puppet shows to over-the-top comedies, the newly renovated theater does it all! And if you're looking for a different kind of theater showing, the Levitt Pavilion will be playing 3 different movies across 3 different days on the big screen. Frozen Sing Along will be on March 14th, Lego Batman Movie airs on March 15th, and The Avengers on March 16th.

Spring in Downtown Arlington is a well of opportunities to get involved in the community, meet new friends in your field, and to just have fun. Try your hand at new creative art mediums, play a game of Pickleball, or take part in any of our infamous annual events. Whatever the case may be, now is the perfect time to get out there and make the most of Texas’s best temperatures. Sign up for the Downtown Arlington newsletter to stay up to date on the latest events and programming happening in Downtown this season!