From Broadway to the Rodeo: DFW’s Cultural and Sports Calendar You Still Have Time to Experience This January
By Ana Cruz
Rollos de Mujeres Magazine Founder & Editor-in-Chief
January in Dallas–Fort Worth has a reputation for being “quiet.” But that’s only if you’re not paying attention.
This is the month when the city feels a little more breathable—easier parking, fewer crowds, and just enough chill in the air to make a night out feel intentional. The kind of January where you grab a cafecito, put on a real coat, and remember: DFW is a cultural capital when it wants to be.
Below is what’s still ahead this January—a curated guide for the rest of the month, from Broadway-level storytelling to the kind of Texas tradition that practically lives in our DNA.
Broadway & Big-Stage Energy
Kimberly Akimbo (through Jan 18) at the Winspear Opera House
I experienced Kimberly Akimbo on opening night—and it instantly became one of my favorite productions I’ve seen in Dallas. The audience moved as one: constant laughter, then sudden pockets of silence, and more than a few tears. That’s the magic of this show—it’s genuinely funny, but it’s also tender in the way real life is tender. The story follows Kimberly, a bright teenager navigating high school, family chaos, and friendships while living with a rare condition that makes her age faster than everyone around her. What could feel heavy becomes unexpectedly uplifting: a reminder that joy isn’t something we “earn” later—it’s something we choose in the middle of the mess. With a sharp, original score and a warm, offbeat humor, Kimberly Akimbo leaves you feeling lighter and more human, like someone quietly handed you permission to live today.
SIX (Jan 27 – Feb 1) Music Hall at Fair Park
This is one of the most anticipated productions of 2026—and from what I’m hearing from people close to the scene, it’s almost sold out, so grab your tickets as soon as you can. SIX is pure adrenaline: a pop concert meets history lesson, where Henry VIII’s wives take the mic, reclaim the narrative, and turn their stories into a bold, high-energy show with stadium-level vibes. It’s perfect for a girls’ night, a fun date, or anytime you just want an unforgettable night out with great music and nonstop momentum.
For Your “Let’s Do Something Different” Era
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: The Twenty-Sided Tavern (Jan 20 – Feb 1) at the Wyly Theatre
This is the rare kind of night out that feels like theatre, a live game, and a comedy show had a very fun child. The Twenty-Sided Tavern lands at the Wyly Theatre as an interactive fantasy adventure where the audience helps choose the heroes, influences the choices, and shapes how the quest unfolds—so each performance can feel a little different depending on the crowd. Even if you’ve never played D&D, the show is designed for first-timers and fans alike: you’re there for the story, the surprises, and the “we’re all in this together” energy that makes it feel more like an experience than a show.
Lungs by Duncan Macmillan (Jan 22 – Jan 25) at the Wyly Studio Theatre
If you’re in your reflective era—thinking about love, the future, and what kind of world we’re building—Lungs is the kind of play that sits with you. Running at the Wyly Studio Theatre as part of the Elevator Project, this contemporary piece follows a young couple as they wrestle with the decision to have a child while the world feels uncertain. It’s known for being minimalist in production but emotionally big, with the tension coming from honest conversation rather than spectacle. The result is intimate and sharply human—exactly the kind of theatre that feels like a private conversation unfolding in public.
Music and High-Style Nights Out
Macho Flamenco: Boys Don’t Dance (Jan 30 – Feb 1) at the Wyly Studio Theatre
Flamenco already carries heat—discipline, rhythm, pride—but Macho Flamenco: Boys Don’t Dance brings a modern edge by confronting taboos and gender expectations inside a form that’s historically traditional. Presented at the Wyly Studio Theatre (Elevator Project), the production is described as a flamenco show that aims to “break taboos,” which usually means you can expect both reverence for tradition and a deliberate push against old limitations. It’s the kind of performance that feels bold without needing to be loud—precise, intense, and emotionally charged.
Fort Worth: Where Culture Wears Boots (and Means It)
Photo Credit: Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo
Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo (Jan 16 – Feb 7)
The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo isn’t “just a rodeo”—it’s a full Texas season compressed into a few weeks, and the kind of tradition that makes Fort Worth feel like Fort Worth. The event runs at Dickies Arena from January 16 through February 7, anchoring a packed calendar that includes major rodeo nights and heritage showcases like Best of the West Ranch Rodeo, Best of Mexico Celebración, Cowboys of Color Rodeo, and more. Whether you go for the rodeo action, the Western culture, or the intergenerational vibe—grandparents, parents, kids, first-timers all in the same place—it’s one of the most “DFW” experiences you can have all year.
Big DFW sports events still coming up in January
Dallas Stars vs. Boston Bruins — Tue, Jan 20 (American Airlines Center)
If you want one January night that feels like “DFW sports culture” at its best, this is it. The Stars host the Bruins at American Airlines Center in a matchup that draws a packed arena and a serious, playoff-energy crowd—Original Six intensity meets one of Dallas’ most consistent teams. It’s also a perfect weeknight plan: downtown dinner, then hockey under the lights, with the kind of atmosphere that makes you understand why Stars fans are so loyal.
Photo Credit: NBA
Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Lakers — Sat, Jan 24 (American Airlines Center)
This is the marquee NBA night on the January calendar—Mavs vs. Lakers at AAC. Even if you’re not a “go to every game” person, this is the kind of matchup that turns into an event: a Saturday night crowd, big-name energy, and the vibe in the building is noticeably louder from warmups to the final minutes. If you’re choosing one Mavericks game to attend this month, this is a strong contender.
For more curated guides like this—arts, culture, people, and the stories shaping Dallas–Fort Worth—subscribe to Rollos de Mujeres Magazine and follow along. The city is always telling a story. We’re here to help you catch it.