Out and About in Arlington: Rock and run at music festival EDM-themed fun run

TGIF!

Was one of your New Year’s resolutions to get into running? If you’re like me and you haven’t started yet, this Saturday’s running music festival may be the jump start you need. Night Nation Run brings the booming music, bubbles, bright neon and black lights to your 5K run. 

The organization has hosted similar events across the country, so don’t miss their stop at Globe Life Field. If you make it across the finish line, make sure to go to the Main Stage After Party concert. 

Outside the Entertainment District, Arlington is embracing the spooky season with Halloween-themed festivals like the Spooky Night Market on Saturday night. Dress in your best costume for the Small Business Mercado’s spooktacular activities. Stop by the market to visit over 60 local vendors, listen to live music and eat at food trucks to keep you going all night. 

There will also be live glassblowing demonstrations and hundreds of glass pumpkins for sale at the University of Texas at Arlington’s Studio Arts Center. The event is part of the annual Glass Pumpkin Sale & Fundraiser, which is part of UTA Friends & Family Weekend. 

Each glass pumpkin is one-of-a-kind, made by students, faculty and community in the UTA Glass Studio. 

If you’re interested in boo-ze, put on your best costume for a Halloween Costume Bar Crawl starting at J. Gilligan’s Bar & Grill. There will be Halloween karaoke and a free haunted house at The Chosen One Ink Tattoo & Body Piercing Studio. 

For a slower change of pace, go to Cliff Nelson Park for Phantom Lights lantern decorating. You can also visit the wide selection of pumpkins at the St. John Lutheran Church’s pumpkin patch for a pumpkin to carve, bake or simply cherish. 

Whatever you decide to do, let us know what you’re up to. Have a great weekend, and see you next week!

In the Entertainment District: 

Bounce and bump at this music festival 5K fun run

Your regular 5K, but with EDM music, bubbles, neon and black lights. Run to support partner Stand Up To Cancer.

What: Night Nation Run

When: 5 p.m. pre-party; 7:30 p.m. first wave, Oct. 17 

Where: Globe Life Field, 734 Stadium Drive

Admission: Starting at $44.99

Going downtown: 

Celebrate the spooky season early with the Spooky Night Market

Shop your local vendors in your best costume at Downtown Arlington, rocking to the live music with food truck tacos in hand. 

What: Spooky Night Market

When: 5:30-10 p.m. Oct. 17

Where: Downtown Arlington, 101 W. Abram St.

Admission: Free

Walk through a glass pumpkin patch Cinderella would love

Find your own glass pumpkin made by UTA students, faculty and community to support the fundraiser.

What: Annual Glass Pumpkin Patch & Live Glassblowing Demonstrations 

When: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 16-17 

Where: UTA Studio Art Center, 810 S. Davis Drive

Admission: Free; glass pumpkins available for purchase

Who doesn’t like a night of spirits and boo-ze?

Enjoy a night of costumes, drinks, karaoke and spooks. 

What: Downtown Halloween Bar Crawl 

When: 7 p.m. Oct. 17 

Where: J. Gilligan’s Bar & Grill, 400 E. Abram St.

Admission: Free; registration preferred

Elsewhere in Arlington: 

Find your pumpkin for decorating, carving or pie making at St. John Lutheran Church
Or just have a stroll and the perfect photo op at the annual pumpkin patch. 

What: St. John Lutheran Church Pumpkin Patch

When: 1:30-8 p.m. Monday-Friday; 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, through Oct. 31

Where: St. John Lutheran Church, 1218 E. Debbie Lane, Mansfield

Admission: Free; pumpkins available for purchase

Decorate your lantern to float at the Cliff Nelson Phantom Lights festival

You’ll have a chance to decorate your lantern before launching them at 7:30. 

What: Phantom Lights 

When: 6-8 p.m. Oct. 17 

Where: Cliff Nelson Recreation Center, 4600 W. Bardin Road

Admission: Free; paper lanterns available for $10 each

Mica Magday is a reporting fellow for the Arlington Report. Contact her at [email protected]

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