Weekend Worthy: Find your next spooky read at Grapevine Horror Book Fest

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Happy Thursday,

I’ve always enjoyed a good horror book. The collection I’ve built since I was a teenager includes classics like Stephen King’s “Misery,” while still making space for more modern suspenseful books like Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s “Mexican Gothic.” To this day, I’m always on the lookout for scary reads. 

If you also love eerie novels, then find your next page-turner at the second annual Horror Book Fest in Grapevine. The event, hosted by independent store Talking Animals Books, brings together authors and horror fanatics. Find activities you can sink your teeth into below. 

Also, my colleague Marissa Greene and I recently dove into the history and future of the Rildia Bee O’Bryan Cliburn Organ as it celebrates 30 years at Broadway Baptist Church. Don’t miss the organ’s next performance this weekend alongside the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. The thousands of pipes can strike some bone rattling — and equally mesmerizing — chords.

Find your next frightful read at return of Grapevine book fest 

The festival kicks off with a panel featuring horror writers Katie Bernet, Chelsea Conradt, Shaun Hamill and C.L. Montblanc. Saturday and Sunday features authors and vendors, flash tattoos and specialty drinks at the coffee bar. Saturday night is horror open mic, so share ghost stories or your own horrorific short story.

What: Horror Book Fest 2.0

When: 7-9 p.m. Oct. 16; noon-9 p.m. Oct. 17; noon-6 p.m. Oct. 18

Where: Talking Animals Books, 909 S. Main St., Grapevine

Admission: Free to attend vendor market; $6.66 for author panel

Watch political play about CIA operation that reshaped Iran

The dark comedy thriller from Iranian-American playwright Habib Yazdi dives into the United States and Britain’s 1953 operation that overthrew Iran’s democratically elected prime minister.

What: AJAX

When: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 15; 8 p.m. Oct. 16, 17; 2 p.m. Oct. 18

Where: Amphibian Stage, 120 S. Main St., Fort Worth

Admission: $5-$60

Listen to grandiose music from the largest organ in Texas

The Rildia Bee O’Bryan Cliburn Organ has roughly 10,615 pipes and is pulling out the stops to celebrate its 30th anniversary at the Near Southside church. The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra will perform in tandem with the instrument.

What: Organ & Orchestra: Symphonic Power Meets Organ Brilliance

When: 7:30-9:30 p.m. Oct. 16

Where: Broadway Baptist Church, 305 W. Broadway Ave., Fort Worth

Admission: Free

Shop self-published booklets, pamphlets by local artists

The festival will bring together zine artists, short films, art workshops, community speakers and an after party with local bands. Near Southside’s Ostara Coffee will raffle a free matcha drink.

What: Fort Worth Zine Fest 2026

When: Noon-6 p.m. Oct. 17

Where: Southside Preservation Hall, 1519 Lipscomb St., Fort Worth

Admission: Free

Celebrate Latin cultures while strolling through Fort Worth garden

The botanic garden celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with mariachi and folklórico performances, a quinceañera runway show, and short performances for children by Fort Worth Opera.

What: ¡Celebramos! Fiesta de Cultura Viva

When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 18

Where: Fort Worth Botanic Garden, 3220 Botanic Garden, Fort Worth

Admission: $4-$15; free for children under 2, garden members

Thanks for reading! Do you have a Weekend Worthy event? Add it to our community calendar.

David Moreno is the arts and culture reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at [email protected].

The Fort Worth Report’s arts and culture coverage is supported in part by the Meta Alice Keith Bratten Foundation and the Virginia Hobbs Charitable Trust. At the Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.