First Thursdays to Spotlight Arlington’s 150th in September

Published on August 17, 2026

Historic photo of Main Street in Downtown Arlington with the City of Arlington's sesquicentennial logo in the top left hand corner and the Downtown Arlington Management Corporation's First Thursday logo in the top right hand corner.

By Office of Communication

Downtown Arlington’s monthly First Thursdays event will take on a special theme this September joining the citywide celebration of Arlington’s 150th birthday.

The free event, held from 5 to 8 p.m. Sept. 3, 2026, will feature live music, family-friendly activities and downtown experiences, all centered on commemorating the city’s sesquicentennial. Attractions and specials will be announced two weeks before the event, but several key birthday‑themed activities are already set.

One of the night’s largest moments is planned for the Levitt Pavilion lawn near City Hall, where community members will form a massive “150” for a drone‑captured commemorative photo. Participants can pick up a free Arlington 150th birthday T‑shirt, available while supplies last, at the site before the shoot. RSVP to reserve your spot for the historic photo. The Levitt Pavilion is located at 100 W. Abram St.

Knapp Heritage Park will host an open house with historic log cabin tours, live music and the launch of Arlington History Walking Tours, which will begin and end at the park. Details on tour sign‑ups and times are expected soon. Knapp Heritage Park is located at 201 W. Front St.

Visitors can explore Downtown through the Arlington 150th Birthday Sticker Scavenger Hunt, stopping at six participating businesses to collect custom stickers. After completing the set, participants can collect a limited‑edition sticker at the City of Arlington booth inside Theatre Arlington at 305 W. Main St. An announcement with a list of participating businesses where you can pick up stickers will be coming soon.

Theatre Arlington will join the celebration with "Stealing the Spotlight: 150 Years of Arlington," an original cabaret featuring stories, anecdotes and music inspired by notable figures from Arlington’s history. Performances will take place at 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., with each show running approximately 30 minutes. Reserve your ticket in advance to secure your spot.

Before each performance of "Stealing the Spotlight," the Arlington Master Chorale will take the cabaret stage at 6:15 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. for a special preview of its upcoming concert, "Treasures of the Heart," taking place Oct. 16–17, 2026. The concert will feature a commissioned work by local composer Laura Farnell, created in commemoration of Arlington’s 150th anniversary.

Frost Bank’s Downtown branch will offer free face painting, popcorn and sodas. A City of Arlington 150th Birthday photo backdrop will also be available near the Levitt lawn for attendees to capture their own milestone snapshots.

Music will play a major role in the celebration. Through Arlington Amplified, local musicians will perform along Downtown sidewalks as part of its Street Sounds activation. Symphony Arlington will also bring classical selections to the area during the event.

First Thursdays continues to serve as a monthly showcase for Downtown businesses, local artists and community organizations. With Arlington marking 150 years, September’s edition aims to blend celebration, history and entertainment in a single evening across the Downtown district.

Visit Arlington150.com for more historical articles, photos and events planned throughout 2026.

Tagged as:
Back to top