This weekend in and around Dallas can almost be split in two. Thursday and early Friday belongs to local arts groups, with the start of three theater productions, one opera, and a symphony concert. But late Friday and Saturday brings in the big guns from both the music and comedy world who will fill up the area's major venues.

Below are the best ways to spend your precious free time this weekend. Want more options? Lucky for you, we have a much longer list of the city's best events.

Thursday, October 27

Lyric Stage presents The Rocky Horror Show
Lyric Stage will celebrate Halloween with the cult classic The Rocky Horror Show. It tells the story of the newly engaged Brad & Janet, who get caught in a storm and find themselves seeking shelter at the eerie mansion of mad scientist, Dr. Frank-N-Furter, where they meet a houseful of wild characters, including a rocking biker, a creepy butler, and a Frankenstein-style muscle man named Rocky. The production runs through Sunday at Majestic Theatre.

Teatro Dallas presents Ashes of Light
Teatro Dallas will present the regional and English premiere of Ashes of Light. After a self-imposed five-year absence, a young man returns home to attend his father's funeral. Over the course of two evenings, mother and son, two estranged generations of Dominicans living in the Upper West Side of Manhattan, attempt to rekindle the love and appreciation for each other and their roots. The production runs through November 12 at Latino Cultural Center.

Ochre House Theater and Dallas Flamenco Festival present Señor Barber
Ochre House Theater and the 2022 Dallas Flamenco Festival will collaborate together for Señor Barber, the captivating tale of two brothers - one a hermit and the other a cobbler - who stand on the precipice as the Devil promises each brother love and fame. Dance, song, and spectacle round out an evening of celebrating Flamenco. The production runs through November 5 at Ochre House Theater.

Friday, October 28

The Dallas Opera presents Hansel and Gretel
The Dallas Opera's second production of its 2022-23 season is an operatic take on a classic fairy tale. Hansel and Gretel head into the forest in search of food - but they almost end up as tasty treats themselves when they start nibbling on the deliciously edible house of a very nasty witch. Music Director Emmanuel Villaume conducts this production from LA Opera, which is sung in English with English supertitles. The production will have four performances through November 5 at Winspear Opera House.

Dallas Symphony Orchestra presents Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets In Concert
Cars fly, trees fight back, and monsters are on the loose in Harry Potter’s second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. This concert features Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets in high-definition, on a giant screen, while the Dallas Symphony Orchestra performs John Williams’ unforgettable score. There will be three performances through Sunday at Meyerson Symphony Center.

Tauren Wells in concert
Singer Tauren Wells, currently based in Houston, is a rising star in contemporary Christian Music genre. He's released three albums in the past five years, including the new Joy in the Morning, each of which have made the top 5 on Billboard Christian charts. He's also scored collaborations with a variety of big names, including Rascal Flatts, H.E.R., and Kirk Franklin. He'll perform at Texas Trust CU Theatre at Grand Prairie.

TITAS/Dance Unbound presents Nrityagram Ensemble
Nrityagram Ensemble, in collaboration with The Chitrasena Dance Company, is a partnership that celebrates centuries of rich Indian and Sri Lankan cultures. Though steeped in, and dedicated to ancient practices, these artists are committed to carrying Indian and Sri Lankan dance into the 21st century. There will performances on Friday and Saturday at Moody Performance Hall.

Lizzo in concert
The last time Lizzo came to town in 2019, she had just started to make it big after years of striving, and the small venue she played was not indicative of her talent. That won't be the case this time, as Lizzo is now a full-blown superstar. Her new album, Special, is even bigger than her previous one, already yielding the No. 1 song "About Damn Time." She was also both the host and musical guest on Saturday Night Live this past April, a relatively rare honor reserved for only the biggest performers. She'll play at American Airlines Center.

Maren Morris in concert
Country singer Maren Morris is an Arlington native who started her career by playing clubs throughout Dallas-Fort Worth. But she didn't taste true success until she moved to Nashville, scoring with the 2016 album, Hero, and the hit song "My Church." She's gone her own way in her career, crossing over to pop on occasion and standing up for trans rights and other causes. She'll play at The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory in support of her new album, Humble Quest.

Saturday, October 29

The Misfits in concert
Punk rock band The Misfits only lasted a short time in their original incarnation, but the music they made influenced bands ranging from Metallica to Green Day to My Chemical Romance. The band, which features singer Glenn Danzig, bassist Jerry Only, and guitarist Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein, feuded through the years, but since 2016 they've been back together as The Original Misfits. They'll play their only headlining show of 2022 at Dos Equis Pavilion, with Alice Cooper as special guest.

Ron White in concert
Comedian Ron "Tater Salad" White, who first rose to fame as the cigar-smoking, scotch-drinking funnyman from the Blue Collar Comedy Tour phenomenon, has long since established himself as a star in his own right. Over the past 20 years, White has been one of the top-grossing stand up comedians on tour in the country. He'll perform two shows on Saturday at The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory in Irving.