Festivals bring people together from all walks of life to celebrate and showcase different interests, ideas, and cultures. And, as the weather grows milder, you may be thinking about fun or family friendly outdoor activities, so our writers have compiled a list of events that is sure to have something for everyone. Whether you prefer music festivals and top-notch performers, cultural events that introduce you to a new world of food and artisan products, or the delightful wackiness of a UFO festival, Texas’ events provide a unique opportunity for attendees to learn, connect, and have fun.
In this list, we explore some of Texas’ most exciting and notable events beginning this month—most are nearby or just a short drive from Georgetown. Also note all events in WILLIAMSON COUNTY are highlighted. We have the whole year covered so be sure to save this issue to check back for future planning. Please note, while we have made every effort to represent accurate dates and details for each, we recommend checking online for schedule or changes before heading out for the day.
MAY
May 3-6 • Marble Falls, Marble Falls Mayfest
Celebrate Spring with Mayfest, featuring four days of food trucks, vendors, live music, games, and carnival rides.
May 5-7 • Austin, Republic of Texas Biker Rally
Each year, motorcycle enthusiasts convene for one of the largest biker rallies in the country that showcases live music, bike shows, and other biker-themed activities. republicoftexasmotorcyclerally.com
May 6 • Leander, Kite Festival
Kick off the summer with the annual Kite Festival at Devine Lake Park, a free community event for all ages that includes kite events, food and craft vendors, and lots of high-flying fun! Bring your own kite or bring the family to watch other kites soar. leandertx.gov/parksrec/page/kite-festival
May 6-7 • Austin, Pecan Street Festival
Held in May & September, this festival features live music, food vendors, and arts and crafts booths. pecanstreetfestival.org
May 12-14 • Crystal Beach, Texas Crab Festival
Enjoy a weekend of fresh Gulf seafood, live music, coastal arts and crafts, and other activities for the whole family. texascrabfestival.org
May 19-20 • Rockport, Babes on the Bay
Babes on the Bay is an all-women’s fishing tournament that was created to help educate women about the sport of saltwater fishing in a conservation-minded approach. The event offers an opportunity for women from across Texas and the entire country to come together in a fun-filled weekend with live bands, vendor booths, educational outreach by Texas Parks and Wildlife, and other conservation-minded organizations.
May 20 • Liberty Hill, Whimsy and Wonder
Each year, Liberty Hill’s Main Street is transformed into an eclectic fusion of all things whimsical and wonderful, with live music, art demonstrations, wine tastings, artisan vendors, street performers, and a Children’s Imagination Garden experiencelhtx.com/whimsyandwonder/
May 21, June 18-25 • Georgetown, Liberty Hill, Austin, Texas Bach Festival
Annual celebration of the music of Johann Sebastian Bach and other classical composers. texasbachfestival.org
May 25-June 11 • Kerrville, Kerrville Folk Festival
Visitors can enjoy an 18-day music extravaganza featuring a lineup of renowned folk and Americana musicians. kerrvillefolkfestival.org
May 26-28 • Ennis, National Polka Festival
Celebrate the town of Ennis’ Czech heritage with polka music, food, and dancing. nationalpolkafestival.com/
May 26-28 • Fredericksburg, Annual Crawfish Festival
Held annually in Fredericksburg, this festival celebrates Cajun culture with crawfish boils, live music, and other family-friendly activities. visitfredericksburgtx.com/event/fredericksburg-crawfish-festival/55172/
May 27 • San Antonio, Asian Festival
In observance of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, this one-day performance, entertainment, and food event will celebrate the diverse Asian diaspora represented in South Texas and San Antonio. asianfestivalsa.org
May • Pflugerville, Deutschen Fest
Pflugerville’s most popular pfestival is always bursting with pfun with live music, food, beer, shopping, and the Pfun Run and Community Pfair. deutschenpfest.com
JUNE
June 7-11• Austin, Cine Las Americas International Film Festival
Annual cinema showcase featuring films from Latin America, Spain, and Portugal.
cinelasamericas.org
June 7-10 • Lockhart, Chisholm Trail Roundup
This annual festival honors the city’s historic cattle drives with a parade, live music, and other family-friendly activities.
June 8-11 • Abilene, Children’s Art & Literacy Festival
Known as the Storybook Capital of America, Abilene hosts an annual Children’s Art & Literacy Festival featuring readings, meet and greets with storybook characters, a parade, petting zoo, and many other kid-friendly literary events. abilenecalf.com
June 10 • Jacksonville, Tomato Fest
A fun event for the whole family, Tomato Fest features a car and truck show, street dance, shopping, and food vendors. jacksonvilletexas.com/tomato-fest
June 17 • Salado, Salado Springs Beer Festival
With beer tastings and family friendly activities, the Salado Springs Beer Festival is the perfect way to toast your pops during Father’s Day weekend. barrowbrewing.com/salado-springs-beer-fest
Weekends on or near June 19, Juneteenth
Parades, live music, food, and activities in various locations in Georgetown, Round Rock, San Marcos, Austin, Killeen
June 22-25 • Luling, Luling Watermelon Thump
This festival celebrates the town’s status as the “Watermelon Capital of Texas” with live music, a carnival, and of course, lots of juicy watermelon. watermelonthump.com
JULY
July 3 • Leander, Leander Liberty Fest
Celebrate Independence Day with Liberty Fest at Lakewood Park! Leander’s largest annual event includes live music, food, children’s activities, and a spectacular fireworks display.
July 3 • Liberty Hill, Liberty Hill Independence Day Spectacular
This festival celebrates the Fourth of July with live music, food vendors, and a fireworks display. experiencelhtx.com/independence-day-spectacular/
July 4 • Georgetown, 4th of July Celebration
This Independence Day event hosted by the Georgetown Sertoma Club features a parade, auto show, arts and crafts, food vendors, live music, amusement rides, petting zoo, inflatables, and fireworks show. georgetown4th.org
July 27-29 • Clute, The Great Texas Mosquito Festival
A three-day, fun-filled family event, the Great Texas Mosquito Festival features a 5K, carnival, cook-off, arts and crafts, live entertainment, and more. mosquitofestival.com
AUGUST
August 5 • Georgetown, Blazin’ Beer Crawl
An antidote for thirst for heat-weary Texans, the Blazin’ Beer Crawl offers craft beer tastings at downtown retail stores and restaurants. mainstreet.georgetown.org/beercrawl/
August 11-12 • Edinburg, Edinburg UFO Festival
This one is a little outside our norm but definitely worth a drive. Inspired by an incident in 1966 in North Edinburg, the festival kicks off with a tour of the crash site. Conferences by celebrity speakers from “Ancient Aliens” and “The Vortex.” Other activities include a planetarium, tin foil hat station, vendors, autopsy, room, costume contests, and a laser light show. Also includes footage of sightings in the Rio Grande Valley. edinburgufo.com/
August 26 • Austin, Bat Fest
Each year, visitors gather to watch 1.5 million bats emerge from under the Congress Avenue bridge at dusk, an event accompanied by live music, arts and crafts vendors, food and drinks, kids’ activities, a bat costume contest and other bat activities. austintexas.org/event/austin-bat-fest/372455
August 26-27 • Austin, Texas Woodworking Festival
Showcases local woodworking talent with demonstrations, vendors, and workshops. texaswoodworkingfestival.com/
SEPTEMBER
September • Georgetown, Art Hop
With artwork displayed at both the Georgetown Public Library and the Georgetown Art Center, viewers can “hop” across the Square to enjoy diverse pieces created by artists who live all over the state.
Labor Day weekend • West, Westfest
An annual event that salutes the area’s Czech heritage, Westfest features live music and entertainment, authentic food and beverages, and nonstop family fun.
westfest.com
September 1-3 • Richardson, Texas Gospel Music Festival
Featuring 11 gospel music artists and bands, the Texas Gospel Music Festival is a must-attend event for lifelong gospel music fans as well as those simply seeking an inspiration weekend.
September 9 • Harker Heights, Harker Heights Food, Wine & Brew Festival
Whether you are a craft beer drinker, wine lover, or foodie, everyone will find something to savor at this festival, which features Texas wines, craft brews, vendors, live music, and much more. hhfoodandwine.com
September 14-17 • Grapevine, Grapevine GrapeFest
This festival celebrates the city’s wine-making heritage with tastings, live music, and a grape-stomping competition. grapevinetexasusa.com/grapefest
September 16-17 • Austin, Pecan Street Festival
Held in May & September, this festival features live music, food vendors, and arts and crafts booths. pecanstreetfestival.org
September 21-23 • Fort Worth, Fort Worth Oktoberfest
Fort Worth Oktoberfest offers something fun for everyone, whether you want to kick back in the biergarten, shop in the marktstrass, or test your skills at stein hoisting and bier barrel rolling. Fort Worth Oktoberfest also hosts a 5k Run, 20-mile urban bike ride and carnival rides and games. fortworthoktoberfest.com
September 21-24 • Plano, Plano Balloon Festival
Soar to new heights with the Plano Balloon Festival, which features family friendly concerts, kids’ activities, sky diving exhibitions, fireworks show, and hot air balloon displays and tethered rides. planoballoonfest.org
September 29-October 22 • Dallas, State Fair of Texas
Visitors can enjoy a wide range of attractions, including live music, carnival rides, livestock shows, and a variety of food vendors. bigtex.com
September 30 • Georgetown, GTX Film Festival
Annual cinematic celebration featuring a full day of films. gtxfilm.org
September 30-October 1 • Austin, Austin Coffee Festival
Enjoy the best specialty roasters and coffee shops with unique beans, delicious snacks, and live entertainment, during this one-of-a-kind coffee experience. austincoffeefestival.com
OCTOBER
San Antonio, Dia De Los Muertos
Discover Day of the Dead in a city bursting at the seams with Latin heritage and culture. Visitors can enjoy a river parade, live music, and other fun festivities.
October 6-8 and 13-15 • Austin, Austin City Limits Music Festival
ACL features a diverse music lineup every year with nine stages and 100+ performances over two weekends. aclfestival.com
October 6-9 • New Braunfels (Gruene Historic District), Gruene Music and Wine Fest
Visitors can enjoy live music, wine tastings, and food vendors from local restaurants during this annual event that also raises funds for United Way of Comal County. gruenemusicandwinefest.org
October 6-7 • Round Rock, Round Rock Chalk Walk
This unique event features sidewalk chalk artists who turn the pavement into a stunning canvas of colors and designs. Visitors will also have the chance to explore a variety of vendors as well as enjoy food, live music, theatrical performances, and children’s activities. www.chalkwalk.org
Weekends starting October 7-November 26 • Todd Mission, Texas Renaissance Festival
Visitors can enjoy medieval-themed entertainment, jousting, crafts, and food. texrenfest.com/
October 19-22 • Tyler, Texas Rose Festival
Known as the Rose Capital of America, Tyler will celebrate its 90th annual Rose Festival with a rose art show, parade, arts and crafts fair, and Queen’s coronation and tea. texasrosefestival.com
October 21 • Georgetown, South Main Arts Festival
Visitors can enjoy artist demonstrations, performances, live music, and art shopping opportunities. arts.georgetown.org/southmainartfest/
October 21 • Liberty Hill, International Sculpture Festival
Each year, Liberty Hill’s Sculpture Park features live sculpting demonstrations, hands-on art activities, vendors, live music, a street dance, and a silent disco. experiencelhtx.com/sculpture-festival
October 21 • San Antonio, Water Lantern Festival
Floating lantern event that features food, games, activities, vendors, music, and the beauty of thousands of lanterns adorned with letters of love, hope and dreams. waterlanternfestival.com/sanantonio
October 23 • Austin, Formula 1 Grand Prix
Racing enthusiasts can enjoy the competition featuring some of the world’s top drivers.
October 26-29 • Austin, Levitation
Enjoy a variety of musical genres and performances by local and national artists. austintexas.org/event/levitation-fest-2023/370584/
October 26-29 • Taylor, Williamson County Fair and Rodeo
This fair features carnival rides, live music, food vendors, and exhibits showcasing local agriculture and crafts. wilcofair.com/
NOVEMBER
November • Austin, Austin Food & Wine Festival
This three-day festival features top chefs, winemakers, and food artisans from around the world, with tastings, cooking demonstrations, and other culinary events. austinfoodandwinefestival.com
November 2-5 • Galveston, Lone Star Rally
One of the largest motorcycle rallies in the state featuring live music, bike shows, and other biker-themed activities. lonestarrally.com/
November 3-12 • New Braunfels, Wurstfest
This festival celebrates German culture with food, music, and carnival rides. wurstfest.com
November 10-12 • Salado, Scottish Gathering and Highland Games
The three-day event includes the skirl of the bagpipes, the wearing of the tartan, tossing the caber, Highland dancing, Celtic entertainers, shopping, food and fun. One of the event’s main features is the Clan Village where Clan members share information about Scottish history and genealogy.
November 11-12 • Austin, Texas Book Festival
Book lovers will enjoy the annual festival that features book signings, author readings, and other literary events. texasbookfestival.org
November 16 • Round Rock, Beaujolais Nights
A global celebration of the opening and tasting of the George Dubeouf Beaujolais Nouveau wine at this 21-and-over festival celebrating culinary, performing, and visual arts roundrocktexas.gov/event/beaujolais-nights
November 24 • Georgetown, Lighting of the Square
The Lighting of the Square kicks off the holiday festivities with traditional carolers and a mass countdown to switching on thousands of lights downtown.
DECEMBER
December • Austin, Austin Trail of Lights
This trail features more than 2 million lights illuminating the park, 90 lighted holiday trees and more than 70 other holiday displays and lighted tunnels. austintrailoflights.org/
December 1-3 • Georgetown, Christmas Stroll
Each December, the Georgetown Square is transformed into a hotspot for the holidays with a parade, festive marketplace, Bethlehem village, and activities just for kids.
December 1-3 • Galveston, Dickens on the Strand
This festival transforms the historic downtown area into a Victorian-era English town, complete with costumed characters, street performers, and food vendors. galvestonhistory.org/events/dickens-on-the-strand
December 9 • Liberty Hill, Christmas Festival
Shop, eat, and enjoy live music while the kids have a blast ice skating, playing in real snow, and meeting Santa and Mrs. Claus. Don’t miss the dazzling, lighted Christmas parade along Loop 332.
Late December – Early January, Cedar Park, Cedar Park Winter Festival
Family friendly event featuring live music, food vendors, carnival rides, and a holiday-themed light display.
JANUARY
January 1 • Various Locations, First Day Hike
Guided hikes through Texas state parks to encourage outdoor activity and exploration. tpwd.texas.gov/calendar/first-day-hikes
Early January • Austin, Free Week
Free Week started in 2003 at the legendary Emo’s as a way to keep staff working when business was historically slow. It grew into a movement, with venues Austin to Nashville participating, with tens of thousands attending city-wide. redriverculturaldistrict.org
January • Austin, Frontera Fest
Popular fringe theater festival featuring a wide range of performances by local artists.
January • San Antonio, Chinese New Year Parade of Lanterns
The San Antonio River Walk will be lit up with 26-foot long floats topped with breathtaking lanterns in celebration of Chinese New Year.
January 17 • Killeen, MLK Freedom Festival
Celebrates the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. with a parade, live music, and cultural performances.
Begins late January • Mission, Texas Citrus Fiesta
A two-week celebration highlighting the region’s citrus industry with parades, pageants, and food festivals. texascitrusfiesta.org/
FEBRUARY
February • Taylor, Hops for Houses Craft Beer Festival
This fundraiser festival benefitting Habitat for Humanity features craft beer from 25+ Central and North Texas breweries as well as delicious food trucks, live music, silent auction, games, and more! williamsonhabitat.org/hops-for-houses/
February • Austin, Carnaval Brasilerio
Carnaval grew from a small party for homesick Brazilian students in the 1970s to the largest indoor Carnaval party on the planet. Music, dancing, costumes, and general bacchanalia. (Think Brazilian mardi gras.) sambaparty.com
February • Ennis, Ennis Czech Music Festival
Join the Czech Polka Bands of Ennis during the Czech Music Festival, a day filled with great music, dancing, food, a kid zone, and more.
February • Port Aransas, Whooping Crane Festival
This festival celebrates the annual return of the cranes to their wintering habitat at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. Visitors can enjoy birding and boating trips, nature tours, photography workshops, a trade show and more. portaransas.org/whooping-crane-festival
February • Beaumont, Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas
The festivities kick off downtown with delicious Cajun food, live music, parades, and of course, all the beads you could want.
February • Fort Worth, Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo
This rodeo features bull riding, barrel racing, and other western-themed activities. fwssr.com
February 7-10, 2024 • Laredo, Laredo Birding Festival
Guided by field guides and local birders, visitors will have an opportunity to deepen their avian knowledge of South Texas and explore areas along Laredo’s riverfront, creek systems, nature trails and private ranchland. laredobirdingfestival.org
February 8-25, 2024 • San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo
This rodeo features bull riding, barrel racing, and live music from some of the biggest names in country music. sarodeo.com
February 27 – March 17, 2024 • Houston, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
One of the largest rodeos in the world, this event features rodeo events, live music, and a variety of food and drink vendors. rodeohouston.com
MARCH
March 8-16, 2024 • Austin, South by Southwest (SXSW)
This annual festival is a convergence of music, film, and technology that attracts thousands of people from around the world to experience live performances, screenings, and interactive events. sxsw.com
March • Georgetown, Georgetown Swirl
Savor the flavors of local wineries and food vendors at this annual wine tasting event. All proceeds benefit the Georgetown Main Street Facade & Sign Grant Program, which awards grants to over 90 downtown property and business owners. swirl.georgetown.org
March • Georgetown, GTX Photography Festival
A one-day festival jam-packed with photo walks, educational classes, and meet-and-greet opportunities with featured photographers. All classes and photo walks are free and open to the public on a first-come basis by registering in person Saturday morning at the Williamson Museum. georgetowntexasphotographyfestival.com
March • Austin, Rodeo Austin
An annual 15-day celebration, Rodeo Austin features livestock and horse shows, carnival activities, live music, and hands-on learning experiences in agricultural education for youth. RodeoAustin.com
March • San Antonio, San Antonio Folklife and Dance Festival
This festival is a beloved tradition of international folk-dance teaching, music, parties, and camaraderie. safdf.org
March • Bandera, Thunder in the Hill Country
This festival features motorcycle rides, bike shows, live music, and other biker-themed activities. bikerralliesoftexas.com/thunder-in-the-hill-country
March • Dallas, North Texas Irish Festival
The North Texas Irish Festival celebrates the rich tradition of Irish and Celtic culture with live music, dancing, storytelling, chef demonstrations, shopping, kid-friendly activities and more. ntif.org
March • Denton, Texas Storytelling Festival
Experience the power of storytelling at the annual Texas Storytelling Festival, where folks from all walks of life gather to share the diverse, captivating art of storytelling. tejasstorytelling.com/festival
March 3, 2024 • Houston, Houston Kosher Chili Cookoff
Sample chili, enjoy children’s activities, listen to music at the Houston Kosher Chili Cookoff, an event that is all about bringing the entire Jewish Community together for a day of food, fun and festivities to raise funds for nonprofit organizations in the Houston Jewish Community. houstonkosherchilicookoff.com
March • Waxahachie, Tulipalooza
Hundreds of thousands of tulip bulbs have been imported from Holland and planted at the Waxahachie Civic Center in Waxahachie, ready to bloom into a stunning display of colors. tulipalooza.org/
Last weekend in March • Salado, Wildflower Arts and Crafts Festival
Visitors can enjoy this family-friendly festival that features arts and crafts vendors selling handcrafted items from all over the state. visitsaladotexas.com/event/wildflower-arts-and-crafts-fair/2023-03-25/
March/April • Austin, ABC Kite Fest
Day-long activities for all ages, including the traditional kite flying contest and showcase, and MossFest, a children’s music concert. Abckitefest.org
APRIL
April • Austin, Eeyore’s Birthday
Eeyore’s Birthday Party is a fundraiser run by the Friends of the Forest Foundation to benefit local 501c3 nonprofit groups in Austin. eeyores.org
April • Austin, Austin Reggae Festival
Music lovers can enjoy live reggae music, food vendors, and family-friendly activities. austinreggaefest.com
April • Austin, The Lonestar Rod & Kustom Round Up
This huge outdoor car show and live music festival features miles of vintage hot rods and custom cars driven by folks on an annual pilgrimage to Austin from all over the country and the world. lonestarroundup.com
April • Temple, Bloomin’ Temple Festival
This festival features live music, food vendors, and other family-friendly activities, including a petting zoo and inflatable games. templeparks.com/special_events/bloomin__temple_festival
Second weekend in April • Burnet, Bluebonnet Festival
This festival celebrates the state flower with a carnival, live music, food, races, shopping, and other family-friendly activities. bluebonnetfestival.org/
April • Chappell Hill, Chappell Hill Bluebonnet Festival
Celebrate the beauty of Texas at the Chappell Hill Bluebonnet Festival, which features live music, hundreds of arts and craft vendors and activities for the entire family. chappellhillhistoricalsociety.com/bluebonnet-festival
April • Dale, Old Settler’s Music Festival
This festival features live music, artist workshops, camping opportunities, and activities for kids and adults alike. oldsettlersmusicfest.org
April • Georgetown, Spring Art Stroll
Visitors can enjoy artist demonstrations, performances, live music, and art shopping opportunities.
April • Poteet, Poteet Strawberry Festival
Celebrate Poteet’s local strawberry harvest with live music, carnival rides, and strawberry-themed food and drink vendors. strawberryfestival.com
April • San Antonio, Fiesta®
Fiesta® San Antonio started in 1891 as a one-parade event to honor the memory of the heroes of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto and has grown into a celebration of San Antonio’s rich and diverse cultures through parades, food, music, and other events. fiestasanantonio.org
April • Snook, Chilifest Music Weekend
A two-day music festival that draws 35,000+ people each year, Chilifest features performances from some of the biggest names in country music and rock. chilifest.org
Late April • Georgetown, Red Poppy Festival
This festival celebrates the city’s official flower, the red poppy and features live music, food vendors, a parade, and artisan booths. poppy.georgetown.org