Texas Music Festivals
January
Gulf Coast Hall of Fame Show, Port Arthur. Initiated in 1987 as a tribute to Port Arthur's "Pearl," the annual Janis Joplin Birthday Bash has transformed into an all-encompassing event, celebrating a potpourri of performers who have risen to the top in their chosen musical genres, ranging from big band to zydeco.
Gospel Music Festival, Rockport.
February
Rio Grande Valley Music Festival, Mercedes.
Wimberley Winter Jazz Festival, Wimberley.
March
Brazos River Music Festival, Granbury. Past performers at this two-day event have included Rusty Wier, Tommy Alverson, Deryl Dodd, Max Stalling, Joni Harms, Ed Burleson and Bonnie Bishop.
Jerry Jeff Walker Annual Texas Bash (formerly the Birthday Bash), Austin. Always held the last weekend in March, this usually includes several venues (often Austin's The Broken Spoke).
North Texas Irish Festival, Dallas.
South by Southwest (SXSW) Festivals and Conferences, Austin.
Tejano Music Awards Fan Fair, San Antonio. This free event features six stages and three days of music.
Texas Western Swing Fiddling Showcase, Belton. This one-day event is filled with bands, dancing and dinner...plus lots of fiddle music.
Texas Steel Guitar Jamboree, Irving.
April
Bob Wills Day, Turkey. Always held the last weekend in April, this event celebrates the King of Western Swing.
Denton Arts and Jazz Festival, Denton.
Old Settlers Music Festival, Driftwood (near Austin).
Texas State Championship Fiddlers Frolics, Hallettsville.
May
Kerrville Folk Festival, Kerrville. This Texas-size festival features songwriters and their bands from Texas as well as numerous other states. One of Texas's best loved music gatherings, this extravaganza of song is held nine miles south of town at the Quiet Valley Ranch.
National Polka Festival, Ennis. Every Memorial Day weekend, the sounds of polka permeates the air as a crowd over 50,000 strong gather for a celebration of Czech culture.
Tejano Conjunto Festival, San Antonio.
Texas Fiddlers Contest and Reunion, Athens. For nearly eight decades, this popular fiddle contest has attracted competitors of all ages.
Van Cliburn International Piano Festival, Fort Worth. This prestigious piano competition is held every four years.
Wildflower! Arts and Music Festival, Richmond. Look for 60,000 attendees at this festival in Galatyn Park.
June
Free State Bluegrass Music Festival, Canton. This event includes not only bluegrass music but also Texas' Largest Free Fish Fry and Free Ice Cream event.
Legends of Western Swing Festival, Wichita Falls. Held the first weekend in June, this event draws competitors from around the globe.
Overton Bluegrass and Gospel Music Festival, Overton. Held in Overton City Park, this event dates back to 1988.
Roy Orbison Festival, Wink. Usually scheduled for the second Friday and Saturday of June, this event celebrats the music of Roy Orbison.
T-Bone Walker Blues Festival, Linden.
Victoria Bach Festival, Victoria. This festival showcases the work of Bach and other musicians of the period.
World Championship Fiddlers Festival, Crockett. Held the second weekend in June, for over 70 years this event has had fiddlers vying for top honors.
July
Mobeetie Music Festival, Mobeetie. This three-day festival is held in Wheeler County and draws travelers from throughout the Southwest.
Tule Creek Bluegrass Festival, Tulia. Bluegrass bands from across Texas and neighboring states perform during this three-day event.
Willie Nelson's Fourth of July Family Picnic. The location of this picnic varies but the date always remains July 4.
August
Houston International Jazz Festival, Houston.
Navasota Bluesfest, Navasota. This annual event honors Mance Lipscomb.
Rock the Desert, Midland. This Christian music festival draws tens of thousands of young fans.
Texas Country Music Hall of Fame Country Music Festival, Carthage. This event includes a regional music competition as well as the annual inductees into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame.
September
Austin City Limits (ACL) Music Festival, Austin. Following the tradition of the popular Austin City Limits television show, this three-day event draws music lovers from around the world.
Kerrville Wine and Music Festival, Kerrville. An intimate version of Kerrville's popular Folk Music Festival, this three-day Hill Country happening, lovingly referred to as "Little Folk," offers a toast to acoustic Americana artistry with Texas-produced spirits.
Quadrangle Craft and Music Festival, Texarkana. Four stages keep the festival lively during this two-day event.
Wortham Blues Festival, Wortham. This event honors "Blind" Lemon Jefferson, a Wortham native.
October
Brownsville Latin Jazz Festival, Brownsville. Since its inauguration by Tito Puente, this event has drawn music lovers from both sides of the border.
Texas Jazz Festival, Corpus Christi. Now nearly half a century old, this event holds the title as the Official Jazz Festival of Texas.
Wimberley Gospel Music Festival, Wimberley. Southern gospel, country and bluegrass take center stage at this two-day event.
December
Armadillo Christmas Bazaar, Austin. This two-week event serves not only as a shopping venue but also showcases top Austin musicians.
