Summertime means the freedom to trip wherever you’d like. Explore Texas and take in some fun at these 14 festivals across the state. And because it’s Texas, just expect that more than half of these are food festivals (which is NEVER a bad thing…)
Big D BBQ Battle
This is one can’t-miss festival on June 8-9 in Dallas! I mean it’s basically two days of chowing on BBQ from the best pittmasters North Texas has to offer and washing it down with Texas craft beers, plus more food from local food trucks and a car show! So get your taste buds ready and purchase your tickets here.
No-Name Festival
This festival in Brazoria on June 8-9 may not have a name, but it’s got ALL the fun. Literally, you name it, the No-Name festival’s got it. Enjoy a BBQ Cook-Off, a youth Hamburger Cook-Off, a Texas-themed carnival, a craft fair, helicopter rides — and that’s just to name a few! Find the full schedule here.
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra Concerts in the Garden
Fill up your summer nights in June and July with live music in the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens. And these ain’t your typical concerts — along with incredible live music, some feature a stellar lights show like the “Star Wars and Beyond” performances on June 15-17 and epic themes like “The Music of Michael Jackson” on June 8. Find more information here.
Aransas Pass Shrimporee
Thanks to Forrest Gump, we all know there are a thousand different ways to cook shrimp…but Aransas Pass, TX is hosting a Shrimporee on June 8-10 to show you the many different ways to celebrate shrimp. Stop in for a Shrimp Eating Contest, a Mr. & Mrs. Shimporee pageant, arts and crafts and a country tribute concert. Get your shrimp on here.
Blanco Lavender Fest
Blanco’s Lavender Fest might just be the best-smelling festival in Texas. And it’s free. So head on down to Blanco June 8-10 for tours of local lavender farms, free lectures on beekeeping and gardening, live music and all the lavender products you can fit in your car. Find more information here.
Galveston Cajun Festival
Who doesn’t love a good food fest? Especially one dedicated to all things Cajun, Crawfish and delicious! June 15-17. Galveston is hosting a Cajun Festival to celebrate Texas and Louisiana-style food, fun and live music! There will be Crawfish Eating and Crawfish Racing contests, live music and plenty of food! Click here for more information.
Llano Estacado Wine & Clay Festival
Need a fine time sippin’ wine? Head to Lubbock on June 23-24 for more than just incredible wines from the Llano Estacado Winery. The Llano Estacado Clay Guild will be filling the wine cellars with the amazing clay creations from local artists. Wine, art, live music — the perfect way to spend a weekend! Find more information here.
Photo by Andrew Holmes.
Austin Ice Cream Festival
Texas heat got you screaming for Ice Cream? Then get more than your fill of the icy treat at this Ice Cream Festival on June 23. There’s so much fun to be had, that the festival offers a day time festival pass and a night time festival pass. During the day, enjoy ice cream samples from various companies, eating contests, games and more! The “After Dark” fest includes live music, local food trucks and boozy ice cream cocktails. Find more information here.
5th Annual Hill Country Food Truck Festival
Time to get your eat on in Luckenbach, TX on June 23 at the Hill Country Food Truck Festival! The festival features 16 different food trucks from fajita to lobster trucks and 3 dessert trucks with cupcakes, ice cream and funnel cakes! To wash it down, grab a glass of wine from one of the 13 Texas wineries and enjoy live music all day! Buy your tickets here.
2018 Watermelon Thump Festival
If your idea of summer is eating your weight in watermelon, then you’re in luck — Luling is hosting their Watermelon Thump for the 65th year! Join them on June 21-24 for four days of watermelon eating and seed spitting contests, concerts nightly, a parade and juggling show and more! Click here to see the full list of fun activities!
McDade Watermelon Festival
It ain’t summer without the McDade Watermelon Festival, and this is the festival’s 69th year! Head to town on July 14 for all kinds of festival fun from a parade and street dance to a car show and a McDade Queen pageant! And no watermelon festival would be complete without a Seed Spitting Contest, a Prize Watermelon Auction and, of course, plenty of fresh watermelon! See more details here.
Picture by Big Bang Salsa Fest
Big Bang Salsa Fest
The Texas heat ain’t got nothing on this spicy festival in Three Rivers! If tasting salsa all day sounds like your dream come true, then head to this festival on July 6-7 where you’ll spend the day judging homemade salsas in 4 different categories. Along with salsa for days, there will also live music, craft vendors and fireworks! Click here for more information.
Viva Big Bend
Forget Austin City Limits, Viva Big Bend is just as cool — and it’s spread out over 4 towns! On July 26-29 the towns of Alpine, Marfa, Fort Davis and Marathon will transform into one giant music festival with over 10 music venues hosting live performances by 50 artists. Come for the intimate concerts, stay for the cheap beer and good company! See the lineup here.
Rockport Art Festival
The beach is getting artsy on July 7-8! Rockport is hosting its 49th Annual Art Festival where the increidble creations from local painters, sculptors, jewelers, graphic designers (and more!) will be on display and for sale throughout the weekend. Peruse the art to live music and stop by the kids’ activity tent for family fun! Check it out here.
