April is abloom with festivals celebrating everything from bluebonnets to berries. Take a flower-fringed road trip to these 10 top festivals unfolding across the Lone Star State this month.
Burnet
April 7-9: The 40th Annual Bluebonnet Festival takes place over Easter weekend this year, celebrating the most beloved flower in the Lone Star State. Officially recognized as the “Bluebonnet Capital of Texas” by the Texas Legislature, Burnet’s small-town flower festival attracts 35,000 people with family-friendly fun in the form of a Bluebonnet Festival Grand Parade, a stellar line-up of musical artists, the Bluebonnet Biergarten, a carnival, food, children’s activities, shopping and more. More at bluebonnetfestival.org.
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Waxahachie
April 8-May 29: Celebrate fun 16th-century style at the Scarborough Renaissance Festival taking place on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. This interactive festival features jousting and birds of prey exhibitions, the Mermaid Lagoon, more than 20 stages with nonstop renaissance-themed entertainment, hundreds of shops featuring exquisite crafts and artisan demonstrations, knighting ceremonies, combat competitions, parades, wine and beer tasting events, themed weekends and more. More at https://www.srfestival.com/.
Poteet
April 14-16: The 76th Strawberry Festival taking place in petite Poteet –– recognized as the “Strawberry Capital of Texas” –– is sure to be a sweet time for the whole family. What began in 1948 as an effort to provide returning World War II veterans an incentive to return to the farms has become a full-fledged festival attracting 100,000 people and raising critical funds for scholarships, farmers, nonprofits and small businesses in the area. At this flavorful, family-friendly festival, expect live music with nationally known Western and Tejano music stars, regional bands, a carnival, various contests, and rodeo performances. More at https://strawberryfestival.com/.
April brings big bold blues to Washington County. Photo credit Kathleen G Falcona
Chappell Hill
April 15-16: Celebrate the state flower at the “Official State of Texas Bluebonnet Festival” in Chappell Hill, east of Austin. Originally a small-town antique festival, the event has blossomed over the years. Today thousands of visitors make the annual pilgrimage to Washington County to scout out the state flower. The family-friendly festival features live music, hundreds of juried arts and craft vendors and activities for all ages. Festival entry is free and parking is $10. More at www.chappellhillhistoricalsociety.com/bluebonnet.
Don’t miss the annual 36th Old Settler’s Music Festival. Credit Old Settler’s Music Festival
Dale
April 20-23: Old Settler’s Music Festival brings four days of Americana/roots music, camping, jamming and family fun to Dale, Texas, southeast of Austin. The event has grown from a one-day bluegrass festival into a nationally renowned event attracting thousands of loyal music fans. This year’s 36th anniversary celebration will feature dozens of award-winning roots, bluegrass and Americana artists including Yola, The Wood Brothers, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, Shovels & Rope, Elephant Revival and more. More at oldsettlersmusicfest.org.
The nation’s 3rd largest fine arts festival will feature 215 world-class artists, two stages with live music, the family-friendly ‘TCC Makers Zone’, food, drinks, and more. Photo credit: Geno Loro
Fort Worth
April 20-23: The 36th edition of the MAIN ST. Fort Worth Arts Festival brings incredible art, music and food to downtown Fort Worth. As the number three ranked fine arts event in the country, the always-free-to-attend festival caters to the whole family with 215 jury-selected visual artists, live music on two stages, authentic local cuisine, the family-friendly “TCC Makers Zone,” craft beer, wine tastings and more across 18 square blocks throughout downtown. With a new entertainment lineup and venues, you won’t want to miss this free, family-friendly, four-day fine arts event. More at www.MainStreetArtsFest.org.
Galveston
April 20-23: Galveston Island is one of the top locations in the country for birding, and the 21st Anniversary FeatherFest offers one of the best opportunities to view everything from egrets and herons to pelicans and raptors. Expect birding workshops, photography field trips, raptor shows, evening social events, and FledglingFest activities geared to youth 6 and up. More at galvestonfeatherfest.com.
RELATED: Becoming a Birder at Galveston’s FeatherFest
Fiesta San Antonio is an annual festival held in April in San Antonio, and is the city’s signature event since 1891. Contributed
San Antonio
April 20-30: What began in 1891 as a one-parade to honor the memory of the heroes of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto, Fiesta San Antonio has grown into a multi-event celebration of San Antonio’s rich and diverse cultures. Today, 132 years later, Fiesta is known as one of the nation’s premier festivals and has an economic impact of more than $340 million, with funds raised through Fiesta events providing services to San Antonio citizens throughout the year. Find out more about events and parades at www.fiestasanantonio.org.
Dripping Springs
April 28-30: Drive out to Dripping Springs for the town’s biggest annual event –– Founders Day Festival, which honors and celebrates the founding of the Dripping Springs community in 1850 by the Moss, Wallace, and Pound families. Each year, thousands gather in historic downtown Dripping Springs for the three-day festival featuring a grand parade, free music and entertainment, the Mighty Thomas Carnival, food, beer, street dances, cook-off competitions, more than 150 arts and crafts booths and business vendors and more. Festival proceeds are donated back into the community and directly benefit local non-profit organizations, churches, school and park programs, youth groups, and charities. More at www.cityofdrippingsprings.com/founders-day.
Paint the town red this month at Georgetown’s Poppy Festival. Photo credit Rudy Ximenez
Georgetown
April 28-30: Go to Georgetown for three days popping with fun at the town’s beloved annual Red Poppy Festival, where you can expect a live concert series, local artisans, a classic car show, parades, plenty of food and more. Georgetown is one of the few places in the country where red poppies grow naturally every spring. As Georgetown celebrates its signature flowers’ vivid blooming, festival favorites include a Red Poppy Parade, artisan market, kids’ fun zone, food, a car show, pet parade, and live music from an impressive roster of exciting musical artists. More at poppy.georgetown.org.
