Soak in June’s longer days and endless sunshine at these fun-filled festivals taking place throughout Texas this month. In addition to Pride fests and Juneteenth events, June is ripe with festivals celebrating everything from peaches and tomatoes to watermelon and lavender.
The 50th annual Kerrville Folk Festival is held at Quiet Valley Ranch, 9 miles south of Kerrville. Photo by Neal Eckstein
Kerrville
May 26 – June 12: This year marks the 50th Annual Kerrville Folk Festival, which touts itself as the longest continuously running music festival in North America. A mecca in the songwriting community, this festival that runs for 18 straight days and nights offers concerts and activities for all ages that are focused on nurturing and developing artistic expression. Held at Quiet Valley Ranch, 9 miles south of Kerrville, expect evening main stage shows, daytime children’s concerts, a songwriting school and competition, musical instrument workshops, bike rides, canoe trips on the Guadalupe River, craft beer, camping and more. Find this year’s lineup and ticket packages at www.kerrville-music.com.
Galveston is the birthplace of Juneteenth. Contributed by Visit Galveston
Galveston
June 1-20: Juneteenth, the national holiday that celebrates the end of slavery, originated in Galveston. As the birthplace of Juneteenth, this historic beach town remains a significant location in the country and the perfect place to celebrate black history and culture. From its many historic sites and tours that chronicle the day Juneteenth began in Galveston, to its annual Juneteenth festival, special events and new art exhibits, Galveston is the place to commemorate June 19, 1865 –– the historic day slavery was abolished in Texas, freeing one of the last groups of slaves in the United States. Throughout June, take part in myriad events including the “Juneteenth Freedom Project” Art Exhibition that uses art to chronicle the African American journey to freedom in Texas, Juneteenth Poetry Festival (June 12), Juneteenth Freedom Tours (June 11-12 and 18-20), the 43rd annual Juneteenth Proclamation Reading (June 18), the Juneteenth Parade and Picnic (June 18) and more. More at https://www.visitgalveston.com/events/annual-events/juneteenth/.
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Lockhart’s Chisholm Trail Roundup Rodeo and Music Festival brings three days of western entertainment. Photo by Michael Annas
Lockhart
June 9-11: Two cattle trails converged in Lockhart, which will celebrate its place on the Chisholm Trail during the 48th annual Chisholm Trail Roundup Rodeo and Music Festival. At Lockhart’s largest annual festival and tourism event, visitors can expect three days of western entertainment including a grand parade, carnival, full event rodeo, BBQ and chili cook-offs, a coronation, food and craft vendors and live music. More at www.chisholmtrailroundup.com.
Aransas Pass
June 10-12: Hit the beach for the annual Shrimporee sizzling with live concerts featuring dozens of artists including Pat Green, contests, a carnival, more than 100 food and craft vendors, a parade, a dance competition, a culinary stage with chefs cooking up shrimp delights and more. A three-day pass is $15, and daily admission is $8 for adults, $5 for seniors and children, and free for kids 6 and under. More at www.aransaspass.org/shrimporee/.
Blanco
June 10-12: The annual Blanco Lavender Festival is a free event blooming with fun. Learn about lavender, visit lavender farms, meander through the lavender market, sample craft beers, enjoy lavender-flavored dishes at local restaurants and listen to live music. More at www.blancolavenderfest.com.
Bite into fried green tomatoes at Jacksonville’s 38th annual Tomato Fest. Contributed
Jacksonville
June 11: People drive from all over Texas just to bite into a juicy Jacksonville tomato, and the 38th annual Tomato Fest is a ripe time to go. For one week in June (June 6-12), Jacksonville transforms into “Tomatoville” and on June 11, you can expect five blocks of vendors, a farmers market, fried green tomatoes, tomato eating, peeling, packing and salsa contests, live entertainment, a talent show, soccer and tennis tournaments, an annual street dance and more. More at jacksonvilletexas.com/tomato-fest.
The 2nd annual NBTX Pride Festival is a free, family-friendly event taking place at the Comal County Fairgrounds. Credit 1044 Photography
New Braunfels
June 11: Riverside Pride will host the 2nd annual NBTX Pride Festival taking place at the Comal County Fairgrounds from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The free, family-friendly event will feature Drag Queen Story Time, six bands including a local favorite, School of Rock, a DJ, two Drag Shows, a “Pose”-style runway event open to all attendees, games and activities, food trucks, drinks, 50+ vendors and more. Allies are always welcome, and funds raised from NBTX Pride will elevate their scholarship program and expand local programs including mental health support. More at www.riversidepridetx.org.
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Fairfield
June 13-18: This year marks the 100th annual Freestone County Fair and Rodeo, a yearly tradition that keeps Freestone County heritage alive. A parade kicks off the family-friendly event that features a livestock show benefiting local children, a carnival, a rodeo and live music every night of the week, all unfolding at the W.L. Moody Reunion Grounds. More at https://www.fcfar.org/.
Stonewall
June 16-18: The 61st Annual Stonewall Peach JAMboree is ripe with fun. At this celebration of the annual peach crop, expect peach judging, a parade, rodeos, mutton bustin’, dances, a kid-friendly Peach Patch area, peach-eating and pit-spitting contests, the crowing of the Stonewall Peach Queen, live music by Muscadine Bloodline, and plenty of juicy peaches. More at www.stonewalltexas.com/peach-jamboree.
Expect four fun-filled days of watermelon mania at Luling’s Watermelon Thump. Contributed
Luling
June 23-26: It’s always a sweet time at Luling’s annual Watermelon Thump. A tribute to summer’s favorite fruit since 1954, expect four fun-filled days of watermelon mania including watermelon-eating and seed-spitting contests, the crowing of the Queen Thump, live music all weekend, food booths, arts and crafts, a carnival, a classic car show, a parade and more. More at www.watermelonthump.com.
If You Go
Getting there:
Galveston is 3.5-hours from Austin.
Kerrville is a 2-hour drive from Austin.
Lockhart is a 35-minute drive from Austin.
Aransas Pass is a 3.5-hour drive from Austin.
Blanco is a 1-hour drive from Austin.
Jacksonville is a 3.5-hour drive from Austin.
New Braunfels is a 45-minute drive from Austin.
Fairfield is a 2-hour, 45-minute drive from Austin.
Stonewall is a 1 hour, 20-minute drive from Austin.
Luling is a 50-minute drive from Austin.
