June’s longer days and endless sunshine set the perfect summertime scene for all of the fun-filled festivals unfolding across Texas this month. June sizzles with festivals celebrating everything from Pride and peaches to craft beer and tomatoes. Here are 10 of June’s hottest festivals taking place in the Lone Star State.
Kerrville
Now – June 11: The 51st Annual Kerrville Folk Festival brings 18 straight days and nights of concerts and activities that are focused on nurturing and developing artistic expression and the art of songwriting. A mecca in the songwriting community, the festival is held at Quiet Valley Ranch, just 9 miles south of Kerrville, and brims with evening main stage shows, daytime children’s concerts, a songwriting school and competition, musical instrument workshops, bike rides, canoe trips on the Guadalupe River, Texas wine and beer seminars, camping and more. Find this year’s lineup and ticket packages at www.kerrville-music.com.
Galveston is the birthplace of Juneteenth. Credit Visit Galveston
Galveston
Now – 19: 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. Find a multitude of Juneteenth events at www.visitgalveston.com/events/annual-events/juneteenth/.
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Corpus Christi’s Pride Month events focus on uniting the LGBTQIA+ community. Credit Visit Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi
June 3-July 2: Dive into a month of celebrations during Corpus Christi’s Pride Month events that focus on uniting the LGBTQIA+ community to promote cultural understanding, advocacy, wellness, and economic prosperity. The festivities include a vibrant Parade, a lively Block Party, and a new concert on the great lawn of Shoreline Blvd. Tailored to the 14-24 age demographic, the programming aims to foster a positive and empowering experience for young LGBTQIA+ individuals within the greater Corpus Christi community. More at www.pridecorpuschristi.com.
Corpus Christi Beer Festival boasts craft brews from near and far. Credit Visit Corpus Christi
June 3: Head to the coast to experience the ultimate celebration of beer at the Corpus Christi Beer Festival –– a hop-filled adventure boasting flavors of craft brews from near and far. This vibrant festival will showcase a wide array of breweries, both local favorites and renowned national brands, offering a diverse selection of beers to please every palate from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Art Center of Corpus Christi. Whether you are a hard-core craft beer aficionado or simply “beer curious,” local host brewery, Nueces Brewing, brings you the ultimate South Texas beer tasting experience featuring live music, beer talks, local artisans, food trucks and a free Family Art time presented by The Art Center. Join us for More at www.corpuschristibeerfest.com.
Find fun at the 50th annual Chisholm Trail Roundup Rodeo and Music Festival in Lockhart. Contributed
Lockhart
June 8-10: Two cattle trails converged in Lockhart, which will celebrate its place on the Chisholm Trail during the 50th 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.
Fredericksburg
June 9-10: The second annual Fredericksburg Craft Beer Festival brings two dozen Texas craft beer breweries to town. Enjoy Texas craft beer, meet brew masters, relax in the Marktplatz Biergarten, attend Brew and Taste cooking sessions, visit food concessions and a home brewers DIY area, participate in the Stein Hoist competition, and hear live music from El Tule, Drugstore Cowboys, and Alex Meixner from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday at the Marktplatz in downtown Fredericksburg. Presented by the Rotary Club of Fredericksburg, 80 percent of proceeds from the fundraising festival supports local charitable efforts. More at fbgcraftbeerfestival.com.
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Learn all about lavender at this Blanco festival. Credit Blanco Chamber
Blanco
June 9-11: 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.
Jacksonville
June 10: People drive from all over Texas just to bite into a juicy Jacksonville tomato, and the 39th annual Tomato Fest is a ripe time to go. For one week in June (June 3-10), Jacksonville transforms into “Tomatoville” and on June 10, 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.
Head to New Braunfels for the annual NBTX Pride Festival. Contributed by Riverside Pride
New Braunfels
June 10: NBTX Pride Festival is a day of love, acceptance and celebration filled with family-friendly live music, drag performances, food trucks, local vendors and more taking place at the Comal County Fairgrounds from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The NBTX Pride Festival is a celebration of all things LGBTQ+ and welcomes people of all ages, races, genders, and sexual orientations. More at www.riversidepridetx.org.
Stonewall
June 15-17: The 62nd Annual Stonewall Peach JAMboree and Rodeo 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 Kevin Fowler and Roger Creager, and plenty of juicy peaches at the Stonewall Chamber Grounds (250 Peach Street). More at www.stonewalltexas.com/peach-jamboree.
Find four fun-filled days of watermelon fun in Luling. Contributed
Luling
June 22-25: It’s always a sweet time at Luling’s annual Watermelon Thump, which is celebrating 70 years. 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.
