Kerrville, Texas – Kerrville Folk Festival

May 23 – June 9, 2024

Quiet Valley Ranch

Bring your tent or RV (if you want to) and camp overnight at the ranch while enjoying some folk music. Staying at the ranch is optional but included in ticket price. Lots of amenities. Family-friendly event with food and other vendors.

The city of Kerrville is picturesque and located near the Guadalupe River. Enjoy some time at one of the parks or visit the History Center. Other attractions can be found on the website down below.

Address: Quiet Valley Ranch – 3876 Medina Hwy, Kerrville, TX 78028

Hours: See website for dates and times

Entry Fee: Tickets range in price from $34 to $72 depending on day and include both concert and camping access; packages available; Teens are half-priced; Children under 12 are free

For More Information on the Festival – https://www.kerrvillefolkfestival.org/

More Information on Kerrville attractions – https://www.kerrvilletx.gov/1472/Attractions

Grapeland, Texas – Memorial Day Gospel Bluegrass Festival

May 24-26, 2024

Salmon Lake Park

27th annual Gospel Bluegrass Festival in beautiful Salmon Lake Park. Lots of musical groups. Plan ahead to enjoy cabins or camping and engage in pre-festival activities. If you do stay onsite, there are lots of amenities. Keep in mind that alcohol is not permitted. Bring your picnics.

Address: 247 Salmon Lake Rd, Grapeland, TX 75844

Hours: See website for specifics

Entry Fees: Daily tickets range in price from $25 – $30 each or $70 for entire weekend

For More Information:

https://www.salmonlakepark.com

Grapevine, Texas – Terror in Toga Murder Mystery Dinner

June 28, 2024

Messina Hof Grapevine Winery

Come dressed in family-friendly Roman costume and enjoy a three course slightly Roman-themed dinner (well, they’re serving a Greek Salad so I can’t say Roman-themed) while you participate in a Murder Mystery involving the fictitious Roman character Felix Festus. Guests will try to solve the mystery while actors entertain and confuse. Sounds like fun. Probably not recommended for really young guests as it is three hours long.

Address:

201 South Main Street, Grapevine, TX 76051

Hours: 6:30pm – 9:30pm

Entry Fee: $75.00 per person + 20% GRATUITY + $4.60 FEE (ticket sale ends 6/16/24)

For More Information:

https://www.cellarpass.com/events/terror-in-toga-murder-mystery-dinner-10549

Abilene, Texas – Zoolute

May 18, 2024

Abilene Zoo

Zoolute is a special salute to Military personnel, Veterans, and their families. Come out and enjoy free admission to the zoo plus activities, music and special zookeeper chats. Lots of fun for the day.

Address: 2070 Zoo Ln, Abilene, TX 79602

Hours: 9:00am – 5:00pm

Entry Fees: None for military/veterans/their families; Other adults $10, Other children $7

For More Information:

https://abilenezoo.org/events/zoolute/

Lewisville, Texas – Sounds of Lewisville

May 7, 2024 + every Tuesday night through July 2, 2024

Wayne Ferguson Plaza

Tuesday nights May 7th through July 2nd will feature two live bands in a casual environment. Bring your chairs or blankets and picnics. Dogs on leashes are welcome. Food trucks and drink vendors will be available. Check their website for upcoming bands.

Address: 150 W. Church St.

Hours: 7:00pm – 9:30pm

Entry Fees: None

For more information:

https://www.cityoflewisville.com/city-hall/city-departments/community-relations-tourism/special-events-festivals/sounds-of-lewisville-concert-series

Brownwood, Texas – Cinco de Mayo

May 4, 2024

Downtown Brownwood

Technically, this event is held the day before Cindo de Mayo (May 5th), but it’s still going to be lots of fun! This will be Brownwood’s tenth year hosting this cultural event featuring good foods, music and activities for the entire family. Only an hour and half southeast of Abilene, Brownwood is a friendly town in the heart of Central Texas. While you’re in town, venture around downtown to take selfies with the painted murals. Check their website for locations, restaurant recommendations, and more details on the festival.

Address: Brownwood, TX

Hours: 4:00pm – 11:00pm

Entry Fees: None

For more information:

http://visitbrownwood.com/event/cinco-de-mayo/

Ingram, Texas – Celtic Festival

April 27-28, 2024

Third Annual Celtic Festival and Highland Games at the replica Stonehenge II. Come visit the different clan tents, see volunteers dressed in traditional garments or kilts, purchase food from vendors, and more.

Address:  Hill Country Arts Foundation, 120 Point Theatre Dr., Ingram, TX

Hours: 9:00am – 4:00pm

Entry Fees: None

For more information:

Celtic Festival

Palestine, Texas – The 1836 at Diamond B Ranch

April 19-21, 2024

Diamond B Ranch

1836 is a celebration of Texas Independence and this event is a full-on western experience with chuck wagon races, a Saturday night rodeo, trail riding, roping, clinics, kids activities, and so much more.

While you’re in Palestine, there are a bunch of other activities going on as well – the Dogwood trees blooming, the Fairy Garden Trail (little fairy garden displays along a stroll), and the Railroad Heritage Center.

Adults may enjoy the Wiggy Thump Festival down the street with live music bands starting at 4pm; byob (cooler passes cost $30); tickets start at $35 per person.

Address:  11589 FM 321 Palestine, TX 75803

Hours:  See 1836 website for specific schedule of events

Entry Fees: None

For more information on 1836 event – https://www.visitpalestine.com/events/2024/the-1836-diamond-b-ranch

More info on Wiggy Thump – https://www.whiskeymyers.com/

More info on Fairy Garden Trail – https://www.visitpalestine.com/fairygarden

More info on Railroad Heritage Center – https://www.visitpalestine.com/events/2024/railroad-heritage-center

Palacios, Texas – Matagorda Bay Birdfest

April 12-14, 2024

PMAR Marine Education Center and around city

Come out to beautiful Matagorda Bay on the Texas east coast in between Houston and Corpus Christie (less than a two hour drive from Houston) to enjoy a celebration of nature and check off birds from your birding checklist (need a list? Get one here: https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/birding/birding_checklists/index.phtml).

For families, there is a Parade of Birds which begins at Railroad Park and winds down to 4th street. See the website’s map to be sure get a seat on the path. Parade runs from 10:30am to 11:30am.

All three days feature guide-led tours to unique birding locations (see website to register).

Saturday you can listen to expert speakers on bird-specific topics at the PMAR (free to attend but registration required).

Then Saturday night you can enjoy live music from Zak Perry from 7pm to 10pm.

Catch the screening of the film Birders at the City by the Sea Museum on Sunday.

Address:  PMAR – 101 Marine Center Dr., Palacios, TX

Hours: See website for specific times for tours and events

Entry Fees: None but tours require moderate fees since they are several hours long.

For more information:

https://matagordabaybirdfest.org

Austin, Texas – H.E.B First Sunday – Earth Day

April 7, 2024

Bullock Museum

Every first Sunday of the month, the grocery chain, H.E.B, sponsors a free, hands-on, family fun day at the Bullock Museum in Austin.  The first four hours will feature hands-on activities and the last few hours allow visitors to explore the museum.  There are three stories of interesting Texas history and artifacts throughout the museum. 

On the 7th, the museum will feature Earth Day and Solar Eclipse themed activities such as the Science of the Solar Eclipse (at 10:30am), Earth Day crafts (11:30am and 12:30pm), and more.

Address:  1800 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701

Hours:  10:00am – 5:00pm (Activities 10:00am-2:00pm)

Entry Fees:

For more information

https://www.thestoryoftexas.com/visit/calendar/education/free-first-sunday-20240407