Festivals & Events
Beauregard Parish Fair
Beauregard Parish Fairgrounds, DeRidder, LA
- When: Annual · late September
- Type: Fair/Expo with major music component
- Genres: Country, Line Dancing, Variety
One of Louisiana's oldest agricultural fairs with live music and line dancing.
El Paso Border Folk Festival
Plaza Theatre, El Paso, TX
- When: Annual · late September
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Mariachi, Folk, Border/Regional
- Website: Visit Site
Music conference and concert series celebrating border-region folk/mariachi traditions.
Grito Fest
Baytown, TX
- When: Annual · early October
- Type: Single Event
- Genres: Regional Mexican, Latin
- Website: Visit Site
Free Hispanic Heritage Month celebration featuring live regional Mexican bands.
Texas Rice Festival
Winnie-Stowell Park, Winnie, TX
- When: Annual · early October
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Country, Zydeco, Cajun, Texas Red Dirt
- Website: Visit Site
56th annual festival celebrating Southeast Texas rice harvest with four nights of live music.
Rockport-Fulton SeaFair
Rockport-Fulton, TX
- When: Oct 1, 2026 – Oct 4, 2026
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Variety
- Website: Visit Site
Sea-themed festival featuring live entertainment, a grand parade, and gumbo cook-off.
Original Greek Festival
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Houston, TX
- When: Annual · early October
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Greek Folk Music
- Website: Visit Site
Houston's long-running Greek heritage festival with live Greek folk music and dancing.
Tejas Fest
De Leon Plaza, Victoria, TX
- When: Oct 2, 2026 – Oct 3, 2026
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Tejano, Regional Mexican, Country
- Website: Visit Site
New downtown Victoria music festival succeeding the former Bootfest/Armadillo Fest.
Austin City Limits Music Festival
Zilker Park, Austin, TX
- When: Annual · early October
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Rock, Pop, Hip-Hop, Country, Indie, Electronic
- Website: Visit Site
Major two-weekend, multi-genre music festival held annually in Zilker Park featuring national headliners across multiple stages.
Come and Take It Celebration
Downtown Gonzales, Gonzales, TX
- When: Annual · early October
- Type: Fair/Expo with major music component
- Genres: Country, Classic Rock, Norteño
- Website: Visit Site
Annual celebration commemorating the start of the Texas Revolution, with a concert lineup, parade and carnival.
Denton Arts & Jazz Festival
Quakertown Park, Denton, TX
- When: Annual · early October
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Jazz, Blues, Folk
- Website: Visit Site
Large free outdoor festival celebrating jazz and the arts with multiple stages.
Gretna Heritage Festival (Gretna Fest)
Historic Downtown Gretna, Gretna, LA
- When: Annual · early October
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Country, Rock, Zydeco, Cajun
- Website: Visit Site
Large three-day heritage festival on the West Bank with seven stages of live music.
Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center Conjunto Festival
Los Fresnos Memorial Park, Los Fresnos, TX
- When: Annual · early October
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Conjunto, Tejano
- Website: Visit Site
Billed as the longest-running music festival in the Rio Grande Valley, celebrating conjunto music.
Oktoberfest at Beethoven Maennerchor
Beethoven Maennerchor Halle und Garten, San Antonio, TX
- When: Annual · early October
- Type: Festival
- Genres: German, Polka
- Website: Visit Site
German heritage festival spanning two October weekends at the historic Beethoven Maennerchor.
Oktoberfest in Fredericksburg
Marktplatz, Fredericksburg, TX
- When: Annual · early October
- Type: Fair/Expo with major music component
- Genres: German/Polka, Oompah, Country
- Website: Visit Site
German heritage festival with live polka and German bands alongside food and beer.
Chalk the Block
Downtown Arts District, El Paso, TX
- When: Annual · early October
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Various, Live Bands
- Website: Visit Site
Large free weekend arts festival with live bands, dance and theatrical performances, drawing 45,000+.
Cottonwood Art Festival
Cottonwood Park, Richardson, TX
- When: Annual · early October
- Type: Fair/Expo with major music component
- Genres: Singer-songwriter, Acoustic, Roots, Rock
- Website: Visit Site
Premier fine art festival featuring 200+ artists plus a full weekend of live music.
Louisiana Cotton Festival
Downtown Ville Platte, Ville Platte, LA
- When: Annual · early October
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Cajun (fais-do-do dance/music)
- Website: Visit Site
Week-long festival celebrating the cotton industry with a traditional Fais-Do-Do dance night.
Floresville Peanut Festival
Floresville Peanut Festival Grounds, Floresville, TX
- When: Annual · early October
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Country, Tejano, Various
- Website: Visit Site
81st annual festival with free live band entertainment nightly.
Gruene Music & Wine Festival
Gruene Hall / The Grapevine, Gruene Historic District, New Braunfels, TX
- When: Annual · early October
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Texas Country, Americana
- Website: Visit Site
Multi-day celebration of Texas wine, beer, and Americana/Texas music centered at historic Gruene Hall.
Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival
Lafayette Square Park, New Orleans, LA
- When: Annual · early October
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Blues
- Website: Visit Site
Free festival showcasing top blues performers from Louisiana and Mississippi.
Cuero Turkeyfest
Cuero, TX
- When: Annual · early October
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Country
- Website: Visit Site
53rd annual 3-day festival with major country headliners.
Festivals Acadiens et Créoles
Girard Park, Lafayette, LA
- When: Annual · early October
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Cajun, Zydeco, Creole
- Website: Visit Site
World's original and largest free Cajun and Zydeco music festival, 51 years in 2025.
Louisiana Art and Folk Festival
Historic Downtown Columbia (Main Street), Columbia, LA
- When: Annual · early October
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Folk, Gospel Choir, Country, Elvis Tribute
- Website: Visit Site
Oldest Art and Folk Festival in Louisiana with live music and folklife demonstrations.
Oktoberfest at Deutsches Haus
Deutsches Haus, New Orleans, LA
- When: Annual · early October
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Polka, German Folk
- Website: Visit Site
Multi-weekend German heritage festival with polka bands.
ArtsGoggle
Near Southside (Magnolia Avenue), Fort Worth, TX
- When: Annual · mid October
- Type: Fair/Expo with major music component
- Genres: Original/Indie, Variety (local)
- Website: Visit Site
Fort Worth's Near Southside art and music walk with nine stages and 60+ original music acts.
Bayou Arts Fest featuring Voice of the Wetlands
Downtown Houma Courthouse Square, Houma, LA
- When: Annual · mid October
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Cajun, Zydeco, Blues, Swamp pop, Singer-songwriter
- Website: Visit Site
Downtown Houma's celebration of Cajun culture and live music, now incorporating the Voice of the Wetlands Stage founded by Tab Benoit.
Prize Fest (Music Prize)
Multiple venues, Downtown Shreveport, Shreveport, LA
- When: Annual · mid October
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Various (all genres compete)
- Website: Visit Site
Multi-discipline creative festival whose Music Prize brings touring/regional acts to compete for $10,000.
International Rice Festival
Downtown Crowley, Crowley, LA
- When: Annual · mid October
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Country, Cajun, regional/local acts
- Website: Visit Site
88th annual festival celebrating the rice industry with free music on two stages.
Rougarou Fest
Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center grounds, Houma, LA
- When: Annual · mid October
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Cajun, Zydeco, Rock, Regional Louisiana music
- Website: Visit Site
Free family-friendly festival celebrating South Louisiana bayou folklore with live music on multiple stages.
Texas Jazz Festival
Heritage Park, Corpus Christi, TX
- When: Annual · mid October
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Jazz
- Website: Visit Site
Longest-running free jazz festival in the country, founded 1959.
UTOPiAfest
Four Sisters Ranch, Utopia, TX
- When: Annual · mid October
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Indie, Americana, Rock, Singer-Songwriter
- Website: Visit Site
Intimate campout music festival on a 1,000-acre Hill Country ranch with two stages.
Acadia Music Festival
Thibodaux, LA
- When: Annual · mid October
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Cajun, Regional/contemporary Cajun
- Website: Visit Site
One-day festival celebrating contemporary Cajun identity, blending national and local Cajun musicians.
Chuck Fest
Downtown Lake Charles (Ryan St & Broad St), Lake Charles, LA
- When: Annual · mid October
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Rock, Jazz, Zydeco, Indie, Variety
- Website: Visit Site
SW Louisiana's largest free annual music, art, and food festival with 20+ live bands across five stages.
Louisiana Legends Fest
Downtown Homer, Homer, LA
- When: Annual · mid October
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Blues, Gospel, Southern Rock, R&B, Jazz, Funk
- Website: Visit Site
Claiborne Parish festival with two stages spanning blues, gospel, and southern rock.
Luminaria Contemporary Arts Festival
St. Paul Square, San Antonio, TX
- When: Annual · mid October
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Various, Tejano, Conjunto
- Website: Visit Site
Free one-night contemporary arts festival with 130+ artists including live music.
Bay City Rice Festival
Bay City, TX
- When: Annual · late October
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Country, Hip-Hop/Regional
- Website: Visit Site
Bay City's harvest festival with two nights of live music.
Flying Island
Larry's, El Cosmico, Do Right Hall, USO Building, Marfa, TX
- When: Annual · late October
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Indie, Experimental, Rock
- Website: Visit Site
Indie/experimental music, art, and food festival across Marfa's iconic venues, successor to Marfa Myths.
Blackpot Festival & Cook-off
Vermilionville Historic Village, Lafayette, LA
- When: Annual · late October
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Cajun, Creole, Old-time, Roots
- Website: Visit Site
20th-anniversary celebration of Cajun music, cooking, and dance culture.
Denton's Day of the Dead Festival
Downtown Denton, Denton, TX
- When: Annual · late October
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Rock, Latin, Mariachi, DJ
- Website: Visit Site
15th-anniversary Dia de los Muertos festival with mariachi groups, DJs and rock bands.
Jennings Alive Fall Festival
Founder's Park, Jennings, LA
- When: Annual · late October
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Variety, Live Music
- Website: Visit Site
45th annual free open-air arts and crafts street fair with live music.
Seguin Pecan Fest
Downtown Seguin / Central Park Gazebo, Seguin, TX
- When: Annual · late October
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Country, Various
- Website: Visit Site
One-day downtown festival celebrating Seguin's pecan heritage, 20th anniversary in 2025.
Something Wicked Festival
Sam Houston Race Park, Houston, TX
- When: Annual · late October
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Electronic Dance Music (EDM)
- Website: Visit Site
Houston's Halloween-weekend EDM festival produced by Disco Donnie Presents.
Voodoo Music + Arts Experience (Voodoo Fest)
City Park, New Orleans, LA
- When: Annual · late October
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Rock, Hip-Hop, Electronic, Alternative
- Website: Visit Site
Multi-day music and arts festival over Halloween weekend with 65+ bands.
Original Terlingua International Championship Chili Cook-Off
Behind the Store, Terlingua Ghost Town, Terlingua, TX
- When: Annual · late October
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Texas Country, Red Dirt, Americana
- Website: Visit Site
58th annual desert gathering with live music every night, chili and BBQ competitions.
Devine Cactus Festival
Downtown Devine, Devine, TX
- When: Annual · late October
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Country, Various
- Website: Visit Site
64th annual downtown festival with live local bands.
State Fair of Louisiana
Louisiana State Fairgrounds, Shreveport, LA
- When: Annual · late October
- Type: Fair/Expo with major music component
- Genres: Various/country (live music & entertainment stages)
- Website: Visit Site
119th annual state fair with a carnival midway and live music/entertainment programming.
Carencro C'est Bon Seasoning Fest
Pelican Park, Carencro, LA
- When: Annual · late October
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Cajun, Zydeco
Festival in its 2nd year featuring three days of live Cajun/Zydeco music.
Freret Street Festival
Freret Street, New Orleans, LA
- When: Annual · early November
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Funk, Brass Band, R&B, Rock
- Website: Visit Site
Neighborhood street festival with three stages of local bands.
Giant Omelette Celebration
Magdalen Square, Abbeville, LA
- When: Annual · early November
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Cajun (local bands)
- Website: Visit Site
Two-day festival with live Louisiana music and the cooking of a giant 5,000+ egg omelette.
Mirliton Festival
Markey Park / Bywater, New Orleans, LA
- When: Annual · early November
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Brass Band, Jazz, Folk
- Website: Visit Site
Neighborhood festival in Bywater celebrating the mirliton with live music.
Port Isabel Shrimp Cook-off & Seafood Festival
Sutherlands, Port Isabel, TX
- When: Annual · early November
- Type: Fair/Expo with major music component
- Genres: Variety, Local bands
- Website: Visit Site
Port Isabel's annual shrimp cook-off and seafood festival featuring all-day live music.
Swamp Fête
Audubon Zoo, New Orleans, LA
- When: Annual · early November
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Cajun, Zydeco
- Website: Visit Site
Annual zoo festival featuring Cajun and zydeco music and dancing.
Bayou Dularge Cajun Fair
Houma, LA
- When: Annual · early November
- Type: Fair/Expo with major music component
- Genres: Cajun, Regional
- Website: Visit Site
Community celebration in the Bayou Dularge area featuring local culture, food, and live music.
FiestaJAM on Lake Marble Falls
Lake Marble Falls, Marble Falls, TX
- When: Annual · early November
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Singer-Songwriter, Texas Country, Americana
- Website: Visit Site
Singer-songwriter focused music festival on Lake Marble Falls, growing to a 3-day event.
Louisiana Pecan Festival
Downtown Colfax, Colfax, LA
- When: Annual · early November
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Bluegrass, Cajun-Country
- Website: Visit Site
Grant Parish's signature fall festival with a bluegrass and Cajun-country main stage.
Wurstfest
Wurstfest Grounds, Landa Park, New Braunfels, TX
- When: Annual · early November
- Type: Festival
- Genres: German Polka, Oompah
- Website: Visit Site
Ten-day German heritage festival with 40+ bands performing across five stages.
Atchafalaya Basin Festival
Henry Guidry Memorial Park, Henderson, LA
- When: Annual · early November
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Cajun, Zydeco
- Website: Visit Site
Community fundraiser festival featuring local musicians on the edge of the Atchafalaya Basin.
Crystal City Spinach Festival (Popeye Festival)
Crystal City, TX
- When: Annual · early November
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Tejano
- Website: Visit Site
Four-day festival with live Tejano music, drawing an estimated 60,000 visitors.
Houston Bluesfest
East River 9, Houston, TX
- When: Annual · early November
- Type: Single Event
- Genres: Blues
- Website: Visit Site
Single-day blues music festival, third annual year.
Purple Ark Music & Arts Festival
Round Rock, TX
- When: Annual · early November
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Country, CMA/Billboard Top 10 acts
- Website: Visit Site
Round Rock music and arts festival featuring CMA and Billboard Top 10 artists.
Tremé Creole Gumbo Festival
Louis Armstrong Park, New Orleans, LA
- When: Annual · early November
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Brass Band, Jazz, R&B
- Website: Visit Site
Free festival celebrating the Tremé neighborhood's culinary and musical heritage.
Untapped Festival
Fair Park, Dallas, TX
- When: Annual · mid November
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Indie, Local/Emerging bands
- Website: Visit Site
Craft beer and live music festival pairing local and touring bands with regional breweries.
Port Barre Cracklin Festival
Veterans Memorial Park, Port Barre, LA
- When: Annual · mid November
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Cajun, Zydeco, Country
- Website: Visit Site
Multi-day festival centered on Louisiana cracklins with an extensive live music lineup.
Beignet Fest
New Orleans City Park Festival Grounds, New Orleans, LA
- When: Annual · mid November
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Brass Band, Jazz, R&B
- Website: Visit Site
Fall food festival celebrating beignets with live musical performances.
Oak Street Po-Boy Festival
Oak Street (Carrollton), New Orleans, LA
- When: Annual · mid November
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Brass Band, Jazz, R&B
- Website: Visit Site
Free neighborhood festival celebrating the po-boy sandwich with multiple music stages.
White Light Night
Mid City / Government Street corridor, Baton Rouge, LA
- When: Annual · late November
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Jazz, Blues, Indie Rock, Hip-Hop
- Website: Visit Site
Mid City's largest free arts festival with multiple stages of live music along Government Street.
Natchitoches Christmas Festival
Downtown Riverbank / Cane River Lake, Natchitoches, LA
- When: Annual · late November
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Holiday/Variety, Live Entertainment
- Website: Visit Site
Iconic 6+ week holiday festival, 99th year, with Festival Saturdays featuring live music.
Bayou Classic Battle of the Bands & Greek Show
Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, LA
- When: Annual · late November
- Type: Single Event
- Genres: HBCU Marching Band, Hip-Hop, R&B
- Website: Visit Site
Marching band showdown between Southern University and Grambling State bands.
Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza
Lila Cockrell Theatre, San Antonio, TX
- When: Annual · early December
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Mariachi
- Website: Visit Site
Nation's premier mariachi festival and competition culminating in a concert with Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán.
Festival of Lights
North Boulevard Town Square, Baton Rouge, LA
- When: Annual · early December
- Type: Single Event
- Genres: Holiday/Variety live music
- Website: Visit Site
Downtown Baton Rouge holiday tradition with live music and tree lighting.
Festival of the Bonfires
Lutcher Recreational Park, Lutcher, LA
- When: Annual · mid December
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Cajun, Country, Regional Louisiana
- Website: Visit Site
36th-annual River Parishes holiday festival with live entertainment and nightly bonfire lightings.
Red Stick Revelry
Rhorer Plaza / North Boulevard Town Square, Baton Rouge, LA
- When: Annual · late December
- Type: Single Event
- Genres: Variety, Pop, DJ
- Website: Visit Site
Baton Rouge's official free New Year's Eve celebration downtown.
Washington's Birthday Celebration
Various venues, Laredo, Laredo, TX
- When: Annual · late January
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Various
- Website: Visit Site
Laredo's month-long flagship celebration encompassing parades, carnival, and numerous live concerts.
Mardi Gras! Galveston
Downtown Galveston / The Strand, Galveston, TX
- When: Annual · early February
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Texas Country, Funk, Jazz, Latin, EDM
- Website: Visit Site
Galveston's major Mardi Gras celebration spanning two weekends with 20+ concerts.
WBCA Jalapeño Festival
Sames Auto Arena, Laredo, TX
- When: Annual · early February
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Latin Rock, Regional Mexican, Banda
- Website: Visit Site
48th annual festival with two nights of major Latin/regional Mexican headliners.
Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras (Krewe of Krewes Parade & season events)
Downtown Lake Charles / various parade routes, Lake Charles, LA
- When: Annual · mid February
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Zydeco, Brass Band, Variety
- Website: Visit Site
SW Louisiana's Mardi Gras season with Krewe of Krewes Parade and live zydeco music.
Krewe of Endymion Extravaganza
Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, LA
- When: Annual · mid February
- Type: Single Event
- Genres: Pop, Rock, Country
- Website: Visit Site
Post-parade concert extravaganza inside the Superdome following the Endymion parade.
Zulu Lundi Gras Festival
Woldenberg Park, New Orleans, LA
- When: Annual · mid February
- Type: Festival
- Genres: R&B, Brass Band, Jazz
- Website: Visit Site
Free riverfront festival hosted by the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club on Lundi Gras.
Tee Mamou-Iota Mardi Gras Folklife Festival
Tee Mamou area, Iota, Iota, LA
- When: Annual (Mardi Gras date varies) · mid February
- Type: Single Event
- Genres: Cajun (traditional a cappella Mardi Gras songs)
- Website: Visit Site
One of the most continuously-run traditional courir de Mardi Gras celebrations.
Lone Star Cowboy Poetry Gathering
Sul Ross State University / Alpine venues, Alpine, TX
- When: Annual · mid February
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Cowboy/Western Music, Poetry
- Website: Visit Site
Multi-day gathering of cowboy poets and Western musicians in Alpine.
Buffalo Grass Fest
LHUCA / Cactus Theater, Lubbock, TX
- When: Annual · late February
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Americana, Roots, West Texas Music
- Website: Visit Site
Hybrid music conference and concert event spotlighting West Texas music.
Charro Days Fiesta
Downtown Brownsville / various sites, Brownsville, TX
- When: Annual · late February
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Tejano, Mariachi, Latin, Norteño
- Website: Visit Site
Brownsville's binational heritage celebration (89th annual in 2026) with parades, traditional attire, street dances, and live music honoring US-Mexico border culture.
Sombrero Festival
Washington Park, Mitte Cultural District, Brownsville, TX
- When: Annual · late February
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Tejano, Norteño, Rock, Country
- Website: Visit Site
Three-day pre-Lenten music festival within Charro Days Fiesta, featuring Big Tent and Main Stage acts.
Fiesta Edinburg
Bert Ogden Arena, Edinburg, TX
- When: Annual · late February
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Tejano, Corrido, Latin
- Website: Visit Site
The Edinburg Chamber's largest annual celebration, with four days of live music, carnival, and market.
Cajun Mardi Gras Festival
Downtown Eunice, Eunice, LA
- When: Annual (date tied to Mardi Gras) · late February
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Cajun, Zydeco
- Website: Visit Site
Five-day celebration of Cajun Mardi Gras culture with an extensive live music lineup.
Fort Worth Music Festival
Fort Worth Stockyards (Tannahill's Music Hall, Tannahill's Lounge, White Elephant Saloon, Love Shack), Fort Worth, TX
- When: Annual · late February
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Texas Country, Red Dirt
- Website: Visit Site
Inaugural multi-venue Texas/Red Dirt country music festival across four Stockyards venues.
North Texas Irish Festival
Fair Park, Dallas, TX
- When: Annual · late February
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Celtic, Irish Traditional, Folk
- Website: Visit Site
One of the largest Irish/Celtic cultural festivals in the country.
Spanish Town Mardi Gras Parade
Spanish Town / Downtown Baton Rouge parade route, Baton Rouge, LA
- When: Annual · early March
- Type: Single Event
- Genres: Mardi Gras brass/marching bands
- Website: Visit Site
Baton Rouge's largest and most irreverent Mardi Gras parade with 70+ satirical floats.
225 Fest
Baton Rouge Community College - Mid City Campus, Baton Rouge, LA
- When: Annual · early March
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Blues, Zydeco, Rap, Soul
- Website: Visit Site
Free downtown-area festival celebrating Baton Rouge's '225' culture with three music stages.
Oak Cliff Mardi Gras Parade & Dash for the Beads
Davis Street, Oak Cliff, Dallas, TX
- When: Annual · early March
- Type: Single Event
- Genres: Brass/Marching Band, Latin, Carnival music
- Website: Visit Site
Annual Oak Cliff Mardi Gras parade paired with a festival featuring live music and food trucks.
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (RodeoHouston Concert Series)
NRG Stadium / NRG Park, Houston, TX
- When: Annual · early March
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Country, Pop, Latin, Rock, R&B
- Website: Visit Site
One of the world's largest livestock shows and rodeos with a nightly concert series inside NRG Stadium.
Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show and Rodeo
RGV Livestock Showgrounds / Payne Auto Group Arena, Mercedes, TX
- When: Annual · early March
- Type: Fair/Expo with major music component
- Genres: Country, Tejano, Conjunto, Rock
- Website: Visit Site
Multi-day livestock show and rodeo with free nightly concerts included with admission.
Rock N Rowe
Perkins Rowe (Town Square lawn), Baton Rouge, LA
- When: Annual (spring and fall series) · early March
- Type: Concert Series
- Genres: Rock, cover bands, variety
- Website: Visit Site
Free weekly Thursday-evening outdoor concert series at Perkins Rowe.
Louisiana Moonshine Festival
Vernon Parish Fairgrounds, Leesville, LA
- When: Annual · early March
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Country, Bluegrass, Variety
- Website: Visit Site
Festival honoring the region's 'No Man's Land' history with live regional musicians.
Mid City Gras Parade
North Boulevard parade route, Baton Rouge, LA
- When: Annual · early March
- Type: Single Event
- Genres: Mardi Gras brass/marching bands
- Website: Visit Site
Volunteer-run Mardi Gras parade through Baton Rouge's Mid City neighborhood.
Black Heritage Festival
Martin Luther King Community Center (Ward 3), Lake Charles, LA
- When: Annual · mid March
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Gospel, Zydeco, Blues, Spoken Word
- Website: Visit Site
Multi-day celebration of African American culture and heritage featuring gospel, zydeco, and blues.
Hidalgo Borderfest
Payne Arena, Hidalgo, TX
- When: Annual · mid March
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Tejano, Norteño, Latin, Rock
- Website: Visit Site
Multi-day border-culture festival in Hidalgo featuring a grand parade, carnival, and live music from regional Tejano, Norteño, and Latin headliners.
SXSW Music Festival
Multiple venues, Downtown Austin, Austin, TX
- When: Annual · mid March
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Multi-genre (Rock, Hip-Hop, Country, Electronic, Indie, World)
- Website: Visit Site
World-renowned music, film, and interactive conference/festival with showcases at dozens of Austin venues.
Tejano Music Awards Fan Fair
Hemisfair, San Antonio, TX
- When: Annual · mid March
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Tejano
- Website: Visit Site
Four-day outdoor Tejano music festival with 150+ bands/artists.
Luck Reunion
Luck Ranch, Spicewood, TX
- When: Annual · mid March
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Country, Americana, Outlaw Country
- Website: Visit Site
Willie Nelson's annual day-long music festival at his Luck Ranch, featuring 40+ acts.
Louisiana Redbud Festival
Vivian Town Square / City Arena, Vivian, LA
- When: Annual · mid March
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Local variety/country
- Website: Visit Site
Caddo Parish spring festival with two music stages, a parade, and rodeo.
Rodeo Austin (Star of Texas Fair & Rodeo concerts)
Travis County Expo Center, Austin, TX
- When: Annual · mid March
- Type: Fair/Expo with major music component
- Genres: Country
- Website: Visit Site
Annual rodeo and fair featuring nightly country concerts.
Sweetwater Jaycees Rattlesnake Roundup
Nolan County Coliseum / Jaycee Barn, Sweetwater, TX
- When: Annual · mid March
- Type: Fair/Expo with major music component
- Genres: Country
- Website: Visit Site
World's largest rattlesnake roundup, 68th annual, includes nightly country dances.
Irish Channel St. Patrick's Day Parade
Irish Channel neighborhood, New Orleans, LA
- When: Annual · mid March
- Type: Single Event
- Genres: Irish Traditional, Brass Band
- Website: Visit Site
79th annual St. Patrick's Day parade and block party through the Irish Channel.
Cowtown Goes Green
Fort Worth Stockyards, Fort Worth, TX
- When: Annual · mid March
- Type: Single Event
- Genres: Irish, Western, Country
- Website: Visit Site
23rd annual St. Patrick's Day celebration blending Irish and Western traditions with live music.
Los Isleños Fiesta
Los Isleños Museum Complex, St. Bernard, LA
- When: Annual · mid March
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Canary Islander Folk, Traditional, Local Bands
- Website: Visit Site
Heritage festival celebrating St. Bernard Parish's Canary Islander descendants.
YLC Wednesday at the Square
Lafayette Square, New Orleans, LA
- When: Annual · mid March
- Type: Concert Series
- Genres: Jazz, Funk, Swamp Pop, Latin, Brass Band
- Website: Visit Site
Free weekly outdoor concert series every Wednesday evening in spring.
Iowa Rabbit Festival
Burton Complex, Lake Charles, LA
- When: Annual · mid March
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Zydeco, Cajun, Country
- Website: Visit Site
Three-day festival with rabbit cook-off and two full days of live Zydeco and Cajun music.
Outlaws and Legends Music Festival
The Back Porch of Texas, Abilene, TX
- When: Annual · late March
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Country, Rock, Outlaw Country
- Website: Visit Site
Abilene's biggest one-stage country/rock festival, 2025's 15th annual, headlined by Clint Black.
Jamboozie Music Festival
San Agustin Plaza, Laredo, TX
- When: Annual · late March
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Latin, Pop, Various
- Website: Visit Site
Laredo's 25th annual single-day downtown music festival with top touring artists.
Texas Onion Fest
Downtown Weslaco, Weslaco, TX
- When: Annual · late March
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Tejano, Country, Variety
- Website: Visit Site
Celebrates Weslaco's famous Texas 1015 onion with live entertainment on two stages.
Kenner Italian Heritage Festival (Festa Italiana)
Rivertown Kenner, Kenner, LA
- When: Annual · late March
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Italian Folk, Pop, Traditional
- Website: Visit Site
Three-day Italian heritage festival with live bands and entertainers.
Bayou City Art Festival Downtown
Sesquicentennial Park / Downtown Houston, Houston, TX
- When: Annual · late March
- Type: Fair/Expo with major music component
- Genres: Variety/Live Music (multiple stages)
- Website: Visit Site
Major juried fine arts festival with multiple live music stages.
Congo Square Rhythms Festival
Louis Armstrong Park, New Orleans, LA
- When: Annual · late March
- Type: Festival
- Genres: African, Afro-Caribbean, Jazz, Drumming
- Website: Visit Site
Free festival honoring New Orleans' African heritage with music and dance.
Sabinal Wild Hog Festival & Craft Fair
Veterans Memorial Live Oak Park / Yellowjacket Stadium, Sabinal, TX
- When: Annual · late March
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Bluegrass, Various
- Website: Visit Site
Community festival with live bluegrass music and clogging performances.
Holi Festival of Baton Rouge (Festival of Colors)
Repentance Park, Baton Rouge, LA
- When: Annual · late March
- Type: Fair/Expo with major music component
- Genres: Bollywood/Indian DJ, dance music
- Website: Visit Site
Free Hindu spring festival of colors with DJ-led music and cultural dance.
Frisco International Arts & Culture Festival
Kaleidoscope Park, Frisco, TX
- When: Annual · early April
- Type: Festival
- Genres: World/Cultural, Variety
- Website: Visit Site
Frisco's multicultural festival celebrating global diversity with music and performance.
Baton Rouge Blues Festival
Repentance Park and Galvez Plaza, Baton Rouge, LA
- When: Annual · early April
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Blues
- Website: Visit Site
One of the oldest blues festivals in the US, a free multi-day downtown celebration of Baton Rouge's swamp blues heritage.
San Angelo Stock Show & Rodeo
Foster Communications Coliseum / CRC Roofers Coliseum, San Angelo, TX
- When: Annual · early April
- Type: Fair/Expo with major music component
- Genres: Country
- Website: Visit Site
Multi-week PRCA rodeo with nightly country concert entertainment.
Scott Boudin Festival
Downtown Scott, Scott, LA
- When: Annual · early April
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Cajun, Zydeco, Country, Rock
- Website: Visit Site
Festival celebrating boudin and Cajun culture with a full weekend of regional and local bands.
Delta Music Festival
Delta Music Museum / The Arcade, Ferriday, LA
- When: Annual · early April
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Bluegrass, Gospel, Blues, Rockabilly
- Website: Visit Site
Festival at the Delta Music Museum, birthplace of Jerry Lee Lewis and Mickey Gilley.
Two Step Inn
San Gabriel Park, Georgetown, TX
- When: Annual · early April
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Country
- Website: Visit Site
Two-day country music festival in Georgetown featuring top-tier and emerging country artists.
Louisiana Railroad Days Festival
DeQuincy Railroad Museum grounds, DeQuincy, LA
- When: Annual · early April
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Gospel, Cajun, Country
- Website: Visit Site
Free three-night festival with gospel night and Saturday main-stage Cajun/country lineup.
Poteet Strawberry Festival
Poteet Strawberry Festival Grounds, Poteet, TX
- When: Annual · early April
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Country, Tejano
- Website: Visit Site
South Texas's signature strawberry harvest festival with multiple stages of country and Tejano headliners.
Lubbock Arts Festival
Lubbock Memorial Civic Center, Lubbock, TX
- When: Annual · mid April
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Various/Multi-genre live performance
- Website: Visit Site
West Texas's largest fine art and craft festival with live music, dance, and performance.
The Western Festival at Luckenbach
Luckenbach Dance Hall/General Store, Luckenbach, TX
- When: Annual · mid April
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Country, Western, Texas Music
- Website: Visit Site
Western-themed music festival at the iconic Luckenbach, Texas dance hall.
French Quarter Festival
French Quarter (multiple stages), New Orleans, LA
- When: Annual · mid April
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Jazz, Brass Band, R&B, Cajun, Zydeco, Blues
- Website: Visit Site
Free four-day festival billed as the world's largest showcase of Louisiana music.
Fiesta Oyster Bake
St. Mary's University, San Antonio, TX
- When: Annual · mid April
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Rock, Tejano, Latin, Various
- Website: Visit Site
Major Fiesta San Antonio event with three stages of live music.
South Texas Mariachi Festival
Edinburg Arts, Culture & Event (ACE) Center, Edinburg, TX
- When: Annual · mid April
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Mariachi, Ranchera
- Website: Visit Site
Regional mariachi festival and Hall of Fame induction produced with the City of Edinburg.
Luckenbach Texas Bluegrass Festival
Luckenbach Dance Hall, Luckenbach, TX
- When: Annual · mid April
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Bluegrass
- Website: Visit Site
Annual one-day bluegrass festival at the historic Luckenbach dance hall.
NIOSA (A Night in Old San Antonio)
La Villita Historic Arts Village, San Antonio, TX
- When: Annual · late April
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Tejano, Country, Latin, Various
- Website: Visit Site
Four-night Fiesta San Antonio fundraiser with 14 themed cultural areas of continuous live music.
Festival International de Louisiane
Downtown Lafayette (multiple outdoor stages/parks), Lafayette, LA
- When: Annual · late April
- Type: Festival
- Genres: World Music, Francophone, Cajun, Zydeco, African, Caribbean
- Website: Visit Site
Largest non-ticketed outdoor Francophone festival in the US, 40th anniversary in 2026.
Thin Line Fest
Downtown Denton (Campus Theatre & multiple venues), Denton, TX
- When: Annual · late April
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Indie, Alternative, Electronic, Metal, DJ sets
- Website: Visit Site
Five-day documentary film, photography, and music festival with a 50+ act music lineup.
Battle of Flowers Band Festival
Alamodome, San Antonio, TX
- When: Annual · late April
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Marching Band
- Website: Visit Site
Oldest and longest-running marching band festival in the nation.
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (Jazz Fest)
Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, New Orleans, LA
- When: Annual · late April
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Jazz, Brass Band, R&B, Blues, Gospel, Cajun, Zydeco, Rock
- Website: Visit Site
World-renowned music and culture festival spanning two long weekends.
Old Settler's Music Festival
Old Settler's Music Festival Grounds, Tilmon, TX
- When: Annual · late April
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Bluegrass, Americana, Roots, Folk
- Website: Visit Site
Legendary Americana/bluegrass camping festival running since 1987.
Ouachita RiverFest
Downtown West Monroe / Antique Alley, West Monroe, LA
- When: Annual · late April
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Local/Regional Variety
- Website: Visit Site
West Monroe's premier spring festival with live music along the Ouachita River.
Threadhead Cultural Foundation's Threadhead Thursday & Patry
City Park Botanical Gardens / Deutsches Haus, New Orleans, LA
- When: Annual · late April
- Type: Concert Series
- Genres: Rock, Jazz, Funk, Brass Band
- Website: Visit Site
Benefit concerts during Jazz Fest week featuring NOLA musicians and guest cameos.
Bandera Songwriters Festival
Bandera, TX
- When: Annual · late April
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Singer-Songwriter, Country, Folk
- Website: Visit Site
Weekend celebrating Bandera's musical heritage through original songwriter performances.
Freer Rattlesnake Roundup
Duval-Freer Airport, Freer, TX
- When: Annual · late April
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Country, Texas Country
- Website: Visit Site
60th annual South Texas tradition with live country music acts.
Levitt Pavilion Arlington Concert Series
Levitt Pavilion Arlington, Arlington, TX
- When: Annual · late April
- Type: Concert Series
- Genres: Rock, Country, Folk, Tejano, Funk, Variety
- Website: Visit Site
Free outdoor concert series with roughly 50 shows per year.
Louisiana Forest Festival
Winnfield Civic Center, Winnfield, LA
- When: Annual · late April
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Country, Acoustic/Cover Bands
- Website: Visit Site
Winn Parish festival celebrating the timber industry with lumberjack competitions and concerts.
Basin Red Dirt BBQ & Music Festival
Scharbauer Sports Complex, Midland, TX
- When: Annual · late April
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Red Dirt, Texas Country
- Website: Visit Site
New Midland festival pairing Texas barbecue with Red Dirt music, headlined by Casey Donahew.
This is Home Fest
Lake Charles Event Center (Amphitheater Grounds), Lake Charles, LA
- When: Annual · late April
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Variety, Zydeco, Country, Indie/Rock
- Website: Visit Site
Free annual celebration of SW Louisiana music, art, food, and culture.
Fortress Festival
Fort Worth Cultural District (Modern Art Museum area), Fort Worth, TX
- When: Annual · late April
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Indie Rock, Alternative, Hip-Hop
- Website: Visit Site
Two-day music and culture festival in Fort Worth's Cultural District.
NOLA Crawfish Festival
The Broadside, New Orleans, LA
- When: Annual · late April
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Zydeco, Cajun, Brass Band, R&B
- Website: Visit Site
Three-day music and crawfish festival held between Jazz Fest weekends.
Chaz Fest
The Broadside, New Orleans, LA
- When: Annual · late April
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Rock, Funk, Brass Band, Alternative
- Website: Visit Site
Neighborhood music festival held between Jazz Fest weekends, 20th year.
Buc Days
American Bank Center / Corpus Christi Bayfront, Corpus Christi, TX
- When: Annual · late April
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Country, Rock, Latin
- Website: Visit Site
Corpus Christi's largest annual festival with a rodeo, carnival, parades, and nightly concert series.
Alex River Fête
Downtown Alexandria Riverfront (Red River), Alexandria, LA
- When: Annual · early May
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Variety, Indie, Rock, Local/Regional Acts
- Website: Visit Site
Three-day arts, culture, and heritage festival on the Red River with live music and an Indie Village.
Rockwall Concert by the Lake
The Harbor, Rockwall, TX
- When: Annual · early May
- Type: Concert Series
- Genres: Variety, Tribute bands, Orchestral
- Website: Visit Site
Free Thursday-night summer concert series at The Harbor on Lake Ray Hubbard.
Thibodaux Firemen's Fair
Thibodaux Firemen's Fairgrounds, Thibodaux, LA
- When: Annual · early May
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Rock, Zydeco, Swamp pop, Country
- Website: Visit Site
Southeast Louisiana's largest free festival with national touring rock acts alongside zydeco and swamp pop bands.
Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Summer Concert Season
The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, The Woodlands, TX
- When: Annual · early May
- Type: Concert Series
- Genres: Variety (Pop, Rock, Country, Classical/Symphony, Latin)
- Website: Visit Site
Top-ranked outdoor amphitheater hosting a full season of touring concerts plus Houston Symphony summer series.
Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival
Parc Hardy, Breaux Bridge, LA
- When: Annual · early May
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Cajun, Zydeco, Swamp Pop
- Website: Visit Site
Long-running festival celebrating Breaux Bridge's title as Crawfish Capital of the World.
Dallas International Guitar Festival
Dallas Market Hall, Dallas, TX
- When: Annual · early May
- Type: Concert Series
- Genres: Rock, Blues, Guitar-centric live music
- Website: Visit Site
Long-running guitar show and music festival combining exhibits with live performances.
Louisiana Pirate Festival (Contraband Days)
Lake Charles Civic Center / lakefront, Lake Charles, LA
- When: Annual · early May
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Cajun, Zydeco, Rock, Country, Pop
- Website: Visit Site
Louisiana's official state-designated pirate festival on the shores of Lake Charles, one of the state's largest annual celebrations.
Pecan Street Festival (Spring)
Hill Country Galleria, Austin, TX
- When: Annual · early May
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Rock, Funk, R&B, Variety
- Website: Visit Site
Long-running free arts, crafts, and music festival; relocated in 2025 to Bee Cave's Hill Country Galleria.
Natchitoches Jazz/R&B Festival
Downtown Natchitoches Riverbank, Natchitoches, LA
- When: Annual · early May
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Jazz, R&B, Country, Tribute Acts
- Website: Visit Site
28th annual riverbank festival with national headliners plus regional jazz/R&B acts.
Lake Providence Levee Festival
Downtown Lake Providence, Lake Providence, LA
- When: Annual · early May
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Roots Music, Variety
- Website: Visit Site
Spring festival combining roots music performances and a morning 5K race.
Night Market BTR
State Capitol grounds, Baton Rouge, LA
- When: Annual · early May
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Multicultural/Asian-influenced, live bands and DJs
- Website: Visit Site
Baton Rouge's premier Asian-influenced street festival with live music/DJ performances.
TFAE Cajun Food Fest & Battle of the Bands
Downtown Houma Courthouse Square, Houma, LA
- When: Annual · early May
- Type: Fair/Expo with major music component
- Genres: High school marching band, Regional/variety
- Website: Visit Site
Fundraiser combining a 5K run with a Battle of the High School Bands competition.
Tejano Conjunto Festival en San Antonio
Rosedale Park (main festival); Royal Palace Ballroom (opening dance), San Antonio, TX
- When: Annual · mid May
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Conjunto, Tejano
- Website: Visit Site
World's longest-running conjunto festival with 40+ acts over three days.
Cool Canyon Nights
McKelligon Canyon Amphitheatre, El Paso, TX
- When: Annual · mid May
- Type: Concert Series
- Genres: Various, Free Live Music
- Website: Visit Site
Free weekly Thursday live music series at McKelligon Canyon Amphitheatre since 2011.
Bayou Boogaloo
Bayou St. John, New Orleans, LA
- When: Annual · mid May
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Funk, Brass Band, Zydeco, Rock
- Website: Visit Site
Free three-day neighborhood music festival along Bayou St. John.
Denton Fry Street Fair
Fry Street entertainment district, Denton, TX
- When: Annual · mid May
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Punk, Indie, Rock
- Website: Visit Site
Denton's original entertainment-district street fair spotlighting punk, indie and rock music.
Pachanga Latino Music Festival
Fiesta Gardens, Austin, TX
- When: Annual · mid May
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Latin, Tejano, Cumbia, Salsa, Rock, Hip-Hop
- Website: Visit Site
Latino-themed music, arts, and food festival at Fiesta Gardens.
Wildflower! Arts & Music Festival
Galatyn Park Urban Center, Richardson, TX
- When: Annual · mid May
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Rock, Pop, Indie, Folk, Americana
- Website: Visit Site
Large multi-day music and arts festival with national touring acts and local artists.
Baton Rouge Soul Food Festival
East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library at Goodwood, Baton Rouge, LA
- When: Annual · mid May
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Blues, Soul, R&B, Gospel
- Website: Visit Site
Free two-day family festival pairing a soul-food cooking contest with a live music stage.
Van Cliburn International Piano Competition
Bass Performance Hall / Van Cliburn Concert Hall at TCU, Fort Worth, TX
- When: Quadrennial (every 4 years; next in 2029) · late May
- Type: Single Event
- Genres: Classical Piano
- Website: Visit Site
World-renowned international classical piano competition held in Fort Worth every four years.
Gonzales Jambalaya Festival
Lamar-Dixon Expo Center, Gonzales, LA
- When: Annual · late May
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Country, Swamp pop, Cajun, Zydeco
- Website: Visit Site
One of Louisiana's oldest festivals, celebrating jambalaya with a World Champion Cook-Off and three nights of live music.
Kerrville Folk Festival
Quiet Valley Ranch, Kerrville, TX
- When: Annual · late May
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Folk, Americana, Singer-Songwriter
- Website: Visit Site
One of the longest continuously running folk festivals in the US, an 18-day event with 100+ acts.
Downtown at Sundown Concert Series
Downtown Lake Charles merchant's parking lot, Lake Charles, LA
- When: Annual · late May
- Type: Concert Series
- Genres: Swamp Pop, Zydeco, Classic Rock, Variety
- Website: Visit Site
25+ year summer tradition featuring four consecutive Friday evening concerts downtown.
Mudbug Madness Festival
Festival Plaza, Shreveport, LA
- When: Annual · late May
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Cajun, Zydeco, country, blues
- Website: Visit Site
Memorial Day weekend Cajun festival with two stages and 30+ bands.
Bayou Country Superfest
LSU Tiger Stadium (historic home), Baton Rouge, LA
- When: Annual · late May
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Country
- Website: Visit Site
Long-running Memorial Day weekend country music festival historically at LSU's Tiger Stadium.
Fredericksburg Crawfish Festival
Marktplatz, Fredericksburg, TX
- When: Annual · late May
- Type: Fair/Expo with major music component
- Genres: Country, Rock, Cajun/Zydeco
- Website: Visit Site
Memorial Day weekend festival featuring crawfish, food, and live musical performances.
Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco Festival
George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center, New Orleans, LA
- When: Annual · late May
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Cajun, Zydeco
- Website: Visit Site
Free two-day festival celebrating southwestern Louisiana's Cajun and zydeco traditions.
Marble Falls Summer Concert Series
Downtown Marble Falls, Marble Falls, TX
- When: Annual · early June
- Type: Concert Series
- Genres: Country, Rock, Variety
- Website: Visit Site
Free live music every Friday night through the summer in Marble Falls.
TEXAS Outdoor Musical
Pioneer Amphitheatre, Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Canyon, TX
- When: Annual · early June
- Type: Concert Series
- Genres: Musical Theater / Live Band Score
- Website: Visit Site
Long-running outdoor musical drama with a live orchestral/band score in Palo Duro Canyon.
New Music on the Bayou Festival
Multiple venues (Monroe, West Monroe, Ruston), Monroe/West Monroe/Ruston, LA
- When: Annual · early June
- Type: Concert Series
- Genres: Contemporary Classical, Chamber Music
- Website: Visit Site
Multi-day, multi-city contemporary chamber music festival, 10th year in 2025.
Buddy Holly Center Summer Showcase Concert Series
Buddy Holly Center, Lubbock, TX
- When: Annual · early June
- Type: Concert Series
- Genres: Rock, Country, Local/Regional
- Website: Visit Site
Free weekly Thursday-evening concert series at the Buddy Holly Center.
Texas Route 66 Festival
Route 66 Historic District / various downtown venues, Amarillo, TX
- When: Annual · early June
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Various, Live Bands, Karaoke
- Website: Visit Site
10-day Amarillo celebration of Route 66 heritage with live music and a grand finale street festival.
West Texas Jazz Party
Odessa Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, Odessa, TX
- When: Annual · early June
- Type: Concert Series
- Genres: Jazz, Swing
- Website: Visit Site
Oldest continuously running jazz party in the US (since 1967).
Fiesta Noche del Rio
Arneson River Theatre, San Antonio, TX
- When: Annual · early June
- Type: Concert Series
- Genres: Mariachi, Flamenco, Folklorico
- Website: Visit Site
San Antonio tradition since 1957 with mariachi, flamenco guitar, and folklorico dance.
Louisiana Peach Festival
Railroad Park (Downtown Ruston), Ruston, LA
- When: Annual · early June
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Country, Southern Rock, Americana, Zydeco, Local/Regional Variety
- Website: Visit Site
Ruston's flagship summer festival, 75th year, with 12 hours of live music.
Sal y Limon Street Festival
San Jacinto Plaza, El Paso, TX
- When: Annual · early June
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Norteno, Latin, Tribute Bands, DJ/EDM
- Website: Visit Site
Downtown El Paso street festival, 2025 headlined by Los Tucanes de Tijuana.
Fredericksburg Music Festival & School
Marienkirche at St. Mary's Church, Becker Vineyards, Altstadt Brewery, Historic Nimitz Ballroom, Fredericksburg, TX
- When: Annual · early June
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Classical, Cello/Chamber Music
Two-week classical/cello music festival and school with concerts and masterclasses.
Freedom Vibes Festival (National Juneteenth Museum)
Multiple venues incl. Bass Performance Hall, Fort Worth, TX
- When: Annual · mid June
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Gospel, R&B, Soul, Orchestral
- Website: Visit Site
Ten-day inaugural Juneteenth celebration produced by the National Juneteenth Museum.
Boerne Berges Fest
Main Plaza / Herff Park at Kendall County Fairgrounds, Boerne, TX
- When: Annual · mid June
- Type: Festival
- Genres: German, Polka
- Website: Visit Site
Free 3-day German heritage festival on Father's Day weekend.
Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana Annual Powwow
The Pavilion at Coushatta Casino Resort, Kinder/Elton, LA
- When: Annual · mid June
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Native American traditional drum/song, Powwow music
- Website: Visit Site
One of the largest powwows in North America with competitive tribal drum groups and dancers.
Holly Beach Crab Festival
Holly Beach (Creole Nature Trail), Cameron, LA
- When: Annual · mid June
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Zydeco, Cajun, Swamp Pop
- Website: Visit Site
Three-day coastal celebration with live Zydeco/Cajun music and crab cook-off.
Louisiana Corn Festival
Downtown Bunkie, Bunkie, LA
- When: Annual · mid June
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Zydeco, Cajun, Country
- Website: Visit Site
37th annual festival with live bands and a street dance both nights.
Whitney Plantation Juneteenth Freedom Festival
Whitney Plantation, Wallace, LA
- When: Annual · mid June
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Gospel, R&B, Regional Louisiana
- Website: Visit Site
Juneteenth commemoration at the Whitney Plantation museum with live musical performances.
Dallas Juneteenth Unity Weekend
The Village Dallas Beach Club (and other Dallas venues), Dallas, TX
- When: Annual · mid June
- Type: Festival
- Genres: R&B, Hip-Hop, Soul, Variety
- Website: Visit Site
Multi-day Juneteenth celebration including a Unity Festival & Pool Party with live entertainment.
New Orleans Juneteenth Festival
Congo Square, Louis Armstrong Park, New Orleans, LA
- When: Annual · mid June
- Type: Festival
- Genres: R&B, Pop, Brass Band, Second Line
- Website: Visit Site
Free annual festival marking Juneteenth with a second-line procession and live music.
Let the Good Times Roll Festival
Festival Plaza, Shreveport, LA
- When: Annual · mid June
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Soul, Gospel, Hip-Hop, R&B
- Website: Visit Site
Juneteenth-weekend celebration of African American music, art, and food.
Cotton Fest
Cook's Garage, Lubbock, TX
- When: Annual · late June
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Texas Country, Red Dirt
- Website: Visit Site
Lubbock's biggest annual music festival, raising money for the High Cotton Relief Fund.
Baton Rouge Pride Festival
Raising Cane's River Center, Baton Rouge, LA
- When: Annual · late June
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Pop, R&B
- Website: Visit Site
Annual LGBTQ+ pride festival with ticketed concert programming.
Slidell Heritage Festival
Heritage Park, Slidell, LA
- When: Annual · late June
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Rock, Country, Zydeco
- Website: Visit Site
One-night charity fundraising festival with live music and fireworks.
Texas Cowboy Reunion
Texas Cowboy Reunion Grounds, Stamford, TX
- When: Annual · late June
- Type: Fair/Expo with major music component
- Genres: Western Swing, Texas Country, Red Dirt
- Website: Visit Site
Historic amateur rodeo and Western heritage celebration with nightly concerts.
Addison Kaboom Town!
Addison Circle Park, Addison, TX
- When: Annual · early July
- Type: Single Event
- Genres: Military band, Rock tribute, Party band
- Website: Visit Site
Nationally ranked July 3rd fireworks and airshow event with a full live concert lineup.
Essence Festival of Culture
Caesars Superdome / Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, LA
- When: Annual · early July
- Type: Festival
- Genres: R&B, Hip-Hop, Soul, Gospel
- Website: Visit Site
Major annual celebration of Black culture held over Fourth of July weekend.
Avoyelles Arts & Music Festival
Paragon Casino Resort, Marksville, LA
- When: Annual · early July
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Brass Band, Swamp Pop, Country, Variety
- Website: Visit Site
Louisiana's biggest July 4th celebration with the state's oldest July 4th parade and live entertainment.
Freedom Over Texas
Eleanor Tinsley Park, Houston, TX
- When: Annual · early July
- Type: Single Event
- Genres: Country, Pop
- Website: Visit Site
Houston's official July 4th celebration with concert stages and fireworks finale.
Harlingen Freedom Fest
Lon C. Hill Park, Harlingen, TX
- When: Annual · early July
- Type: Single Event
- Genres: Tejano, Country
- Website: Visit Site
Harlingen's Independence Day celebration with live music and a large fireworks show.
Miller Outdoor Theatre Summer Symphony Nights
Miller Outdoor Theatre, Houston, TX
- When: Annual · early July
- Type: Concert Series
- Genres: Classical, Symphony/Pops
- Website: Visit Site
Free Houston Symphony summer concert series including the July 4th Star-Spangled Salute.
Willie Nelson's 4th of July Picnic
Germania Insurance Amphitheater, Austin, TX
- When: Annual · early July
- Type: Single Event
- Genres: Country, Outlaw Country, Americana
- Website: Visit Site
Willie Nelson's long-running annual Independence Day concert and fireworks show.
Deep Sea Roundup
Port Aransas, TX
- When: Annual · early July
- Type: Fair/Expo with major music component
- Genres: Variety
- Website: Visit Site
Oldest fishing tournament on the Texas coast, 89th annual, with live music entertainment.
Bastille Day Fête
Alliance Française de la Nouvelle-Orléans, New Orleans, LA
- When: Annual · mid July
- Type: Single Event
- Genres: Jazz, French Chanson, DJ
- Website: Visit Site
Annual French heritage celebration with live jazz and French-influenced music.
Parker County Peach Festival
Historic Downtown Weatherford, Weatherford, TX
- When: Annual · mid July
- Type: Fair/Expo with major music component
- Genres: Country, Variety/local bands
- Website: Visit Site
Weatherford's signature summer festival celebrating the local peach harvest.
Camp Bluegrass
South Plains College, Levelland, TX
- When: Annual · mid July
- Type: Concert Series
- Genres: Bluegrass
- Website: Visit Site
Week-long residential bluegrass music camp with nightly public faculty concerts.
Rockin' the River at Panther Island Pavilion
Panther Island Pavilion, Fort Worth, TX
- When: Annual · mid July
- Type: Concert Series
- Genres: Texas Country, Americana, Rock
- Website: Visit Site
Free weekly Thursday summer concert series on the Trinity River.
Bastille on Bishop
Bishop Arts District, Dallas, TX
- When: Annual · mid July
- Type: Single Event
- Genres: French chanson, Cajun/Zydeco, Variety, Live bands
- Website: Visit Site
Free Bastille Day street festival in Oak Cliff's Bishop Arts District.
Delta Utilities Red River Balloon Rally
Louisiana Downs, Bossier City, LA
- When: Annual · mid July
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Pop/tribute bands, DJ sets
- Website: Visit Site
Hot-air balloon festival with tethered rides, balloon glow, and live music/tribute bands.
Coushatta Crossroads Festival
The Pavilion at Coushatta Casino Resort, Kinder, LA
- When: Annual · mid July
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Cajun, Zydeco
- Website: Visit Site
Single-day Cajun and Zydeco music festival with nonstop performances across two stages.
Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival
Prather Coliseum, Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, LA
- When: Annual · mid July
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Cajun, Zydeco, Blues, Celtic, Country, Folk
- Website: Visit Site
Air-conditioned folk festival with three stages of Cajun, zydeco, blues, and Celtic music.
Float Fest
Riverside grounds near Guadalupe River, Gonzales, TX
- When: Annual · late July
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Indie, Rock, Hip-Hop, EDM
- Website: Visit Site
Texas' signature river float and music festival, combining tubing with a multi-stage lineup.
Viva Big Bend Music Festival
Big Bend Saddlery, Granada Theater, Cibolo Creek Ranch, and other venues, Alpine, TX
- When: Annual · late July
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Americana, Country, Rock, Folk
- Website: Visit Site
Regional music festival spanning six Big Bend-area towns with 65+ performances.
Satchmo SummerFest
New Orleans Jazz Museum, New Orleans, LA
- When: Annual · early August
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Jazz, Brass Band
- Website: Visit Site
Free festival celebrating Louis Armstrong's legacy with jazz performances.
Sugarland Music and Arts Festival
Assumption Parish Community Center, Napoleonville, LA
- When: Annual · early August
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Regional/multi-genre
- Website: Visit Site
Music and arts festival showcasing local musicians and artists near Thibodaux/Donaldsonville.
Symphony Week (BRSO free pop-up concerts)
Various locations (incl. Perkins Rowe), Baton Rouge, LA
- When: Annual · early August
- Type: Concert Series
- Genres: Classical/Orchestral, popular crossover
- Website: Visit Site
Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra's free week of pop-up concerts.
Marathon Songwriters Festival
The Gage Hotel, Marathon, TX
- When: Annual · early August
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Americana, Singer-Songwriter, Texas Country
- Website: Visit Site
Intimate singer-songwriter festival at the historic Gage Hotel.
K.Levy's Legends Music Festival
Great River Road grounds, Vacherie, LA
- When: Annual · early August
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Hip-hop, R&B, Regional/local multi-genre
- Website: Visit Site
St. James Parish's first-ever music festival, a free family-friendly event along the Great River Road.
Cutting Edge Music Business Conference
InterContinental New Orleans, New Orleans, LA
- When: Annual · mid August
- Type: Concert Series
- Genres: Various (multi-genre showcases)
- Website: Visit Site
Annual music business conference with live artist showcases across NOLA venues.
Delcambre Shrimp Festival
Delcambre Shrimp Festival Grounds, Delcambre, LA
- When: Annual · mid August
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Cajun, Country, Zydeco
- Website: Visit Site
73rd annual festival celebrating the local shrimping industry with live music.
Gueydan Duck Festival
Duck Festival Park, Gueydan, LA
- When: Annual · late August
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Cajun, Country, Rock
- Website: Visit Site
Four-day festival with continuous live music honoring Gueydan heritage.
Palomino Fest & Rodeo
Downtown Uvalde / Uvalde Fairgrounds, Uvalde, TX
- When: Annual · late August
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Tejano, Conjunto, Country
- Website: Visit Site
Labor Day weekend celebration founded by Grammy-winning group Los Palominos.
Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival (Original)
Yambilee Festival Grounds, Opelousas, LA
- When: Annual · late August
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Zydeco
- Website: Visit Site
Considered the original Zydeco festival, tracing to a 1982 event in Plaisance.
Austin Women in Jazz Festival
Austin PBS Pfluger Keller Soundstage, Austin, TX
- When: Annual · late August
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Jazz
- Website: Visit Site
One-day jazz festival spotlighting women jazz artists.
Flip Flop Festival
Port Lavaca, TX
- When: Annual · late August
- Type: Single Event
- Genres: Variety
Labor Day weekend beach-vibe festival with live entertainment and food.
Kerrville Wine & Music Festival (Little Folk)
Quiet Valley Ranch, Kerrville, TX
- When: Annual · late August
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Folk, Americana
- Website: Visit Site
Companion event to Kerrville Folk Festival held over Labor Day weekend at the same ranch.
West Texas Fair & Rodeo
Taylor County Expo Center, Abilene, TX
- When: Annual · early September
- Type: Fair/Expo with major music component
- Genres: Country, Blues, Tejano
- Website: Visit Site
10-day Abilene fair and rodeo with nightly concerts.
National Cowboy Symposium & Celebration
Lubbock Memorial Civic Center, Lubbock, TX
- When: Annual · early September
- Type: Fair/Expo with major music component
- Genres: Western, Cowboy, Country
- Website: Visit Site
Lubbock celebration of Western heritage with 50+ musical entertainers.
GrapeFest - A Texas Wine Experience
Historic Main Street, Grapevine, TX
- When: Annual · mid September
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Rock, Tribute bands, Variety
- Website: Visit Site
Largest wine festival in the Southwest with multiple live music stages.
Texas GATORFEST
Fort Anahuac Park, Anahuac, TX
- When: Annual · mid September
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Country, Zydeco, Rock, Blues, Gospel
- Website: Visit Site
Family festival celebrating Chambers County's alligator heritage with diverse live music.
Fiestas Patrias Weekend / Diez y Seis Mariachi Festival
Historic Market Square, San Antonio, TX
- When: Annual · mid September
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Mariachi, Latin, Folklorico
- Website: Visit Site
Hispanic Heritage Month celebration with two stages of mariachi and folklorico groups.
Highland Jazz & Blues Festival
Columbia Park, Shreveport, LA
- When: Annual · mid September
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Jazz, Blues, Swamp Blues
- Website: Visit Site
Free one-day neighborhood festival with three stages of jazz and blues.
Pecan Street Festival (Fall)
Hill Country Galleria, Bee Cave, TX
- When: Annual · mid September
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Funk, R&B, Honky Tonk, Variety
- Website: Visit Site
Fall edition of Austin's Pecan Street Festival at Hill Country Galleria.
Louisiana Food & Wine Festival
Bord du Lac Park / Sowela Technical Community College, Lake Charles, LA
- When: Annual · mid September
- Type: Fair/Expo with major music component
- Genres: Jazz, Live Music
- Website: Visit Site
Multi-day culinary festival with live-music Grand Tasting and a Jazz Brunch.
Plano Balloon Festival
Oak Point Park & Red Tail Pavilion, Plano, TX
- When: Annual · mid September
- Type: Fair/Expo with major music component
- Genres: Big Band, Classical/Symphony, Rock covers
- Website: Visit Site
Hot-air balloon festival with nightly concert lineup.
Denton Blues Festival
Quakertown Park, Denton, TX
- When: Annual · mid September
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Blues
- Website: Visit Site
Free family-friendly blues festival hosted by the Denton Black Chamber of Commerce, 27th year.
Hero Fest
Barry P. Bonvillain Civic Center, Houma, LA
- When: Annual · mid September
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Country, Regional
- Website: Visit Site
Benefit festival supporting first responders headlined by touring country artists.
Houston Jazz Festival
Miller Outdoor Theatre / Echoes / Axelrad Beer Garden, Houston, TX
- When: Annual · mid September
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Jazz
- Website: Visit Site
Three-night jazz celebration across multiple Houston venues.
Panhandle South Plains Fair
Panhandle-South Plains Fairgrounds, Lubbock, TX
- When: Annual · mid September
- Type: Fair/Expo with major music component
- Genres: Country, Regional/Local
- Website: Visit Site
Long-running Lubbock county fair with a full concert lineup.
Fiesta Latina
The Broadside, New Orleans, LA
- When: Annual · mid September
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Latin, Salsa, Cumbia
- Website: Visit Site
Free festival celebrating New Orleans' Latine community with live Latin music.
Pasadena Livestock Show & Rodeo
Ross Kelly Arena, Pasadena Fairgrounds, Pasadena, TX
- When: Annual · late September
- Type: Fair/Expo with major music component
- Genres: Country
- Website: Visit Site
Annual rodeo and livestock show transforming into a concert venue nightly.
Alligator Festival
West Bank Bridge Park, Luling, LA
- When: Annual · late September
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Zydeco, Swamp pop, Rock, Country
- Website: Visit Site
43rd-annual Rotary Club festival featuring live alligators and nine musical acts.
Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival
Downtown New Iberia / Bouligny Plaza & Steamboat Pavilion, New Iberia, LA
- When: Annual · late September
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Cajun, Zydeco, Country, R&B
- Website: Visit Site
82nd annual festival honoring the sugar cane industry with live music at Steamboat Pavilion.
Red River Revel Arts Festival
Festival Plaza, Shreveport, LA
- When: Annual · late September
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Blues, folk, rock, jazz, world, outlaw country, taiko/percussion
- Website: Visit Site
Shreveport's flagship downtown arts festival held over two weekends with 4 stages of music.
Jazz'SAlive
Civic Park at Hemisfair, San Antonio, TX
- When: Annual · late September
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Jazz
- Website: Visit Site
One of the largest free jazz festivals in the country, 42nd annual.
Llano Texas Music Festival
Robinson Park, Llano, TX
- When: Annual · late September
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Texas Country, Country
- Website: Visit Site
Two-day Texas/country music festival along the Llano River.
McKinney Oktoberfest
Historic Downtown McKinney, McKinney, TX
- When: Annual · late September
- Type: Fair/Expo with major music component
- Genres: German/Oktoberfest, Polka, Folk
- Website: Visit Site
18th annual McKinney Oktoberfest featuring German folk and polka bands.
Rio Fest
Harlingen, TX
- When: Annual · late September
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Tejano, Country, Tribute acts
- Website: Visit Site
Harlingen's revitalized heritage festival dating to the late 1980s, featuring regional and tribute bands.
State Fair of Texas Music Series
Fair Park (Chevrolet Main Stage, Bud Light Stage, Bank of Texas Stage), Dallas, TX
- When: Annual · late September
- Type: Fair/Expo with major music component
- Genres: Country, R&B, Norteño, Electro-pop, Rock
- Website: Visit Site
Free daily concerts across three stages, 100+ acts, included with fair admission.
Bee County Western Week
Downtown Beeville, Beeville, TX
- When: Annual · late September
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Country, Honky-tonk
- Website: Visit Site
Near-century-old Bee County tradition with a country-western dance headlined by a live band.
Frisco Oktoberfest
Frisco Square, Frisco, TX
- When: Annual · late September
- Type: Fair/Expo with major music component
- Genres: German/Oktoberfest
- Website: Visit Site
One-day German heritage festival with live music.
Austin Area Jazz Festival
Austin, TX
- When: Annual
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Jazz
- Website: Visit Site
Jazz festival founded in 2015 showcasing top-tier jazz talent, benefiting Boys & Girls Clubs.
Devil's Backbone Tavern Dia de los Muertos Festival
Devil's Backbone Tavern and Dance Hall, Fischer, TX
- When: Annual
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Tejano, Texas Country, Americana, Red Dirt
- Website: Visit Site
Themed festival at Texas' oldest dive bar/dance hall, part of the venue's recurring event lineup.
Downtown Alive!
Parc Sans Souci, Lafayette, LA
- When: Annual (monthly Fridays, spring and fall)
- Type: Concert Series
- Genres: Cajun, Creole, Zydeco, Indie Pop, Rock, Soul, Country, Folk, R&B
- Website: Visit Site
Acadiana's longest-running free concert series, 42nd year in 2025.
Louisiana Catfish Festival
St. Gertrude the Great Catholic Church grounds, Des Allemands, LA
- When: Annual
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Bluegrass, Cajun
- Website: Visit Site
50-year-old festival benefiting St. Gertrude the Great Catholic Church with live bluegrass and Cajun music.
Southdown Marketplace Arts & Crafts Festival
Southdown Plantation, Houma, LA
- When: Biannual (spring and fall)
- Type: Fair/Expo with major music component
- Genres: Regional/live music (vendor-fair entertainment)
- Website: Visit Site
30+ year twice-yearly arts and crafts festival at the historic Southdown Plantation with live music.
Vermilionville Cajun Jam
Vermilionville Living Museum & Folklife Park, Lafayette, LA
- When: Weekly (every Saturday)
- Type: Concert Series
- Genres: Cajun
- Website: Visit Site
Free weekly Cajun French music jam session open to musicians of all skill levels.
Vermilionville Sunday Concert Series (Le Bal du Dimanche)
Vermilionville Living Museum & Folklife Park, Lafayette, LA
- When: Weekly (Sundays)
- Type: Concert Series
- Genres: Cajun, Zydeco
- Website: Visit Site
Weekly Sunday afternoon live band and dance series at Vermilionville.
Sol Summit Music & Cultura Festival
San Jacinto Plaza, El Paso, TX
- When: Held May 2, 2026
- Type: Festival
- Genres: Indie Rock, Latin Alternative, Electronic, Cumbia
- Website: Visit Site
New bilingual indie/Latin-alternative music and culture festival, inaugural 2026 headliners The Flaming Lips and Bomba Estereo.
Freddy Fender: The Legacy Lives On
San Benito Cultural Heritage Museum / Community Building, San Benito, TX
- When: Held Jun 13, 2026
- Type: Single Event
- Genres: Tejano, Country, Conjunto
- Website: Visit Site
Commemorative tribute concert and museum exhibit grand opening honoring Tejano/country legend Freddy Fender.