Street dances, food and drink gardens, live music on two stages at Burnet Bluebonnet Festival
The 2026 Bluebonnet Festival is April 10-12 in downtown Burnet.
Jason Boland & The Stragglers top the bill of an extra-special lineup of musicians at the Burnet Bluebonnet Festival, April 9-12, on the downtown courthouse square. This year, for the first time, headlining acts will perform on two stages over three nights of the four-day festival.
Jackson Street Live joins the festival this year with a larger footprint and added amenities as it takes over the courtyard at the new City Hall, 301 E. Jackson St.
“We’ve increased the size of the stage and budget,” said volunteer organizer Damon Beierle, whose company, Double Eagle Entertainment, lines up the talent for the festival. “We’re going to have a beer garden, spirits, food, and stuff for people to do. It’ll be like having a mini-festival within the festival.”
A cooling center will be set up in the Community Center at 401 E. Jackson St. Cub Scout Pack 282 is selling water and baked goods in the air-conditioned building, which offers access to indoor restrooms and a place to sit and relax.
Tyce Delk opens for Boland at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 11, on the Main Street Stage at the corner of Main and Washington streets. Boland takes the stage at 9:45 p.m. Tickets for Delk and Boland are $25 for ages 6 and older and available at bluebonnetfestival.org/music.
All other musical performances during the festival are free.
Earlier on Saturday on the Main Street Stage, Hired Guns perform at 1 p.m. followed by Steel Belts at 3:30 p.m. On the Jackson Street Stage that day, Daniel Hopkins plays at 1 p.m., Carson Vangundy at 3:30 p.m., and Western Playboys at 7 p.m.
The Friday concerts are Jackson Street Live with Departure ATX from 6-8 p.m. on the Jackson Street Stage and All Hat No Cadillac from 8-10 p.m. on the Main Street Stage.
The youngsters shine when Studio 29 hits the Main Street Stage from 11-11:30 a.m. Saturday with a variety of dance performances.
On Sunday, a praise and worship service is 9-11 a.m. on the Main Street Stage followed by the Weiner Dog Race from 1-3 p.m., and Allan Ray & SCB perform from noon to 3 p.m. on the Jackson Street Stage.
Festival fun continues at The Mighty Thomas Carnival, which powers down the rides at 5 p.m. Sunday.
ON AND OFF THE SQUARE
In homage to the festival’s raison d’être, the Highland Lakes Birding and Wildflower Society sets up flower displays and answers questions about local flora in the side room of the Herman Brown Free Library at 100 E. Washington St. on the square. The Native Wildflower Show is open from 3-5 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday.
The Lake Area Rods & Classics Car Show is not far from the square in Hamilton Creek Park on West Jackson Street. Cars, trucks, and motorcycles are welcome at the show, with proceeds going to the Hill Country Children’s Advocacy Center. The event is 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and is free for looky-loos!
Domino enthusiasts compete in a 42 Tournament starting at 9 a.m. Saturday in the AgriLife Extension Auditorium, 607 N. Vandeveer St.
Another exciting event that always coincides with the festival, the Demolition Derby, revs its engines at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Burnet County Fairgrounds, 1301 Houston Clinton Drive. Tickets are $20 for ages 12 and older and $10 for ages 6-11. Purchase them online or with cash only at the gate (an ATM will be available). Also, it is BYOB with a $10 cooler fee. No bottles, please.
Check out the schedule of events on pages 19-22 in the March issue of The Picayune Magazine to plan your days and fully enjoy all the Burnet Bluebonnet Festival has to offer.