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    Ranch Rendezvous

    Houston-area country star headlines Central Texas music festival

    Brianna Caleri
    Oct 16, 2024 | 11:30 am
    Parker McCollum Lucchese boots

    Parker McCollum will headline the festival.

    Photo courtesy of Lucchese

    The Cattle Country Festival in Gonzales — about an hour and 15 minutes from San Antonio — is only in its second year, but it's already drawing big country stars. The first year pulled Eric Church, and now the 2025 festival is already gearing up for its spring dates featuring Parker McCollum, Tanya Tucker, Clint Black, and at least 23 other artists.

    Country music-lovers got a save-the-date announcement from Cattle Country in July, only a few months after its successful debut. With such a quick turnaround, there wasn't much solid information to share, but the first year was so strong that the follow-up had to be worth setting aside a weekend for.

    The camping and music festival is scheduled for April 10-12, at a 400-acre ranch called The Boot. It's a convenient spot for friends around Texas to meet up, nestled between Austin, San Antonio, and Houston. Just make sure they're ready to rough it together; it shouldn't be too taxing considering the relaxing space and the glamping upgrades.

    There's plenty of shade from 150 acres of pecan trees, especially along the bank of the Guadalupe River. And attendees can take advantage of that proximity to the water with fishing, floating, and swimming.

    However folks feel about camping, perhaps this lineup will seal the deal:

    • Parker McCollum
    • Tanya Tucker
    • Clint Black
    • Wyatt Flores
    • Chase Rice
    • Clay Walker
    • Reckless Kelly
    • Aaron Watson
    • Pecos & The Rooftops
    • 49 Winchester
    • Drake White
    • Shenandoah
    • Wade Bowen
    • Ty Myers
    • Ray Wylie Hubbard
    • Giovannie & The Hired Guns
    • Sophia Scott
    • Cameron Sacky Band
    • Tyler Halverson
    • Josh Ward
    • Black Pistol Fire
    • Logan Mize
    • Ghostland Observatory

    More names are coming, according to a press release. So are the names of food and beverage vendors that will be attending.

    This is a special year for the town, which has an estimated population for 2023 of 7,221, according to the United States census.

    “On behalf of the vibrant community of Gonzales, Texas, we extend a heartfelt welcome to all guests of the Cattle Country Festival,” said Susan Sankey, interim director of the Gonzales Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture, in a press release. “This is especially fun as we celebrate our town's 200th birthday in 2025. The economic impact from the festival's inaugural year was purely remarkable and prosperous for Gonzales and its presence enriches our town and brings our shared love for music and culture to life."

    Returning attendees might notice that there are now more camping areas — both GA and VIP — as well as more tents in the Glamping Village, more RV spaces, and more on-site amenities.

    Passes for the 2025 Cattle Country Festival are available now at cattlecountryfest.com. Three-day admission ranges from $179-699. Camping spots start at $59; RV spots start at $399; and glamping passes are $2,500. Other amenities, like camping or private Porta Potties, may cost extra.

    2025 Cattle Country lineup poster2025 Cattle Country lineup poster.Poster courtesy of the Cattle Country Festival

    live musicconcertsfestivalscountry music
    news/travel

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    where to travel right now

    A Hill Country brewery bash + 8 more Lone Star travel ideas for April

    Amber Heckler
    Apr 2, 2026 | 9:15 am
    Real Ale Brewing
    Courtesy of Real Ale Brewing Company
    Real Ale Brewing Company’s Blanco facility sits in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, about an hour from Austin and San Antonio.

    Adventurers hunting for an excuse to take a road trip around Texas will find many opportunities coming up in April. Houstonians can check out a hidden gem in the Panhandle, visit a Hill Country brewery for its 30th anniversary, head down to the Gulf Coast for a birding festival, or book a dinner reservation at a Fredericksburg hotel's new Southern comfort restaurant.

    Here are CultureMap's top picks for an April vacation around Texas.

    All around Texas

    Everyone is already aware of Buc-ee's gas stations, but in-the-know road-trippers are passing by the famous beaver in favor of nine destination gas stations that make Buc-ee's look basic. Some have been converted into trendy cafes, some are protected historical sites, and others sit empty but make for a great opportunity to practice road trip photography.

    In the Hill Country

    Fredericksburg's award-winning The Albert Hotel has recently opened The Wellhouse, a new restaurant offering a rotating menu of seasonal Southern comfort dishes, cocktails, and (of course) plenty of wine. A few highlights of the current menu include the garlic and brown butter crab claws, the truffle mac and cheese, the Verlasso salmon with roasted smashed Brussels sprouts, and more.

    Blanco-based brewery Real Ale Brewing Co. is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a big bash on Saturday, April 18 from 12-7 pm. The brewery will have 40 beers on tap for guests; numerous new releases, including surprise casks; cocktails; food from Hill Country vendors; and four live music performances. Basic tickets are $11.66 per person, and come with one token for a beer or a non-alcoholic beverage.

    In Central Texas

    The 27th annual Red Poppy Festival is returning to the charming city of Georgetown, a suburb north of Austin, from April 24-26. The annual extravaganza celebrates the city's blossoming poppy season and will feature a special music performance by country duo Maddie & Tae. Visitors can gather around the historic downtown square to check out a classic car show, an artisan vendor market, and more. The festival is free to the public.

    Georgetown Red Poppy Festival Georgetown is known as the "Red Poppy Capital of Texas." Photo by Renee Knapek

    Texas-made spirits brand Senza Maeso is commemorating two years since the opening of its San Marcos taproom with an all-day party on Saturday, April 4. Attendees can expect a local art market, nine live music performances, a photo booth with portraits by Eric Morales, food trucks, and specialty cocktails featuring Senza Maeso Hybrid Spirit.

    In Dallas-Fort Worth

    The new restaurant at the Hall Arts Hotel in Dallas, Astra Kitchen + Lounge, will debut its new "Astra Hour" starting on Thursday, April 9. The new happy hour will serve as a high energy transition "from the office to the weekend" with live DJs and "fun surprises" every week on Thursdays and Fridays from 4:30-8 pm.

    Along the Gulf Coast

    Texas birders are flocking to the South Texas Botanical Gardens and Nature Center in Corpus Christi from April 22-26 for the annual Birdiest Festival in America. The festival will host birding tours and provide educational workshops and many opportunities to observe the city's migratory and native birds. General registration is $40 per person.

    In the Texas Panhandle

    Matador, a tiny town about 80 miles northeast of Lubbock and 290 miles from Dallas, was recently dubbed one of the top under-the-radar rural destinations in America by Airbnb. The first-ever "off-the-map" list features 20 small towns that present new opportunities for tourism. This town in Motley County fits the bill thanks to its rich history, wide open skies, and an undiscovered feel.

    Matador is also conveniently close to Caprock Canyons State Park in Quitaque ,which is known for its roaming bison population and large bat colony. Caprock Canyons has recently unveiled a major 2,200-acre expansion that will bring even more protected land for hiking, biking, horseback riding, bison-watching, and much more.

    Real Ale Brewing
    Courtesy of Real Ale Brewing Company
    Real Ale Brewing Company’s Blanco facility sits in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, about an hour from Austin and San Antonio.
    travelroad tripvacationhill countrybreweryfredericksburgcorpus christihotelsgas stationsfestivalsgeorgetown
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