The second biggest state in the country sure has a lot of ground to hold festivals, and it makes use of it in many different ways.

Here are some of our favorite Texas music festivals:

Austin City Limits Festival

With 2 weekends of music on 8 stages and over 140 bands, it doesn’t get much bigger than Austin City Limits as far as Texas music festivals go!  This big Texas music festival, inspired by the PBS live music show, has been taking over Zilker park and most of downtown Austin for 15 years.  Bringing in big names across all genres of rock, indie, folk, hip-hop, country and pop, ACL truly has something for everyone.

Austin City Limits Festival website

Euphoria Fest

For 6 years, each spring over 50,000 fans of EDM have been gathering at Carson Creek Ranch on the banks of the Colorado River, just outside of Austin, TX.  Euphoria Fest bills itself as more than a Texas music festival, more than an experience.  Euphoria Fest embodies the spirit of Austin, its community and vibe.  Whoa.  With such a convenient location just outside the city, 3 beautiful stages, a silent disco and some of the biggest names in the game, Euphoria Festival is a Texas music festival like none other.

Euphoria Festival website

Old Settlers Music Festival

Old Settlers Fest has featured “the best in Roots and Americana since 1987.”  Located in Dale, just outside of Austin, this Texas music festival is a staple of the bluegrass music scene in this region.  Offering up scholarships and youth music competitions, Old Settlers Fest is more than just music.  There are now workshops, arts and crafts, and kids activities, so pack up the RV, grab your tent and bring the whole family!

Old Settlers Festival website

Float Fest

Halfway between Austin and San Antonio lies the Cool River Ranch, this site of Float Fest.  No, it’s not on the Love Boat, but this Texas music festival offers beautiful river floating by day and an incredible lineup of music by night!  With available tubes and a shuttle upstream, this fest has it dialed in!  What can be better than spending a few hours on the river and ending back at camp just in time to get down!  If you’re looking for a unique Texas music festival experience, put Float Fest on the list!

Float Fest website

Utopia Fest

Located just a few short hours west of San Antonio on the gorgeous Four Sisters Ranch, Utopiafest is a true alternative to the many large, city focused Texas music festivals.  This quiet and secluded location brings in an amazingly high caliber of talent while keeping prices down.  The ranch is a no-hassle environment, and Utopiafest more than lives up to its name as this little slice of heaven descends on Texas every year!

Utopia Festival website

SXSW

SXSW (South by SouthWest) festival takes over Austin, TX every March with performances and industry professionals.  Unlike most music festivals in Texas, this one takes place throughout the cities establishments- bars, restaurants, parks, clubs, hotels, churches and more all play host to the more than 2000 international artists showcasing their talent.  SXSW is more than a music festival, it is a way to connect and get involved with the music industry! Don’t worry, though, no talent required to simply enjoy all the amazing performances!

SXSW Music Festival website