Bastrop County: Seasonal & Annual Festival Guide

Here’s a guide to the vibrant festival scene in Bastrop County—celebrating heritage, music, community, and culture throughout the year:

🎆 Bastrop Big Bang! Celebration

• When: Typically Saturday before July 4th (explorebastropcounty.com, visitbastrop.com)

• Where: Downtown Bastrop & Fisherman’s Park

• Highlights:

  • Pet & Pal Parade — patriotic pups strut their stuff

  • Freedom on Wheels — car‑free block for bikes, skates, scooters

  • Toads & Treasures scavenger hunt + downtown shopping

  • North Main Games — corn‑hole, water balloons, giant Connect Four

  • Spectacular fireworks finale over Fisherman’s Park (visitbastrop.com)Perfect for families, music lovers, and community spirit!

🎶 Bastrop Music Festival

• When: Typically late September (visitbastrop.com)

• Where: Multiple venues around downtown and Colorado River

• Highlights:

  • Four days of live music across ~35–40 shows in genres ranging from blues and country to soul, Latin, and Americana (mysanantonio.com)

  • Daytime performances often free, with ticketed evening shows

  • Local food, drinks, and a festive hometown atmosphereGreat for music fans and arts enthusiasts!

🏳️‍🌈 Bastrop County Pride Family Festival

• When: June (mysanantonio.com, explorebastropcounty.com)

• Where: Bastrop Convention & Exhibit Center

• Highlights:

  • Family-friendly celebration with live entertainment, food vendors, community booths

  • Inclusive, festive event that transitions into an adults‑only evening segmentA colorful, uplifting event welcoming all identities!

✊ Juneteenth Freedom Festival

• When: June (facebook.com, business.bastropchamber.com)

• Where: Fisherman’s Park

• Highlights:

  • Community celebration with live music, food, activities honoring emancipation

  • Great gathering spot for families and cultural enrichment (business.bastropchamber.com, bastroptxmardigras.com)Celebrate freedom and community legacy in a festive park setting.

🌶️ Bastrop Mardi Gras (Courir de Mardi Gras)

• Next Event: February 5–7, 2026 (bastroptxmardigras.com)

• Where: Downtown Bastrop

• Highlights:

  • Cajun‑themed events including parade, gumbo cook‑off, live Zydeco music

  • “Courir de Mardi Gras” tradition featuring processions, costumed celebrations, family fun (bastroptxmardigras.com)

• Separate ticketed Cajun Mardi Gras Ball (e.g., held Jan 31, 2025) (eventbrite.com)A unique Tex‑Louisiana cultural experience right in Bastrop!

🎡 Other Seasonal & Annual Festivals

From medieval roleplay to historic fairs and holiday cheer—Bastrop hosts a range of events:

• Sherwood Forest Faire (March–April): medieval jousts, live theater, falconry (bastroptxmardigras.com, visitbastrop.com)

• Springfest (April): community gathering with games and awareness events (visitbastrop.com)

• Homecoming & Rodeo (early August): roots back to WWII soldier celebrations, plus rodeo, carnival, parade (visitbastrop.com)

• Art Fest (November): live demos, handcrafted goods (visitbastrop.com)

• Veterans’ Car Show (November): classic cars and veteran tributes

• Lost Pines Christmas, Wassail Fest, Lighted Christmas Parade (Nov–Dec): magical evenings downtown (visitbastrop.com)

🎟️ Planning & Tips

• Check dates annually: While many events recur, timing can shift (e.g. Music Fest in Sept, Mardi Gras in Feb/March).

• Tickets & passes: Music Festival wristbands; Mardi Gras ball tickets; most other events are free or low‑cost.

• Family-friendly: The June festivals—Big Bang!, Pride, Juneteenth—are ideal for all ages.

• Stay local: Festivals often spread across downtown and local parks—downtown lodging is convenient.

Final Take

Bastrop County offers something festive year-round—from small-town charm to cultural crossover. Whether you're dancing to live music, watching jousts, celebrating heritage, or indulging in gumbo, you'll find community, creativity, and celebration at every turn. Mark your calendar and experience the warmth of Bastrop’s festival scene.