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April 16, 2027
Event date:
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April 18, 2027
Event end:
Overview
The premier celebration of Americana, roots, and bluegrass music makes its highly anticipated return to the scenic Texas Hill Country for a monumental milestone year. This massive three-day outdoor gathering transforms a historic tree-covered property into a vibrant, open-air cultural paradise filled with soulful harmonies and incredible picking. Music enthusiasts and acoustic instruments lovers from across the country travel to this beautiful natural setting to escape the rush of daily routines and unite through a shared passion for authentic songwriting.
The beautifully curated weekend showcases a phenomenal artist roster that spans the absolute full spectrum of traditional string music, contemporary folk, and energetic roots-rock fusion. Attendees can expect pristine acoustic production and masterfully engineered stages that project crisp, heartfelt melodies across the expansive, shaded lawn fields. Between world-class musical sets, visitors can explore a bustling artisan marketplace, participate in informal picking circles, or relax under the giant oak trees.
Beyond the incredible main stage performances, the gathering is deeply celebrated for its legendary overnight camping culture and late-night campsite acoustic jams. The event has built a massive nationwide reputation for its exceptionally laid-back, community-oriented spirit that makes everybody feel like part of an extended musical family. It stands as a prestigious annual movement organized by a dedicated nonprofit foundation to preserve traditional American music while inspiring a brand new generation of listeners.
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Event Highlights
- Celebrating forty years of exceptional live music history with a spectacular commemorative anniversary lineup.
- Multiple outdoor performance stages featuring over thirty legendary national roots acts and rising string bands.
- World-famous late-night campground picking circles where attendees and main stage artists play together.
- The annual Youth Talent Competition showcasing highly talented musicians aged eighteen and under on a festival stage.
Why Attend
This gathering provides the absolute ultimate springtime getaway for anyone seeking premier live acoustic music, beautiful outdoor landscapes, and an incredibly authentic community spirit. It offers a rare opportunity to witness dozens of the finest instrumentalists, vocalists, and songwriters in the world deliver full sets inside a peaceful, unhurried country setting. The accessible and walkable layout of the historic grounds allows you to drift effortlessly between the main viewing lawns, food stations, and camping zones.
The event is ideal for lifelong bluegrass purists, casual folk music fans, outdoor camping families, and travelers wanting to experience true Texas hospitality. Attendees benefit from top-tier event management, clean amenities, and a deeply safe, inclusive environment that places the preservation of musical culture above commercialism. It serves as the perfect space to discover incredible under-the-radar pickers, share songs around a campfire, and create lasting memories alongside a friendly community.
Date & Duration
- Event Date: April 16 – 18, 2027
- Event Duration: Three days of entertainment with gates and performance spaces opening daily at ten in the morning
Visiting this event? Don’t miss out on these amazing activities and local experiences while you’re here.
Ticket Information
- How Tickets Are Sold: Available for purchase online via the official festival ticketing platform as multi-day passes, single-day admission tickets, or optional camping add-ons.
- Admission Type: General admission weekend passes and daily entrance passes are open to all ages, with youth aged seventeen and under entering free of charge.
- Ticket Pricing: Single-day adult admission options start at 75 dollars while premium multi-day luxury glamping package upgrades go up to 1199 dollars.
- Special Seating Options: Expansive open-air lawn viewing fields where guests are encouraged to bring their own personal lightweight folding chairs or blankets.
- VIP Options: Upgraded loyalty and patron options offer early campsite entry privileges, proximity parking passes, advanced notification for RV hookups, and exclusive commemorative merchandise.
Venue / Location
- City and Country: Driftwood, United States
- Venue Name: Camp Ben McCulloch
- Google Maps Address: 18301 RM 1826, Driftwood, TX 78619, United States
Contact Information
- Email: info@oldsettlersmusicfest.org
- Phone Number: +1 512-469-6564
- Official Website: https://oldsettlersmusicfest.org/
- Social Media Links:
- https://www.instagram.com/oldsettlers/
- https://www.facebook.com/oldsettlers
- https://twitter.com/Oldsettler
- https://www.youtube.com/user/OldSettlersMusicFest
Getting There
- Nearest Airport: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is located approximately twenty-five miles northeast of the campground gates.
- Nearest Train/Metro Station: The Downtown Austin Amtrak Station is the closest major rail link situated roughly twenty-two miles away.
- Bus Routes or Public Transport Options: Regional transit lines do not connect directly to the rural site, making private vehicle transport or regional ride-shares necessary.
- Parking Availability: Large designated day-parking fields and multi-day on-site vehicle camping lots are situated directly on the venue property.
- Directions by Car: Accessible by driving south from Austin along Loop 1 MoPac, merging onto Texas State Highway 45, and turning onto Ranch to Market Road 1826.
What is this event?
This gathering is a premier three-day outdoor roots music and camping festival that celebrates the rich traditions of bluegrass, Americana, and folk music. It brings together legendary international headliners, acclaimed acoustic pickers, and rising independent songwriters to perform live in the Texas Hill Country.
The multi-day camping experience features a youth talent contest, localized artisan vendor booths, regional food trucks, and countless informal campsite jam sessions. It functions as a prestigious annual celebration organized by a registered nonprofit group dedicated to keeping American roots music alive.
Why is it popular?
The event has achieved immense popularity because it has consistently delivered a world-class artistic lineup within an incredibly intimate and uncommercialized environment since 1987. Music fans deeply love the unique camping culture, which allows guests to stay immersed in a community of musicians all weekend long.
It is also highly favored for its historic, oak-shaded venue location along a beautiful creek, providing a scenic and comfortable setting for families. The unique tradition of welcoming multi-generational families alongside master roots musicians creates a welcoming collective energy that draws traveling fans annually.
Tips before you go
- Pack a high-quality acoustic instrument if you play guitar, mandolin, or banjo because the spontaneous late-night campground picking circles are open to everyone.
- Bring versatile clothing layers, sturdy boots, and rain ponchos because springtime weather in Central Texas can change rapidly from hot sunshine to sudden rain showers.
- Download your digital entry passes, parking vouchers, and the artist schedule onto your mobile device before leaving home due to limited rural cellular signals.
- Review the strict safety policies online regarding the complete ban on glass containers, pets, and open on-ground campfires to ensure a smooth check-in process.
- Secure your car camping or RV electrical passes as early as possible because on-site vehicle space upgrades are highly limited and sell out completely.
Attendee Experiences
- Sitting under the historic oak trees listening to pristine acoustic music with the friendly crowd was the highlight of my spring.
- The late-night camp jams are where the real magic happens because you can look over and find your favorite main stage artist playing right next to you.
- The event is incredibly family-friendly and my children loved running around the grass while we enjoyed world-class bluegrass music.
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Location
FAQ
What is the policy regarding children and youth entry tickets?
The three-day roots music celebration is a deeply family-oriented cultural gathering that welcomes music lovers of all ages to enjoy the property together. Children and young teenagers who are seventeen years old or younger can enter the festival grounds completely free when accompanied by a paid adult.
Are pet dogs allowed to join us in the camping areas?
To ensure the comfort, safety, and health of all attendees and local wildlife, pets of any kind are strictly prohibited inside the venue fields. Validated service animals that are specifically trained to assist individuals with disabilities are the only animals permitted past the main entry security gates.
What happens if it rains during the weekend performances?
The entire outdoor musical celebration and camping weekend is scheduled to proceed rain or shine regardless of changing regional weather conditions. The performance schedules on the covered stages will continue as planned unless severe hazardous weather poses an immediate safety threat to the public.
Can I bring personal food and beverages into the festival?
Campers are fully permitted to bring their own food products and personal beverages for consumption inside the designated campsite boundaries only. Outside food, open coolers, and beverage containers are generally restricted when crossing from the campgrounds into the main concert stage viewing areas.
How does the campsite selection process work upon arrival?
Standard primitive tent camping and car camping spaces are distributed entirely on a first-come, first-served basis as vehicles arrive through the check-in gates. To guarantee that you can set up camp directly adjacent to your friends, your entire group must travel and arrive at the venue together.
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