Explore these Texas Bluebonnet Festivals for fun, photos, & memories.
Anyone who knows the beauty of Texas knows there is nothing lovelier than a spring day surrounded by wildflowers. And this is no more true than during our Texas Bluebonnet season. I’m so glad the Texas Legislature deemed the bluebonnet flower our state flower years ago. You’ll want to visit Texas in April to attend at least one of these Bluebonnet festivals in Texas!
When To See Texas Bluebonnets
If you’re looking for a bit of that heavenly beauty and a good road trip idea, April is the time to plan your visit. Remember that the Texas Hill Country has beautiful blue flocks; East Texas also does, as does North Texas. Whether posing along the shoulders of Highway 290 or in the fields of Brenham in East Texas, long-standing traditions are built around family portraits surrounded by bluebonnets. Don’t forget your camera!
There are plenty of bluebonnet patches off I-35 going to and from Austin. If you pull over to take photos, please be careful and turn on your blinkers.
Facts About Texas Bluebonnets
- The state Legislature named the bluebonnet the Texas state flower in 1901 when only one of two species was found.
- There are six species of bluebonnets in Texas – all of which are our state flowers.
- Texas bluebonnets are both perennials and annuals. In warmer climates, they are perennials. Though they tend to bloom more successfully in warmer climates, Texas bluebonnets can also be grown as annuals in colder climates in areas with full sun for 8 to 10 hours a day.
- A bluebonnet can grow up to 64.75 inches. These have been spotted at Big Ben National Park.
- These beautiful bonnets, named for their color and shape, bloom in clusters. The most common variety has vivid royal blue flowers, while the florets have white tips. Some varieties are pink and white. Each floret on the bluebonnet plant looks like a small bonnet.
- Texas Bluebonnets grow best in open ground and with lots of sunshine.
- Bees rely on bluebonnets for nectar and pollen. Don’t kill the bees – we need them.
- Bluebonnets can grow in several regions, but they bloom best in Texas soil, which is why they are found in fields and along the roadside. Although they can be cultivated in your garden, they must be planted in their native Texas soil.
If you plan to take photos of bluebonnets, the best way to photograph them is vertically (not horizontally), especially if you plan to post your pictures on social media. If you want to take family photos, be sure the sun is behind the subject; hopefully, they won’t squint – good luck!
What Do Texas Bluebonnet Festivals Provide?
You’re in for a treat if this is your first bluebonnet festival. Small towns know how to bring their communities together, and an outdoor event in spring is the perfect opportunity. No matter which small-town festival you choose to attend (because most are on the second weekend of April), you’ll be surrounded by happy festival fans, beautiful countryside, and fields of bluebonnets. All festivals are suitable for the whole family. Look for towns to have their celebration on Main Street in downtown areas. Main Street seems to be the area where most festivals and events happen.
Most Bluebonnet Festivals will have food vendors and food trucks that offer delicious local foods, fantastic wines at a few, live entertainment, lots of shopping for Bluebonnet decor, and many activities. There is something to please the entire family.
The main question I get from Texans and non-Texans is:
Where can I Find Bluebonnets in Texas?
Well, let me help answer that with these festival dates. I found only five Bluebonnet Festivals in Texas, but bluebonnets mixed with Indian blankets are all over I-35.
5 Bluebonnet Festivals in Texas to Visit
April offers many festivals all over the Lone Star State to celebrate the days of Blue. Below, we have shared the ones we know are happening this year. Don’t see your favorite? Tweet us at @TxTravelTalk, and let us know where you get your bluebonnet fix in Texas. I’m so excited to see our Texas highways filled with bluebonnets.
1. Natalia Bluebonnet Festival
March
This small South Texas community is located between San Antonio and Laredo. The festival is usually held on the last weekend in March. Market vendors and food vendors will be there. Natalia Bluebonnet Festival & Parade
From what I’ve read, admission is free, and parking is free, but the website shows when and where.
2. Bluebonnet Festival In Burnet, TX
April
The 42nd Annual Burnet Bluebonnet Festival (Hill Country) is west of Austin and centered on Highway 281, next to Marble Falls in Burnet (Burn-it). If coming from the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Hwy 281 South is a pleasant drive. The Bluebonnet Festival in Burnet draws over 30,000 visitors yearly. Enjoy a 5K run, live music, a parade, and a carnival. Leashed pets are welcome.
No admission to the festival, but some activities will cost, so bring money!
**Bluebonnet Festival Flyer**
April 12-13, 2025
The Hill Country Flyer, aka Austin Steam Train, will make a special trip to Burnet, the Bluebonnet Capital of Texas, for the 42nd annual Bluebonnet Festival! Festivities, including a carnival, Biergarten, vendors, and music, are a quick walk from the train station. The layover on our Sunday Bluebonnet Festival Flyer will be 2 hours to allow time for the festival, lunch, and shopping.
3. Ennis, Texas Bluebonnet Trails And Festival
Bluebonnet Trails – the entire month of April
Bluebonnet Festival – April
2025 Marks 74 years since Ennis held its annual festival – Ennis Bluebonnet Trails, for its community and visitors. In 1997, the State Legislature designated Ennis (East Texas) as the home of the Official Texas Bluebonnet Trail and was deemed the Official Bluebonnet City of Texas. If you’re wanting to stay longer in this quaint town, you may want to know what all there is to do in Ennis. One of our writers wrote an article about the top things to do in Ennis, TX.
The Ennis Garden Club is busy preparing the Ennis Bluebonnet Trails, which offer over 40 miles of mapped driving trails and are the oldest trail known in the state.
Bluebonnet lovers from all over the state have headed to East Texas for years. Ennis is set to showcase its major festival, ready to explode after it was canceled last year due to the pandemic. The City of Ennis is only an hour’s drive from Dallas.
Be sure to stop by the Ennis Welcome Center for a map of the trails. If you’re eager to see the blue flowers, don’t wait for the festival.
4. Chappell Hill Bluebonnet Festival
April 12-13, 2025
The Chappell Hill Bluebonnet Festival in Washington County holds the title of “Official Bluebonnet Festival of Texas.” This year, it will welcome one of the largest festivals in the Lone Star State, where the community and visitors can enjoy the wildflowers, food, and festivities. The Chappell Hill Historical Society has worked all year to make this tradition worth seeing.
Chappell Hill is located on Hwy 290 between Austin and Houston. According to my family and friends, this is one of the best bluebonnet festivals in Texas. Be sure to plan to visit its neighboring cities of Brenham, Washington, and Burton.
5. Fredericksburg Bluebonnet Festival
April 12, 2025
Central Texas will once again shine with blue envy. The Fredericksburg Bluebonnet Festival, put on by Best of Texas, will be at the Bankersmith, Texas Dance Hall & Wedding Venue. Come out and celebrate Texans’ favorite flower. Expect local cheeses, excellent wines, live music, activities, vendors, and food.
Admission: $5-$30. Parking is $15 (Tickets on Eventbrite)
I wish there were more!
Remember, it’s not polite to pick the State Flower of Texas.
Share your Bluebonnet pics with us. Tag us on Instagram with #TexasTravelTalk, and let us see your Texas Bluebonnet moment.
Bluebonnet Trivia:
- State Flower Song: “Bluebonnets” by Julia Booth and Lora Crockett (adopted 1933)
- State Bluebonnet City: Ennis (adopted 1997)
- State Bluebonnet Festival: Chappell Hill Bluebonnet Festival (adopted 1997)
- State Bluebonnet Trail: Ennis Bluebonnet Trail ( adopted 1997)
Be sure to check out other wildflowers in Texas and where to find them.
PIN IT!
My husband and I are photographers and like to plan trips based on beautiful places to photograph! We are interested in visiting Texas during the Blue Bonnet festivals and would like any information on this.
Hello! Well, you’ll have to wait until next year in spring when the blue bonnets come out. Depending on where you want to go, blue bonnets shine all over Texas. Ennis has some pretty ones.
Burnet Bluebonnet Festival is April 7-9, 2023.
Yes, that’s what I have.
Hi I will be visiting Bluebonnets in the Fredericksburg area this year. Photography is main goal. I am familiar with all the popular trails etc. Are there any other maybe remote areas where we can view great flower landscapes but do not have contend with huge crowds? Thanks
Hi Mary,
I wrote an article about scenic drives in the Hill Country – you may want to read that to see if there are any you are interested in. You’ll find many bluebonnets and wildflowers on your way to Fredericksburg too. Also, don’t skip the other small towns that are near – if you do, you may miss some beautiful bluebonnets. – See here – https://texastraveltalk.com/texas-hill-country-scenic-drives/