5 Events in Llano County This Summer

Summer in Texas Hill Country is a cherished time of year as visitors return to favorite local attractions, residents take advantage of lake season, and the whole region comes alive with lush greenery.

Events and festivities in Llano run the gamut from huge, multiweek Independence Day celebrations to smaller festivals at area wineries. There are tons of family-friendly activities to pick from – from purchasing local crafts to participating in a patriotic costume contest, everyone can find something of interest.

The local event calendar in Llano County starts hopping in the summer with an abundance of events and festivals, many with fantastic music and excellent food. To truly appreciate just how extraordinary this area is, we encourage you to attend one of the following events this season. 

While this rodeo technically takes place in the late spring, it unofficially marks the kickoff to Llano’s summer season. The first Llano Rodeo in 1919 set a standard that would see six generations of Texas Hill Country residents and visitors entertained for decades to come. The 86th edition of the Llano Open Pro Rodeo gets underway on Friday, June 3, with the annual Llano Rodeo Parade through historic downtown Llano. As Llano County's most famous parade, expect plenty of classic cars, trucks, and horses— a lot of horses.

A few hours later, the rodeo's opening night performance commences at the John L. Kuykendall Event Center, including barrel racing, bull riding, team roping, the children's calf scramble, and more. Also entertaining the crowd is the Texas Spirit Riders rodeo drill team.

On Saturday, June 4, before the rodeo's evening performance, the city celebrates Llano Texas Heritage Day. The day's events explore the history and settlement of Texas Hill Country. Buffalo Soldiers and the U.S. Cavalry retell stories of how it happened, while stagecoach rides through town and tours of historic landmarks place visitors back in those early days of the region's emergence. Games, crafts, and plenty of local vendors will be on hand around the courthouse square. The second night of the rodeo begins at 7 p.m.

While the Famers & Crafters Market on the courthouse square in downtown Llano is held every first and third Saturday year-round, the open-air bazaar comes alive with fresh produce in the spring and summer months. Vendors sell homegrown food, including fruits, veggies, eggs, bread, pies, preserves, and honey. On the crafts side, you can pick up various goods, including quilts, pottery, art, jewelry, and home decor. The market runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Fall Creek Vineyards is hosting an event and dinner for National Day of the Cowboy. National Day of the Cowboy honors America’s cowboy culture and pioneer heritage. Events typically include the arts, celebrations, gatherings, rodeos, and other community activities. Fall Creek Vineyards holds events throughout the summer revolving around various themes that are worth checking out.

The Kingsland AquaBoom Independence Day Celebration is a multi-week event spanning a range of festivities that culminates with a July 4 celebration and fireworks show. AquaBoom has been a Kingsland tradition for 50 years. The celebration kicks off the weekend of June 17th, when the Lil’ AquaBoom baby show and Miss AquaBoom Scholarship pageant are held. On Friday, June 24th, a Veteran’s Dinner is held at Chapel of the Hills Church.

Then, the weekend of the 4th is packed full of can’t-miss events. On Saturday, July 2nd, try your hand at the annual golf tournament, the horseshoe pitch, or the washer toss tournament. On Sunday, July 3rd, events include the annual arts & crafts show, the poker run on the river, the cornhole tournament, and a yearly street dance.

On July 4th, there is a full slate of events, kicking off with the AquaBoom Grand Parade. You can come to watch the AquaBoom parade on the 4th from the Landmasters parking lot in Kingsland. Later in the day, a patriotic costume contest is held. There are water activities at the 2900 River Bridge throughout the afternoon, including food vendors, a rubber duckie race, and a boat parade. The celebration culminates with a fabulous fireworks show at dark.

This year the Llano Dam Drought Fest give you plenty of ways to celebrate our country’s birthday. On Saturday, July 2, there will be an All-American Market and Sidewalk Sale followed by a children’s parade and a pet parade that all are welcome to march in. The events will take place on Llano County Courthouse Square. Then, on July 4th itself, the “anything that floats” fest will take place in the evening. Everyone is encouraged to bring a red, white, and blue kayak – or any other patriotically-decorated water vessel without a motor – for a parade on the water. The event kicks of from Badu Park and will culminate with what organizers are calling “the best darn fireworks show in Central Texas” courtesy of the Llano Volunteer Fire Department and Llano Rock ‘n’ Riverfest. The drought fest is replacing the usual Rock ‘n’ Riverfest because of drought but, as organizers note, “we are not dead in the water.”

Are you ready to explore the best of Highland Lakes or Llano County real estate, which offers easy access to events and festivities throughout the year? Contact the LandMasters Real Estate Team today to start your home buying or selling journey. From Llano County ranches for sale to Lake LBJ waterfront homes, allow the LandMasters team and our years of experience and expertise to be your guide to the Texas Hill Country luxury real estate market.