Willie Nelson joins Doug Sahm onstage during Sahm’s set at the Fourth of July Picnic outside Gonzales, in 1976.
Ed Malcik/American-Statesman
The long-running country music tradition returns to Austin’s Germania Insurance Amphitheater as part of a merged edition of the annual Outlaw Music Festival, which Nelson co-founded in 2016. It was created to bring a scaled-down taste of the picnic to other cities. In addition to the Austin stop, the fest has dates in Irving on July 3 and The Woodlands on July 5.
For the Austin show, Willie Nelson and Family will be joined by a star-studded lineup including bluegrass star Billy Strings, Wilco, Sheryl Crow, Lukas Nelson, Stephen Wilson Jr., Margo Price, Rodney Crowell and Lily Meola.
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This year’s fest has been experiencing a mild case of “blue dot fever,” a music industry term for the mass of blue dots marking thousands of empty, unsold seats in large arenas.
What is the Fourth of July Picnic?
Willie Nelson’s first Fourth of July Picnic held on a ranch outside Dripping Springs, in 1973.
Duncan Engler/American-Statesman
The Fourth of July Picnic was inspired by the Dripping Springs Reunion, a slapdash, honky-tonk Woodstock that lured the Red-Headed Stranger to Texas in the mid-1970s. First held in Dripping Springs in 1973, the event has been a Texas music tradition for more than 50 years.
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Where is the Fourth of July Picnic?
Willie Nelson’s Fourth of July Picnic is at Germania Insurance Amphitheater, 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd., Del Valle.
When is the Fourth of July Picnic?
Willie Nelson performs in concert during the Fourth of July Picnic at Q2 Stadium on July 4, 2023, in Austin.
Suzanne Cordeiro/American-Statesman
Doors for the Fourth of July Picnic open at 3 p.m. and the show starts at 4 p.m. Pro tip: Arrive early to account for the time it takes to find parking and walk to the amphitheater.
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What can I bring to the Fourth of July Picnic?
Large, clear tote bags no bigger than 12-by-6-by-12 inches and small clutch bags no bigger than 4.5-by-6.5-by-2 inches are permitted inside the venue. No backpacks, camera or binocular cases, duffle bags, fanny packs or reusable grocery bags are permitted.
Outside food, drinks, vapes, aerosol cans, umbrellas, tents, inflatables, coolers, blankets (larger than 60-by-30 inches), flags or banners are not allowed inside the venue. For a full list of prohibited items, visit germaniaamp.com.
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Are tickets still available for the Fourth of July Picnic?
Willie Nelson’s Fourth of July Picnic at Q2 Stadium on July 04, 2023, in Austin.
Suzanne Cordeiro/American-Statesman
Yes, tickets are still available for the Fourth of July Picnic. On Monday, prices started at $72 for the general admission lawn on Ticketmaster, the venue’s official seller. Prices increased to around $90 for upper level seats and ranged from $300 to $400 closer to the stage.
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For more information, visit germaniaamp.com.