Austin, Texas — the self-proclaimed live music capital of the world — is also known for its wide-ranging music festivals from the Austin Reggae Festival to the infamous Austin City Limits Music Festival.
For those of us who LOVE festivals, but aren’t as inclined to enjoy the sometimes overwhelming crowds, lines and decisions about who-to-watch-on-what-stage-when (ugh!), there is an answer: UTOPiAfest.
This new(ish) fest — it’s in its sixth year – has some major bonuses for those of you who don’t mind a little drive from Austin. Situated on the Four Sisters Ranch in the glorious Hill Country, the festival is capped at 2,000 tickets with camping included and, most importantly, there is no overlap on the two stages. So everyone gets plenty of dancing room and there is never a need to make a decision on who to see (or sadly who to miss).
Feel free to bring your own food and coolers (the fest is BYOB or liquor) although a nice assortment of food and snack trucks will be parked in the Food Forest, enticing you with their smells. The festival is family-friendly so expect to see many the barefoot kid (or kid-at-heart) running in the grass, enjoying the music. One thing the website doesn’t mention is how safe you feel there; there’s no need to worry about setting up your chairs and leaving them for a while to explore. Within a few hours you will have made new friends, see familiar faces and begin to feel like part of a family for the weekend.
So what about the music? While this fest doesn’t pack the major headliner punch like Austin City Limits, it doesn’t leave anything to be desired either.
Keller Williams headlines the pre-party Thursday night and Friday and Saturday nights feature the local never-disappointing energy of the Wheeler Brothers, the bluegrass take on Grateful Dead favorites with Grateful Grass, Aaron Behrens (of Ghostland Observatory), GZA with Brownout, the Cold War Kids and finally Dan Deacon. Now that we have your attention, feel free to peruse the daily lineup on your own. Want to rave into the night (without disturbing those early birds already slumbering?) Yeah, there’s a silent disco for that. Always a hit of the festival after the headliners finish, get ready to dance among your UTOPiAfest family in the wee hours of the morning under the big Texas stars.
Music starts at 4 pm on Friday and noon on Saturday, so the free time in the morning gives you time to sleep-in or explore. Play disc golf, go to Saturday morning free yoga or check out the clothing and art vendors. Feeling a bit more adventurous? Explore the two nearby state parks (Garner and Lost Maples) or maybe take a chilly swim in the Frio River.
Ready to pack your bags? The festival is this Friday through Sunday (with a pre-party Thursday). Limited tickets are still available and can be be purchased by clicking here.
Walk-in camping is free and there is also car camping (for a small fee) for those who would like to be closer to their cars. And although we all love our furry friends, you gotta leave ‘em at home for this trip as no pets are allowed.
