Two Steps Forward

Brooks & Dunn, Chris Stapleton to headline 2026 Two Step Inn near Austin

Two Step Inn is back for its fourth year in 2026.

Photo courtesy of Charles Reagan

Georgetown's Two Step Inn, an immediately popular country festival, has taken way more than two steps forward in the public consciousness since debuting in 2023. It's now back for its fourth year, from April 18-19, 2026, with a new lineup announced September 24 featuring Brooks & Dunn, Chris Stapleton, and more.

Despite how young the festival is, the strength of the lineup and quality of the event has already made it the main country festival in town, and one of the buzziest festivals overall — regardless of genre. It helps that "country" is the main theme, but not a requirement. Other genres represented include Americana, soul, southern rock, rap, and more.

Plus, held at San Gabriel Park, Two Step Inn already has the classic festival atmosphere nailed down.

Highlights from the lineup include headliners Brooks & Dunn and Chris Stapleton on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. They're backed up by Goo Goo Dolls and BigXthaPlug on Saturday and The Red Clay Strays and Tedeschi Trucks Band on Sunday.

Two Step Inn 2026 lineup The full lineup for Two Step Inn in 2026. Transcription available below.twostepinn.com

Tickets go on pre-sale Friday, September 26, at noon. A public sale will open later if tickets remain — implying that fans had better sign up for the pre-sale if they're serious about getting there on time. Fans can sign up for the pre-sale code at twostepinn.com.

Full lineup for 2026 Two Step Inn:

Saturday

Brooks & Dunn
Goo Goo Dolls
BigXthaPlug
Tracy Lawrence
Wyatt Flores
Muscadine Bloodline
Shenandoah
Wade Bown
Evan Honer
The Band Perry
Brent Cobb
Bayker Blankenship
Elizabeth Nichols
Tyce Delk
Kaitlin Butts Yeehaw Sessions

Sunday

Chris Stapleton
The Red Clay Strays
Tedeschi Trucks Band
Randy Travis: More Life
Clay Walker
Randy Rogers Band
Cameron Whitcomb
Anne Wilson
The Castellows
Avery Anna
Wade Forster
Gabriella Rose
The Creekers
Laci Kaye Booth
Two Friends' Big Boots Set

It's Trail Time

Austin's famous Trail of Lights opens soon for 2-week 2025 run

Austin Trail of Lights/Facebook

The Trail of Lights changes a little year-by-year, but stays the same at its core.

Austin's most famous holiday tradition is almost here. The Trail of Lights will start glowing at Zilker Park on December 10 and stay lit through December 23. This is the 61st year for the tradition, which shows off festive designs made with more than 2 million lights, 96 illuminated trees, and live programming.

This year, there are two new installations. One is the Neon Zoo created by the famous local studio Ion Art, which this November launched a new seven-day event at Willie Nelson's Luck Ranch. Like the ranch event or Ion Art's other famous installations, this one invites visitors to walk through an immersive space that "celebrates Austin's art scene." The other new addition will be the Texas Tunnel, which is inspired by a sunset and leads into a section that honors Texas.

The main draw is always the lights, but visitors can also look forward to live, local music every night. Folks who want to brush up their dance moves can do so with swing teacher Kari Kron and two step lessons by Dancin’ Austin.

This year, the following artists will perform:

Pedal Steel Noah
The Soul Supporters
Poet Hawkins
Nakia
Sherita Perez
Dave Madden
Wilson Marks
Jennifer Foster & The Audacity
BandAid School of Music
Los Coast
Ruby Dice
Midnight Snack
Nagavalli
Bluesqueezebox
Golden Hour
Oliver Steck
The Last Jimenez
Denis O'Donnell
Linda Gail Lewis
Libby & the Loveless
JaRon Marshall
LA 45 (La Quarenta y Cinco)
Jeska & The Vanity Project

The live music broadcasting series Texas Music Scene will record performances by Bo De Peña, Jeff Crosby, and Phil Hamilton for a broadcast December 18.

Some of the special events that lead up to official opening — including the preview party, fun run, tree-lighting ceremony, and private tours — have already happen. All that's left now is the grand opening with H-E-B and the Trail of Lights Foundation.

Many nights are free for everyone to attend, but some require tickets for adults. (Children under 12 always visit for free.) Guests can check the Trail of Lights' calendar to check which nights are free or paid. General admission, when it's required, costs up to $8.

holidays trail of lights