The Texas Monthly BBQ Fest comes back to Lockhart on November 7 and 8, drawing an estimated 12,000 attendees to the small Central Texas city for its 17th year. The festival pairs a free downtown fair on Saturday with a ticketed picnic at Lockhart City Park on Sunday. Visitors should plan for crowds, limited parking and some sell-outs.
How the two days are organized
Saturday's BBQ World's Fair runs from noon to 6 p.m. around the historic Caldwell County Courthouse. Admission is free. Food and beverages are sold separately, and some vendors may run out before the fair closes. The fair includes cooking demonstrations, an artisan marketplace and live music. The Texas Monthly Taco Trail returns as well, with taquerias selected by Texas Monthly taco editor José R. Ralat. Performers listed for the day include DJ Island Time, Randeen, the Texases, the Weary Boys and Shinyribs.
Sunday's Top 50 Picnic takes place at Lockhart City Park, 410 Carver St., from 1 to 4 p.m. VIP admission begins at noon. More than 35 restaurants from Texas Monthly's 2025 list of the 50 Best BBQ Joints in Texas are expected to participate, including all 10 of the highest-ranked establishments. Food samples from those restaurants are included with admission, and live performances are scheduled from Mixer Rogers, JD Clark and Ellis Bullard.
Ticket prices and what they cover
General admission for the picnic is $140. Children ages 6 through 12 pay $40, and children 5 and younger are admitted free. Admission includes food samples from participating restaurants. According to Texas Monthly's October 12 announcement, VIP tickets had sold out at that time, while general admission remained available. Ticket availability may have changed since then, so check the event's official listing before making plans.
Effects on Lockhart and on travelers
The festival is expected to bring more customers to downtown shops and restaurants and nearby areas. Lockhart's First Friday celebration on November 6 gives early arrivals a chance to visit local businesses before the weekend begins. A portion of ticket proceeds will go to Feeding Texas, which supports food banks across the state.
Both event sites will likely see heavier traffic and more competition for parking. Visitors who plan to drive should allow extra time, and those coming for the free Saturday fair may find it useful to arrive early, since popular vendors may sell out.
Practical limits of this information
The available details cover dates, locations, program elements, ticket prices and an attendance estimate. Attendance figures are estimates, not counts, and the list of performers and participating restaurants may change. For tickets, restaurant lineups and schedule updates, consult Texas Monthly's event information at www.texasmonthly.com.