The Mighty Thomas Carnival is a highlight of the Bluebonnet Festival in Burnet, which is held on the second weekend in April. Photo by Martelle Luedecke/Luedecke Photography
Celebrate spring and the Texas state flower during the Bluebonnet Festival in Burnet on the second weekend every April. The 2025 event is April 11-13.
This Highland Lakes small town is big on fun during the annual event, which features the Mighty Thomas Carnival, live music by big-name Texas artists, parades, a demolition derby, vendors, a car show, contests and competitions, and much more.
This year’s musical headliner is Lonestar, which performs Saturday night.
2025 SCHEDULE
April 10
- 5-10 p.m.—Mighty Thomas Carnival opens before the festival at Boundary and League streets
April 11
- 3-8 p.m.—Vendors on the square and biergarten on Jackson Street
- 4-11 p.m.—Mighty Thomas Carnival
- 5:30 p.m.—Opening ceremonies at the Main Stage with a flyover by the Highland Lakes Squadron of the Commemorative Air Force
- 5:45 p.m.—Luedecke Photography Pet Parade around the square
- 7:30-10:30 p.m.—Live music kicks off with Diamond Days followed by a street dance with Departure ATX
April 12
- 8 a.m.—Kids’ K followed shortly after by 5K, 10K, and Senior 2K
- 9 a.m.-2 p.m.—Lakes Area Rods and Classics car show at Hamilton Creek Park
- 9 a.m.-6 p.m.—Vendors
- 10 a.m.-9 p.m.—Biergarten
- 11 a.m.-11 p.m.—Mighty Thomas Carnival
- Noon—Grand parade
- 1-5 p.m.—Live music by a variety of acts
- 3:30 p.m.—Burnet Gunfighters Wild West shootout performance
- 5:30 p.m.—Demolition Derby at the fairgrounds
- 8:15-11:15 p.m.—Live music by opening act The Steel Belts followed by headliner Lonestar
April 13
- 9-11 a.m.—Contemporary praise and worship service
- 11 a.m.-4 p.m.—Vendors, food court, and mini-Hill Country Flyer train rides
- 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.—Live music by The Four Wisemen
- Noon-6 p.m.—Mighty Thomas Carnival
- 1-3 p.m.—Weiner dog races sponsored by Gary Wideman State Farm Insurance
Find a full schedule of events at bluebonnetfestival.org. The Bluebonnet Festival is hosted by the Burnet Chamber of Commerce.
