After experiencing construction delays, Palo Pinto Mountains State Park is expected to open in 2024. Photo by Chase Fountain/Texas Parks and Wildlife
A new year brings new adventures, and Texas has plenty in store for 2024. From inaugural music festivals to venues opening this year, we put together a list of what’s coming up. So mark your calendars—exciting things await.
Stable Hall in San Antonio
The long-awaited opening of Stable Hall is finally here. Located at the Pearl, the historic venue once served as draft horse stables of the old Pearl Brewery in the 19th century. Word on the street is the music hall has potential to be a game-changer for entertainment in the Alamo City. Jan. 13 marks opening night, featuring musicians Robert Baird and Angel White.
The Total Solar Eclipse
For a few minutes on April 8, parts of Texas will be engulfed in total darkness by a rare solar eclipse. There won’t be another one of these celestial events until 2044, explaining why hundreds of thousands of tourists are expected to travel to Texas. Numerous eclipse enthusiasts plan to celebrate at one of the many festivals, concerts, and other out-of-this-world experiences being hosted around the state. If you haven’t made viewing plans yet, hurry before it’s too late—you’re not going to want to miss this.
Palo Pinto Mountains State Park’s Debut
Originally set to open at the end of 2023, the new state park has experienced some construction setbacks but is expected to open this year. Located outside of Strawn, the park is the first to open in North Texas in 25 years and is one of six sites around the state that are in various stages of the park creation process.
A look inside the neon world of Meow Wolf Grapevine. Photo courtesy of Meow Wolf/Kate Russell
Meow Wolf’s Second Texas Location
Last year, the popular immersive art experience opened its first Texas location in Grapevine. This year, another spot will open in Houston’s Fifth Ward, featuring works from Houston’s local artists in a historic warehouse built in 1917.
The Inaugural Big As Texas Music Festival
Touted as the largest outdoor country music festival in the state, Big As Texas Fest is a three-day affair located in Conroe at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds. The lineup includes Thomas Rhett, Dierks Bentley, Dwight Yoakam, Midland, and Amanda Shires. Produced by local talent buyer Stephen Said and Conroe resident Trey Diller, the festival will also feature food and drinks, a carnival, and car and equestrian shows. The festival runs May 10-12. Tickets are still available.
Revival of the A&M Aggies vs. Texas Longhorns Football Game
On Nov. 30, Texas A&M and The University of Texas at Austin are scheduled to play football against each other for the first time in 13 years. The rivalry was played every year between 1915 and 2011, until A&M left the Big 12 Conference. The Longhorns lead the series 76-37-5, and won the last matchup in 2011. The game will take place at Kyle Field in College Station. Start preparing now—it’s going to be the biggest game of the year.
A rendering of the National Medal of Honor Museum Museum in Arlington. Courtesy of the city of Arlington
National Medal of Honor Museum Opening in Arlington
In 2019, Arlington was selected as the location of the National Medal of Honor Museum, which will showcase Medal of Honor recipients and their stories. The 25,000-square-foot building will include exhibition galleries, an education center, and conference and event space.
Peppa Pig Theme Park
A beloved British children’s program is coming to Dallas-Fort Worth this year. Located in North Richland Hills, the park includes rides like Daddy Pig’s Roller Coaster,” playgrounds, and shows that are in-theme with the spirited pink animated piggy. It’s only the second theme park of its kind, the first having opened in Florida in 2022. An official opening date has yet to be announced.
The Alamo’s Tricentennial
On March 2—Texas Independence Day—the Remember the Alamo Foundation is celebrating the site’s 300th anniversary with a gala. The event will feature music, a seated dinner, an auction, and more. Though the mission was founded in 1718, it had to be moved to its current location in 1724 after a storm.
