Our mission is simple: we cut through the noise to bring you a curated list of the events, music, and local news that actually matter in Bulverde, Spring Branch, Canyon Lake, New Braunfels, and Blanco. No fluff, just the information you need to plan your week.
Live Music and Nightlife
New Braunfels: Willie Nelson and Family bring the legend to Whitewater Amphitheater on Saturday, May 2, with Roger Creager opening the night. Gates open at 6:30 PM and the show kicks off at 7:30 PM. This is the first major show of the 2026 season at Whitewater and it is already sold out. Secondary market tickets are running anywhere from $75 to over $600 depending on the seat, so plan accordingly if you did not grab yours early.
Insider Tip: Whitewater sits right on the banks of the Guadalupe River, tucked below canyon bluffs and under ancient cypress trees. The natural amphitheater holds about 5,000 and the sound carries beautifully. Bring cash for parking, arrive well before doors if you want to tailgate in the lot, and if you have general admission tickets, get to the rail before Roger Creager finishes his set. There is no re-entry once you leave.
New Braunfels: The Phoenix Saloon on West San Antonio Street has been a downtown institution since 1871 — it was the first bar in Texas to serve women. Today it keeps that legacy alive with live music Thursday through Saturday nights. This weekend, catch The Heartstrings on Friday, May 1, at 9:00 PM, then Southern Shade on Saturday, May 2, at 2:00 PM. The kitchen runs alongside the music with burgers that Texas Monthly has praised as some of the best in the state.
Insider Tip: Head downstairs between sets to Uncharted, their tropical-themed basement tiki bar. It is a completely different vibe from the honky-tonk upstairs and worth the detour. Most weekend shows have no cover charge. If you are hungry, order the chili before they run out — it is the other menu legend alongside the burgers.
Blanco: Redbud Cafe on 4th Street runs live music every Friday and Saturday evening from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM. The cafe sits on the north side of the historic Blanco town square, directly across from the Old Blanco County Courthouse, in a building that originally housed the town's hardware store. It is one of those spots where the food and the music are equally strong — expect Texas country and singer-songwriter acts on the small stage while you eat.
Insider Tip: Arrive hungry. The menu leans comfort food with a Hill Country twist, and regulars will tell you the burgers are among the best in Blanco County. The front porch patio is dog-friendly and fills up fast on warm evenings. Check their Facebook page (facebook.com/RedbudCafe) or website for this weekend's specific artist — lineups are posted week-of. If you are visiting Blanco for the first time, park near the courthouse and walk the square before dinner — the cafe is a two-minute stroll from there.
Local Eats and Drinks
New Braunfels: Naegelin's Bakery at 129 South Seguin Avenue has been baking since 1868 — it is the oldest continuously operating bakery in the state of Texas. The German immigrant Edouard Naegelin started it, and the Granzin family has kept the name and the recipes alive since 1980. The strudel recipe is unchanged since the 1800s, and the kolaches are the reason locals line up on Saturday mornings. If you have never been, the jalapeno cheese sausage kolache is the move.
Blanco: Uptown Blanco Restaurant at 317 Main Street serves one of the best Sunday brunches in the Hill Country, running from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The menu leans upscale comfort — think seafood, steak, and generous brunch plates in a relaxed setting right on the square. Friday and Saturday dinner runs from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM if you want to make it a full weekend destination. Reservations are recommended, especially for Sunday brunch. Call ahead at 830-833-0738.
Community and Events
New Braunfels: Saengerfest 2026 returns for its 23rd year on Saturday, May 2, from noon to 10:00 PM in historic downtown New Braunfels. This is a free, family-friendly festival featuring live music on multiple stages, food vendors, downtown shopping, wine and craft beer sampling, and activities for all ages. Chairs, blankets, and coolers are welcome — just no glass or pop-up canopies. Free parking and a free park-and-ride shuttle run from New Braunfels City Hall at 550 Landa Street, available from 11:30 AM to 11:30 PM. VIP tickets with souvenir wine glasses and air-conditioned hospitality are available at the link below.
Spring Branch: The Honey Creek Guided Walk at Guadalupe River State Park departs Saturday and Sunday mornings at 8:30 AM — note the earlier start time now that May is here. The ranger-led hike covers about two miles through the pristine Honey Creek State Natural Area, one of the best-preserved pockets of the Hill Country that you cannot access on your own. Registration is required and closes at 3:00 PM the day before. Free with park admission — $7 for adults, free for kids 12 and under.
Also On Our Radar: Kacey Musgraves plays three nights at Gruene Hall starting Sunday, May 3, with The Mariachi Brothers opening at 7:00 PM and Musgraves taking the stage at 9:00 PM each night. All three shows are sold out, but if you scored tickets, this is one of the biggest bookings Gruene Hall has landed in years — timed to the release of her new album "Middle of Nowhere" on May 1.
The Goal
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We will see you out there!
The Hill Country Hot Ticket Team