October 16-18, 2026
Camp Ben McCulloch, Driftwood, TX
The 19th Annual Austin String Band Festival is the weekend of October 16-18, 2026, at Camp Ben McCulloch in nearby Driftwood, TX. Join us for a weekend of music, camping, jamming, dancing, and friends!
This family-friendly festival brings together musicians and roots music enthusiasts from Central Texas and beyond. In addition to two stages of live string band performances, there’ll be dances, workshops, kids’ activities, and tons of campsite jamming.
Program
- Admission & Tickets
- Volunteer – Sign Up Here
- Performance Schedule
- Organized Jams
- Workshops
- Kids’ Activities
- Silent Auction
- Performers
- Camping
- Food
- Location
- A Few Reminders — Important, Please Read!
Join AFTM
Become a member of AFTM to support our efforts, and to get discounted tickets. Join today!
Volunteer
We need your help! Sign up to volunteer here.
Sponsors
Thanks to our generous sponsors for helping keep the Austin String Band Festival affordable and fun! We really appreciate it!
Admission & Tickets
Earlybird Online Ticket Sales Are Open!
Buy your tickets in advance to save — earlybird pricing ends on September 30.
Active AFTM members get a discounted price. If you are an active member you will receive an email with your discount code to use at the ticket website. Click here to Join Now!
To check your status or get a missed coupon code, email membership@aftm.us or visit our membership site, using your email address to log in.
| Non-Member | AFTM Member | Student (with valid ID) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekend Pass | $60 | $55 | $50 |
| Saturday Day Pass | $50 | $45 | $40 |
| Friday Day Pass | $35 | $30 | $25 |
Kids under 15 are free with adult!
Tent Campsite (per tent): $30/night
RV Campsite (per vehicle/trailer): $40/night
Volunteer
Sign up at https://go.tallycal.com/p/asbf2026
The festival is 100% volunteer organized and run, so we need our community’s help to ensure that it is successful. Thank you so much for helping!
Volunteers for PRIME slots get a free weekend pass!
Volunteers for a regular slot will get you either a free day pass or 50% off a weekend pass, your choice. Work two regular slots for a free weekend pass! Email James (volunteer@aftm.us) to get the 50% code if that’s the option you’d like to use, once tickets go on-sale in September.
Camping is extra. The festival is rain-or-shine so please show up for your shift regardless of the weather.
Contact James (volunteer@aftm.us) with any questions, or if you’d like to take a bigger role as a volunteer area manager – we need the help!
Performance Schedule
Performers in bold are on the Main Stage, others are mini-sets.
Friday, October 16, 2026
| 6 PM | Square Dance with Austin City Quicksteppers |
| 6:45 PM | Two Wheelers |
| 7 PM | Powder Monkey |
| 7:45 PM | Black Goats |
| 8 PM | Amanda Pascali |
| 8:45 PM | The Bright Leaf Warblers |
| 9 PM | Charles Thibodeaux and the Austin Cajun Aces |
Saturday, October 17, 2026
| 1 PM | Workshop: Square Dance Basics for Families with Webster’s Ragtime Trio |
| 1:45 PM | Wildflower String Band (Ian Lee and students) |
| 2 PM | Webster’s Ragtime Trio |
| 2:45 PM | Iron & Embers |
| 3 PM | Lost Patterns |
| 3:45 PM | Swing Biscuits |
| 4 PM | Atash |
| 4:45 PM | David Alan Tribute |
| 5 PM | Square Dance with BYK (Boyer, Yellman & Keough) |
| 5:45 PM | The Usual Suspects |
| 6 PM | Righteous Intonation |
| 6:45 PM | Banjo Rose |
| 7 PM | The Horsenecks |
| 7:45 PM | The Azarians (Ethan & Francis) |
| 8 PM | Dom Flemons |
| 8:45 PM | The Ramsey Park Rounders |
| 9 PM | Georgia Parker |
| 9:45 PM | High Plains Disaster |
| 10 PM | Square Dance with The Horsenecks |
Organized Jams
There will be jams of all kinds spontaneously happening with friends old and new throughout the festival, but we’ll also have some hosted jams. Bring a jam chair and your instruments.
- Friday, 5PM (Area A): Old Time Welcome Jam hosted by Tim Wooten
- Saturday, 10AM (Jam Zone): Old Time Beginner Slow Jam hosted by Jacquie Woolley
- Saturday, 12PM (Jam Zone): Cajun Jam hosted by Michael Perron
- Saturday, 12PM (Area D): Bluegrass Jam hosted by Chelsea Burns and Simon Waxman (CTBA)
- Sunday, 9AM (Kitchen Pavilion): Gospel Gathering hosted by Angie Wooten
Workshops
We’ll have multiple workshops running on Saturday before performances start. A map of workshop locations will be posted at the festival. Schedule/locations are subject to change, so be sure to check the board at the Merch booth.
| Time | Workshop Area A | Workshop Area B | Workshop Area C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday 11AM | Adam Brodkin & Cody Campbell How to Run Sound at a Show | Ian Lee Slow-Jam Fiddle Workshop | Tim Keough Texas-style Back-up Guitar for Old-time Fiddle Tunes Players should be comfortable with bar chords. |
| Saturday Noon | Georgia Parker Western Swing Basics | Barry Southern (The Horsenecks) Intermediate Clawhammer Banjo | Earl Hunt How Do you Learn a New Tune? Intermediate Mandolin |
| Saturday 1PM | Zephyr Yellman Intermediate to Advanced Old-Time Fiddle | Cody Campbell An Intro to John Fahey-style Guitar | Jacqui Wooley An Intro to Clogging |
| Sunday 10 AM | Dom Flemons Discovering 100 years of American Roots Music |
Kids’ Activities
Bring out the whole family for a fun time at the festival — children under 15 get in free!
We’ll have some special activities for the kids on Saturday, over by the Merch booth.
- 1PM – 3PM: Make and Take Art Projects with Natasha La Gitana
- 2PM – 4PM: Juggling with the Texas Juggling Society
- 3PM – 5PM: Face painting by Doodle Bug
Silent Auction
On Saturday afternoon, we’ll host a Silent Auction fundraiser for AFTM. The auction will take place in the kitchen pavilion from about 2PM-6PM on Saturday.
Please bring donations of instruments, music books, CDs, records, and other music-related items to the kitchen pavilion around noon on the Saturday of the festival. We appreciate your generosity in helping AFTM raise money for the festival!
Performers
We’ve got a superb line-up of national and local acts! Read about them below, and check out this Spotify playlist to give them a listen
Dom Flemons
https://www.theamericansongster.com
Known globally as ‘the American Songster,” Flemons has enjoyed a flourishing solo career after co-founding the legendary Carolina Chocolate Drops in 2005. He is a Grammy Award-winning artist, and draws from a rich repertoire spanning early country, Piedmont blues, bluegrass, and African string band traditions. Flemons is also an extraordinary multi-instrumentalist, skilled at playing guitar, harmonica, rhythm bones, jug, quills (panpipes), fife, and his signature six-string banjo, “Big Head Joe.”
The Horsenecks
Featuring Gabrielle Macrae and Barry Southern, the Horsenecks are an acclaimed old-time, bluegrass, and folk duo based out of Astoria, Oregon. Often characterized as “revamped traditionalism,” the multi-instrumentalists blend intricate string work on guitar, banjo, bass, fiddle, with dynamic vocal harmonies. Their latest release, “In the West,” is available via Tiki Parlor Recordings.
Georgia Parker
https://www.georgiaparkermusic.com
Rooted in the Texas Hill Country, award-winning musician Georgia Parker delivers a vibrant mix of western swing, classic country, and country-western jazz. Raised in Boerne, where she worked as a survivalist instructor and naturalist prior to pursuing music full-time, her smooth, powerful vocals and vintage acoustic guitar playing evoke legends like Cindy Walker and Willie Nelson.
Righteous Intonation
Self-described as a “Western truth-telling string band,” this San Antonio quartet crafts songs rooted directly in genuine history rather than myth, weaving tales of Indian raids, cattle drives, outlaw lore, and the rise and fall of Texas towns. After mesmerizing listeners with an acoustic mini-stage set at last year’s gathering, they return this year to bring their high lonesome sound to the Main Stage.
Atash
Blending musical heritage from the Middle East, India, West Africa, and Spain, this acclaimed world-music ensemble features an array of instruments including oud, violin, tabla and sitar. Frequently touring globally, Atash has earned the Austin Chronicle’s Best World Music Band award on multiple occasions.
BYK (Boyer, Yellman & Keough)
Listen to their 2024 Austin String Band Performance
This dynamic old-time power trio has Joslyn Boyer on bass, Zephyr Yellman on fiddle, and Tim Keough on guitar. After captivating audiences with their mini-stage performance at the 2024 festival—recording available on Bandcamp!—they returned to deliver a triumphant main-stage show in 2025.
Lost Patterns
Drawing inspiration from American roots traditions for two decades, Beth Chrisman and Silas Lowe of Lost Patterns explore themes of sorrow and heartbreak. The duo took their name from a Hazel Dickens track depicting a failing relationship, and a faded linoleum floor. Their self-titled debut record was released in 2023.
Amanda Pascali
Experience a journey to southern Europe through the silken voice and Sicilian/ Andalucian-inspired melodies of this gifted songstress. Raised by Egyptian and Romanian parents and currently based in Texas, Pascali frequently explores themes of belonging and life as an outsider in her songwriting. In 2021, she was named “Musician of the Year” by the Houston Chronicle.
Webster’s Ragtime Trio
“From Texas borderland fiddle music to early American/Hawaiian slide guitar and midwestern classic ragtime, there is no telling what exactly you might hear!” says Alexander Jones of this multi-talented trio. Joining him are cellist Westen Borghesi, and guitarist extraordinaire Will Webster.
Charles Thibodeaux and the Austin Cajun Aces
Blending tales of rugged bayou and farm life with uplifting rhythms and celebratory melodies, this spirited dance band embodies la joie de vie. The group has taken the stage at San Antonio’s International Accordion Festival as well as the Smithsonian International Festival, and listeners can catch Charles playing most Monday evenings at Austin’s Evangeline Cafe.
Powder Monkey
This vibrant new local bluegrass group is known for its impressive picking and distinctive vocal harmonies. Taking inspiration from the British Royal Navy, their name playfully nods to the young boys who transported gunpowder bags from ship holds to gun decks during naval warfare. Chris Cheek, guitar, lead vocals; Will Vienne, mandolin, vocals; John Neary, fiddle; Kyle Smith, bass.
Austin City Quicksteppers
Kickstarting the festival’s Main Stage performances, this quartet is sure to keep square dancers light on their feet with lively tunes like “Albert’s Breakdown” and “Walkin’ in my Sleep.” Featuring Robert Fulwiler, Cody Campbell, Benny Rangel, and Britt Irick.
Camping
There is plenty of primitive tent camping, and a small number of RV sites with hookups. All camping fees are to be paid upon festival entry, on a first-come-first-served basis. You may pay with cash, check or credit card.
Friday and Saturday camping should be paid at the festival admissions tent. You may arrive earlier than Friday to camp. If you do, please pay Camp Ben directly for the nights before Friday. Check-out is Noon on Sunday.
A burn ban for Hays County might be in effect. See the Hays County Burn Ban site for more information: https://www.hayscountytx.gov/burn-ban.
Trash & Recycling
Pack-it-in, Pack-it-out. Campers who have recycling at their residence are encouraged to take recyclables home with them; a bag will be furnished for use on site or to take trash home. This helps us greatly – Thanks!
No dogs or other pets
We love dogs, but please leave them at home.
NO DOGS ALLOWED except service animals.
No amplified music
Out of courtesy to fellow campers, jammers, and official performers, please no amplified music in the campground.
Food
We’ll have two great on-site food trucks:
- Texas Street Crepes – Fresh and delicious street crepes made to order from scratch. Vegetarian options. Refreshing Fresh Squeezed Lemon and Limeades. Espresso and Lattes to keep you going all night long!
- Vigilante Vittles
Festivalgoers can also bring their own food and beverages (no glass, please). There’s ample space and tables to picnic, and campers can of course cook at their campsites.
Please help us manage waste by packing out your own trash and recyclables.
Location
Camp Ben McCulloch
18301 FM 1826
Driftwood, Texas 78619
Google Maps Link
Camp Ben McCulloch is within a few minutes of Austin, located 11 miles south of Highway 290 West on Farm Road 1826. From I-35, take Loop 4 to downtown Buda. Head west on Farm Road 967 for 11 miles, then turn left on Farm Road 1826 for 1/2 mile — Camp Ben McCulloch is on the left.
Camp Ben McCulloch’s grounds are lovely, with plenty of big old shade trees, a gurgling creek and room for camping and jamming. Some of the best music is off-stage in sessions lasting till the wee hours. There is also a very nice, shady playground close to the pavilion.
A Few Reminders
The string band festival is a family friendly event. If you are planning to come to the festival please note the following:
- NO DOGS ALLOWED (except service dogs).
- BURN BAN MAY BE IN EFFECT – see the Hays County Burn Ban site for more information
- BRING YOUR OWN CHAIR FOR THE WORKSHOPS, FOR JAMMING, OR FOR EXTRA COMFORT.
- BRING YOUR OWN COOLER AND ICE.
- NO GLASS BOTTLES. CANS ONLY.
- NO FIREWORKS OR WEAPONS.
- NO AMPLIFIED MUSIC.
- BRING CASH AND CREDIT CARDS FOR TICKETS, CAMPING FEES, FOOD, and MERCH.
- PACK-IN & PACK-OUT AS MUCH OF YOUR TRASH AS POSSIBLE
- NO CHILDREN PLAYING ON THE DANCE FLOOR DURING PERFORMANCES