The 36th Annual Texas Blueberry Festival comes to downtown Nacogdoches on June 13 — the only state-sanctioned blueberry festival in Texas draws nearly 20,000 people to the oldest town in the Lone Star State for a full day of berries, music, farm tours, pie contests, and pure East Texas charm.
You don’t have to go far into East Texas before you start to feel the difference. The air changes. The trees get taller. The pace slows down. And if you happen to arrive in Nacogdoches on the second Saturday of June, you walk into one of the most genuinely joyful community celebrations the state has to offer.
The 36th Annual Texas Blueberry Festival is a day-long celebration of the annual blueberry harvest — set deep in Texas Forest Country in the oldest town in Texas. As the only state-sanctioned blueberry festival in Texas, this delicious annual event attracts more than 19,000 people to downtown Nacogdoches. And the best part? Admission is completely free.
A Festival Built Around the Berry
The 2026 festival opens at 8 a.m. on June 13 with the Running of the Blueberries, starting at 7:30 a.m. at Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, followed by a fresh blueberry pancake breakfast served near the historic square.
Activities for blueberry lovers of all ages include a bounce park, make-and-take arts and crafts, a pet parade, Blueberry Hill Soda and Sweet Shoppe, pie eating contests, a washer board tournament, and food and arts vendors. Downtown merchants and local businesses offer blueberry sweet specials inspired by the festival. Experienced and novice cooks submit their best recipes and prettiest plates to compete in blueberry pie and blueberry cupcake contests.
Visitors can also enjoy a classic car show, fun runs, and hands-on activities for all ages. Live music runs throughout the day on the festival stage.
Pick Your Own Blueberries — Right From the Farm
Thousands of pounds of fresh blueberries are sold at the festival, and festival-goers can also catch free shuttles to tour and pick their own blueberries right off the bushes at nearby farms. This is the experience that makes the Nacogdoches festival different from anything you’ll find in a city — stepping into a working East Texas blueberry farm, picking your own fruit, and leaving with a bucket full of something you found yourself.
Proceeds from the festival benefit the Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce’s various community and business development programs.
The Oldest Town in Texas
Nacogdoches earned its place in Texas history long before the first settlers arrived. The area has been continuously inhabited for thousands of years, and the city claims the title of the oldest town in Texas — a distinction backed by archaeology, Spanish colonial history, and the nine flags that have flown over its streets. The historic downtown square, the old stone fort, and the brick-lined streets create a setting that makes the festival feel genuinely rooted in something real.
Combine the festival with a walk through the historic district, a visit to the Stone Fort Museum on the Stephen F. Austin State University campus, or a drive through the Piney Woods on one of the scenic highways that wind through East Texas in every direction.
Getting There
Nacogdoches sits at the intersection of US Highway 59, Highway 21, and Highway 7 — about two hours north of Houston and three hours southeast of Dallas. It’s a drive that rewards you with pine forests, rolling hills, and the kind of East Texas scenery that makes people say “I didn’t know Texas looked like this.”
Event Details
Event: 36th Annual Texas Blueberry Festival — presented by Tipton Ford Date: Saturday, June 13, 2026 Hours: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Running of the Blueberries: 7:30 a.m. start at Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Location: Downtown Nacogdoches, 200 E. Main St., Nacogdoches, TX 75961 Admission: Free Attendance: Nearly 20,000 visitors Phone: (936) 564-7351 Email: [email protected] Website: tbf.nacogdoches.org Facebook: Texas Blueberry Festival
