For one day every spring, a dusty Old West town outside Austin becomes one of the most coveted tickets in Texas. The Luck Reunion returns March 19 for its 14th year, once again transforming Willie Nelson’s Luck Ranch into a genre-blurring gathering that feels equal parts backyard hang and bucket-list festival.
As tradition dictates, Willie Nelson and Family will close out the day. The setting could not be more fitting. The ranch, located in Spicewood, Texas, houses the weathered movie set built for Nelson’s 1985 film Red Headed Stranger. Its saloon, chapel, and general store are not props collecting dust. They double as intimate stages, creating the kind of up-close performances that larger festivals simply cannot replicate.
This year’s lineup reflects the event’s trademark mix of legacy icons and adventurous newcomers. St. Vincent brings art-rock edge to the Hill Country landscape, while Trampled by Turtles deliver their high-energy bluegrass attack. Booker T. Jones adds deep soul pedigree, and Lukas Nelson continues the family thread with his own brand of country-rock storytelling. Ghostland Observatory injects dance-floor electricity, while songwriters like Kaitlin Butts and Joshua Ray Walker represent the next wave of Texas-rooted voices.
Songcraft remains central to Luck’s identity. The BMI Writers in the Round will spotlight Julianna Rankin, Leon Majcen, and Emma Ogier, while the Redbird Songwriters Showcase assembles respected names including James McMurtry, Dale Watson, Kelly Willis, Willis Alan Ramsey, and Dallas Burrow. These sessions often deliver the weekend’s most unforgettable moments, where stripped-down performances and sharp lyrics take center stage.
Unlike previous years, the 2026 edition lands immediately after SXSW wraps in Austin, creating a seamless bridge from the city’s industry frenzy to a more relaxed, artist-first celebration in the countryside. For many attendees, it offers a chance to swap convention center badges for cowboy boots without missing a beat.
The festivities extend beyond March 19. The Luck Potluck on March 17 pairs music with curated food and beverage experiences, while March 20 brings a tribute gathering honoring the late songwriter Todd Snider. Additional performers for that event will be announced soon.
Luck Presents founder and CEO Matt Bizer describes the reunion as a family gathering more than a festival. Fourteen years in, that ethos still guides the programming, balancing foundational artists who helped build the event with new voices stepping into the spotlight. Surprise guests have become part of the lore, with past pop-ins spilling from the saloon into the ranch’s dusty streets.
In a crowded festival landscape, Luck Reunion stands apart by keeping its scale intimate and its mission focused. It is less about spectacle and more about shared moments, rooted in the spirit of Willie Nelson’s backyard and the community that continues to grow around it.