Summer in the Hill Country: A Mini-Guide

Sunshine, Small Towns & the Spark of Summer

From lazy days on Canyon Lake to fireworks lighting up the night sky, summer in the Texas Hill Country is anything but ordinary. It’s a season of front porch lemonade, rodeo dust, river floats, and red-white-and-blue pride. Whether you’re planning your move or just visiting friends and family, here’s your insider’s guide to doing summer right.

Canyon Lake — Boats, Floats & Fireworks

• When: July 4th Weekend
• What to Expect: Kayaking, tubing, boating, and a fireworks display that lights up the lake like a Texas sky should.
• Local Tip: Arrive early and grab a lakeside picnic spot. Bring a fold-up chair and prepare to wave at strangers—it’s tradition.

[https://www.canyonlakepoa.com/4th-of-july-fireworks]

New Braunfels — Fourth of July Fireworks & Folk Fest Fun

• When: First week of July
• What to Expect: A small-town parade, a heritage festival, and fireworks over Landa Park that you’ll feel in your chest.
• Don’t Miss: A bratwurst and beer at Krause’s Café before heading to the hill for the best view.

[https://newbraunfels.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=3194]

[https://texashandmadefurniture.com/folkfest]

Gruene — Summer Concert Series & Dancing Under the Stars

• When: All summer long
• What to Expect: Live music at Gruene Hall, the oldest dance hall in Texas. Come for the fiddle, stay for the two-step.
• Photo Op: Sunset behind the water tower. Bonus points if you catch a cowboy hat in silhouette.

[Gruene Texas Event Calendar – https://www.gruenetexas.com/annual-events/]

Startzville & Spring Branch — Small Town Celebrations

• Where: Local parks and gathering spots
• What to Expect: Parades, pie-eating contests, watermelon slices as big as your face, and fireworks that feel like home.
• Local Secret: The best barbecue isn’t advertised—ask around and follow the smoke.

[https://texashillcountry.com/startzville-texas/]

[https://cityofspringbranch.org/]

Tom & Marlene Say: “Don’t let the heat stop you. Throw on a sunhat, pack a cooler, and stay out past dark. The memories come after sunset.”

Want to turn your weekend getaway into a lifetime of summers? Havenbrook Homes of Texas builds where the good times live year-round.