Willie Nelson's annual 4th of July Picnic returns to Texas this summer

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Willie Nelson's annual 4th of July Picnic and Fireworks show is returning to its Lone Star roots this summer.

The beloved Texas musician's 4th of July celebration will be held at the Germania Insurance Arena on July 4 in Austin, reverting back to Texas after last year's concert was held in Camden, New Jersey.

The 2025 lineup will feature Willie Nelson & Family, Bob Dylan, The Avett Brothers, The Mavericks, Asleep At The Wheel and Tami Neilson, per Monday's announcement.

“I’m 92 years old and I’ll be there so you have no excuse,” Nelson said in the release. “I look forward to bringing back my annual 4th of July Picnic to the city I love and sharing this special event with all my Austin fans.”

Nelson began the holiday tradition in 1973, according to records from the Bullock Texas State History Museum. That concert began as a three-day stint in Dripping Springs, with the location paying homage to the Dripping Springs Reunion Nelson played in 1972 that inspired the creation of the 4th of July concert.

The 2024 concert, played at the Freedom Mortgage Pavilion in Camden, featured Bob Dylan, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Maren Morris, Mavis Staples and Celisse on its lineup. Prior to its northeastern relocation, Q2 Stadium hosted the concert in 2022 and 2023, following a virtual iteration of the show in 2021.

Nelson's traditional showcase has only strayed away from Texas a handful of times. Prior to the 2024 concert, the last time it was held outside Texas was in 2009, when the concert took place in South Bend, Indiana.

Other non-Texas locations included Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1977; Kansas City, Missouri in 1978; Atlanta, Georgia in 1983; and George, Washington in 2007.

General ticket sales begin at 10 a.m. on Friday on Ticketmaster's website. Alongside eight hours' worth of live music, the event will also include food, drinks and fireworks.