2026 Events
I keep this calendar for people who want to hear Western swing in the room. I include concerts, dances, festivals, workshops, camps, and other public events where the music has a meaningful place on the program. Dates and lineups change. I link directly to organizers whenever possible, so check with them before making plans.
Know an event I should consider? Send me the event name, date, location, and official website at ron@cowboylibretto.com
Coming Up
OCTOBER 1–4 · FESTIVAL · EUREKA, CALIFORNIARedwood Coast Music Festival
Four days of music and dancing across multiple venues, with Western swing alongside jazz, blues, rockabilly, and other American roots music.
OCTOBER 2–4 · FESTIVAL & HALL OF FAME · RANCHO CORDOVA, CALIFORNIAWestern Swing Society Hall of Fame
The Western Swing Society’s annual three-day gathering brings musicians and dancers together at Machinists Hall, culminating in its annual Hall of Fame inductions.
OCTOBER 3 · WORKSHOP · ARCATA, CALIFORNIAWestern Swing Fiddle & Guitar with Whit Smith and Elana James
Hot Club of Cowtown’s Whit Smith and Elana James lead a Western swing fiddle and guitar workshop at the Eagle House, presented by the Humboldt Folklife Society.
OCTOBER 15 · CONCERT · DALLAS, TEXASHot Club of Cowtown at The Kitchen Café
Hot Club of Cowtown brings Western swing and hot jazz to an intimate North Dallas room.
OCTOBER 18 · CONCERT · KANSAS CITY, MISSOURIHot Club of Cowtown at Knuckleheads
The Austin trio brings its mix of Western swing and hot jazz to Knuckleheads for a Sunday evening performance.
OCTOBER 21–22 · CONCERT · PARIS, FRANCEDandelion String Band at Caveau de la Huchette
The French string band draws from the Texas and California Western swing of the 1930s and ’40s, using steel guitar, electric mandolin, archtop guitars, and bass.
OCTOBER 23 · CONCERT · SAINT-JUST-EN-CHAUSSÉE, FRANCEDandelion String Band at Le Plateau
Western swing standards and original songs from Dandelion String Band, with Hervé Mabille’s jazz workshop ensemble opening the evening.
OCTOBER 23–25 · GATHERING · FORT WORTH, TEXASRed Steagall Cowboy Gathering
Three days of Western culture in the Fort Worth Stockyards, including a dedicated Western Swing Festival during the gathering.
NOVEMBER 6–7 · FESTIVAL & CONTEST · GREENVILLE, TEXASBob Wills Fiddle Festival
Concerts and a fiddle competition bring musicians and listeners together for a weekend celebrating Bob Wills and Western swing.
NOVEMBER 11–15 · CONVENTION · ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICOInternational Western Music Association Convention
Performances, workshops, showcases, jams, and awards celebrating Western music and poetry. The 2026 program opens with a swing dance featuring Syd Masters & The Swing Riders.
NOVEMBER 12–15 · FESTIVAL · FORT WORTH, TEXASCowtown Birthplace of Western Swing Festival
Four days of Western swing and traditional country music at historic National Hall, followed by a Sunday finale at Will Rogers Auditorium.
NOVEMBER 20–21 · FESTIVAL · PAWHUSKA, OKLAHOMAPawhuska Western Swing Festival
Two days of Western swing and dancing at the Osage County Fairgrounds, closing with Jody Nix & the Texas Cowboys.
DECEMBER 19 · CONCERT · WACO, TEXASAsleep at the Wheel
Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel bring more than fifty years of Western swing to the Waco Hippodrome.
DECEMBER 19 · CONCERT · BOSTON SPA, ENGLANDThe Swing Commanders
Five multi-instrumentalists close the Jazz in the Spa season with Western swing and arrangements drawn from the American songbook.
Regularly
MONDAYS · NASHVILLE, TENNESSEEThe Time Jumpers at 3rd & Lindsley
Nashville studio musicians gather every Monday night for Western swing, country songs, and extended instrumental playing.
FIRST SUNDAY · RANCHO CORDOVA, CALIFORNIAWestern Swing Society Monthly Dance
Four hours of live Western swing for listening and dancing at Machinists Hall. October is devoted to the annual Hall of Fame weekend.
SELECTED WEDNESDAYS · AUSTIN, TEXASHot Club of Cowtown at the Continental Club
Hot Club of Cowtown’s recurring South Congress appearances bring Western swing and hot jazz to one of Austin’s best-known music rooms.
SECOND MONDAY · CHIGASAKI, JAPANSwinging Doors at Stagecoach
A recurring evening devoted to country and Western swing at Stagecoach in Kanagawa.