Perhaps you believe you’re too old or too busy to stand in awe of a solar eclipse. Cue the Eclipse Utopiafest in Utopia, Texas, a music festival where the star of the five-day show will be the solar eclipse on April 8.
Utopiafest isn’t usually about astronomical events. For fourteen years, the small camping and music festival in the Texas countryside has been about barrier-free spaces and a communal party experience. With tickets capped at 1000 and an overall lack of fencing, you can roam freely on the vast grounds and actually hear what the person next to you is saying.
But, Utopiafest is coming to an end, and as stars (and the moon) align, organizers planned their final event (final two, actually, with the first being in October 2023) to sync with the April 2024 eclipse. The eclipse crosses Utopia, Texas, and the festival returned to its original venue in town, Four Sisters Ranch, for the gathering.
April’s solar eclipse, which will be the last total solar eclipse in the U.S. until 2044, should be particularly spectacular and you might be able to see heightened solar activity like flares and prominences darting out from the covered sun. Utopia’s positioning in the path of totality — a narrow band of the globe where you can catch the full eclipse — makes it an ideal place to experience it.
Expect a range of genres across the 47 acts such as Riders Against The Storm, an award-winning hip-hop duo rapping over blends of everything from house and East Coast soul to Haitian Vodou rock. Other artists from the primarily Texan line-up include Americana singer David Ramirez, electro-dance soul rock group Ghostland Observatory and alternative/indie artist Elijah Delgado. There are two stages but no overlapping sets so you don’t have to choose between bands. Other activities include workshops on cultivating mushrooms (the non-magical kind), Psychedelic Silk Marbling, Empath Empowerment, AcroYoga and a space-prom-themed silent disco afterparty.
At the October festival, Austin-based indietronica band The Octopus Project played an ethereal rendition of Debussy’s Claire De Lune on the grass alongside the audience as the moon eclipsed the sun, resulting in a ring of fire in the sky. Utopiafest organizers have not announced plans for the moment of the April eclipse, which will last four minutes, at the time of this writing.
The Specs
- Tickets cap at 1000.
- All passes include free tent camping, parking, and access to music and other activities, but there are several add-ons available depending on how you want to camp. Tickets start at $350 (Sun-Tues) $400 (Sat-Tues), $430 (Fri-Tues) or $600 for the Sterling Pass (Fri-Tues with VIP privileges). Kids can join for $25 (ages 4-12) and $50 (ages 13-19).
- Check out Fifty Grande’s list of the best things to do in San Antonio here.
FAQs
Where is the Eclipse UTOPiAfest 2024 located?
The festival will take place at Four Sisters Ranch, 1555 Lemond Rd., Utopia, TX.
What is the closest airport to the Eclipse UTOPiAfest 2024?
The town of Utopia is 63 mi from San Antonio International Airport (San Antonio, TX).
Is the festival ADA-accessible?
Yes. The grounds are wheelchair accessible and ADA bathrooms are provided.
What can I bring with me?
Bring your food, drinks, and other camping essentials. Leave all glass items, fireworks, and drones at home. A limited number of passes will be available for dogs (not including registered service animals, who are allowed pass-free).
Do I have to camp?
You stay at nearby lodging at neighboring ranches, set up your own tent in the free camping ground, bring (or rent) an RV, or rent one of the glamping yurts available on site.
Which artists are on the Eclipse Utopiafest 2024 lineup?
Ghostland Observatory, The Texas Gentlemen, Sir Woman, Night Glitter, Tyrone Vaughan, Us!, Madam Radar, Sketch, Phoebe Hunt, Motenko, Jagtronica, The Mighty Orq, Sid Fly, South Congress Cowboy, Matt Kirk & The Gueyfarers, Matthew Logan Vasquez, David Ramirez, Caramelo Haze, Toubab Krewe, Riders Against The Storm, Major Darlin, RF Shannon, Ally Howe, Suzanna Choffel, Dan Dyer, Laney Jones, Anam Cara, Purple Brunch, Butcher Brown, Son Little, Sego, Thurtdelic, Sucka Please, Sisi, Elijah Delgado, The Watters, Bruce, Robert Cline Jr., Mixer Rogers, Henry Invisible, James Anthony Johnson, Cole Savoy, Jacob Alan Jaeger, Purple Bee Allstars, Mary Brett & Bummertown.
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