There Will Be No Willie Nelson 4th of July Picnic in 2021, but…
Live music is coming back pretty quickly as the pandemic winds down, with many local shows already up and roaring, some theater, arena, and even stadium shows already happening or set to transpire soon, and big tours and festivals kicking off in earnest.
But one of the most iconic and longest-lasting traditions in country music will be taking a second year off: Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic. A tradition started with the 1973 Drippings Springs Reunion at the Hurlbut Ranch outside of Austin, organizers just didn’t have time with the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic to put something together for 2021, making it two years in a row revelers will miss spending Independence Day with Willie.
Since 1973, 48 Willie Nelson Picnics have been held, but on twelve separate years—including a four year stint between 1991 and 1994—Willie skipped the Picnic, which at times has been a rousing success, and other times has been a logistical nightmare for the country legend.
But those wanting to see Willie again will get numerous other opportunities, and very soon. Willie Nelson will finally be making his live return to music with a run of shows called “Luck Presents: Welcome Back Willie” July 16-18. The shows will feature full sets by Willie and his Family band and a different opening act. Bruce Robison & Kelly Willis will open on July 16, Reckless Kelly on July 17, and Morgan James on July 18.
“This is a socially distanced show, and Luck Presents is taking all precautions to ensure the safest possible experience,” they say. “The event is being sold at a quarter capacity so that attendees can comfortably enjoy the event.”
Tickets will go on sale Thursday, June 24th, and will be sold in four person pods at luckpresents.com .
Willie Nelson will also be embarking on the Outlaw Music Festival Tour starting August 22nd, which by all accounts will be full-fledged amphitheater shows will few restrictions. Willie will be joined by Chris Stapleton, Sturgill Simpson, Gov’t Mule, Margo Price, and others on select dates. See the full lineups below.
2021 Outlaw Music Festival Tour Dates:
August 22 — Austin, Texas at Germania Insurance Amphitheatre
Willie Nelson & Family
Chris Stapleton
Ryan Bingham
Yola
September 10 — Gilford, New Hampshire at Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion
Willie Nelson & Family
Sturgill Simpson
Gov’t Mule
Margo Price
September 11 — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at TD Pavilion at the Mann
Willie Nelson & Family
Sturgill Simpson
Gov’t Mule
Margo Price
September 12 — Saratoga, New York at Saratoga Performing Arts Center
Willie Nelson & Family
Sturgill Simpson
Gov’t Mule
Margo Price
September 17 — Virginia Beach, Virginia at Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheatre
Willie Nelson & Family
Sturgill Simpson
Gov’t Mule
Margo Price
September 18 — Raleigh, North Carolina at Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
Willie Nelson & Family
Sturgill Simpson
Gov’t Mule
Margo Price
September 19 — Charlotte, North Carolina at PNC Music Pavilion
Willie Nelson & Family
Sturgill Simpson
Gov’t Mule
Margo Price
September 22 — Alpharetta, Georgia at Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
Willie Nelson & Family
Sturgill Simpson
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
Kathleen Edwards
September 24 — Columbia, Maryland at Merriweather Post Pavilion
Willie Nelson & Family
Sturgill Simpson
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
Gov’t Mule
Kathleen Edwards
October 15 — Phoenix, Arizona at Ak-Chin Pavilion
Willie Nelson & Family
The Avett Brothers
Gov’t Mule
Lucinda Williams
Ida Mae
October 16 — Irvine, California at Five Point Amphitheatre
Willie Nelson & Family
The Avett Brothers
Gov’t Mule
Lucinda Williams
Ida Mae
October 17 — San Diego, California at Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre
Willie Nelson & Family
The Avett Brothers
Ida Mae
October 23 — Mountain View, California at Shoreline Amphitheatre
Willie Nelson & Family
The Avett Brothers
Gov’t Mule
Lucinda Williams
Ida Mae
October 24 — Wheatland, California at Toyota, Amphitheatre
Willie Nelson & Family
The Avett Brothers
Gov’t Mule
Lucinda Williams
Ida Mae
June 21, 2021 @ 2:41 pm
Speaking of nightmares, I seem to remember the young Robert Earl Keen didn’t have too good a time the year he went.
June 21, 2021 @ 2:50 pm
Lol, yeah, ya think?
June 21, 2021 @ 5:09 pm
Something about his car breaking down–maybe he left the lights on, or was just driving a jalopy? I must have read it in the liner notes to one of his CD’s.
June 21, 2021 @ 6:31 pm
I’m pretty sure it burned up and became the cover of his “Picnic” record. If my memory serves.
June 21, 2021 @ 10:25 pm
That’s right. He tells the whole story in the intro to Road Goes on Forever on his breakthrough live record. Comedy gold!
June 22, 2021 @ 6:16 am
Also, Jack Ingram wrote “mustang burn” about it. Very songworthy occasion
June 21, 2021 @ 5:22 pm
Best 4th of july picnic was the year he did 3 in a row (July 2-4). That might have been his 5, 6, and 7 annual picnic. I think that was 1978. Tim O’Connor knew how to throw a party at the Austin Opry House
June 21, 2021 @ 6:41 pm
I covered the 1997 picnic and it was epic. Leon Russell played and Ray Price showed up. Both have now passed. I interviewed Willie for Fox7 Austin and he was in great spirits. Although very concerned for Merle Haggard, who had just suffered a heart attack. Willie spoke to him that morning and said Merle was doing okay in the hospital. And Merle is gone now, too. Ride on, Willie…ride on.
June 21, 2021 @ 7:29 pm
i do not know where you are getting your misinformation from Fox news or Newsmax. But here is a reality check. THE PANDEMIC IS NOT WINDING DOWN…. the Vaccine is NOT A CURE. another strain called beta covid is sweeping around the world. America is STUPID. opening everything because of a few red neck cry bags who want their FREE DUMB and won’t wear masks. this pandemic is going to hit hard again and keep on going. we never learn anything. we are going to live covid with the rest of our lives because of stupid people. you want to delete this? go right ahead. the truth and reality just hurt. if you do not want political heat on this page trigger. then stop printing stupid things like this.
the pandemic winding down ..
wow. get real. I am still wearing a mask. and will forever . because this pandemic is never going away.
June 22, 2021 @ 4:37 am
Yes it is winding down. Stay on your basement with mommy. Wear your mask forever.
Nobody cares. Nobody is telling you not to wear it. You quarantine the sick. Not the healthy.
If America is stupid feel free to another country.
June 22, 2021 @ 6:11 am
I’m feeling a little like Sylvio Dante when Georgie wouldn’t shut the hell up about the ice.
July 3, 2021 @ 9:46 am
Infectious disease specialist here. It is receding in number of infections and virality. Get vaccinated for sure! choose how you wish to live life and be respectful of others.
Peace!
May 25, 2023 @ 9:04 am
I think there are a few minor errors in the article. The Dripping Springs Reunion was 1972. This was picnic number -1. !973 was the first Picnic, also in Dripping Springs. There have been 38 picnics since then, not 48. The 50th Annual ( By Years ) will be this year in Austin Again! See ya’ll there.