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Willie Nelson’s Fourth of July Picnic Fort Worth, USA

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The reason this is one of the parties you have to put on your bucket list is right there in its name: Willie Nelson. Regardless of whether or not you’re a fan of country music, the 81-year-old songwriter, author, actor and activist is an absolute legend. He first held Willie’s Picnic way back in 1973 in a field in Dripping Springs, Texas, which is outside Austin if your knowledge of Texan geography isn’t that good. Kris Kristofferson, Waylon Jennings and Tom T Hall co-headlined, 40,000 people turned up (according to legend that’s about 35,000 more than anyone expected) and it all turned into a bit of a debacle. Thankfully, not at all phased by the chaos that ensued, Nelson continued what would become a tradition, even if it’s had the occasional year off now and then.

For the past few years, the event has been held in a large field adjacent to Billy Bob’s Texas, the world’s biggest honky tonk – and reason enough to visit to Fort Worth – with 6000 folks grabbing themselves a ticket to country-music heaven.

Make sure you… grab a handful of napkins. Billy Bob’s Bar-B-Que operates on site and, this being a picnic, you’d be mad not to stuff yourself silly on the Texan specialty.

Don’t… go too hard too early in the Texan sun. There’s a cool zone inside Billy Bob’s if you need it.

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The laid-back vibe and warm hospitality at this festival in the Lone Star State
Kicking back with the locals for one of the USA’s biggest public holidays
The lineup, featuring some huge country music names

There’s fireworks and picnicking is encouraged, but the crowds may be too much for those with kids

price guide

Tickets bought in advance cost about US$30, but you can live large and pay for a VIP one (US$215) that’ll get you access to the skybox in the middle of the ground, with 360-degree views, private bar, free food and giveaways.