Willie Nelson recently shared news of his summer tour alongside music legends Bob Dylan, Robert Plant, Alison Krauss, and others. However, fans in Texas will be disappointed to learn that the tour will not be stopping in the Lone Star State, not even for the iconic July 4 celebration.
In a surprising move, Willie Nelson has decided to relocate his annual Fourth of July Picnic from its traditional Texas setting. Last month, Nelson excited fans by announcing the return of the Outlaw Music Festival Tour. This much-anticipated tour, featuring Nelson and his family, as well as Bob Dylan, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, John Mellencamp, and others depending on the location, will unfortunately not include any performances in Texas. The absence of Texas dates in the initial announcement left many wondering about the fate of Nelson’s beloved Independence Day event.
The mystery has now been resolved, with Nelson confirming that not only will the tour bypass Texas, but the Fourth of July Picnic itself will also be moving to the East Coast. Nelson took to social media to announce that this year’s celebration will be hosted at the Freedom Mortgage Pavilion in Camden, New Jersey, offering a scenic view just across the Delaware River from Philadelphia. Fans who are part of Nelson’s Club Luck can look forward to a presale opportunity, with tickets becoming available to the general public shortly thereafter.
For the past two years, Nelson’s Fourth of July Picnic found its home at Q2 Stadium in Austin, maintaining a decade-long tradition of hosting the event in the capital city, with the exception of virtual concerts in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic. Despite its 50-year history of being predominantly held in Texas, this isn’t the first time the event has ventured out of state, with previous locations including Tulsa, Oklahoma; Kansas City; Atlanta; and South Bend, Indiana, in 2009.
Nelson’s connection to Texas remains strong, as evidenced by his recent performance at the annual Luck Reunion event. However, this year’s relocation of the Fourth of July Picnic marks a significant change in tradition, bringing a piece of Texas spirit to the East Coast for a unique celebration of independence and music.