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The 2026 Magnolia Days Festival is coming to Columbus, and the countdown has begun. Presented by Todd and Morgan Barten, the festival takes over the historic Courthouse Square on Friday and Saturday, May 15 and 16, for two days of family-friendly fun. The festivities kick off at 5 p.m. on Friday and continue at noon on Saturday. Admission to Magnolia Days is free, and parking is plentiful throughout the downtown area.
The Family Fun Zone will be packed with activities for kids and the “young at heart,” including a petting zoo, pony rides, inflatables, trackless train rides and carnival games. Festivalgoers can also test their mettle on the mechanical bull or try their luck at the dunking booth. There is truly something for everyone at Magnolia Days.
Free Live Music All Weekend
Two nights of outstanding, free live concerts will keep the crowds dancing under the Texas sky. On Friday, May 15, The Spazmatics, Texas Unlimited Band and 35 Drive will set the tone for a great weekend. On Saturday, May 16, Glen Templeton, Southbound 955, the Barditch Hippies and the Zydeco Dots will keep the party going well into the night.
Shopping, Food & Drink The Vendor Marketplace on the Courthouse Square will feature dozens of artisans and vendors offering a wide selection of arts and crafts, jewelry, candles, clothing, soaps and other unique finds. Many downtown Columbus merchants will also be open during the festival weekend, making it the perfect time to explore the charming shops and boutiques of historic Downtown Columbus.
When hunger strikes, a variety of food vendors will be on hand serving up everything from BBQ to burgers, crawfish to shaved ice, plus a few out-of-the-ordinary dishes to tempt your taste buds. The Biergarten will offer ice-cold domestic and craft beers as well as Texas wines to help you keep your cool.
Magnolia Days Festival Car Show Classic and custom beauties will cruise into Columbus for the annual Magnolia Days Festival Car Show. The show begins at noon on Saturday, May 16, and awards in multiple categories will be presented at 3:00 p.m. Admission to the car show is free and open to the public.
Magnolia Belles Presentation
The annual presentation of the Magnolia Belles will take place on Friday, May 15, at 7 p.m. in the Grand Hall of the Stafford Opera House. A second presentation will be held on the Courthouse Square lawn at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 16. Both events are free and open to the public. The Magnolia Belles have been a cherished Columbus tradition for more than 60 years, serving as ambassadors of goodwill for the festival, the Columbus Historic Preservation Trust (CHPT), and the City of Columbus.
Santa Claus Museum & Historic Trolley Tours In partnership with CHPT, festival guests are invited to visit the Santa Claus Museum – the ONLY Santa Museum in the South! The museum will be open Friday and Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. Admission is $5 per person; children under five are free.
The air-conditioned MDF Trolley, hosted by CHPT, will offer guided tours of several of Columbus’ most beautiful and historic properties. Tours depart from the Stafford Opera House on Saturday at 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under, available for purchase on the Courthouse Square.
Magnolia Days 5K and Kids’ Mile
Kick off Saturday morning with the Magnolia Days 5K and Kids’ Mile! The Kids’ Mile begins at 8:45 a.m., and the 5K starts at 9:00 a.m. Both events begin and end at Hound Song Brewing Co. (535 Walnut, Columbus). All adult registered participants will receive a free beer from Hound Song Brewing (21+ with a valid ID) and an event t-shirt. Kids will receive a t-shirt and a free non-alcoholic drink. The race is stroller- and dog-friendly – bring the whole family! For registration information, visit https://runintexas.redpodium. com/magnolia-days-5k-and-kids-mile-2026.
“We are so excited about this year’s Magnolia Days Festival and look forward to welcoming families and music lovers from all over Texas,” said Shelley Janik, Columbus Chamber of Commerce executive director. “With free admission, live music, family-friendly fun, historic property tours and amazing shopping on the Square, there is something for everyone to enjoy. It’s definitely ‘big time fun in small town Texas’!”
For more information about the 2026 Magnolia Days Festival, visit www. magnoliadays.org or follow the festival on Facebook at @MagnoliaDaysFestival and on Instagram at @magnoliadaysfest. The fun begins at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 15, and at Noon on Saturday, May 16. Magnolia Days Festival is a rain-or-shine event.
