Austin, TX is the Hot Rod Capital of the World for the 22nd Annual Lonestar Round Up - May 2 & 3rd, 2025
The Lonestar Rod & Kustom Round Up is proud to celebrate 22 years of hosting this legendary Texas-sized car show and live music festival! Thousands of vintage hot rods and custom cars will be making their way to Austin as hot rodders, car enthusiasts, and gearheads from around the globe come together for this yearly event. The Lonestar Round Up is a homegrown Austin tradition that combines vintage cars, live music, artists, shopping, a massive swap meet, and much more.
(Austin, TX, May 2025; source: Lonestar Round Up) – The Lonestar Rod & Kustom Round Up will celebrate its 22nd annual show in Austin, TX at the Travis County Expo Center (7311 Decker Lane) Friday and Saturday May 2 & 3rd, 2025.
What started out over two decades ago as a small gathering of hot rodders, artists and musicians on a small football field in Austin, is now one of the biggest and best hot rod and custom car shows in the world. And since we’re in Austin, it’s also a great live music festival with amazing bands playing all day onstage while everyone enjoys checking out miles and miles of amazing vintage rides from hot rodded Model T and Model A Fords from the 1920s and 30s to custom Chevys, Buicks, Mercurys, Cadillacs and more from the pre-war era to the early 60s. Some cars are adorned with sparkling custom candy and metalflake paintjobs, pinstriping or flames and dressed up in shining chrome - while others are more purpose-built race cars like the nostalgic alcohol-fueled dragsters who fire up their engines each day for an earthshaking “cacklefest”. Each car reflects the individuality and craftsmanship of its creator. Enthusiastic owners from across the country travel to Austin to participate in this annual event, while fans from around the globe, including England, Sweden, Italy, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, make the pilgrimage to experience the unique atmosphere of the Lonestar Round Up year after year.
“Simply put, it is the best damned car show in America. Period.”
“What can be said about the Lonestar Round Up - Austin, Texas’ pride and joy of an annual “to do” - that hasn’t already been put in print, or uttered from one person to the next, for that matter? Nothing. It’s without a doubt one of the nation’s best hot rod and custom events.”
In the middle of the huge car show is a stage featuring live music all weekend – Friday’s bands include Marti Brom + Rosie Flores & The Rattleshakes, Redd Volkaert, Vicky Tafoya & the Big Beat, and Deke Dickerson & The Whippersnappers. Saturday’s entertainment features The Rock-A-Sonics, The Jungle Rockers, THE RETURN of the Legendary Rockabilly Trio High Noon, The Paladins and finishing with Los Skarnales.
The Lonestar Round Up also features some of the most creative and talented kustom culture and automotive artists working today selling their work. Shop from a unique line up of vendors who will be selling everything from haircuts and makeovers to vintage clothes and handmade art and jewelry. A giant swap meet offers vintage auto parts and accessories, signs, and collectables. Plenty of food and drinks from local food trucks and vendors will keep you going as you explore all there is to see and do over two days out at the Travis County Expo Center.
It’s a great weekend for friends and families to come and enjoy this uniquely Texas twist on a celebration of the American automotive art form. Admission is available at the gate, and is just $20 for a weekend wristband that is good for entry both Friday and Saturday. Kids under 12 are FREE and so is general admission parking. Gates open at 10am both days and the show goes till 6pm.
###