A “ring of fire” annular solar eclipse is coming to Texas and you don’t have much time left to make a plan. On October 14, 2023, the 125 miles wide path of the “ring of fire” solar eclipse will surge across the Lone Star state between 11:41 a.m. CDT and 12:00 p.m. CDT, according to GreatAmericanEclipse.com, with a long partial solar eclipse either side.
Remote West Texas, San Antonio, Corpus Christi and Padre Island National Seashore will all see the “ring of fire,” but so will Texas Hill Country—and for this particular region of rolling hills and vineyards, it’s merely a warm-up.
For just 177 days later something even rare and much more impactful will be seen from the likes of Kerrville, Bandera, Uvalde, Vanderpool, Junction and Rocksprings. On April 8, 2024—for the second time in under six months—these locations will see another partial solar eclipse, but at the event’s peak the sun will totally eclipsed.
Celestial Good Luck
Given that total solar eclipses occur about once every 400 years in any given place on Earth, this is celestial good luck of the highest order. Not only that, but this region is considered to have the best prospects of a clear sky of the entire path through the U.S. (though it also crosses Mexico, where the odds are higher again). For both eclipses, NASA will be live streaming from Kerrville. Statistically, Junction and Kerrville have the best prospects of a clear sky for both eclipses, according to eclipse meteorologist Jay Anderson at Eclipsophile.com.
Check out this interactive Google map showing both eclipse paths and you’ll see exactly what’s going on as the 120 miles wide paths of the two solar eclipses, on October 14 and April 8, respectively, cross to create 14,000 square miles of lucky country. About 25,000-50,000 visitors are expected around October 14 and over 100,000 around April 8, according to MySanAntonio.
Here are 10 festivals and events in the crosshairs of the two eclipses, so being held twice—once for the “ring of fire” (considered something of a warm-up) and again in April for the total solar eclipse, America’s last until 2044:
1. Solar Eclipse Village, Uvalde
“Ring of fire” on October 14: 11:49 a.m. CDT, 4 minutes 35 seconds
Totality on April 8, 2024: 1:30 p.m. CDT, 4 minutes 26 seconds
Bang on the centerline close to the Frio River in garner State Park, Solar Eclipse Village (October 14-16, free) is the place to head of you’re a science buff. A full program of lectures, activities and guided eclipse viewing, astrophotography sessions and a guided stargazing tour on the Saturday will be followed on Sunday by a preview of April 8’s total solar eclipse. Expect talks from eclipse experts including solar and astrophysicists, eclipse chasers, local weather experts, amateur astronomers, photographers, education providers and local planners. More information.
2. Kerrville River Festival
“Ring of fire” on October 14: 11:50 a.m. CDT, 3 minutes 57 seconds
Totality on April 8, 2024: 1:32 p.m. CDT, 4 minutes 23 seconds
Held at Kerrville’s Louise Hays Park on the Guadalupe River is, this free event on October 14 will include a free kids zone, festival vendors, drinks, live music, with NASA in attendance to live stream the eclipse on a national broadcast. Camping is available at nearby Kerrville-Schreiner Park. Expect something similar on April 8. More information.
3. TexEclipse PreParty & TexEclipse Music Festival, Junction
“Ring of fire” on October 14: 11:48 a.m. CDT, 4 minutes 15 seconds
Totality on April 8, 2024: 1:32 p.m. CDT, 3 minutes 9 seconds
Two solar eclipses in under six months will be visible from Junction in the Texas Hill Country, which will host the TexEclipse PreParty for the “ring of fire” and, come April 8, 2024, the bigger TexEclipse Music Festival. The chilli-themed TexEclipse PreParty on October 13-14, 2023 costs $20 per day and will feature a chilli cook-off, best salsa contest, best chilli pepper outfit contest a margarita mix-off. More information.
4. Welcome Home Festival 2023 & KerrEclipse 2024 Folk Festival, Medina
“Ring of fire” on October 14: 11:50 a.m. CDT, 4 minutes 24 seconds
Totality on April 8, 2024: 1:31 p.m. CDT, 4 minutes 23 seconds
Each spring since 1972 the 18-day Kerrville Folk Festival has been staged at Quiet Valley Ranch at Medina near Kerrville. Next year it gets a very special headliner when a totally eclipsed sun makes a guest appearance. It’s being held on April 5-8 with Welcome Home Fest preceding it on October 12-15. More information.
5. Stonehenge II Eclipse Celebrations, Ingram
“Ring of fire” on October 14: 11:50 a.m. CDT, 4 minutes 9 seconds
Totality on April 8, 2024: 1:31 p.m. CDT, 4 minutes 25 seconds
The original 5,000 years old Neolithic monument in Salisbury Plains, England won’t get see a major solar eclipse until June 10, 2393, but this concrete art project run by the Hill Country Arts Foundation in Ingram will get two in six months. Expect parking ($20 in October/$100 in April), some RV sites, food trucks, a beer tent and a performance in October by the New Buddy Holly Band. More information.
6. Eclipse UTOPiA, Utopia
“Ring of fire” on October 14: 11:49 a.m. CDT, 4 minutes 49 seconds
Totality on April 8, 2024: 1:30 p.m. CDT, 4 minutes 24 seconds
The Four Sisters Ranch near Bandera, Texas is hosting the family-friendly Eclipse UTOPIA, a campout promising music and unparalleled views for a maximum of 1,500 guests. Return on April 8, 2024 to experience a total solar eclipse at the same location.
7. Bandera: DinoSolar Eclipse
“Ring of fire” on October 14: 11:50 a.m. CDT, 4 minutes 34 seconds
Totality on April 8, 2024: 1:31 p.m. CDT, 4 minutes 6 seconds
The self-proclaimed “cowboy capital of the world,” Bandera’s Natural History Museum’s DinoSolar Eclipse on October 14 ($50 per car/truck) will include free crafts, t-shirts and dino tours, with an astronomer onsite for discussion and safe viewing via projections and a solar-filtered telescope. Venues across Bandera will host smaller events, including the 11th Street Cowboy Bar, Pipe Creek Roadhouse & Backyard, Pipe Creek Dance Hall, Bandera Brewery and Red Horse Saloon. April sees Bandera’s Mansfield Park Rodeo Arena host the Ground Zero Music Festival, which includes 20 bands, a full cowboy rodeo, stunt shows and a car and truck show.
8. Ring of Fire Eclipse Firewalk and Star Party, Tarpley
“Ring of fire” on October 14: 11:50 a.m. CDT, 4 minutes 47 seconds
Totality on April 8, 2024: 1:31 p.m. CDT, 4 minutes 15 seconds
This scenic camping event at Luminous Heart Ranchette near Tarpley, Texas costs $293 for two nights (October 13-15). After the “ring of fire” a path of glowing embers will be prepared for a barefoot firewalk. More information.
9. Kickapoo Cavern State Park, Kickapoo
“Ring of fire” on October 14: 11:49 a.m. CDT, 3 minutes 2 seconds
Totality on April 8, 2024: 1:29 p.m. CDT, 3 minutes 46 seconds
A park containing fourteen caves—though only one is open to the public–doesn’t at first glance seem like a great place to watch a solar eclipse. However, an organized viewing event on October 14 will take place not below ground, but at a bat deck where, suggests the website, observers may see some bats confused by the drop in light levels. The effect will be much more pronounced six months later. Passes for April’s event can be purchased up to 30 days in advance.
10. Creation Celebration, Medina
“Ring of fire” on October 14: 11:50 a.m. CDT, 4 minutes 39 seconds
Totality on April 8, 2024: 1:31 p.m. CDT, 4 minutes 19 seconds
This festival featuring Christian music (October 13-15, with a similar event in April) will include speakers, worship sessions and food trucks. More information.
Where To See The ‘Ring Of Fire’ Solar Eclipse
This annular solar eclipse must be viewed inside a narrow path across the surface of Earth that crosses Oregon, northern California, Nevada, Utah, northeastern Arizona, southwestern Colorado, New Mexico and Texas. After it leaves the U.S. it will be visible from Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Colombia and Brazil.
I’m an expert on eclipses—the editor of WhenIsTheNextEclipse.com and author of The Complete Guide To The Great North American Eclipse of April 8, 2024. For the very latest on the “ring of fire” solar eclipse check my main feed for new articles each day.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
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