City of Temple cancels 2026 Tanglefoot Music & BBQ Festival

TEMPLE, Texas (KWTX) - The City of Temple on Monday announced that “after careful consideration,” it has decided not to move forward with the Tanglefoot Music & BBQ Festival in 2026.

According to the City, the inaugural festival, held in September 2025, brought thousands of visitors to downtown Temple.

The City said the festival “highlighted [Temple’s] growing role as a destination for music, food, and community experiences.”

In Sept. 2025, Temple city leaders told KWTX the first ever Tanglefoot Music Festival was a huge success despite the city reportedly losing more than $900,000.

“As with any new event, it’s important to look at the full picture. Tanglefoot brought energy and visitors to Temple and created regional activity, while also requiring a significant initial investment. Both of those things are true, and both are important as we evaluate the path forward,” said Temple City Manager Brynn Myers.

The festival was funded through Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) funds, which are restricted by state law for tourism-related activities and cannot be used for general city services such as public safety, streets, or utilities.

The City said the goal of the investment was to attract new visitors, support local businesses, and generate economic activity within the community.

City leaders plan to “reevaluate priorities and better align future events with community expectations and the city’s strategic priorities.”

“We’re proud of the effort that went into launching a new festival and grateful to the residents, vendors, sponsors, and performers who made it possible. Now, we want to build on that experience in a way that reflects what our community values most,” Myers added.

There are no immediate plans for the festival’s return, but the City “remains committed to investing in initiatives that bring people together, support local businesses, and enhance quality of life in Temple.”