“Texas’ Most Historic Music Venue”
75 Years of Sound, Soul, and Legends.
Birth of a Legend
Since opening its doors in 1950, the Longhorn Ballroom has stood as a landmark of Texas culture; a place where the spirit of the state, the sound of its people, and the legends of American music have collided for more than seven decades. Originally built for Bob Wills, the King of Western Swing, the Ballroom quickly became known as one of the most electric stages in the country. A place where the dance floor never slept, where the line between performer and audience dissolved, and where every night felt like a story waiting to be told.
The Past: Icons, Outlaws & Unforgettable Nights
Through the decades, the Longhorn Ballroom became a sanctuary for artists on every edge of the musical map: country giants, jazz innovators, soul and R&B trailblazers, Tejano stars, punk revolutionaries, and rock legends. Its stage has held the weight of history, hosting performances that shaped Dallas culture and rippled across the nation.
From Bob Wills to Nat King Cole, from Patsy Cline to James Brown, from the Sex Pistols to Willie Nelson — the Ballroom earned its reputation as the room where anything could happen. Explore the full history and legendary performances:
The Present
Restored, Revitalized & Back In Full Force
Today, the Longhorn Ballroom stands proudly restored, not as a museum, but as a living, breathing legend dedicated to world-class live music, cultural gatherings, and unforgettable nights in Dallas.
The Ballroom retains its iconic charm, but every corner has been carefully revived: upgraded sound and lighting, thoughtful design elements, a renewed stage, and a hospitality experience made for modern audiences while honoring the Ballroom’s rugged elegance.
The Longhorn Ballroom once again hosts sold-out shows, headline tours, local showcases, community events, and the next generation of artists stepping into a legendary spotlight.
The Future
A Evolving Cultural Campus
As the Longhorn Ballroom enters a new era, it becomes the centerpiece of a much larger vision: The Longhorn Cultural Campus, a multi-venue destination designed for music, arts, food, creativity, and community.
This evolving campus includes the outdoor Amphitheater, creative coworking offices, artist lofts, and soon, additional venues, experiences, and public spaces that expand the Longhorn legacy into a full cultural ecosystem.
What began as a single legendary ballroom is now transforming into a cultural campus for Dallas — one that honors its past while building the next 75 years of Texas creativity.