Post Date: 7/21/2026 11:00 AM

The City of Carrollton is excited to announce platinum-selling alt rock band Toad the Wet Sprocket as the headlining entertainment for the City’s signature event, the 16th annual Festival at the Switchyard. Known for their multi-platinum success, Eve 6 along with fan-favorite Wheatus will round out a star-studded roster of rockers on Saturday, November 7 in Downtown Carrollton (1106 S. Broadway Street).

Toad the Wet Sprocket began in 1986 as four high school friends from Santa Barbara, California playing rock music in a tract home. They independently recorded debut album Bread & Circus, but the 1991 album Fear launched the group to mainstream success. New listeners were introduced to Toad the Wet Sprocket when songs “All I Want” and “Walk on the Ocean” achieved top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. In 1994, the band released Dulcinea, marking two consecutive platinum-selling albums and featuring Modern Rock chart-toppers “Fall Down” and “Something’s Always Wrong.” Superfans might remember the group’s songs featured in iconic shows, such as “All I Want” and “Amnesia” setting angsty moods during the first season of “Dawson’s Creek” and “Good Intentions” featured on the Friends Original TV Soundtrack. These anthems and more never failed to hit all the right notes with the band’s catchy melodies and lyrics that cut straight to listeners’ hearts. Toad the Wet Sprocket’s members are celebrating the band’s 40th anniversary this year, and to mark the occasion, they released the album Rings: The Acoustic Sessions, featuring intimate reimaginings of fan-favorite songs. Festivalgoers can look forward to experiencing countless hits when gathering in the Downtown Square for Toad the Wet Sprocket’s electric performance.

Rock band Eve 6 will deliver a raw, exciting opening for Toad the Wet Sprocket. Formed in 1995 in La Crescenta, California, the group was a mainstay on MTV in the early 2000s. The young band released self-titled album Eve 6 to a warm reception in 1998. The album went platinum, and the single “Inside Out” topped the Modern Rock charts, boosted by MTV video plays for fans who couldn’t get enough of the track’s clever lyrical wordplay and punk rock power chords. In 2000, Eve 6’s second album Horrorscope produced the major mainstream hit “Here’s to the Night,” which charted on the Billboard Hot 100. During many senior proms, graduation parties, and late-night car rides, listeners experienced the moody vocals and full string arrangement of Eve 6’s more melancholy side. The group reunited in 2007 after a three-year break, releasing albums Speak in Code in 2012, Hyper Relevisation in 2022, and most recently Dream Fist in 2024. The band continues to blend genres, such as grunge and punk, into its music as the group’s sound has evolved. Fans can look forward to a speaker-quaking, energetic show from Eve 6 at this year’s Festival.

With followers spanning generations, pop-rock band Wheatus will take the stage before Eve 6. Formed in 1995 in Northport, New York, the group released a self-titled debut album in 2000, which included the smash hit “Teenage Dirtbag.” The endearingly self-deprecating and angsty single charted at number one in Australia and number two in the United Kingdom. The band continued to release music into the 2000s, such as albums Too Soon Monsoon in 2005 and Pop, Songs & Death in 2012, while playing shows for fans worldwide. In the years since the song’s release, “Teenage Dirtbag” has enjoyed a cultural renaissance due to a viral TikTok trend embraced by fans old and new, leading to the single’s re-emergence on the U.K. Top 40 charts in 2023. Former and current teenage dirtbags can look forward to singing along with the group during Wheatus’ exciting show.

Before the evening’s headlining entertainment, tribute band HeartByrne will transform Downtown Carrollton into a Talking Heads dance party straight from the 1970s. HeartByrne celebrates Talking Heads and David Byrne’s iconic sound by recreating the frenetic energy, driving synthesizers, and exciting experimentation of the new wave movement. Festivalgoers can groove alongside the talented musicians onstage to songs fusing pop, funk, art rock, and African rhythms, and expect to feel like a real live wire while enjoying hits such as “Psycho Killer,” “And She Was,” and “Burning Down the House.”

Country music fans won’t want to miss Southwest songstress Bri Bagwell’s return to the main stage in the afternoon. Bagwell previously performed at the third annual Festival at the Switchyard in 2012. Based in New Braunfels, she was named Texas Female Artist of the Decade and has shared the stage with talented artists such as Willie Nelson, Miranda Lambert, and fellow past Festival performer Robert Earl Keen. Her 2022 album Corazon y Cabeza featured Texas chart-topping songs “Trenches” and “Hello Highway.” Attendees can enjoy the local artist’s familiar country sound mixed with her wholly unique songwriting.

Dallas-based entertainers Midtown 10 will get the party started early before Bri Bagwell’s performance. With more than 17 years of experience and now part of the Emerald City family of bands, Midtown 10 combines the energy of live vocals and instruments with all the fun of a DJ. With styles such as EDM, hip-hop, and electro-pop, the band is sure to delight the Carrollton crowd with their irresistible covers of chart-topping crowd pleasers.

The 10-piece Latin band Elias Y Su Orquesta will follow up the main stage opener. Performing songs in both English and Spanish, Elias Y Su Orquesta puts on a show packed with the vibrant rhythms of salsa, merengue, and bachata, all performed with live instruments and vocals. The band features international musicians from Venezuela, Colombia, and Ukraine who bring authentic sounds and infectious grooves to any stage.

The group Bird Brains, featuring the talents of instructors from Downtown Carrollton’s very own music studio, Lark Music Loft, will open the day’s entertainment. Performing on the main stage just directly across from where they usually instruct students in piano, guitar, drums, and vocal performance, Bird Brains will instead school festivalgoers on how to put on a rocking good show featuring covers of timeless Top 40 hits.

Main Stage Schedule*

In addition to free concerts, the award-winning Festival at the Switchyard features free rides and games, front-of-stage community performances, free face painting and balloon twisting, a beer garden, an array of mouthwatering food vendors, and eclectic craft vendors and Downtown businesses to shop from. The event is held on the streets of Downtown Carrollton, just off IH-35E and Belt Line Road, steps away from the Downtown Carrollton Station on the DART Green and Silver Line. Festivalgoers are highly encouraged to park at the North Carrollton/Frankford Station or Trinity Mills Station and ride DART to the Festival site, as parking is extremely limited.

Festival sponsors to date include Bright Event Rentals, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), Western Extrusions, Dallas Morning News, EVIVA Trinity Mills Station, Texans Credit Union, Whataburger, Advance America, Clown Around Party Rental, Just4Kids Urgent Care, Leaf Filter Gutter Protection, Oncor, Power Home Remodeling, Springhill Suites by Marriott Dallas Lewisville, Statewide Remodeling, FastSigns of Carrollton, and Lark Music Loft.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available for the event, which consistently draws 35,000-40,000+ attendees. Visit carrolltonfestival.com or email festival@cityofcarrollton.com for more information about the various Festival sponsorship packages available.

Stay connected to all Festival entertainment news at carrolltonfestival.com and on social media at facebook.com/CarrolltonFestival, x.com/carrolltonfest, and Instagram.com/carrolltonfestival.

Festival at the Switchyard Vendor Applications Open
Post Date: 6/1/2026 2:43 PM

As of July 21: The 2026 Festival at the Switchyard is currently full on both food and craft vendors. Fill out an Interested Vendor Form to be placed on this year's waiting list and to receive information about next year's event.

The City of Carrollton has opened applications for craft and food vendors to participate in the 16th annual Festival at the Switchyard set for Saturday, November 7 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. in Historic Downtown Carrollton (1106 S. Broadway Street).

The award-winning Festival at the Switchyard consistently draws 30,000-40,000 people to Downtown Carrollton to enjoy free concerts with nationally known headliners, local community talent, free rides and games, and shopping opportunities. Participating as a vendor offers the chance to sell tangible goods on-site at the event. The Festival is seeking unique food vendors to give attendees a variety of mouthwatering dining options, with spots available for booths as well as food trucks or trailers. Local businesses selling handmade goods such as jewelry, clothing, artwork, crafts, pre-packaged snack items, and more can apply to be artisan/craft vendors.

The 2026 vendor application is now open through Wednesday, September 30 by 11:59 p.m. The application is available to download on the Vendors page at carrolltonfestival.com. Vendor booth spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and vendors who apply before Friday, July 31 will receive a $25 discount. Businesses and non-profits that do not sell tangible goods will only be allowed to participate as sponsors.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available for local and national businesses to get their name out to the Carrollton community, Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, and beyond. Become a sponsor to receive high visibility and positive brand reinforcement delivered with impact and frequency in online and offline media, social media, advertising, and other forms of publicity. For more information and to view the Festival sponsorship brochure, visit the Sponsors page at carrolltonfestival.com.

For more information about Festival vendor or sponsorship opportunities, email festival@cityofcarrollton.com or call 972-466-3084.

Festival at the Switchyard Sponsorship Opportunities Available
Post Date: 5/20/2026 12:22 PM

The City of Carrollton once again welcomes businesses of all sizes to boost brand visibility not only within the community, but across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and beyond by becoming an official sponsor of the City’s signature event – the 16th annual Festival at the Switchyard.

This year’s event will be held Saturday, November 7 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. in Historic Downtown Carrollton (1106 S. Broadway Street). The Festival features free family-friendly concerts from nationally known headliners, local craft and artisan booths, a variety of food vendors, a beer garden, unique Downtown shopping opportunities, and a free activity area for kids with rides, games, face painting, and more.

The Festival is a beloved tradition in the Carrollton community, drawing 35,000 to 40,000 music lovers, foodies, and shoppers to Historic Downtown to enjoy the festivities, making it the flagship event for brands seeking to stand out in a sea of fall festivals. The event offers a unique opportunity to engage with guests across demographics, from young families to long-time fans of the event’s headlining bands.

With a robust promotional calendar, the Festival at the Switchyard has legs to effectively carry a company’s message. Sponsors receive prominent and positive brand reinforcement delivered with impact and frequency in online and offline media, social media, advertising, and other forms of publicity. Becoming a sponsor also provides opportunities to advertise at the event itself, from a booth space to interact with customers, live mentions on-stage, logo inclusion on the 25-foot-tall main stage banners, ad placement in the event program, and more.

A variety of sponsorship packages are available, and custom packages are available by request. To continue offering free, exciting fun for the community, 100 percent of sponsor dollars will be used to offset entertainment and production costs for this year’s Festival at the Switchyard.

For more information, view the Festival at the Switchyard Sponsorship Opportunities brochure on the Sponsors page at carrolltonfestival.com. To become a sponsor, email festival@cityofcarrollton.com or call 972-466-3597.