Share
With fall now upon us, Texas is brimming with events that highlight the season’s best activities. We have curated a list of exciting destinations and must-do experiences across the Lone Star State. Whether you’re looking for Halloween thrills or Oktoberfest celebrations, explore our roundup of some of the most amazing events happening this season in Texas.
San Antonio Area
San Antonio’s Día de los Muertos, the largest Day of the Dead celebrations in the United States, returns Oct. 25 – Nov. 3 with vibrant parades, altar displays, and cultural performances. The Day of the Dead River Parade on Oct. 25 features elaborately decorated floats along the San Antonio River, bringing together thousands to honor the memory of loved ones. Throughout the city, various locations such as Market Square, the San Antonio Museum of Art, and local businesses set up community altars. These ofrendas are adorned with photographs, flowers, candles, and offerings to honor deceased loved ones. Visitors can participate in these traditions by adding their own contributions or simply observing the beautiful displays. Muertos Fest (Oct 26-27) returns to the Hemisfair District for an 11th year of celebration with a two-day celebration.
The Westin Riverwalk’s Day of the Dead River Parade Experience
Buy your tickets to celebrate spooky season with The Westin Riverwalk, San Antonio as they host their annual Day of the Dead River Parade Experience on Oct. 25. Enjoy prime seating along the Riverwalk for the best parade views, indulge in exquisite dining and cocktails, and revel in live music, stilt walkers, sugar skull face painting and other fun surprises.
Six Flags Fiesta Texas’ Fright Fest
Six Flags Fiesta Texas’ Fright Fest is a popular event for thrill-seekers. Open on select days Sep. 7 – Nov. 3, Fright Fest offers haunted attractions, themed rides, and scare zones. This year’s NEW haunts include:
- Stranger Things – The students of Hawkins School District decide to team up to create a little innocent Halloween fun for their community – but things quickly flip upside down and morph into something far darker.
- The Conjuring Universe – Strap in for a tour of the Warrens’ most hair-raising and gruesome cases including those that inspired The Conjuring, Annabelle, and The Nun. In each investigation, encounters with cursed artifacts make you the target of possession.
Food enthusiasts can savor the flavors of San Antonio on Oct. 2 at the ¡Provecho! Food Festival, which celebrates the city’s diverse food scene. Hosted by the San Antonio Hospitality Foundation, this event will be held at the University of Texas San Antonio Southwest Campus beginning at 6 p.m. Guests can visit different culinary stations and savor a variety of exquisite dishes prepared by talented chefs and culinary students.
The 18th Annual San Antonio Beer Festival, the city’s original beer fest, will be Saturday, Oct. 19 at Crockett Park. Festival goers will enjoy hundreds of premium and craft beers from breweries around the world, as well as music, food, games and more. Buy your tickets now! A portion of the proceeds benefit the San Antonio Food Bank.
Stable Stein Fest: An Oktoberfest Celebration
Enjoy free entry to this Oktoberfest celebration at Stable Hall with traditional polka music, German bites, Stein Holding competition, raffle tickets and more. Stable Stein Fest: An Oktoberfest Celebration will be on Saturday, October 5 from 1- 8 p.m. Even though this event is FREE, you must RSVP through the TIXR page HERE. Entry is first come, first serve with limited capacity, RSVP does not guarantee entry. Picnic table open seating is available to guests on a first come, first serve basis.
Briscoe Western Art Museum’s exhibit – Storytellers: Narrative Art and the West
The Briscoe Western Art Museum preserves and presents the art, history and culture of the American West through engaging exhibitions, educational programs and public events reflective of the region’s rich traditions and shared heritage. Check out their new exhibit this fall! Opening Oct. 4, Storytellers: Narrative Art and the West reveals a window into the rich history, culture and landscapes of the Southwest, sharing the breadth of narrative art produced in the Southwest from the early twentieth century to today. The exhibition features more than 70 remarkable works curated from the prestigious collections of the New Mexico Museum of Art, the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture, the Briscoe and private lenders. The exhibition is included with museum admission.
Briscoe Community Ofrenda, Art and Día de los Muertos: Sharing the Stories of the Departed
In celebration of Dia de los Muertos, the community is invited to participate in the Briscoe’s community ofrenda honoring influential figures in Western art and the American West through Nov. 4. Everyone is welcome to add photos of lost loved ones and personal offerings to help celebrate their lives. The ofrenda will be on display in the museum lobby and free Día de los Muertos-themed crafts will be available for those who would like to participate.
Enjoy a Día de los Muertos painting session led by energetic and charismatic international artist Gio DiZurita on Oct. 17. Based in San Antonio, DiZurita tells stories through her art, an everlasting transformation of life experiences. Create your own Catrina or sugar skull masterpiece while sipping beer, wine, or prickly pear margaritas. You’ll create an acrylic painting on an 11 x 14 canvas in a hands-on session with Gio as she guides guests through a take-home work of art. Registration for this 21+ event is per person and includes beer, wine and all supplies. Class size is limited, so register today to secure your spot.
Join local artist Adriana Gamez on Oct. 27 as she leads guests through a sugar skull piñata class, sharing cultural insights and crafting techniques while helping everyone create a sugar skull piñata filled with Mexican candy. Light refreshments and all supplies needed to create an 11” inch piñata, as well as the candy, are included. Participants also receive admission to the museum. One ticket per person, both adults and children, is required. Two sessions are being held to accommodate everyone, but spots are limited so register quickly to avoid missing out.
Also Oct. 27, artist Renée Letapi-Gamez leads everyone in painting miniature sugar skull canvases you can take home to commemorate Día de los Muertos. A student at the University of Texas at San Antonio, Renée Letapi-Gamez draws inspiration from Latin culture and is a Día de los Muertos aficionado. Her focus is on small works inspired by catrinas, calveras and alebrijes. She’ll share her passion for these traditional elements of Día de los Muertos and help everyone create their own miniatures. The drop-in activity is included with museum admission and all materials are provided.
Bryan College Station
Great Escapes RV Resort – Halloween-themed Weekends
The recently expanded Great Escapes Bryan-College Station resort boasts more than 80 acres of family oriented attractions, activities and accommodations. Special Halloween themed weekends run now through Oct. 27. Pumpkin painting and other themed arts and crafts will bring out the creativity in kids. Games will run the gauntlet from pumpkin rolls and spider races to monster bingo and candy corn counting. Guests with the most imaginative costumes will win prizes, as will those with the best site decorations.
Along with Halloween, fall in Bryan College Station means Aggie football. Great Escapes is a great place to stay on football weekends. Don’t have tickets? Experience all the excitement with fellow guests who tailgate Texas-style.
Austin
Werewolf Costume Contest and Dog Pawty
Does your dog have the best costume? Then head to Meanwhile Brewing Co. on Oct. 30 for a fun-filled evening in support of Happy Hearts Dog Rescue! Explore the All About Dogs Market featuring local dog-friendly vendors and activities, all while enjoying music from DJ Kurt Lammers . Shop for locally made treats, leashes, collars, bandanas, and more! The fun begins at 6 p.m. RSVP here.
Bastrop
Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort & Spa – Autumn Harvest Festival
A Texas destination resort nestled along the banks of the Lower Colorado River, Lost Pines makes the perfect retreat for those looking to experience the best of fall. From seasonal dining specialties to outdoor adventures like golf, stargazing, and horseback riding, there are activities for the whole family to enjoy. On Oct. 12, guests are invited to celebrate the season at the annual fall festival that includes hayrides, a sprawling pumpkin patch, face painting, exciting games, and festive menus to fall-inspired brews and cocktails.
Hill Country
50th Anniversary of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Hooper’s Restaurant, a Kingsland, Texas-based eatery, is thrilled to host a 50th-anniversary celebration of the 1974 horror classic, “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” on Oct. 26. Hooper’s is located in the iconic house from the film, and will be hosting a weekend packed with unique experiences.
This event will feature appearances by your favorite The Texas Chainsaw Massacre actors and contributors: Roger Bartlett, Ed Guinn, Teri McMinn, John Dugan, Bill Vail, Ed Neal, and Allen Danzinger. Come enjoy live music, a haunted house, photo ops, purchase some spooky goodies, themed eats, and stay for a screening of the classic horror film on The Lawn. BYOC – Bring your own chair or blanket to enjoy the music and movie on The Lawn. Enter one of the costume contests throughout the weekend for a chance to win limited edition The Texas Chainsaw Massacre gear. Wristbands include access to all weekend events at Hooper’s and The Lawn. Buy your wristbands here.
Fort Worth Area
Texas Nature Traders at the Fort Worth Zoo
The standout interactive experience for kids is the one-of-a-kind Texas Nature Traders Program at the Fort Worth Zoo, which is housed in the Texas Wild! habitat, the Zoo’s reimagined and newly renovated home to native Texas reptiles and amphibians. Children from across the Lone Star State can bring in any objects they find in the outdoors to the Zoo, from antlers, horns and snakeskin sheds to intriguing rocks and shells. Members of the program can “trade in” their natural discovery for points or another found object in the collection, encouraging outdoor exploration and learning about wildlife conservation.
The Fort Worth Zoo also offers exciting Quests for Traders to complete at home and earn more points, which include hiking, identifying different insect species, volunteering in their local community, and more.
Fort Worth Stockyards’ Treat Street Halloween Festival
On Oct. 31 from 5-7 p.m., the Stockyards will come alive with Halloween magic for their Treat Street – Stockyards Spooktacular Halloween Festival! Enjoy trick-or-treating for kids 12 and under, hayrides, face painting, Legends of Texas Spooktacular Shows, and a costume contest across the Exchange Lawn. Don’t miss out on the Halloween fun!
In the mood for an extra spook? With its storied past, the paranormal activity found in the Fort Worth Stockyards is one of the most active in the US. Visitors can enjoy The Stockyards Ghost Tour, a 90 minute walking tour where stories of paranormal activity as well as detailed history of the district will be shared – the Bordello Brothel, the legendary shootouts, the hangings and much more.
Grapevine
Great Wolf Lodge Howl-O-Ween Grapevine
Great Wolf Lodge is bringing a spooky season touch to its resorts in celebration of the most haunting time of the year, Howl-O-Ween. Throughout October, families can join the pumpkin pack with a wide variety of seasonal festivities designed to get every member of the family into the Halloween spirit. This year’s spooktacular event will include the family favorite Trick-Or-Treat Trail, Monster Bash Dance Party, Howl-O-Ween Arts & Crafts and more!
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Cover photo Kelly Jean on Unsplash
