It’s officially fall, so the weather will get cooler, the leaves will change and you can start pulling out your sweaters…well, sorta… We all know that in Texas, we’ve still got a few more weeks (or months…) of blazing hot weather, meaning that you’re gonna need something else to help you feel those warm, cozy fall feelings. So here’s a list of festivals around Texas to get you in that fall mood!
Fort Worth Oktoberfest – Fort Worth
Picture by Trinity River Vision Authority
Toast the beginning of fall with the Fort Worth Oktoberfest on Sept. 22-24! At this festival, you’ll find no shortage of epic German fun, from authentic schnitzel, sausage and strudel to live music and dancing! And don’t miss the ceremonial tapping of the Spaten kegs on Thursday night. There will even be fun German games like a Stein Hoisting Competition, in which contestants must hold a liter of beer (which weighs 5 pounds) out in front of them for as long as they can without sloshing the beer! Find more information here.
Texas State Forest Festival – Lufkin
Picture by the Texas State Forest Festival
Head to the Texas State Forest Festival for all kinds of forest fun from Sept. 21-25. There’s no telling what you’ll find at this fest, from a carnival and kid’s tractor pull competition to a stunt dog show and a jalapeno eating contest! The event also includes performances by World Champion chopping team, the Axe Women Loggers of Maine. Learn more about the festival here.
25th Annual Cotton Pickin’ Fair – Hillsboro
Picture by Sheri Himrick.
Join the folks of Hillsboro for their 25th Annual Cotton Pickin’ Fair from Sept. 23 – 24. There will be a craft fair, a BBQ Championship, and live performances by the Tejas Brothers and more! Kids can enjoy climbing through obstacle courses and whooshing down slides at Inflatable Alley, as well as water slides, laser-tag and a zipline. Click here for more information.
Kolache Fest – Hallettsville
There is no better way to celebrate the beginning of fall then with all the kolaches you can stuff in your mouth! So join Hallettsville for Kolache Fest on Sept. 24. Not only will there be various vendors selling homemade kolaches and other goodies, there will also be a kolache-eating contest, live music and polka-dancing, a classic car show, and more! Find more information here.
Texas Craft Brewers Festival – Austin
Picture by Tyler Malone.
Nothing says fall like a cold beer on tap, and this Austin festival features over 60 Texas craft breweries. From Spoetzl and Saint Arnold to Live Oak Brewing and Whitestone Brewing, at this festival there’s plenty of beer to go around. So grab your friends and toast to fall at the Texas Craft Brewers Festival on Sept. 24. Find more information here.
Surftoberfest – Corpus Christi
Picture by DLG Photography.
Surf out of summer and into fall at Corpus Christi’s tropical twist on this German festival. Surftoberfest on Oct. 1 combines all the fun of beer and the beach mixed in one! There will be live performances by POLKA bands, Steven James & The Jaded, Larry Joe Taylor and more! And while you get your dance on, you can enjoy dozens of local and German beers on tap and chow on gourmet eats from local food trucks! Find more information here.
Big Country Balloon Fest – Abilene
Picture by Doug Hodel
Join Abilene for high-flying adventure at the Big Country Balloon Fest on Sept. 23-25, a festival that’s been a beloved tradition since 1994. The festival will feature Hot Air Balloon and Kite Demos, as well as tethered balloon rides. Throughout the evening, there will be live performances by Kirk House, Treading Water and more! There will also be mechanical bull rides, inflatable slides, and a Children’s Area. Click here for more information.
Oktoberfest – Fredericksburg
Picture by Oktoberfest in Fredericksburg.
Say “gutentag” to this German tradition that’s been happening in Fredericksburg for the past 36 years! During this three day festival from Sept. 30-Oct. 2, you can enjoy live Polka music, all the Chicken dancing you can handle, authentic German food and over 50 beers on tap! There will also be artwork and crafts on sale, as well as a kids’ area. Click here for more information.
Punkin Days – Floydada
Head to this Panhandle town that’s the official “Pumpkin Capital of Texas” for an epic fall celebration on Oct. 8. You can stock up on pumpkins, take part in the pumpkin pie contest and even play Cow Patty Bingo! The festival also features a craft fair, car show, 5-K run and more! Visit http://www.floydadachamber.com/punkin-days for more information.
Gruene Music Wine Fest – New Braunfels
No one throws a party like the folks of Gruene! Join them for their 30th Annual Music and Wine Fest from Oct. 6-9, where you can ring in fall with tons of wines, delicious foods and live performances by Jack Ingram, The Marshall Tucker Band and more! There will also be a craft fair, wine and beer tasting events, a silent auction and plenty of prizes! Ticket proceeds benefit the United Way of Comal County. Find more information and purchase your tickets here.
39th Annual Scarecrow Fest – Chappell Hill
Picture by Joel Romo/ Texana Public Affairs
Join the folks of Chappell Hill for their 39th Annual Scarecrow Festival on Oct. 8-9. This free festival includes a craft fair, live entertainment and a Children’s Activity Corner with with face painting, barrel train, pony rides and more! You can also enjoy fantastic homecooking and tours of historic Chappell Hill. For more information, visit their website.
