Notable Fall Festivals and Activities in Texas
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Fall in the Lone Star state is never a dull season. There are many festivals and fairs happening across Texas during autumn. These may range from music festivals, state fairs, food fests, Oktoberfests, and other themed activities.
Going to these events is a pleasant experience, the state has a lovely fall season as the average temperature hovers around 66°F to a comfortable 78°F during the day then drops into the 40-50s during the nighttime. Fall weather is ideal for going out and enjoying these outdoor events, it is not surprising that fall festivals and activities in the state are well-attended by residents and tourists.
If you want to explore the vibrant and beautiful Texan fall season, here are the top 10 notable fall festivals and activities in Texas worth visiting (listed in no particular order):
Where Are You Headed to Experience the Texan Fall?: Embark on a Texan fall adventure with our guide, showcasing the best destinations and experiences to savor the beauty and charm of autumn in the Lone Star State.
Must-Visit Fall Festivals and Activities
1. Austin City Limits Music Festival
Started in 2002, it is considered as one of the most popular music festivals in the United States the Austin City Limits (ACL) Music Festival typically is held during October, the two-weekend festival attracts popular music stars such as Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Pearl Jam, Radiohead, The Cure among many others.
This year’s ACL features a diverse lineup with nine stages and 100 plus performances. It is slated to be held on October 7-9 and 4-16 at Zilker Park, Austin. Among the music artists that will be featured include Pink, Paramore, and Red Hot Chili Peppers. If you want to head out to Austin for the 2022 ACL you check out their online site for more details.
2. Texas State Fair
The State Fair of Texas started in 1886 and it is held every year in Dallas’ Flair Park since then. The state fair in its essence celebrates all things that are Texan, promoting agriculture, education, and community involvement through quality entertainment in a family-friendly environment. It is one of the largest state fairs in the nation attended by millions of visitors. One of the main attractions in the fair is the Texas Auto Show which features the latest cars among the many participating car brands.
The Cotton Bowl Stadium in the middle of Fair Park hosts football games played by collegiate teams during the fair. A must-visit attraction is Midway where more than 70 rides are featured including the 212 feet Texas Star Ferris Wheel. This year’s Texas State Fair will run from September 30 to October 23. You can visit their website for more details.
3. Wurstfest
Way back in the 1800s German migrants settled in parts of central Texas bringing with them culture and traditions from their European homeland. The Wurstfest held in New Braunfels celebrates German history and heritage in the lone star state.
Started in 1961 as a festival to honor the sausage-making tradition of the town (Wurstfest means sausage festival in English), it has evolved into a unique 10-day festival where one can enjoy authentic German sausages, beers, music, and dancing plus exciting carnival rides and games. This year’s Wurstfest will be held from November 4 to 13. For more information about Wurstfest 2022 check their website.
4. Big Bend National Park
Located in West Texas, which borders Mexico, Big Bend National Park is one of the two national parks in the state. Its vast size and spectacular panorama make it a popular outdoor destination among Texans and tourists.
And autumn makes the Big Bend National Park more scenic and beautiful as the fall foliage accentuates its already picture-perfect landscape. Fall and spring are the best times to visit the park as temperatures are mild and generally pleasant during the day. Springtime is a peak season in the park and if you want fewer visitors fall is an ideal time to visit Big Bend (bring raincoats as it gets rainy during autumn). You can check out more details about Big Bend here at this link.
5. Texas Renaissance Festival
Dubbed Ren Fest or Ren Fair, the Texas Renaissance Festival held annually in Todd Mission (50 miles northwest of Houston) brings visitors back to the 16th century. This year’s Ren Fest will run from October 8 to November 27 and will feature themed weekends such as Oktoberfest, 1001 Dreams, Pirate’s Adventure, and All Hallow’s Eve.
If you would want to see medieval jugglers, acrobats, minstrels, and many other costumed renaissance artists then Ren Fest is the place to be. There are also old-world, food-themed outlets in the fair; I recommend going through their two-hour pub crawl. For more details and information, visit their website.
6. Oktoberfest in Fredericksburg
Oktoberfest is an annual autumn festival originally held in Munich which celebrates beer drinking. Over the years it has inspired similar celebrations all over the world and Texas is no exception. With its German immigrant population, you can find Oktoberfest celebrations in different localities across the state. One Oktoberfest worth visiting is in Fredericksburg. Their Oktoberfest celebrates the city’s German heritage with music, arts, crafts, good food, and of course great local and imported beers. This year’s Oktoberfest will happen from September 30 to October 2 at Marketplatz, downtown Fredericksburg.
Also, one reason to visit Fredericksburg during Oktoberfest is to explore the nearby Texas Hill Country during this time of the year. The crisp pleasant temperature and colorful foliage make a trip to the Hill country worthwhile. For more information on Oktoberfest in Fredericksburg, you can visit this link.
7. Chappell Hill Scarecrow Festival
Located in southeastern Texas is Chappell Hill, a small community in Washington County. It is known for its Scarecrow Festival held during autumn. The event attracts thousands of tourists gawking at hundreds of scarecrows. It is also jampacked with different fun-filled activities for the family which include pumpkin decorating, pony rides, a petting zoo, live music, and great food.
Plus there are 250 juried exhibitors ranging from home decor, gardening, jewelry, clothing, etc. This year’s Scarecrow Festival will be held on October 8 to 9, 2022. For more information check out this site.
8. Cajun Catfish Festival
About 40 miles north of Houston is the City of Conroe, in 1990 a family-friendly festival celebrating Cajun food and live music was founded by a group of residents dubbed Friends of Conroe who wanted to reinvigorate the city’s downtown area. Today, the Cajun Catfish Festival draws around 25,000 to 30,000 visitors. Aside from catfish delicacies, you’ll have the chance to try seafood gumbo, crawfish etouffee, jambalaya, and alligator on a stick which are sold by food vendors during the festival. For entertainment, you can catch country and cajun music artists performing at the festival. For details, you can visit the website of the Friends of Conroe.
9. Annual H-E-B Thanksgiving Parade
This November 24, 2022, the 73rd Annual H-E-B Thanksgiving Parade will take place in Houston. The parade will go around 20 blocks in downtown Houston featuring grandiose floats, colorful marching bands, high-flying balloons, and other elaborate unique entries.
The Annual H-E-B Thanksgiving Parade is one of the oldest thanksgiving parades in the country and the largest of its kind in Texas. You can watch the spectacle on the streets along with hundreds of thousands of residents and tourists, if you want comfort and convenience while watching the street parade, there are also pay seating sections in designated areas along the parade route.
10. CASI Terlingua International Championship Chili Cookoff
This coming October 31 to November 5 will be the much-anticipated 55th Annual CASI Terlingua International Championship Chili Cookoff. CASI stands for Chili Appreciation Society International and they have been organizing this prestigious chili cookoff since 1967 (interrupted only by the cancellation in 2020). The competition will feature eight food contests; Tuesday Chili, Traditional/Non-Traditional Salsa, Buffalo Hot Wings and Open Wings, Beans, Anything But Chili, and Saturday’s Chili Championship. The event is held at the Rancho CASI de Los Chisos inTerlingua. For details, you can check out their website.
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Exploring Texas During Fall
From football games to pumpkin patches to exploring its various trails, there are so many things to do in Texas during autumn. This is a great time to see the spectacular autumn scenery and also enjoy the pleasant weather. The various cities and counties offer a different fall experience worth discovering.
Fall Recipes and Ideas Your Kids Will Love: Delight your kids with our collection of fall recipes and ideas, designed to bring warmth and joy to the season while creating memorable moments in the kitchen with your family.
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