Falling for Festivals
This autumn brings cooler weather, we’ve compiled a list of fall festivals that you’ll find throughout the state from October through November, celebrating everything from cultures, rice, mushrooms, pumpkins, flowers, cowboys, art to beer and wine. Enjoy the change of season by attending these fall festivals.
Festivals in Houston Region & Virtual
Katy Rice Festival
October 8 to 10, 2021, Katy, Texas
Festival | Katy Rice Festival | United States
The festivities for the Katy Rice Festival begin Friday evening with an event in downtown historic Katy. The event will include live music, food trucks and beer. 6-10 p.m. Admission is free.
Viet Film Festival
October 15 to 30, 2021, VIRTUAL
Viet Film Fest - VAALA Presents Viet Film Fest
Viet Film Fest explores expanding its scope of a traditional festival; this year's edition titled will host both virtual and in-person screenings, reaching out to a broader audience than ever before. Virtual events of the festival will be accessible for attendees both in and outside of Orange County to watch films on their TV or device.
Filipino Festival
October 23, 2021, Sugarland, Texas
https://fyphouston.com
This rich cultural diversity among our Filipino people, as well as our heartwarming hospitality, is what we love to showcase in the Houston Filipino Street Festival and share with EVERYONE. This year’s festival will be on October 23, 2021 at Constellation Field - 1 Stadium Drive, Sugar Land TX. The festival will start at 12 PM and the whole day festivities will continue until 7 pm. We are planning a feast for all your senses. Come and join us as we celebrate and share our delicious food and rich culture with you!
Annual Malaysian-Singaporean Association of Houston Hawkers’ Fair
October 23, 2021, Houston, Texas
MSAH | Facebook
Come and experience mouthwatering, plate-emptying, authentic Malaysian & Singaporean food at our annual hawker fair. Come with your friends for a fun-filled event.
Indian Film Festival of Houston
October 22-23, 2021, Houston, Texas
IFFH (iffhinc.org)
The Indian Film Festival of Houston (IFFH) Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization devoted to education in the fields of film and television and in creating a greater appreciation of Indian cinema and culture by showcasing quality films that honor entertainment industry performers and film makers while promoting the diverse perspectives of the Indian Diaspora through an annual event.
Puerto Rican & Cuban Festival
October 23, 2021, Houston, Texas
PRC Festival
Houston’s Puerto Rican and Cuban Festival is an annual cultural celebration that takes place every year in September. The event features a diverse lineup of entertainment including big-name artists and local talent, spotlighting Puerto Rican and Cuban culture.
Katy Sip N Stroll
November 6, 2021, Katy, Texas
Katy Sip N Stroll (sipandstroll.com)
Katy’s most beloved and celebrated original wine and culinary event is celebrating the 22nd edition of Katy Sip N Stroll benefiting The Ballard House. Presented by Keller Williams and Kroger, this impactful event is ready to once again pour for a purpose. Katy Sip N Stroll will take place on Saturday, November 6, 2021 at The ARK by Norris Event Center.
Asia Society Texas Annual Night Market
November 12, 2021, Houston, Texas
Night Market 2021 | Asia Society
Asia Society’s Annual Night Market is back and bigger than ever! At Asia Society Texas' all-ages festival, look forward to:
- After-hours exhibition access
- Family-friendly fun at our Night in Seoul carnival
- The debut of Asia Society's Unity Wall
- Exclusive-access Beer Garden
- A sumo wrestling demonstration
- K-pop performances
- Table tennis and American Mah Jongg
- A curated selection of food, home goods, art, and apparel from local artisans
- The launch of our Night Market Stories website, highlighting dozens of local AAPI-owned restaurants and small businesses
This event is free and open to the public. Please RSVP for planning purposes.
International Risotto Festival
November 14, 2021, Houston, Texas
Risotto Festival – For Fans of Fine Food & Wine
The 15th International Risotto Festival will be held on Sunday, November 14 from 2 to 6 pm at The Houston Design Center. This gourmet strolling event includes an afternoon of delicious Italian foods and wonderful wines including samplings of antipasti, tastings of all risotto entries, Italian music and entertainment, exotic car display, activities for kids and designer showroom tours. Some of Houston’s top chefs will also be competing in this year’s competition.
Festivals outside of Houston Region & Virtual
Texas Rice Festival
September 29 to October 2, 2021, Winnie, Texas
TexasRiceFestival.com
Winnie celebrates the harvest and Texas rice farming, offering a wide assortment of activities and shows during this fun-filled family event. The festival includes a parade and pageants and contests for welding, photography, and rice cooking, to name a few. There’s a livestock show open to all children in the FFA and 4-H that are presently enrolled in primary or secondary schools in Texas, a horse show, and so much more. Of course, there’s plenty of food, drink, and music thrown into the mix, making the Texas Rice Festival a great experience for all.
Oktoberfest in Fredericksburg
October 1 to 3, 2021, Fredericksburg, Texas
Oktoberfest of Fredericksburg Texas (oktoberfestinfbg.com)
There’s no other way to celebrate an authentic Oktoberfest in Texas than at one of the most notable German towns in the state, Fredericksburg. Oktoberfest in Fredericksburg consists of live music, German beer and even a dominos tournament. This event is family-friendly, as there is a Kinder Park area for the little ones. For 40 years, Texans have been attending this authentic German festival every October.
Texas Book Festival
October 23 – 31, 2021, Austin, Texas
Texas Book Festival – October 23–31
The Texas Book Festival will take place October 23 through October 31 as a hybrid event. Starting October 23, virtual sessions will leading up to the in-person events. Texas Book Festival will host children’s storytime programming at Symphony Square’s outdoor amphitheater on Saturday, October 30, and adult programming at APL’s Central Library on Sunday, October 31, for a limited number of in-person sessions. The Festival will include a robust, diverse lineup of established, emerging, and debut literary talent for readers of all ages.
Texas Renaissance Festival
October 9 to November 28, 2021, Todd Mission, Texas
https://texrenfest.com
The Texas Renaissance Festival, dubbed Ren Fair or Ren Fest by festival-goers, occurs every fall. This fall festival is like taking a step back to the 16th century. Enjoy jousting matches, a cup of mead, and a variety of performances and craft booths. Guests and workers alike dress up in medieval attire at this popular Texas fall festival.
Chappell Hill Scarecrow Festival
October 9 to 10, 2021, Chappell Hill, Texas
Chappell Hill Scarecrow Festival - Home | Facebook
The Chappell Hill Historical Society is once again hosting the Scarecrow Festival this October in downtown historic Chappell Hill, Texas. Thousands of visitors make the pilgrimage to Washington County to hunt for artisan treasures and enjoy picturesque landscapes throughout the area, The festival attracts visitors throughout Texas and provides an opportunity for festival-goers to enjoy live music, juried arts and craft vendors and activities for the entire family.
Texas Rose Festival
October 14 to 17, 2021, Tyler, Texas
TexasRoseFestival.com
Everything’s bigger in Texas, and Tyler’s renowned Annual Rose Festival proudly stands up to this tradition. Set against a colorful backdrop of roses, the festival draws thousands of visitors each year that come to enjoy charming ceremonial events, the Texas Rose Festival Parade, the Queen’s Tea, the Coronation, and a host of fun-filled activities, food, and refreshments. Celebrating its 88th year, this iconic Texas festival is not to be missed.
Texas Mushroom Festival
October 16, 2021, Madisonville, Texas
TXMushFest.com
Did you know a fungi farm near Madisonville supplies fresh mushrooms in copious amounts to markets throughout Texas and neighboring states? With this many mushrooms around, the town is dubbed the Mushroom Capital of Texas. The festival focused on community, family, entertainment, and yes, mushrooms, kicks off with the Shiitake 5K Walk/Run. The festivities are held in the downtown square lined with vendors offering unique handmade wares and a variety of delicious foods. The event includes an art and photo contest, Taste of Texas, where you can enjoy beer and wine tastings, an auto show with trophies, and live entertainment.
East Texas Yamboree
October 20 to 23, 2021, Gilmer, Texas
Yamboree.com
Whether you’re a yam enthusiast or simply love a festive street fair, the East Texas Yamboree is the place to be. Attendees enjoy everything from the Queen’s Coronation to a boot-scootin’ barn dance, livestock and ag mechanics shows, arts and crafts exhibits, concerts, food, and refreshments. The good folks in Gilmer also love contests. The Yamboree includes a yam pie contest, a decorated yam contest, a fiddling contest, a home canning contest, and art show contests for youth and seniors.
Annual Austin Film Festival
October 21 – 28, 2021, Austin, Texas
Festival - Austin Film Festival
There is a plethora of terrific films to be seen and consumed at AFF, many that will be on the verge of release, and that you’ll later discover are Oscar® nominees. You’ll look at our eight-day film schedule and feel like an eight-year-old at an Amy’s Ice Cream counter. So many movies, so little room! Lordy, what on earth do I choose? AFF will be screening film and television premieres galore, plus competition films, documentaries, shorts. etc. with all-star line-ups and Q&As by your favorite writers, actors, and filmmakers.
Texas Book Festival
October 23 – 31, 2021, Austin, Texas
Texas Book Festival – October 23–31
The Texas Book Festival will take place October 23 through October 31 as a hybrid event. Starting October 23, virtual sessions will leading up to the in-person events. Texas Book Festival will host children’s storytime programming at Symphony Square’s outdoor amphitheater on Saturday, October 30, and adult programming at APL’s Central Library on Sunday, October 31, for a limited number of in-person sessions. The Festival will include a robust, diverse lineup of established, emerging, and debut literary talent for readers of all ages.
Wurstfest
November 5 to 14, 2021, New Braunfels, Texas
Wurstfest.com
What could be better than honoring the harvest season with a good old-fashioned German festival? New Braunfels — the first Texas colony of German immigrants — celebrates its heritage by offering Alpine and Bavarian hospitality Texas-style during its annual bash held in Wurstfest Festival Grounds near the banks of the Comal River. Festival goers enjoy food, music, dancing, exciting carnival rides, games, and various German, Texan, and domestic beer in the Biergarten
Pioneer Days
November 12 and 13, 2021, Cleburne, Texas
JCChisholmtrail.com
Step back in time to Texas in the 1800s during Pioneer Days. Held on the Chisholm Trail Outdoor Museum grounds, the annual event celebrates the history of pioneer life, the Chisholm Trail, and local history featuring historic buildings, the oldest log courthouse in Texas, and much more. Festival goers enjoy several re-enactments, Native American campsites and crafts, cowboy poetry and storytelling, musical groups, live performances, and much more, including chuckwagon cooking, horse-drawn carriages, food trucks, and vendors galore
Art & Wine Festival
November 12 and 13, 2021, Winnsboro, Texas
WinnsboroCenterForTheArts.com/art-wine-festival
You won’t find a better place to spend an autumn weekend than historic Winnsboro when it transforms into a go-to destination for art and wine lovers young and old. The art ranges from traditional to abstract and includes paintings, pottery, glass, and more from established and emerging artists. Enjoy the street fair ambiance, great food, live music, and sample beer and wine from Texas wineries and breweries. Featuring more than 45 artists, authors, and dozens of wineries and breweries, the festival offers something for everyone.
Sources: Living Magazine, Trips to Discover, Funtober
