Fall Festivals

The 55-foot-tall Big Tex says howdy to more than 2 million visitors to the State Fair of Texas in Dallas every year. The fair starts the last Friday of September and ends 24 days later. (Photo: Kevin Brown/State Fair of Texas)

Fall in Houston is like spring in the north. Finally, we can venture out of the climate-controlled homes and offices we’ve been hiding in without keeling over. To make your lovely weekends even more memorable, we offer these ideas.

Advocare Texas Kick-Off: Texas A&M vs. ASU 
Kick off the football season as the Texas A&M Aggies play the Arizona State University Sun Devils in an SEC/PAC 12 showdown. See details.

9th Annual Fiestas Patrias 
Fiestas Patrias, a Mexican national holiday, commemorates the call to end Spanish rule in Mexico. The celebration will feature live music, dancing and Mexican food. See details.

Running of the Bulls 5K Run/Walk 
Highlights: This fifth annual 5k winds throughout NRG Park with interactive water stops. There to cheer you on will be the Texans mascot Toro and cheerleaders. All participants will cross the finish line on the floor of NRG Stadium. Also a kids 1k. See the details.

Houston Scream Festival
Highlights: This haunted house and activity zone offers plenty of scares, paintball with zombies, live bands, horror movies, carnival games, wandering characters and costume shopping. See the details.

Original Greek Festival 
Highlights: Weekend of Greek food, traditional music, dancing and folk art. See the details.

ZiegenBock Music Festival 
Highlights: Annual music festival featuring country music. There will be three stages of live music, plus autograph sessions and food vendors. See the details.

Texas Contemporary 
Highlights: Texas Contemporary calls itself a “contemporary and modern art fair that brings the country’s best galleries to the area’s discerning collector base.” It connects artists and enthusiasts with dealers and offers artist panels. See the details. 

The Houston Italian Festival 
Highlights: Participate in such activities as the adult bocce tournament, the grape stomp contest, the classic car show and the pasta-eating contest. See the details.

Houston Poetry Festival 
Highlights: Celebrating its 30th year, the Houston Poetry Festival is one of the longest-running festivals of its kind. Visitors will be able to hear poetry from established poets as well as submit their own poetry in a juried contest. The festival welcomes those new to poetry, with workshops and classes. See the details.

Trill Comedy Festival 
Highlights: This festival, which features over 100 comedic performers, showcases national and local performers in improv, sketch, stand-up and film. Comics will hold workshops for those new to the comedy scene. See the details.

Bayou City Art Festival Downtown 
Highlights: The Bayou City Art Festival features the work of hundreds of artists from across the country, along with food trucks and activities. See the details.

2015 Korean Festival 
Highlights: The Korean Festival (K-Fest) was created to unite the Korean community in Houston and showcase Korean culture. There will be traditional food, Taekwondo demonstrations and performances of both traditional and modern Korean music. See the details.

Wings Over Houston Airshow 
Highlights: See demonstrations by military aircraft, civilian performances in stunt planes and up-close looks at retired aircraft. See the details.

Full Moon Fest 
Highlights: This annual Halloween celebration will feature pumpkin decorating, face painting and costume contests. Stay after the celebration for a movie in the park. See the details. 

Tents in Town 
Highlights: Camp out with your family at Bellaire Town Square. Each camper will receive a T-shirt, dinner on Saturday night and breakfast on Sunday morning. See the details. 

International Quilt Festival 
Highlights: Browse award-winning quilts, quilting machinery, sewing tools and antique quilts. Participate in a raffle for a chance to win a quilt made by Kimmy Brunner. See the details. 

Worth the drive

Day of the Dead/Dia de los Muertos Celebration 
Highlights: Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead), one of the oldest Latin American customs, honors those who have passed in a festive way that celebrates life. See the details. 

Texas State Fair
Highlights: Experience the essence of the Lone Star State at the Texas State Fair, with traditional Southern music, food and carnival games. Wave hello to 55-foot Big Tex. See the details.

Austin City Limits
Highlights: Started in 2002, this respected music festival is partially responsible for Austin being dubbed “The Live Music Capitol of the World.” This year’s lineup includes, among other top acts, Drake, Florence + The Machine, Foo Fighters and The Strokes. See the details. 

Texas Renaissance Festival
Highlights: Enjoy live theater, falconry demonstrations, food, music, and shopping at this sprawling festival with its own permanent grounds in the woods. See the details. 

38th Annual Scarecrow Festival
Highlights: Bring in the fall in classic Southern style. More than 250 vendors sell everything from home décor to jewelry, along with country-style food and live entertainment. See the details.