Fall Fever

Fall vibes are in the air and so is the excitement of the season: cool(er) temperatures, pumpkin patches, pumpkin spiced everything, and, here in Houston, a lineup of lively, festive, family-friendly happenings. Embrace fall and mark your calendars for all the fun festivals that take place this time of year. Here are some to consider: 

Color Factory's Haunted Hues offers featuring fall-flavored treats (no tricks!), frightfully fun photo opportunities, and an all-new scavenger hunt perfect for all ages. 

Color Factory's Haunted Hues 
Through Oct. 31 
Color Factory 
$29+ 
Color Factory's Haunted Hues offers a Halloween experience this fall, including fall-flavored treats (no tricks!) and frightfully fun photo opps, plus the opportunity to add on a new scavenger hunt. Look forward to the fan-favorite Color Factory pumpkin, RGB ghosts, a Haunted Hues-inspired confetti room, and more.

Jump into fall fun at Discovery Green, Sept. 20-Nov. 2. Houston Pumpkin Festival attractions include a large bouncy pumpkin, more than 50+ pumpkin varieties, photo ops, a corn pit, crystal kayaks, and more. 

Houston Pumpkin Festival 
Through Sun., Nov. 2. Hours: Mon.-Thurs., 3-10 p.m. and Fri.-Sun., 10 a.m.-10 p.m. 
Discovery Green
Monday-Thursday: $18 per person; Friday-Sunday: $26 per person; Children 3 and under are free
The Houston Pumpkin Festival includes the World's Largest Bouncy Pumpkin - over 2,000 square feet in size - a huge corn pit, 50+ varieties for pumpkins, fun fall photo opps, crystal kayaks, and more. Reserve your spot in advance.

Little ghouls and goblins will love the annual, family favorite Zoo Boo. (Photo courtesy of Houston Zoo)

Zoo Boo
Houston Zoo
Sept. 26-Oct. 31
Price varies; tickets must be bought online for non-members
Families will enjoy the popular Zoo Boo event. Fun photo opps include a 15-foot-tall fall foliage arch at the Reflection Pool, Ghost Town near the John P. McGovern Children's Zoo, and a pumpkin tunnel made from hundreds of pumpkin lanterns. Galapagos Islands will take on a spooky new look using projection mapping technology to tell a ghostly tale. Spot Glowing Pumpkins next to Reptile and Amphibian House and be entertained by the Talking Pumpkins next to the Flamingo Terrace and at the Spooky Forest.
Zoo Boo Extended Hours, in which the Zoo will close at 9:30 p.m. (last entry at 8 p.m.), are Sept. 26, Oct. 3, 10, 17-19, 23-24, and 26-30. Specialty Nights include Spooky Spirits on Thurs., Oct. 16 for adults 21+ and Dia de Los Muertos on Nov. 1-2. 
By recycling old handheld devices during Zoo Boo, guests are helping to save gorillas in the wild. Devices can be recycled at the collection box located at the main entrance of the Zoo.

Bellaire Foodie Fest 2025 
Sat., Sept. 27, 5:30 p.m.
Bellaire Town Square
Adult: $40; Child: $20
Taste delicious dishes while supporting local Bellaire businesses at the 2025 Bellaire Foodie Fest. The festival, hosted by the Bellaire Business Association benefits the Bellaire Police & Fire Foundation. Tickets provide access to unlimited food samplings, drinks, live entertainment, cooking demonstrations, and more.

Children’s Museum Houston hosts a variety of spooktacular Halloween fun Sept. 27-Oct. 31. 

Halloween at the BOOseum!
Sat., Sept. 27-Fri., Oct 31, 9 a.m.- 8 p.m. (closed Mondays)
Children’s Museum Houston
General admission; (dress in costume for $2 off admission, Oct. 4-24)
The Children’s Museum transforms into the BOOseum in time to celebrate Halloween. There are a ton of hauntingly fun and educational activities throughout the five weeks, including spooky stories and games, crafts, a pumpkin party, music, and more. Trick or treat on Thursdays, 4-8 p.m., Sat.-Sun., 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and Halloween, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. On Halloween, enjoy creating your own slime, meeting favorite Disney villains, dancing along to tunes spun by DJ Beetlejuice, face painting, and more.

Enjoy Greek culture - including authentic Greek food, live music and dance - at this annual festival. 

59th Annual Original Greek Festival 
Thurs., Oct. 2, 5-10:30 p.m.; Fri., Oct. 3, 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m.; Sat., Oct. 4, 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m. 
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral 
$10: adults; children 12 and under: free
Opa! Immerse yourself in Greek culture, food, dance performances, live music, and more at this beloved annual festival. Includes a market with crafts and gifts. 

Bayou City Art Festival Memorial Park 
Fri., Oct. 10, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat., Oct. 11, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun., Oct. 12, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
$20/adults; $5/children
View a wide variety of one-of-a-kind art from more than 250 artists in Memorial Park. Enjoy live entertainment stages, food trucks, a craft beer and wine garden, an Active Imagination Zone, and more. Festival benefits local nonprofits: ArtReach, Brave Little Company, Fresh Arts, The Health Museum, Houston Repertoire Ballet, and The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. 

Barktoberfest is a family- and pet-friendly event including dog costume contests, live music, local vendors, food trucks, a silent auction, adoptable dogs ready to find loving homes, and more. 

Houston Pets Alive! Barktoberfest 
Sat. Oct. 11, 2-6 p.m.
The Powder Keg 
Free to attend; suggested donation: $10+ (purchases benefit Houston Pets Alive!) 
Barktoberfest, presented by Pacifico, is sure to be a paw-some time for families and four-legged friends. Event includes dog costume contests, spooky sips, live music, pumpkin decorating, a pumpkin patch, a stein holding contest, a vendor village, adoptable dogs, and more.

In preparation for  Día de los Muertos celebrations — in which monarchs and marigolds serve as symbols of remembrance — join MECA and the Houston Botanic Garden for Monarchs & Marigolds, to celebrate our past and honor our future, through music, dance, and visual arts. (Photo: Ramiro Fonseca)

Monarchs & Marigolds 
Sun., Oct. 12, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Houston Botanic Garden
$20/adults; $16/child
In preparation for forthcoming Día de los Muertos celebrations — in which monarchs and marigolds serve as symbols of remembrance — join MECA and the Houston Botanic Garden for Monarchs & Marigolds. The event will celebrate the past and honor the future, through music, dance, and visual arts. Learn to make papel picado and paper marigolds, shop with vendors selling authentic Latin American arts and crafts, and enjoy live music and dance performances.

ArBOOretum features fun fall activities for all ages including live animals, pumpkin decorating, and Houston’s only Trick-or-Treat Nature Trail. (Photo: Henrich Perez)

Houston Arboretum & Nature Center's ArBOOretum 
Sat., Oct. 18, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (last entry is 3 p.m.) 
$20; free for children under 3
Dress in your Halloween best and head to the Arboretum for their family-friendly fall festival, including live animals, pumpkin decorating, the popular Trick-or-Treat Nature Trail, carnival swings, a Halloween market, train rides, food trucks, and more.

Anya Bhojwani (pictured, fifth from left) and Farhana Alapat (pictured, fifth from right) choreographed a dance performance for Bellaire’s 2023 Diwali celebration. 

Bellaire Diwali 2025 
Sat., Oct. 18, 5:30-9 p.m.
Bellaire Town Square
$45/adults; $20/children ages 5-12
Bellaire Desi Group brings Bellaire Diwali 2025 to Bellaire Town Square. Enjoy Bellaire’s biggest Diwali celebration. Look forward to entertainment and delicious Indian food. 

Enjoy free family-friendly fun at KBR Kids Day at The Water Works in Buffalo Bayou Park. This year, celebrate the 10-year anniversary of Buffalo Bayou Park.

2025 KBR Kids Day  
Sun., Oct. 19, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
The Water Works in Buffalo Bayou Park 
Free
Families will enjoy a full day of fun with activities for all ages. This year, attendees will celebrate the 10-year anniversary of Buffalo Bayou Park.

Kids racing to compete in the Great Pumpkin Hunt. (Photo: Dee Zunker Photography) 

City of Bellaire’s The Great Pumpkin Hunt 
Thurs., Oct. 23, 4 p.m. (hunt starts promptly at 4:30 p.m.)
Bellaire Town Square
Come in costume and hunt for toys, candy, and prize-filled pumpkins. Prizes awarded to age groups 4 and under and 5-10. There will be music, face painting, and more.

City of West U's Full Moon Fest includes family-friendly activities, bounce houses, face painting, a pumpkin patch, a costume contest, and more. Stick around for a showing of the film The Wild Robot (PG) at 7 p.m. (Photo: Ryan Garza) 

West University’s Full Moon Fest 
Fri., Oct. 24, 5:30 p.m. 
Colonial Park
Free
The City of West University Place Parks and Recreation Department's Full Moon Fest celebration includes family-friendly fun, including open-air bounce houses, face painting, activity booths, and a pumpkin patch where families can pick a pumpkin to take home. Come in costume and participate in the costume contest (registration is complimentary); the contest will be judged by the following age categories; 0-3, 4-6, 7-10, and 11-14. Space is limited and only permitted for residents only, pre-registration is required. As the evening winds down, the festivities will conclude with a showing of the featured film The Wild Robot (PG) at 7 p.m. 

MusicFest 
Sat., Oct. 25, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Willow Waterhole
Free
Join for a full day of free live music, delicious food, family fun, and Halloween-themed activities. Headlined by SKYROCKET!, the festival also features local professionals and talented school bands from all around Houston. There will be a wide variety of gourmet food trucks offering great eats. Also, there will be a haunted house, costume parade, and activities for all ages. 

Scream on the Green includes a costume contest, living sculptures, games, spooky music, photo opps and more. An outdoor screening of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice will start at 7 p.m.

Scream on the Green 
Sat., Oct. 25, 6-9 p.m.
Discovery Green
Free
Discovery Green's annual Halloween celebration includes a costume contest (pre-registration required), living sculptures, palm readers and psychics, games, music and more. Plus, enjoy a screening of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (PG-13), starting at 7 p.m. 

Join West U neighbors on Oct. 25 for the 14th annual West U Halloween Dash & Kids Fun Run. (Photo: Ryan Garza)

West U Halloween 5K & Kids Fun Run 2025 
Sat., Oct. 25, registration opens at 6:45 a.m.; 5K starts at 8 a.m. 
West U Community Building and Senior Center
Registration varies
Join neighbors for the 14th annual West U Halloween Dash & Kids Fun Run. Come dressed in costume and ready to run. The competitive 5K course is flat and fast, chip timed and USATF certified. The Kids' Fun Run is not timed and is 1 mile long.

Nature Discovery Center's annual fall festival and pumpkin patch includes two days of fall fun for the whole family. (Photo: Nature Discovery Center.)

Nature Discovery Center's Pumpkin Patch Fall Festival 
Oct. 25-26, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Nature Discovery Center 
Free admission; activity wristbands required to participate in games and activities. Single-day wristband: $26; Weekend wristband: $36; Wagon ride ticket: $8 
Pick a pumpkin and participate in festival games and activities such as face painting, a moonwalk, obstacle course, rope bridge, axe throwing, pumpkin bowling, a horse-drawn wagon ride, and more. Proceeds benefit Nature Discovery Center. 

Asia Society Texas hosts a free, family-friendly festival of lights to bring the spirit of the season to life with vibrant Indian fashion, delicious food, hands-on activities, and a captivating Ramayana performance. (Photo courtesy of Asia Society Texas/Chris Dunn)

Diwali Lights!
Sun., Oct. 26, 3-7 p.m.
Asia Society Texas
Free admission; registration required. Performance admission is ticketed ($15).
This free, family-friendly festival of lights brings the spirit of the season to life with vibrant Indian fashion, delicious food, hands-on activities, and a captivating Ramayana performance. Come experience the joy, color, and cultural richness of Diwali as we celebrate light triumphing over darkness and community coming together in unity. The program takes place 3-7 p.m. and the Ramayana Performance takes place 5-7 p.m. 

Levy Park’s 8th Annual Howl-O-Ween Dog Parade & Costume Contest includes a dog parade, a costume contest, and family-friendly Halloween fun.

8th Annual Howl-o-ween Dog Parade and Costume Contest 
Oct. 26, 2:30 p.m. 
Levy Park 
Free
The Howl-o-ween Dog Parade and Costume Contest includes a festive dog parade, a creative costume contest, and plenty of Halloween fun for all ages.

Constellation Field will be transformed into Halloween Town on Thurs., Oct. 30. 

Sugar Land's Halloween Town 
Constellation Field, Sugar Land 
Thurs., Oct. 30, 5-9 p.m.
Head to Constellation Field for an evening of family fun including candy for all kids, costume contests (for kids, adults, and pets), a showing of Scooby Doo (2002) on the videoboard, character appearances, inflatables and oversized games, family activities such as apple bobbing and bingo, vendors and more. Dress in costume and enjoy the fun.

CityCentre hosts its 13th Annual Halloween Trick-or-Treat. Dress in costume and trick-or-treat at favorite stores followed by spooky tunes and a Halloween performance in The Plaza. 

13th Annual Halloween Trick-or-Treat 
Fri., Oct. 31, 5-8 p.m.
CityCentre
Free 
Dress in costume and prowl CityCentre for free candy from store to store. Then, meet in The Plaza for spooky tunes and a Halloween performance. Bring your own bucket or bag for trick-or-treat fun.

Worth the drive 

Froberg Farm Fall Festival 
Through Nov. 2
Froberg Farm (Alvin, TX) 
Weekends: $15; weekdays: $10 
Froberg Farm’s Fall Festival includes a pumpkin patch, corn maze, flower picking, activities such as duck races, a jumping pillow, megaslide, “bee barrel” coaster, emoji cannon, mining sluice, great food, and more. 

Dewberry Farm Fall Festival  
Through Nov. 9 
Dewberry Farm (Brookshire, TX) 
Varies from $15.99-48.95 
Dewberry Farm’s Fall Festival features a pumpkin patch, the opportunity to meet barn animals, over 40 rides and attractions including a corn maze, life-sized pumpkin house, and more. Stay late for a spooky evening-hours event, BOOrific Nights. 

Blessington Farms Fall Festival
Weekends through Nov. 23, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (last admission: 3 p.m.); Oct. 10, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. 
Blessington Farms (Wallis, TX)
General admission 3+: $25
Blessington Farms offers more than 35 fun activities such as camel feeding, a goat yard, slide mountain, fishing, the aviary, hay palace, trek bikes, tire mountain, gem stone mining, hay ride, duck races, the chicken hunt, rope maze, birds nest carousel, barrel train, and more. 

P-6 Farms Fall Festival
Weekends, Sept. 27-Nov. 2, 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m. (entrance gate closes at 5:30 p.m.) 
P-6 Farms (Montgomery, TX) 
$25.95/3+ 
Pumpkin patch, zinnia patch, sunflower field, corn maze, pig races, pumpkin house, rides, farm animals, cow train, tire mountain, jumping pillow, duck races, and more. 

The Texas Renaissance Festival draws more than half a million visitors each year to its 70-acre recreation of a 16th-century European village, including live performances, shops, activities, treats, and more.

51st Annual Texas Renaissance Festival 
Texas Renaissance Festival grounds (Todd Mission, TX) 
Weekends, Oct. 11-Nov. 30, including Thanksgiving Friday 
$20+ (tickets are date-specific); Kids 4 and under are free every day; kids 5-12 are free every Sunday. 
The Texas Renaissance Festival is the nation’s largest and most acclaimed Renaissance-themed event. The festival draws more than half a million visitors each year to its 70-acre recreation of a 16th-century European village an hour north of Houston, including a variety of live performances, shops and treats, activities, and more. Eight themed weekends. 

 ARToberFEST features more than 100 artists from all over the country, live music, and great food. 

Galveston Island ARToberFEST 
Oct. 18, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Oct. 19, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Postoffice St. and Market St. (Galveston, TX) 
$5/tickets; kids under 12 are free.  
Presented by The Grand 1894 Opera House, ARToberFEST features more than 100 artists from all over the country, live music, and great food. Kids creative zone, 12-3 p.m. 

Enjoy live German music, dancing, arts and crafts items, traditional food and drinks, shopping, kid-friendly activities, and more at Galveston Island Oktoberfest. 

Galveston Island Oktoberfest
Oct. 24-25 
Historic downtown Galveston (adjacent to First Lutheran Church)
Enjoy live German music, dancing, arts and crafts items, traditional food and drinks, shopping, kid-friendly activities, and more. German costumes are encouraged. Proceeds benefit First Lutheran’s community outreach programs.

More Events
Find more upcoming happenings on our event calendar.