30 must-visit festivals and fairs in Texas in fall 2023 (2024)

Texas is home to many cultures and people with varying interests and music tastes. While many people in and outside of the state have likely heard of Austin City Limits (ACL) Music Festival and A Night in Old San Antonio, these two events are merely the tip of the festival iceberg.

Who doesn’t love a good fall festival or fair? Whether it’s centered around live music, a particular culture, activity or hobby, there’s nothing better than taking time away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life to enjoy some good food, live music and miscellaneous activities with family and friends across the state.

With fall starting on Sept. 23, here are 30 festivals and fairs worth checking out in Texas this autumn!

Riverfront Jazz Festival

What: The Riverfront Jazz Festival is a three-day celebration in Dallas that features an array of renowned jazz, blues, R&B, soul, pop and neo-soul musicians from around the world.

When: Sept. 1-3. Doors open one hour before the festival start time each day. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. on Sept 1, 12 p.m. on Sept. 2 and 12 p.m. on Sept. 3.

Where: Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, 1309 Canton St., Dallas.

Admission: Single general patron tickets are available for $89, and star patron tickets are available for $99 and include one commemorative minibottle of red or white wine per day, as well as access to a private lounge and dedicated entry. Three-day general admission tickets are $129, while three-day star patron tickets are $179.

Brightside Music Festival

What: The Brightside Music Festival provides two days of live music over Labor Day weekend featuring performances from today’s hottest artists in genres like electronic, Latin, hip-hop and indie. The festival also boasts delicious food from El Paso staples and local art installations.

When: Sept. 2-3. VIP festival access starts at 2 p.m.; general admission access begins at 3 p.m.

Where: Ascarate Park, 6900 Delta Drive, El Paso.

Admission: One-day general admission tickets are $129.99, with a $7.50 service fee. Two-day general admission tickets are $179.99, with a $7.50 service fee. One-day VIP tickets are $229.99, with a $13.50 service fee. Two-day VIP tickets are $329.99, with a $15.50 service fee.

Fun fact: This year’s headliners include Alesso, Metro Boomin, Steve Aoki and Young the Giant.

Sweet Eats Adventure Farm Fall Festival | Pumpkin Patch

What: Sweet Eats fruit farm in Georgetown is getting a fall makeover once again, as the Sweet Eats Adventure Farm Fall Festival will be taking over the grounds for over two months! With a Texas-sized pumpkin patch with over 40 varieties of pumpkins, a 4.5-acre corn maze, a petting zoo, wagon rides, apple cannons and more, you’re sure to have a grand ol’ time!

When: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 9-Nov. 12.

Where: Sweet Eats Adventure Farm, 14400 E. State Highway 29, Georgetown.

Admission: General admission single-day tickets are $21.95, with a $1.50 service fee. Children 23 months and younger can attend for free.

Fun fact: If you attend on a Friday or Saturday night in October, you’re in for a fireworks show!

GrapeFest

What: GrapeFest takes place in Grapevine and is a massive celebration of not only Texas wines, but also wines around the world. Sip on a variety of rosés, champagnes, red and white wines under the Texas sky! The event also has activities for children, such as a kids zone, a carnival and more.

When: Sept.14-17. Sept. 14 from 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Sept. 15 from 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Sept. 16 from 11 a.m.-11 p.m., and Sept. 17 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Where: 636 S. Main St., Grapevine.

Admission: Admission on Sept. 14 is complimentary. Admission Sept. 15-17 is $10 a day for adults, $5 a day for seniors (62+), $5 a day for children ages 6-12. Weekend passes for Sept. 15-17 are $20. Children younger than 5 can attend for free.

Texas State Forest Festival

What: The Texas State Forest Festival is an East Texas tradition that features numerous competitions, a fun run, delicious festival food offerings, a beer garden, comedy shows, acrobatic performances, live music, a petting zoo, carnival rides and more.

When: Sept. 14-17. Sept. 14-15 from 5 p.m.-10 p.m., Sept. 16 from 10 a.m.-10 p.m., and Sept. 17 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Where: George H. Henderson Expo Center, 1200 Ellen Trout Drive, Lufkin.

Admission: General admission is $8 per person.

Texas Gatorfest

What: What better way to enjoy the “Alligator Capital of Texas” than by taking in the sights and sounds of Texas Gatorfest and the American alligator. This family-friendly event has adult and kiddie carnival rides, arts and crafts booths, airboat rides, live music and the festival’s shining event – the Great Texas Alligator Roundup.

When: Sept. 15-17. Sept. 15 from 6:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m., Sept. 16 from noon-12 a.m., and Sept. 17 from noon-5:30 p.m.

Where: Fort Anahuac Park, 1704 S. Main St., Anahuac.

Admission: Single-day adult tickets for Sept. 15 are $15, single-day adult tickets for Sept. 16 are $20, and single-day adult tickets for Sept. 17 are $10. Single-day senior (ages 65+) tickets for Sept. 15-17 are $5 per day. Single-day tickets for active military members for Sept. 15-17 are $5. Single-day tickets for children ages 6-12 are $5 Sept. 15-16, and attendance is free for kids of all ages on Sept. 17. Children ages 5 and younger can attend for free each day. A three-day pass is $30.

Fall Pecan Street Festival

What: Pecan Street Festival is taking over downtown Austin once again this fall for two days of arts, crafts, local vendors and live music deep in the heart of Texas! This festival is perfect for people of all ages! There also will be alcoholic beverages, lemonade, water and more for sale at various tents between Brazos Street and Interstate 35.

When: Sept. 16-17. Sept. 16 from 11 a.m.-10 p.m., and Sept. 17 from 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

Where: Old Pecan Street, Austin.

Admission: Free.

Plano Balloon Festival

What: The Plano Balloon Festival is a four-day event centered around educating people about the sport of hot air ballooning, and it’s perfect for the whole family! Attendees can witness various hot air balloon launches, parachute team exhibitions, live music and more.

When: Sept. 21-24. Sept. 21 from 5 p.m.-9:30 p.m., Sept. 22 from 4 p.m.-10 p.m., Sept. 23 from 6 a.m.-10 p.m., and Sept. 24 from 6 a.m.-11 a.m.

Where: Oak Point Park / Red Tail Pavilion, 2801 E. Spring Creek Parkway, Plano.

Admission: General admission adult ticket is $10, general admission ticket for kids 3-12 years old is $5, general admission ticket for seniors 65 and older is $5. Kids 36 inches tall and under can attend for free. All military – active and retired – can attend for free with a valid ID. First responders, including police officers, fire fighters, nurses and doctors, can attend for free with a valid ID.

Flatland Film Festival

What: The Flatland Film Festival takes place over the course of three days and seeks to celebrate filmmakers in a slew of film categories, such as feature films and short films by filmmakers around the world, and includes various screenings. The festival also includes an in-person panel with filmmakers.

When: Sept. 21-23 from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. each day.

Where: LHUCA Firehouse Theatre, 511 Ave. K, Lubbock.

Admission: Full festival passes, including all three days of screenings, are $15; student passes for all three days are $10. Single-day passes for Sept. 21 are $5, while single-day passes for Sept. 22 and Sept. 23 are $10 each.

Lone Star Gourd Festival

What: The Lone Star Gourd Festival is a two-day event that features a gourd art competition, gourd art sales, classes that include carving and wood-burning, and more activities for people of all ages to enjoy.

When: Sept. 29-30 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Where: Gillespie Fairgrounds, 530 Fair Drive, Fredericksburg.

Admission: $5 per adult, 12 and younger free.

Trans-Pecos Festival of Music + Love

What: Trans-Pecos Festival of Music + Love is El Cosmico’s four-day music experience featuring miscellaneous live music performances, day parties, workshops, a desert day spa and more. Festivalgoers can even camp in the iconic West Texas venue. This year will be the last year that the Trans-Pecos Festival takes place at the original El Cosmico location before the new and improved El Cosmico opens.

When: Sept. 28-Oct. 1 from noon on Sept 28 until noon on Oct. 1.

Where: El Cosmico, 802 S Highland Ave., Marfa.

Admission: A four-day music-only pass is $400, plus a $34.85 fee. A four-day music and camping pass is $475, plus a $37.10 fee. Single-day passes for Sept. 28-30 are $135 each, with a $26.90 service fee.

State Fair of Texas

What: The State Fair of Texas is a nearly monthlong fair that takes place in the Dallas area and features rides, fried fair food, shows and the iconic 55-foot cowboy, Big Tex. The State Fair of Texas is located steps away from the Cotton Bowl Stadium, where the Texas Longhorns face the Oklahoma Sooners for the Red River Rivalry game each year. The game brings nearly 100,000 college football fans to the fairgrounds for a day of fair fun before and after the legendary game!

When: Sept. 29-Oct. 22.

Where: 3921 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Dallas.

Admission: Daily admission for weekdays is $10 in advance and $15 at the gate. Daily admission for weekends is $18 in advance and $25 at the gate. Season passes are available for $50. Military and first responders can get single day tickets for $11 in advance and $18 at the gate.

Texas Craft Brewers Festival

What: The Texas Craft Brewers Festival is a sampling-focused festival featuring over 200 craft beers from small and independent breweries across Texas. Each ticket comes with a commemorative tasting cup and 10 sample tickets. This is a 21+ event, so leave the kids and your underage friends at home!

When: Sept. 30. VIP entry is at noon and general admission entry is at 2 p.m. The festival closes at 6:30 p.m.

Where: Fiesta Gardens, 2101 Jesse E. Segovia St., Austin.

Admission: General admission tickets are $40. Designated driver tickets for those who won’t be sampling beers are $20. VIP tickets are sold out.

HOODOO Mural Festival

What: HOODOO Mural Festival is a public art project and a music festival featuring a stellar lineup of music artists and muralists. The festival takes place in downtown Amarillo and seeks to bring the community together through the power of music and art.

When: Sept. 30. Gates open at 3 p.m.

Where: 501 S. Polk St., Amarillo.

Admission: General admission is $35, and VIP is $125.

Austin City Limits Music Festival

What: Austin City Limits Music Festival is a three-day festival that takes place over the course of two consecutive weekends. It offers festivalgoers a diverse lineup of musicians from a multitude of genres. The festival also boasts various art activities, vendors, local bites and beverages to enjoy.

When: Oct. 6-8 and Oct. 13-15. Gates open at noon Oct. 6 and Oct. 13. Gates open at 11 a.m. Oct. 7-8 and Oct. 14-15. The festival ends at 10 p.m. each night.

Where: Zilker Metropolitan Park, Austin.

Admission: Single-day general admission tickets still are available for $170 each. Single-day GA+ tickets, which include access to a lounge with relaxed seating and air-conditioned restrooms, are available for $325 each. Single-day VIP tickets are available for $705 each.

Stars Over Texas Music Festival

What: Stars Over Texas Music Festival is a two-day country music festival that features a barbecue competition, a beer expo, professional bull riding and a lantern release event in addition to live performances by country music’s most notable acts like Clay Walker, Midland, Diamond Rio and more.

When: Oct. 7-8. Oct. 7 from 2 p.m.-11:30 p.m. and Oct. 8 from noon-11:30 p.m.

Where: Texas Motorplex, 7500 W. Highway 287, Ennis.

Admission: Single-day general admission tickets are $69 in advance and $79 at the gate. A weekend pass is $109 in advance and $149 at the gate.

Galveston Greek Festival

What: The annual Galveston Greek Festival features music, performances, authentic Greek food, delicious wine, endless dancing and so much more! Souvenirs and merchandise from Greece will be available for purchase, as well.

When: Oct. 14-15. Oct. 14 from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. and Oct. 15 from noon-5 p.m.

Where: 714 19th St., Galveston.

Admission: Free, but donations are appreciated!

Texas Renaissance Festival

What: The Texas Renaissance Festival takes place over the course of eight weeks and features miscellaneous activities such as archery, ax throwing and testing your skills on Jacob’s ladder. Attendees also can explore the Enchanted Forest and mystical Enchanted Realm before taking in a fire whip show and grabbing a turkey leg for sustenance!

When: Every weekend from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Oct. 7-Nov. 26.

Where: 21778 Farm to Market 1774, Todd Mission.

Admission: Single-day adult tickets vary by day and range from $17-$39. Saturday tickets for children ages 5-12 range from $13-$19.50. Children can attend for free on Sundays.

Del Rio Fiesta de Amistad Arts and Crafts Fair

What: Del Rio Fiesta de Amistad Arts and Crafts Fair includes a parade and features vendors from all over, allowing attendees to purchase gifts, home decorations and more while chowing down some delicious food in the process!

When: Oct. 21. The fair starts at 8 a.m. and the parade takes place at 10 a.m. The fair ends at 8 p.m.

Where: Ogden and South Main St., Del Rio.

Admission: Free.

UTOPIAfest

What: UTOPIAfest is a family-friendly two-day music festival in the Texas Hill Country that revolves around the solar eclipse. The event is BYOB and camping is free. This year’s lineup includes the musical group !!! (Chk Chk Chk), The Octopus Project, Texas String Assembly and more.

When: Oct. 13-14. Early arrival for camping begins Oct. 12 at noon and ends at 8 p.m. On Oct. 13, gates open at 10 a.m. and close at 9 p.m. On Oct. 14, gates open at 10 a.m. and close at 6 p.m.

Where: Four Sisters Ranch, 1555 Lemond Road, Utopia.

Admission: General admission weekend passes are $250 and VIP weekend passes are $450. Child tickets for ages 2-12 are $20, and teen passes for ages 13-19 are $40. Car camping passes are $40. RV and camper passes are $100.

Kerrville River Festival

What: The Kerrville River Festival celebrates the city’s culture and the roaring Guadalupe River. The festival includes live music, food vendors, drinks for purchase, and family-friendly activities.

When: Oct. 14, with gates opening at 10 a.m.

Where: Louise Hay Park, 202 Thompson Drive, Kerrville.

Admission: Free.

Bayou City Art Festival

What: The Bayou City Art Festival showcases and celebrates the one-of-a-kind work of 300 artists in 19 categories in an outdoor gallery. Attendees have the ability to meet and converse with 280 artists from around the world and purchase their work while also exploring numerous food vendors and enjoying live music performances.

When: Oct. 14-15.

Where: Downtown Houston.

Admission: Tickets available for purchase beginning Aug. 15. Check the fest’s website for more information as it becomes available.

Texas Rose Festival

What: The Texas Rose Festival boasts a family-friendly atmosphere and offers captivating ceremonial events over four days like a coronation, ribbon cutting and rose presentation, a tea party, and a rose parade amidst a backdrop of colorful roses.

When: Oct. 19-21. Oct. 19-21 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Oct. 22 from noon-4 p.m.

Where: 420 Rose Park Drive, Tyler.

Admission: Tickets available for purchase starting Sept. 1. Check the fest’s website for more information as it becomes available.

El Paso Winefest

What: El Paso Winefest is a four-day event that features hundreds of wines and sampling dishes from a handful of El Paso’s finest restaurants. Attendees can enjoy a diverse selection of wines while taking in the sounds of live music performances.

When: Oct. 19-22. Event kicks off at 1 p.m. on Oct. 19 and ends at 5 p.m. on Oct. 22.

Where: 208 E Main St., El Paso.

Admission: Grand tasting general admission tickets are $125, with a $10.23 fee. Grand tasting VIP tickets are $175, with a $13.58 fee. Bubbles brunch general admission tickets for Oct. 22 are $95, with a $8.22 fee. Bubbles brunch VIP tickets for Oct. 22 are $125, with a $10.23 fee. Bubbles brunch platter tickets are $950, with a $65.56 fee. Combo general admission tickets are $175 with a $13.58 fee.

Levitation Fest

What: Originally called the Austin Psych Fest, Levitation Fest is a four-day music festival featuring the best of psychedelic rock ‘n’ roll, dream pop, punk, indie rock, electronic, darkwave and metal music. The festival takes place at multiple venues in the heart of Austin.

When: Oct. 26-29. Oct 26 from 4 p.m.-2 a.m., Oct. 27 from 3:30 p.m.-2 a.m., Oct. 28 from 2:30 p.m.-2 a.m. and Oct. 29 from 3 p.m.-1 a.m.

Where: Concourse Project, The Far Out Lounge, Stubb’s Amphitheater, Mohawk, Empire Control Room, Hotel Vegas, Elysium, Parish, Antone’s, and 13th Floor, Austin.

Admission: Four-day general admission passes are $395, with a $45 service fee. Four-day deluxe passes are $795, with a $60 service fee. Single-day tickets differ by venue, ranging from $18-$155, with service fees ranging from $4.45-$24.95.

Denton’s Day of the Dead Festival

What: Denton’s Day of the Dead festival is a family-friendly event celebrating the fall harvest and Halloween. The festival features a flight of souls to honor the dead, a Cirque du Horror show, food vendors, a twilight lantern parade, coffin and pine-box races, a pumpkin patch and more!

When: Oct. 27-28; check the festival’s website as the date nears for the schedule.

Where: E. Hickory and Industrial streets, Denton.

Admission: Free.

Muerto Fest

What: Muerto Fest is San Antonio’s annual Dia de los Muertos festival. This year’s festival will feature over 60 altars, workshops, processions, live music, delicious food, an art market, and entertainment to honor the dead. There also is an altar competition with cash prizes.

When: Oct. 28-29. Oct. 28 from 10 a.m.-11 p.m. and Oct. 29 from noon-9 p.m.

Where: Hemisfair, 630 Nueva St., San Antonio.

Admission: Free.

Wurstfest

What: Wurstfest in New Braunfels is an annual celebration of German culture with a Texas twist. The event includes German and Texan food, domestic beer, live music, dancing, carnival rides and games, Bavarian entertainment and more.

When: Nov. 3-12. Nov 3 from 4 p.m.-11 p.m., Nov. 4 from 11 a.m.-midnight, Nov. 5 from 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Nov. 6-9 from 5 p.m.-11 p.m., Nov. 10 from 5 p.m.-11 p.m., Nov. 11 from 11 a.m.-midnight and Nov. 12 from 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Where: 120 Landa St., New Braunfels.

Admission: Tickets on sale Sept. 1. Children 12 and younger can attend for free.

Texas Hemp Harvest Festival

What: The Texas Hemp Harvest Festival allows local Texas brands, farmers, and small businesses to display their products and educate attendees about all things hemp through interactive sessions. The festival also includes an impressive lineup of musicians in various genres to get the mood just right.

When: Nov. 3-4. The festival starts at 5 p.m. on Nov. 3 and ends at 9:30 p.m. on Nov. 4.

Where: Distribution Hall, 1500 E. 4th St., Austin.

Admission: Two-day general admission tickets are $40, with a $3.67 fee. Two-day VIP tickets are $175, with a $13.58 fee. Single-day general admission tickets for Nov. 3 are $20, with a $3.18 fee. Single-day VIP tickets for Nov. 3 are $60 with a $5.87 fee. Single-day general admission tickets for Nov. 4 are $25, with a $3.52 fee. Single-day VIP tickets for Nov. 4 are $125, with a $10.23 fee.

Honeyland Festival

What: Honeyland Festival is a two-day festival celebrating food, drinks, music and Black creativity. The festival brings together the top restaurateurs, beverage-makers, and music artists, allowing them to remix the flavors, sips and sounds they love to create something new.

When: Nov. 11-12. Check the festival’s website as the date nears for the schedule.

Where: Crown Festival Park, 18355 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land.

Admission: General admission passes start at $150. GA+ passes start at $200. VIP passes start at $525. Platinum passes start at $975.Fun fact: This year’s music lineup includes the festival’s Houston ambassador Tobe Nwigwe and artists such as Mary J. Blige, Miguel, Jazmine Sullivan, Chlöe and Slim Thug.