As the weather cools off in Houston, everyone looks for a reason to head outside and enjoy the best of what our city has to offer, which often includes food, football, and festivals. Whether you’re looking for good eats, delicious drinks, wanting to put on a costume, or just people-watch, we’ve got you covered with plenty of fall festival options.
Texas Renaissance Festival
October 12 - December 1, 2024 (Weekends)
Hear ye, hear ye, first up in our festival line up is the iconic Texas Renaissance Festival. The festival begins Oct. 12 and runs through Dec. 1. RenFest, as it’s affectionately referred to, boasts a loyal following of lords and ladies from all over Texas and surrounding areas who continually make the pilgrimage back to the Middle Ages. Grab a turkey leg, drink some mead, and enjoy the festival’s jam-packed entertainment list with tons of bands, ventriloquists, dance troupes and more! There are also hilariously themed weekends like Oktoberfest, Barbarian Invasion, Pirate Adventure, Roman Bacchanal, Highland Fling and Celtic Christmas. Pick the weekend that best suits your tastes and bring the family, the festival is family-friendly. For more information on the Texas Renaissance Festival, click here.
Bayou City Art Festival
October 11-13, 2024
Any art enthusiast will love the Bayou City Art Festival taking place in Memorial Park, October 11-13. The event, put on by the Art Colony Association, spotlights 300 artists in an outdoor fine arts festival. With everything from original art to prints, sculptures and more, the streets of Downtown will be lined with exciting pieces for collectors or the casual shopper. The Art Colony Association, Inc. is hosting Ash Beheshti as the Featured Artist for the 2024 Bayou City Art Festival - Memorial Park. Ash is a mixed-media artist based in Los Angeles. Through his figurative collages, he brings stories to life, using the female form as a central theme to highlight strength, positivity, and inspiration in women. His work celebrates and empowers through vivid visual storytelling. There will also be roaming performances and a children’s creative zone complete with bubbles and poetry workshops. Proceeds for this event work to provide financial support to local nonprofits. To learn more and purchase tickets, click here.
Dewberry Farm Fall Festival
September 14 – November 3, 2024
Bring the whole family for a day full of Texas-style fun, with flowers, farm animals, an 8-acre corn maze, over 40 kid-friendly attractions, and delicious food for everyone. The big Fall Festival at Dewberry Farm begins September 14 with the opening event from 1 to 6 p.m. Held every weekend thereafter from 10 a.m. Fridays and Halloween night events are added in October. New in 2024 attractions include: The Gold Rush Coaster, Phantoms Revenge, CORNado, The Pumpkin Twister, and more! This farm in Brookshire, about a 45-minute drive from downtown Houston, is super fun for the whole family. It has its own Ferris wheel, slides, and a carousel. There are also train tours. Stop by the corral for a special shout-out to the famous rescue bull, Sir Loin. If you've ever ridden a mechanical bull, dare to ride Jumping Jack!
Viet Cultural Fest - Flavors of Vietnam
September 14, 2024
The Viet Cultural Fest festival, organized by the Vietnamese Association of Culture and Science, debuted with great success in Houston in 2019. This year, it returns to NRG Park with the theme "Dragon and Fairy," inspired by the legend of Lac Long Quan and Au Co, showcasing the cultural heritage of Vietnam’s three main regions: North, Central, and South. Attendees can immerse themselves in visually stunning exhibits, exciting competitions, authentic cuisine, cultural performances, traditional games, and hands-on activities. In addition to these dynamic cultural displays, VCF will offer a variety of Vietnamese food booths, health screenings, civic education opportunities, community partner exhibits, and displays from Vietnamese-owned businesses.
Chefs for Farmers - Food & Wine Festival
September 28-29, 2024
If you're a foodie, you can sample the flavors of Houston at the annual Chefs For Farmers food festival at Autry Park. In one location, you have the opportunity to sample delicious bites from more than 40 participating local chefs and farms, as well as wines from several wineries. Tickets to the event include unlimited food and drinks, as well as live entertainment. This festival, which many call “the gastronomic rodeo,” is a great feast for the palate! Get your tickets here.
Original Greek Festival
October 3-5, 2024
The 58th edition of the Original Greek Festival will be held at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Houston (3511 Yoakum Blvd.). Houston's Greek Orthodox community is one of the largest in the US. Its formation began in 1917. Come see it! In this great cultural festival, you can enjoy delicious Greek food, music, and dancing. You will also have the opportunity to purchase crafts and gift items, among other options. Tours of the cathedral are also available. Admission to the festival costs $8. There are also ticket options with food included.
Korean Festival At Discovery Green
October 12-13, 2024
The Korean Festival showcases the best of Korean food, music, performing arts and culture with vendors and artists from around the world. This festival attracts a wide range of Houstonians and visitors, including foodies, KPop fans, and those interested in experiencing Korean culture in the heart of Houston. Since its inception in 2009, the Korean Festival has become one of the largest free cultural events held at Discovery Green Park in downtown Houston, drawing thousands of attendees to its cultural presentations and culinary experiences.
Southern Smoke Festival 2024
October 5, 2024
The Southern Smoke Festival returns to Discovery Green in Downtown to bring delicious food from more than 70 chefs from Houston and cities across the country. The festival is organized by and benefits the Southern Smoke Foundation, a nonprofit organization created by James Beard Award-winning chef Chris Shepherd and his wife Lindsey Brown to help people in the food and beverage industry around the world and country through the Emergency Relief Fund. Proceeds will benefit Southern Smoke Foundation, which has distributed more than $12.7 million to F+B workers nationwide and more than 5,700 no cost counseling sessions. Get your tickets here.
