Embrace all things autumn this season in Houston. Weather be damned, you can still enjoy the season’s best festivities – from fall festivals, pumpkin picking, Halloween events, and more, in Houston this fall.
Much like our summer list, we’ve curated a list of the must-dos of fall in Houston. And yes, we’ve included a list of where to find the best pumpkin spice lattes in Houston, as well as more unique ways to enjoy the season.
Alas, here’s our ultimate fall bucket list for in and around Houston!
1. Go Pumpkin Picking in Houston
What’s more emblematic of fall than the pumpkin? Whether gathering pumpkins for pie, house decor, or Jack O’ Lanterns, the pumpkin is the embodiment of autumn – the latter is literally the face of the season. In and around Houston you can find a number of local farms, shops, and more that will lead you to your perfect pumpkins.
2. Revel in area Fall Festivals
Pumpkin patches, pumpkin houses, apple blasters, and hay rides – find it all at P-6 Farms this season at their annual fall festival. Running from September 30 to November 5, the Houston-area farm will host a cornucopia of attractions for their fall tradition with mouthwatering food, flower fields, and more!
3-4. Celebrate Spooky Season
October marks the season for indulging in spooky movie marathons, cranking up your cherished niche gothic music playlist, embracing the eerie atmosphere, and indulging in an abundance of Halloween treats. To fully immerse yourself in the Halloween spirit within the city, explore our list of ten captivating activities to enjoy during this spooky season in Houston.
5. Experience Eerily Beautiful Candlelight Performances
Come autumn, the revered Candelight concerts hosts a magically macabre series of concerts in Houston. Set in Houston’s most stunning venues, made more enchanting in the glow of thousands of candles, the fall series includes string quartet performances of Halloween classics as well as a special, open-air Day of the Dead celebration with Mariachi.
- Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics
- Candlelight Open-Air: Día De Los Muertos: Celebrating the Day of the Dead with Mariachi
6. Witness Fall Foliage
The colors of autumn aren’t limited to northern states. While in Houston you might be able to come across small splashes of fall foliage here and there, the state of Texas is home to blazen autumn colors during peak season. If you consider yourself a true fall lover, you won’t mind going on a vibrant road trip to these blazen and beautiful destinations to witness fall foliage in Texas.
7. Take a Trip up to Dallas for Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience
We can’t be the only ones that rewatch the Harry Potter movies in their entirety throughout the fall and winter, right? Right? Well, if yer a wizard like us, you’d want to saddle your broomstick and fly up to Little Elm outside Dallas, where you can enjoy Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience opening October 28!
8. Get Lost in an Astros-themed Corn Maze
Planted in Houston’s backyard town of Brookshire, Dewberry Farm sprawls across acres of lush vegetation, charming animal companions, and a multitude of thrilling amusements. Embark on a delightful hayride to their pumpkin patch and navigate your way through their 8-acre, Astros-themed corn maze.
9. Delight in All Things Pumpkin
Do you like pumpkin in your coffee? Pumpkin in your cake? Pumpkin in your do-nuts? Say “yes” to pumpkin-flavored treats at these coffee shops, bakeries, and local establishments that are making the best fall sweets, treats, and best pumpkin spice lattes in Houston!
10. Raise a Stein at Oktoberfest
Munich’s infamous celebration might take place in September, but here in Houston we keep October in Oktoberfest. German beer garden institution, King’s Bier Haus in The Heights is reprising their annual celebration with traditional music, food, and of course, biers!
11. Escape to the Hidden Castle in Bellville
In the small town of Bellville a short drive outside Houston is a replica medieval castle that consists of knightly quarters, moat, and a 3,000-pound drawbridge.
12. Celebrate Dia de los Muertos at the City’s Spectacular Parade
On Saturday, November 4th, the city will have the opportunity to participate in the marvelous Dia de los Muertos parade and festival in Houston, taking place from 2 pm to 10 pm at Sam Houston Park, located at 1000 Bagby St. The parade, with all its splendid pageantry, will commence and conclude at the same venue.
13. Cozy Up in Houston Haunts
On the off chance that we actually do experience some crisp fall weather, it’ll be the perfect excuse to warm up in the coziest bars in Houston.
14. Go on a Stunning Fall Hike
Get out and about while you can, Houston. Following the most brutal summer in the history of Houston, it’ll do you well to enjoy sub-90-degree temperatures and explore the absolute best hiking in the Houston area.
15. Check Out Fall Movies
The Rooftop Cinema Club is back with a killer fall program. On top of its thrilling line-up of horror movies – including Scream (the good original one), The Shining, and Get Out, the cinema venue is featuring a number of fall-flavored flicks including When Harry Met Sally (September 20) and Coco (October 22).
16. Get Medieval at the Largest Renaissance Festival in the Country
The 49th edition of the Texas Renaissance Festival, which reigns supreme as the largest renaissance festival in the United States, will make its comeback to Texas on October 7th, promising a realm of entertainment suitable for the entire family.
See also: This Historical Houston Library Is A Gorgeous Hidden Gem