Fall Festivals and Family Fun in The Woodlands

THE WOODLANDS, TX – Can you believe we’re already in autumn? Rest assured; soon enough the mercury will drop and the weather will be more indicative of the season. We want you to be ready for it when it hits, so here’s a list of some fall festivals and autumn adventures you can partake in. Mark your calendars and have a festive ball!

The Woodlands Fall Festival – October 5
The Woodlands Fall Festival is slated to return to Creekside Park West from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Fall Festival is a free, family-friendly event that promises to deliver a fun afternoon for family and friends to gather and enjoy the scenic outdoors. Adventuresome kids will enjoy a rock-climbing wall while younger siblings will delight in the pumpkin patch. Face painting and a variety of family games will make for an enjoyable way to spend the day together, and a live DJ will have you humming timely favorites. Plenty of local eats and treats will also be available and a whole lot more! Howard Hughes will be giving away one free pumpkin per family, while supplies last.

The Woodlands BOOFEST – October 5
Come to Town Green Park for The Woodlands’ ultimate family Halloween celebration. Explore unique Halloween treasures, costumes, and décor. Savor a wide array of delicious snacks, both sweet and savory. Let your child choose their very own free mini pumpkin. Collect free candy at every booth – trick-or-treating made easy! Enjoy a magical train ride through BOOFEST at no cost! Support local businesses with exclusive handcrafted items you won’t find anywhere else. With a focus on safety, BOOFEST ensures a secure environment where kids can have fun while parents shop and explore.

Water Lantern Festival – October 5
The Water Lantern Festival is a joyful celebration that brings together fun, happiness, and hope, creating unforgettable memories for a lifetime. It’s a family-friendly event open to all, where friends, families, neighbors, and even new acquaintances can come together to enjoy a peaceful and memorable experience. While they’re called many things such as lantern festivals, lights festivals, floating lanterns, water fest, or Chinese lanterns – only Water Lantern Festival allows you to Light The Water in a way you’ll never forget. Now you can experience the magic of thousands of lanterns as the soft lights reflect upon the water!

TerrorFest 3 – October 5 - 6
This year’s TerrorFest, with its captivating sideshow theme, is gearing up to be the highlight of the season, creating a buzz throughout the community! Descend upon the Southern Star Brewing Company grounds for a weekend filled with entertainment, astonishment, and joy. Immerse yourself in a shopping extravaganza showcasing the most imaginative and unconventional vendors around! But that's not all! In addition to live music, extraordinary performers, celebrity signings, games, and activities suitable for the entire family, get ready for an authentically spine-chilling adventure. Step into the limelight for their Scary Story Hour, where the boldest individuals can spin their most haunting tales beneath the eerie glow of the spotlight. And don’t miss out on the spine-tingling costume contest and the highly anticipated return of the Scream Queen competition for thrills and screams!

Downtown Tomball October Stroll – October 10
Gather your friends and prepare for a spooktacular evening! Hit the road from 5 - 9 p.m. for a delightful night of shopping, dining, and exploring the charm of Downtown Tomball. Dress to impress in your Halloween attire, and let’s make it a night to remember!

35th Annual Conroe Cajun Catfish Festival – October 11 - 13, 2024
This three-day festival is a local institution that you definitely don’t want to miss! Festival hours are Friday 6 p.m. - 12 midnight, Saturday 11 a.m. - midnight, and Sunday 12 noon - 6 p.m. Special Events include Sunday Hispanic Family Day at Heritage Park Area (requires a separate ticket). Note: A ticket is required to access the Carnival Area from Friday to Sunday.

Fall Festival at Nature’s Way Resources – October 12
Mark your calendars for a day full of autumn fun at the Nature’s Way Resources Fall Festival! This free event offers something for everyone in the community, so bring your friends and family for a memorable celebration. Savor delicious Latin cuisine prepared by local vendors, offering a variety of flavors to satisfy all taste buds. Whether you are a fan of tacos, empanadas, or churros, there will be plenty of mouth-watering options to enjoy. Support small businesses and take home unique finds from local artisans and vendors. For plant enthusiasts, there will be a wide selection of plants for sale, perfect for adding a touch of green to your home or garden.

Pumpkin Water Patch – October 12
Visit the pumpkin patch at the pool and decorate your pumpkin with funny or spooky stickers, play games, get a trick-or-treat goodie bag, and have fun playing in the pool. Fee (Per Child): $25 Resident; $30 Non-Resident. Location: Creekwood Pool. Ages 4 - 10

The Texas Renaissance Festival – October 12 - December 1
The annual trip back in time to days of yore is in session! The Texas Renaissance Festival (or ‘RenFest’ for short) is an international phenomenon. Each weekend has a different theme, including Oktoberfest, 1,001 Dreams, All Hallow’s Eve, Pirate Adventure, Heroes & Villains, Barbarian Invasion, Highland Fling, and Celtic Christmas.

Trunk-or-Treat at Chick-fil-A – October 17
Join the fun at Chick-fil-A Alden Bridge for an exciting Trunk or Treat with the Chick-fil-A Cow and our friends throughout the community! Dine-in for dinner and safely have fun in the parking lot for lots of candy and FUN!

The Woodlands 36th Wildflower Festival – October 19
The Wildflower Festival will be part of the 50th Anniversary of The Woodlands celebration at Northshore Park! The Wildflower Festival is one of the longest running in The Woodlands with a focus on the key aspects of our community – nature and family. There will be more than 20 sponsors who will provide free wildflower seeds, vendors, children’s activities, a DJ, and more for the participants to enjoy. Additional activities celebrating The 50th anniversary of The Woodlands will continue at the park following the festival. Come and enjoy a nice afternoon event and stay for the township’s activities.

Trinity Episcopal Church Fall Festival – October 20
Join Trinity for this year’s Fall Festival! It’s back with a collaboration with their preschool Trinity Episcopal Day School (TEDS). It will be held from 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. and will continue their tradition of fun, fellowship and food. They will have a trackless train, dunk tank, obstacle slide, laser tag, toddler inflatables, swing ride, games, corn on the cob contest and so much more! Please come out and bring your friends and family! It’s a free event for all!

Sts. Simon & Jude Fall Festival – October 25 - 26
Sts. Simon & Jude Catholic Church invites you to join their annual Fall Festival. On Friday they will kick off the festivities with a delightful BBQ dinner, an exciting bingo tournament, and both a silent and live auction. The fun begins at 6 p.m. – come enjoy great food, win fabulous prizes, and support our community! On Saturday the celebration continues with a day full of carnival games, a variety of homemade treats, a lively DJ, and a Trunk or Treat event for the kids. Bring the whole family from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for a day packed with entertainment and delicious food. Additionally, don’t miss their rummage sale from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for some fantastic finds!

Trick or Treat Trail featuring Monster Mash – October 27
Princesses, pirates, ghosts and goblins are invited to don their costumes and enjoy a spooktacular celebration at the annual Trick or Treat Trail featuring Monster Mash at the Rob Fleming Recreation Center. While at the event, children have the opportunity to trick or treat from booth to booth and fill their bags with goodies from local vendors. The FREE event also includes strolling entertainment, carnival games, costume contests, photo areas, food trucks, and more!

The Woodlands Children’s Museum SpookTacular – October 31
Wear your costumes and join the museum for the museum’s annual SpookTacular Halloween Monster Mash Party. This non-spooky event will be filled with child-friendly games and activities. Monty the Magician Magic shows at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 1:30 p.m. SpookTacular art projects and games. Monster Mash Boogie Bash at 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

Children’s Festival: Barnyard Bash – November 9 - 10
The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion is transforming into a giant playground for the annual Children’s Festival presented by Texas Children’s Hospital - The Woodlands and the whole family is invited to come have some fun down on the farm! With performers on multiple stages, character meet and greets, a special toddler area just for the youngest festivalgoers, arts and crafts, hands-on activities and exciting active adventures, there’s something for everyone in the family to enjoy along The Pavilion’s unforgettable journey around the farm! Peppa Pig is making a big splash in The Woodlands, and she’ll be giving out plenty of hugs and smiles throughout the festival weekend. Join Peppa Pig and her brother, George as they celebrate their trip to America in mini performances full of laughs, music and of course, snorts! After the shows, don’t miss the opportunity to meet and take photos with Peppa Pig – remember to bring your camera to capture the special day!

Big Top Shopping Festival in Downtown Conroe – November 16 - 17
No tickets are needed for the Big Top Shopping Festival – admission is FREE! Come enjoy shopping, food trucks, live music, family fun, and more. Strollers and wagons welcome at this event taking place at Heritage Place Park in Downtown Conroe. There is a little bit of everything and something for everyone! Prices range from as little as $5 and up to $2,000 and beyond. The market is 50% handmade items and 50% manufactured items. 100% of Exhibitors are small business owners, shopping with them puts money directly into the local community. 90% of Exhibitors are based here in the Lone Star State, others travel from Oklahoma, New Mexico, Louisianan, Oklahoma and Arkansas! Grab a bite to eat at Big Top! There will be a variety of food trucks, wagons, and stands to supply you with all of the yumminess you desire! From steak sandwiches, kabobs, pizza, festival foods, fried treats and more!

Wine & Spice Festival Plus Nutcracker Artisan Market – November 16
Come to Bernhardt Winery for a delightful stroll through an indoor vendor market. Enjoy the best seasonal bites, perfectly paired with sips of Bernhardt Winery wines. Have you ever heard that old saying about what some folks are made of? Then come to Wine & Spice and Everything Nice wine pairing festival, a cheeky nod to that notion. They’ve combined their award-winning wines with some special seasonal food and spice vendors. The fun begins with a taste of handcrafted spicy foods from their vendors, followed by a Bernhardt representative pouring a taste of one of our award-winning wines, carefully selected to enhance your wine and spice sensory experience. Enjoy an afternoon filled with fun, wine, and holiday shopping with all our holiday vendors. Plus, warm, spicy mulled wine will be available for purchase by the glass! After tasting an array of festive pairings, guests are invited to relax and enjoy live music and an outdoor market with additional vendors.

42nd Annual Lighting of the Doves Festival – November 23
The Lighting of the Doves Festival is a long-standing tradition in The Woodlands that signifies the start of the holiday season in the community. Symbolizing peace during the holidays, the ceremonial illumination of the giant doves has attracted thousands of visitors each year. The Festival includes traditional and international performances, showcasing the cultural diversity of The Woodlands and holiday traditions celebrated around the world. Featuring snow play areas, vendor booths, children’s activities and strolling entertainment, Lighting of the Doves culminates with a special appearance by Santa Claus arriving by sleigh down The Woodlands Waterway and a dazzling fireworks display. Coolers, picnic baskets, blankets and lawn chairs are permitted. Glass is prohibited.

Check the Woodlands Online Events Calendar for more fall events in and around The Woodlands.