A Houston Mom’s Guide to October

Well, Houston mommas. What a past month it has been, right? We are so proud to be a part of this amazing community that continues to support and encourage during these trying last few weeks. And while we obviously put our September monthly guide on hold given Hurricane Harvey, we are THRILLED to share everything fantastic and fun in and around H-Town this month. We are nothing if not resilient, and the events will go on! We are #HoustonStrong … and we stand beside you.

This month, we are so excited to introduce you to our friends and sponsors — the A.D. Players. There are so many things we adore about this local organization, but we especially love their unique style of theater committed to producing plays and programs that uphold human value, celebrate creativity, and promote literacy and education. {A mother’s dream, amiright?} The company is one of Houston’s largest resident theater companies, impacting more than nine million people over its lifetime, and annually the company produces a full season of both Mainstage and Children’s Theater performances.  {On top of their Regional Touring Unit AND maintaining year-round Theater Arts Academy!} At the beginning of 2017, their troupe moved into a brand new, state-of-the-art venue called the Jeannette and L.M. George Theater, and we are over the moon about all of their upcoming shows.  Namely, their delightfully family-friendly show “Balloonacy” which is set to run October 21st – November 4th.  We’ve got the full scoop on it in our guide below, but you can always head to ADPlayers.org for more info and to snag your tickets too!

October 1st – 8th | {check website for times} :: Fort Bend County Fair

Now in it’s 83rd year, the Fort Bend County Fair has grown to be one of the largest and most anticipated events in Texas. This year’s theme, “Honoring Volunteers – Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow” celebrates the people who make this event possible each year. Take in carnival rides, Go Tejano Day, live music, BBQ cook-offs, and of course the livestock show and rodeo. Grab your tickets here.

October 1st – 31st | {check website for times} :: National Museum of Funeral History’s Haunted House

NMFH brings back their fantastic haunted house for the 7th year running. Explore what is usually a serious topic with a somewhat light-hearted approach. This event is family-friendly, however it is recommended for patrons 12 and older. Under 12 may go through but they must have an adult with them and parents are encouraged to go through the house first to determine suitability for their children. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for kids 11 and under.

October 7th | 9am – 1pm ::Ballard House Charity Golf Event

The Ballard House in Katy offers free lodging for patients and their family who travel to Houston to receive care for life threatening conditions. Unfortunately, the residence was completely destroyed during Hurricane Harvey, and they are now in the rebuilding process. This event will be hosted by Top Golf Katy and various sponsorship levels are available to participate.

October 7th | 9am – 7pm :: Cornelius Nursery’s Fall Festival 

A Houston staple since 1937, Cornelius Nursery will host their fall festival featuring a number of free, kid-friendly activities to welcome harvest season with family and friends. This festival will include arts & crafts, pumpkin pie decorating, pansy planting, candy corn bowling, a Mad Science interactive demo, and face painting. Don’t forget your camera to capture the perfect fall family photo in their beautiful pumpkin patch!

October 7th | 11am – 3pm :: KBR Kids Day 2017

KBR Kids Day is a Buffalo Bayou Signature event, including thousands of children and their families in attendance each year. This FREE family fun day will take place at Guadalupe Plaza Park. Activity stations will include numerous hands-on activities from over 20 Houston non-profit organization partners, local entertainment and performers, Dia de los Muertos face painters, balloon artists, a rock climbing wall, Sports Zone, and so much more. Don’t forget donations of sturdy backpacks, pencils, crayons, glue, pencil pouches, water colors, paint brushes, Clorox wipes, and Kleenex tissue too.

October 12th – 15th | {check website for times} :: 39th Houston Italian Festival 

The Italian Cultural and Community Center presents all things Italian, benefiting local non-profits and educational programs and events. Feeling like celebrating Italia “Texas-style”? Then don’t miss Friday night’s Spaghetti Western Night where you can wear a cowboy hat for $2 off admission prices. Set on the grounds of the beautiful University of St. Thomas, your family will enjoy live music, Bingo, poker, and wine and beer sampling. Order your tickets now.

October 10th – 31st | {check website for times} :: Target Halloween Monster Mayhem at the Children’s Museum of Houston

For three weeks straight, take in all of the Halloween mayhem that the Children’s Museum has to offer including trick or treat Monster Hunts, slime-offs, and Monster Mashes. Special events also include frightening fashion shows, a “happy house”, and appearances from the reknowned Hustletown Hoopers.

October 13th – 15th; October 20th – 22nd; October 27th – 29th | {check website for times} :: Zoo Boo at the Houston Zoo

A Houston tradition! Zoo Boo returns bigger and better than ever. Dress your child up in their favorite costume, enjoy pumpkin painting, a Howlerween Adventure with Zoe the Zookeeper, Candy Corners, Monster Murals, and more. Zoo Boo is FREE with your paid Houston Zoo admission. If you aren’t already a member of the Houston Zoo, you can purchase tickets here!

October 14th & 15th | 10am – 5pm :: Bayou City Art Festival

Festivals in Houston do not get bigger and better than our very own Bayou City Art Festival. Since 1972, they have contributed over $3.5 million dollars to support local non-profits, and this year they will have over 300 artists on site, music, food, and a children’s creative zone. General admission is $15 per adult {$12 online} and $5 per child, ages 6 – 12. Children 5 and under are FREE.

October 14th | 5 – 9:30pm :: Zomball in Tomball

Head north for this FREE, family-friendly event! Zomball in Tomball is the city’s annual 2nd Saturday at the Depot Halloween event filled with fun for the kids. A monster-sized community trunk-or-treat with thousands of pieces of candy and other treats, spooky areas to explore, entertainment, and the movie “Paranorman” on the giant inflatable screen at dark.

October 14th – 15th | 10am – 11pm {Saturday}; Noon – 6pm {Sunday} :: Katy Rice Harvest Festival

Named one of Houston area’s top festivals, the Katy Rice Harvest Festival returns for their 36th year. Located in historic downtown Katy, this family-friendly event will not disappoint. Take in live music, craft and vendor booths, and more. Don’t miss the incredible fair food – including BBQ, funnel cakes, and the always popular sausage on a stick. Children under 10 are FREE.

October 21st – November 4th | {check website for times} :: Balloonacy at the A.D. Players

Balloonacy is a delightful romp of friendship, surprise, joy, and improvisation … and no two performances will be exactly alike!  The show has one human character, the Old Man – who has seemed to have forgotten joy, interaction, and how to play with others, that is until a red balloon floats through his window and ultimately breaks through his reserve.

Eight balloons are used during the production to represent the mood/character of one single, red balloon. Balloon “wranglers” set the balloons in place, and differing amounts of air/helium cause them to drift, sink, or rise. Tickets can be purchased by calling the box office at 713.526.2721 or visiting ADPlayers.org and are $20 for an individual ticket, $10 for groups of 10 or more, and $6 for Title One school groups of 10 or more.

October 21st | 9am – 5pm :: Texian Market Days

Presented by Reliant and NRG in George Ranch Historical Park, bring out your whole family to discover more than 150 years of Texas history. Check out battle re-enactments, costumed tour-givers, games, real life cowboys, food and craft vendors, and more. It’s sure to make your Texan pride swell even more than it already has! Buy your tickets now … 4 and under are FREE!

October 21st | 10am – 4pm :: ArBooretum

Trick or treat in nature’s neighborhood at the Houston Arboretum this fall! Come play, learn, and enjoy all of the fall festiveness on the beautiful grounds, including a trick ‘o treat Trail. Your children will love the face painting, pony rides, pumpkin decorating, and petting zoo. Tickets are $13 online and $15 at the door for ages 3 and up.

October 21st | 10am – 7pm :: Houston Korean Festival at Discovery Green

The Houston Korean Society in a non-profit dedicated to promoting Korean culture to the Houston area. Head out to Discovery Green to learn more about the richness of this community through dance, food, and TaeKwonDo masters. This event is FREE and open to the public.

October 21st | 11am – 4pm :: Energy Day at Sam Houston Park

Energy Day is Houston’s largest annual FREE family festival showcasing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics {STEM}. Energy Day has nearly 70 interactive areas, and exhibits range from hands-on demonstrations where attendees can see how an energy process works to small and large scale installations that kids can observe.

October 21st | 11am – 5pm :: The Freight Train Food Truck Festival in Tomball

We love Tomball’s historic downtown depot … and we LOVE food. What better way to marry the two than with more than two dozen of the finest food trucks in southeast Texas.  Enjoy a family friendly day of great eats, live music, a Kids Zone, vendors, and more.

October 27th | 6 – 10pm :: Scream on the Green

Presented by Bank of America, you don’t want to miss this epic costume contest, including ages from infant to adults. {Even your family dog!} A showing of Hotel Transylvania 2 will commence at 7:30pm following the announcement of the costume winners, and free games and performances by Fairytale Headquarters will round out the festivities.

October 28th | 11am – 9m :: Houston Egyptian Festival @ Discovery Green

This second annual event sponsored by Phoenicia Specialty Foods offers up Egyptian dishes, beer, and wine and is open to the public at just $10 per person {children 12 and under are FREE}. Our favorite part? You can ride and/or pet exotic animals including camels! Also learn about Egyptian history and pick up your own papyrus art using the ancient tradition of Hieroglyphics.

October 29th | 4 – 8pm :: City of Sugar Land’s Halloween Town

This much beloved Sugar Land event returns this year, ready to entertain those both big and small! All are encouraged to dress in costume to enjoy the festivities, including various games and activities. Due to the crowds, you are strongly encouraged to park at Mercer Stadium for a free shuttle bus to the event in the heart of Sugar Land Town Square.

October 31st | 5:30 – 8pm :: City of Pearland’s Trick or Treat Trail

Calling all trick or treaters for the 15th annual Trick or Treat Trail in the heart of Pearland. The first 3,000 kiddos will receive a free trick or treat bag for all of their goodies. Besides all of the candy, your family will enjoy inflatables, food, and music for this safe, Halloween-alternative event. {Please note, no pets are allowed.}


Connect with the A.D. Players

5420 Westheimer Rd.
Houston, TX 77056

713-526-2721

Website | Facebook | Twitter

:: Photo Credit – Jeff McMorrough courtesy of A. D. Players ::


Looking for even more this fall? We’ve got you covered!

#houstonSTRONG Resources :: Inspiration & Practical Tips for Life After Harvey

2017 Houston Pumpkin Patch Round Up

Texans Win! Freebies and Deals Around Houston

Babies & Beer :: A Guide to Houston’s Kid-Friendly Breweries

Houston Murals Guide – Freshly Updated!

60 Family-Friendly Houston Area Restaurants


Please Note :: While we make every effort to crosscheck current links and event details on our guides, we always encourage you to do the same before making final plans. If details are missing or incorrect, please let us know so that we can make every attempt to correct them.  And if you know of any other events happening this month, include them in the comments to keep the list going!

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Meagan Clanahan
Meagan is a Dallas native who has lived in the Katy area for over a decade. She kicked a soccer ball all the way to Louisiana to attend college at her family’s alma mater of LSU, where she promptly fell in love with a Texas Aggie in Baton Rouge for an internship. After swimming back to Texas following Hurricane Katrina, Matt and Meagan fell in love with the Houston area and now couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. Following several years of infertility, their miracle twins Ryan and Quinn were born in June of 2010. She believes there is nothing better than a chilled glass of Pinot Grigio, a large Sonic Diet Coke, sushi take-out, Girls Nights Out, and a mindless book to curl up with. Besides playing chauffeur and catering to the whims of her children, Meagan also is the Co-Owner of Houston Moms Blog. You can keep up with Meagan at The Clanahan Fam and on Instagram @meaganclanahan!

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