The Ultimate Houston Fall Bucket List

child playing in leaves

If you’re like me, you’re looking forward to cooler weather coming to Houston this Fall {or at least just convincing yourself it will}. And while the state of NOT profusely sweating is worthy of celebration on its own, enjoy the change in season with an explosion of fun activities and events to do your family and friends. There are 100+ ideas here, so whip those calendars out and start planning!

This Houston Fall Bucket list is primarily divided by location, but be sure to check out the second half for things to try wherever you are!

Inner Loop

  • Zoo Boo! {Houston Zoo} : Celebrate Halloween with activities that are fun for the whole family! Costumes encouraged. {Sept 29- Oct 31}
    • Tickets- must purchase ONLINE only
      • Prices vary by date and age, range ~$23-30
      • Children under 2 FREE
  • Sensory Friendly Day at the Children’s Museum of Houston : Sensory Friendly Day is an exclusive event for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and sensory processing differences. {Oct 16}
  • Find out what all of the museums in Houston’s Museum District have to offer!
  • Kids Day on Buffalo Bayou :: A day filled with FREE family fun…featuring hands-on nature-themed crafts, music, food, park performers, and kayak demonstrations! {October 21}
  • Bayou City Art Festival : Hundreds of artists are joined with music, food, and fun. {October 14 and 15}
    • Tickets
      • General Admission $20
      • Children under 12 FREE
  • The Original Greek Festival : Authentic Greek food, wine, dancing, and artifacts are fun for the entire family! {Oct 5-7}
    • Tickets
      • Children under 12 FREE
      • General Admission $5 at gate, no online tickets
      • Pre-Sale Ticket (includes 1 day admission, Traditional Food plate, and special treat of choice) $30
  • Take a walk/jog in Memorial Park.
  • Hop on the train at Hermann Park.
  • Toddler Tuesdays are back at Discovery Green! Enjoy the fresh air, story-time, and fun activities. {Oct 10, 17, 24, 31}
  • Participate in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure :: Strollers are welcome! {Oct 7}

North Houston

  • Woodlands Children’s Museum : Enjoy interactive exhibits, story time, and a full calendar full of events. Plus, check out the Fall Workshops and Mini-Milestone series- great for after-school and homeschool families!
    • Tickets
      • Ages 1 and up $8
      • Workshops and series pricing separate
    • Upcoming Events 2023
      • Pirate ‘n Mermaid Day {Sept 23, 10am-2pm}, includes Ariel and Pirate Meet and Greet
      • Boogie Bash- Fall Fun {Oct 26, 11am}
      • Boogie Bash- Monster Mash {Oct 31, 11am} 
      • Spooktacular {Oct 31, 9am-2pm}
  • Oil Ranch {Hockley, TX} : 50+ acres with over 20 unique activities, including hay barn, dairy barn, hay rides, train rides, and other fall fun! More details when reopening in October for Fall Season
    • Tickets
      • Children 2 and under FREE
  • Annual Children’s Festival {Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion} :: Dino Party theme! Lots of activities are located in different zones, so every child has something to enjoy! {Nov 11-12}
  • Texas Renaissance Festival :: A Houston favorite! Enjoy arts and crafts, food, and entertainment that will take you back to medieval times! {Oct 7-Nov 26}
    • Tickets {Date specific}
      • Children 4 and under FREE
      • Children 5-12 Half Price on Saturdays and Thanksgiving Friday, FREE every Sunday
      • General Admission ranges from $13.50 to $39
  • Pick your own fruit at the Harvest Season Farm {Tomball, TX}.
  • Pack up the kids and the snacks and head to The Showboat Drive-In for a double feature!{Hockley, TX}

East Houston

  • Visit Armand Bayou Nature Center, and register for an EcoKids or EcoTots {Mom & Me} class while you’re there!
    • Upcoming Events 2023
      • Creepy Crawlers {Oct 28 6-9pm} : This non-scary Halloween night hike has limited slots, so reserve early! Be ready to see some bats, snakes, and other creatures of the night.
      • Fall Festival {Nov 11-12, 10am- 4pm} : Expect music, cupcake walk, rope making, wagon rides, and so much more! Children under 4 are FREE
  • Baytown Parks and Rec {Baytown, TX}
    • Upcoming Events 2023
      • Grito Fest {Oct 6-7} : FREE event celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month
      • Nurture Nature Festival {Oct 14, 10am-4pm} :: introduce kids to reptiles, birds, native plants, and more!
      • Spooktacular {Oct 27}
  • La Porte Parks and Rec {La Porte, TX}
    • Upcoming Events 2023
      • Kids Rodeo and Fall Festival {Oct 14}
      • Treats on the Trail {Oct 29, 6-8pm}

South Houston

  • Froberg’s Farm {Alvin, TX} : More Houston Fall fun with a Corn maze, pumpkin patch, sunflower trail, hayrides, and lots of fresh seasonal produce! Plus a ton of fun activities for kids of all ages.
    • Tickets
      • Children under 2 FREE
      • Ages 3 and up $12
    • Upcoming Events 2023
      • Fall Festival {Sept 23- Nov 5}
  • Trick-or-Treat on Our Street {Pearland Town Center} : Expect trick or treating, live entertainment, costume contests and more. {Oct 28 from 5-8pm}
  • George Ranch Historical Park : Featuring lots of hands-on activities, battle re-enactments, live entertainment, food, craft vendors, and more!
    • Tickets
      • Children 3 and under FREE
      • Ages 4-12 $10
      • Ages 13-64 $15
      • Ages 65+ $12
      • Teacher and Military discounts available
    • Upcoming Events
      • Halloween in the Park {Oct 28}
      • Fall Festival {Nov 24-25, 9am-5pm}
  • Wings over Houston Airshow {Ellington Field} : Featuring the US Navy Blue Angels, Vietnam Demo, MV-22 Osprey, and much more. Special Family Chalet area designed with kids in mind, includes kid activities, diaper stations, breakfast and lunch, and lots of shade! {October 14-15}
    • Tickets {pricing is a bit complicated, varies by day and advanced purchasing, make sure to check the website for details}
      • General Admission {Advanced Purchase}: $40, includes up to 6 children ages 14 and under FREE
      • Family Chalet {Advanced Purchase}
        • Adult $135-175
        • Child $50-65
  • Kemah Boardwalk {Kemah, TX}: Houston Fall Fun for the whole family, with waterfront restaurants, shopping, live entertainment, and amusement park rides!
    • Tickets
      • Events are FREE
      • Single rides $6.50-7.50
      • Weekend pass $49.99
    • Upcoming Events 2023
      • BOO on the Boardwalk {Oct 6-31st}
      • Fall Beer Fest {Oct 7}
      • Day of the Dead Celebration {Oct 29}
  • Clear Lake Greek Festival {Seabrook, TX} : Cultural celebration of Greek heritage and traditions, includes live dance performances, Greek beers and wines, kids activities, and so much food! {Nov 10-12}
    • Tickets
      • Children 14 and under FREE
      • General Admission $5
      • First Responders and Military FREE
  • The George Observatory is open for Saturday Night Stargazing – check it out for a front row seat to the stars!
    • Adults $7, Children under 12 FREE

West Houston

  • Blessington Farms {Simonton, TX} : Outside adventures for the entire family including hay rides, giant slides, hay maze, barrel train ride, pedal cars, sand mountain, nature play area, steer roping, pony hops, and animal encounters! 
    • Tickets
      • Children under 2 FREE 
      • General admission $28.64
      • Seniors $21.25
      • Military & Emergency Personnel FEE
    • Upcoming Events 2023
      • Pumpkin Patch/ Fall Festival {Sept 23-Nov 19}
      • Sunflower Festival {Sept 9 ,10, 16, 17}
  • Dewberry Farm {Brookshire, TX} : Fall family entertainment at its very best, just a short country drive from Houston!  35+ attractions. 10 yummy eateries. Acres and acres of fun!
    • Tickets
      • Children under 2 FREE
      • General Admission $41.95 
    • Upcoming Events 2023
      • Fall Festival {Sept 16- Nov 12}
      • BOOriffic Nights {Oct 6-29}, included with Fall Festival ticket
      • Special Needs Day {Sept 16}, $19.95/ person
      • Hero’s Day {Military, Teacher, Emergency or Medical Personnel} {Sept 17}, $10 discount
  • Venezuelan Festival {Central Green Park} :: Experience Venezuelan culture with food, performances and family fun. Plus, it will be a joint celebration of 10 years of the Park! {Oct 7, 6-10pm}

Galveston

  • Galveston Island Shrimp Festival: Shrimp as far as you can see. Enjoy Gumbo cook off samples, live music, parades, 5k fun runs, and more all day fun. {Sept 22-23}
    • Tickets 
      • Gumbo stroll $13
      • Shrimp dinner plate and beer combo $20
  • Island Oktoberfest {First Lutheran Church of Galveston}: This is an Island favorite that covers 2 blocks in downtown Galveston. Enjoy drinks, food, live music, kids zone and more! {Oct 27-28}
    • FREE admission
  • ARToberFEST : Enjoy this fine arts festival in the cultural arts district, featuring over 120 artists of all kinds! Tickets support The Grand 1894 Opera House Education outreach programs. {Oct 21-22}
    • Tickets
      • Children under 12 FREE
      • General admission $5

garland of fabric leaves

Good Eats & Warm Drinks:

Culture & Education:

Create & Craft:

Out & About:

  • Everything’s bigger in Texas — including high school football! Take your family to cheer on your local high school team! {You can find schedules and ticketing information on local school district websites.}
  • Pack a picnic and head out to a local park.
  • Orange isn’t just for Halloween — cheer on the Houston Dynamo this fall, in person or with a group of friends!
  • Adventure out of your neighborhood to find a food truck.
  • Find the perfect pumpkin at any one of the great Houston-area pumpkin patches!

Get Moving {Sports & Recreation}:

  • Invite family/friends to join in a friendly game of flag-football
  • Have a budding hoops star? College games are WAY cheaper than pro games, plus, you’ve got your pick of quite a few colleges to cheer on! {…and you can use it as an opportunity to talk to your kids about hard work on AND off the court!} Added Bonus :: Autographs are much easier to attain!
  • Set up an outdoor obstacle course or relay race.
  • Discover a new park in your area.
  • Register for a Halloween-themed fun run near you.
  • Go for a family bike ride.

Building Community:

  • Host a play-group non-perishable food drive benefiting the Houston Food Bank.
  • Make Blessing Bags/Homeless Care Kits with your kids.
  • Share a seasonal treat with a new {or old} neighbor.
  • Invite friends/family/neighbors over for a watch party for your favorite sports team.
  • Work with neighbors to arrange a Halloween block party, and forget about going door to door and dodging cars!
  • Celebrate Friendsgiving a week or two before the real-deal…invite families to bring a side-dish of their choice, play games, and celebrate the holiday without all the stress!
  • Have a bake sale and donate the profits to a shelter {like Star of Hope} or a children’s palliative care center {like Project Joy and Hope} to cover Thanksgiving dinner costs.
  • Take cookies/treats to your local fire station.
  • Clean out your closets and donate gently used clothes.
  • Have kids go through toys and have a garage sale; then, use profits to buy toys for a holiday toy drive!
  • Host a Halloween PJ & Treat play-date for friends.

Other Houston Fall Family Fun:

  • Have a movie night at home! Bring out the sleeping bags and blankets, pop some popcorn, and make it a family-night-in!
  • Pick out Halloween costumes.
  • Make a blanket fort.
  • Set up a backyard or indoor camp-out! Tents, flashlights, sleeping bags, oh my! {AND indoor plumbing!!!}
  • Have a family game/puzzle night.
  • Watch “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown”…or better yet, read the book!
  • Set up a pumpkin bowling alley.
  • Schedule Fall family portraits!

Happy Fall, Houston Moms!


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 when researching options and making plans too! 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 Houston fall events, please include those in the comments as well!!


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