Well, hello FALL! You finally decided to show up. Anyone else loving these “cooler” mornings and less humidity? I know my hair is loving it, thank you very much. October in Houston may just be one of my favorite times here – the Bayou City knows how to throw down some festivals and all sorts of super fun fall events. Just perusing this list makes me want to go grab a scarf, some boots, and a PSL… well, maybe not quite yet, but close! We are definitely looking forward to all things pumpkin and fall leaves around here, that’s for sure. To help make the most of your October, we’ve compiled a fantastic list of events all around our great city. Don’t forget to check out the other great resources at the end of the guide for pumpkin patches, fall crafting, Halloween events, and more!
And since October not only signals the beginning of fall, but the beginning of fall festival season! Pumpkins and hay bales decorate our porches. Ghostly goblins and superheros canvass neighborhoods eagerly anticipating sweet treats. And we are soundly back into our school year routines {hallelujah!}. This is generally an opportunity for moms take a big breath before the holiday frenzy starts. October is a perfect time to take inventory, get a jump start on our gratitude for all that we have, and set plans in motion to enjoy the last few merry months of 2018.
Bridgeland community in Cypress inspires this spirit of autumn celebration with family fun events to satisfy all of our fall cravings. Everyone is welcome to come enjoy their community events and take a peek at their artfully designed master planned community that truly put family and community at the center of the plans. They carefully thought through environmental, education, and park space factors when constructing a community to best serve Houston-area families. With regularly occurring events, such as Friday Night Bites or special events, like the upcoming Howl-O-Ween Fest, Bridgeland offers all the autumn fun right in your backyard!
Now, without further adieu, those plentiful October events…
September 28th – October 7th | Various Times :: Fort Bend County Fair and Rodeo
Fort Bend County Fair and Rodeo has grown into one of the largest and most successful Fairs in the State. Residents of the county eagerly anticipate visiting with friends and neighbors at some of the many activities the Fair and Rodeo has to offer during its 10 day run. Check out their daily calendar for activities.
October 1, 2, 3rd | 11:00am :: Cinderella in Spain at Miller Outdoor Theatre
It’s Miller Outdoor Theatre’s 95th Anniversary Season and there will be activities marking this special occasion throughout the year! Seating for daytime performances is on a “first come, first served” basis for the covered seating area. NO TICKETS ARE NECESSARY. NO RESERVATIONS CAN BE MADE. As always, open seating on the hill. The show goes on rain or shine. You can check their website for more information on school groups.
October 4th | 9:15am :: Toddler Music with Sessions Music at the Sugar Land Town Square Plaza
Sing, sway, laugh and play! Join us for a FREE class on the Sugar Land Town Square Plaza with Sessions Music. Immerse your child in a musical atmosphere of play, song and dance, all while he or she develops fundamental skills, and connect with other moms, dads and families. This class is recommended for ages newborn through 7 years.
The 39th Annual Festival Chicano is one of the oldest, ongoing, free events of its type in the world. It is a cultural celebration of Chicano music — from Tejano and Conjunto, to Mariachi and Orchestra. The 39th Annual Festival Chicano is a reflection of the artistic creativity that has developed in the Chicano cultural experience after centuries of influence from native peoples, Mexico, Europeans, and the U.S.A. Chicano music has been historically shaped by many diverse styles such as Mexican rancheras, corridos, mariachi, tejano, conjunto, big band, rhythm and blues, country, rock and roll, and many others. The festival is a celebration of culture through the music of countless generations of artists. It is truly a unique, original American sound.
Enjoy high tea and decorate cookies with the Mad Hatter and the Queen of Hearts in a room filled with Alice in Wonderland’s whimsy! Art projects, whimsical photo booth, face painting and much more… Don’t be late for a very important date!
Calling all Fort Bend Area moms!
Come and enjoy
free coffee and breakfast snacks on us (while supplies last) and meet other mommies from your part of town. Bring your little ones for awesome playtime to
Tot*Spot our exclusive exhibit for children 35 months and under. Daddies, nannies, and caretakers are welcome too! Everyone is invited no matter where you live. The event is included with general admission.
Swing on by for a Top Golf Event benefiting The Ballard House! The Ballard House offers free lodging for patients and their families who have traveled to the Houston area for treatment for life threatening conditions. The event is $125 per person, which includes 3 hours of golf and lunch. Sponsorships are available.
Extraordinary. Eccentric. Outlandish. Offbeat. Magical. Strange. Whatever you call it, we are proud of it. The THIRD annual Houston Weird Homes Tour is about honoring the culture of the city and showcasing the artists who preserve that culture. WHEN: Saturday, October 6th from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., eight to ten Houston homes will open their doors, answer your questions, and share their stories about where they live. Which just happen to be the strangest places in Texas! And if you buy a VIP ticket, you will also get exclusive access to a special bonus house and some Weird Homes Tour SWAG!
Join us for 17th Annual B.I.R.T.H. Fair Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018! Admission is FREE to all events. Join us for speakers, films, prizes, children’s activities and over 50 local vendors. Join the
Facebook event for more information.
The seventh annual Houston Margarita Festival returns as the #1 margarita festival in the USA. Come to enjoy the wide variety of tasty margaritas while listening to live bands outdoors at the beautiful Water Works Park in downtown Houston, Texas!
Foam Glow 5K™ is an exhilarating experience where runners or walkers are BLASTED with Glowing Foam and then lit up by Blacklights scattered throughout the course. Our glowing runners are all different ages, shapes, sizes, and speeds. So no matter your experience level our run will have you shining bright & eagerly awaiting the next run!
The Children’s Museum of Houston is introducing Children’s Yoga every first Sunday of the month. Join this 30-minute children’s yoga session as we play with balance and practice stretches, poses and breathing exercises. No need to register!
With back-to-back home games, October is sure to be an exciting month for JJ and his crew, first taking on the Jets in this Texas match-up, Texans VS Dallas at NRG. Bulls on parade! Make some of these
amazing and simple tailgating recipes to bring to your family party, but don’t brag too much when
we win!
A myriad of magic, mystery and monsters have maneuvered their way into the Museum for three weeks of Halloween! Come partake in spine-tingling experiments, spirit-lifting activities and slime-filled fun during our “Halloween Monster Mayhem” from new extended start date Oct. 9 to 31, 2018.
Get your tickets to the Houston Zoo Wildlife Conservation Gala Deep in the Hearts of Texans – After Party! Featuring guest speaker Carter Smith, Executive Director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and a live performance by Texas’ very own Pat Green! Enjoy complimentary valet, open bar, light bites and a silent auction. Attire is Texas Chic. This event is for ages 21 and up only. Tickets are $150 per person or $125 for members of Flock or the Asante Society. Join Flock or Asante to get your discount! Tickets are limited. Get yours before this event sells out!
Enjoy a fun, family event the 2nd Friday of every month at Lakeland Village Center! There will be activities and entertainment, as well as a wide variety of food trucks, ranging from vegan to cuban food and from cupcakes to snocones! Bring your blankets and lawn chairs for a fun evening with your family, friends, and neighbors!
Day of the Hispanic World celebrates Argentina’s culture with the music of headliner group Grupo Sur, a group displaying the magic of South American music! This is a ticketed event for the covered seating area. Free tickets are available (4 per person over age 16 while they last) at the Miller Outdoor Theatre box office.
Bayou City Art Festival Downtown, benefiting Houston nonprofits, is celebrating 47 years of fine art and giving back on October 13-14, 2018. With 300 artists from around the country representing 19 different disciplines, Bayou City Art Festival, offers attendees the opportunity to personally meet the artists, view original works and purchase world-class art. Everyone is welcome to take a walk under the iconic Houston skyline and enjoy live entertainment, music, crafts in the Children’s Creative Zone, food trucks, a Halloween costume contest and more. The two-day outdoor festival is a fun and unique fine art event for everyone.
The Korean American Society of Houston is proud to present the 10th Annual Korean Festival Houston! Partnered with dozens of global and local sponsors, the Korean Festival serves over 35,000 visitors and brings a truly exhilarating and spectacular experience to the heart of Houston. Mark your calendars and get ready for another great KFest on Discovery Green! You can expect a great day of amazing food, interactive games, and special guest performances on our main stage! ADMISSION IS FREE.
Brush off your tiara and unleash your inner princess with Broadway’s original Cinderella, Belle & Jasmine! Your every dream will come true as four knockout voices sing the petticoats off of every princess song in the book and share hilarious back-stage stories of their royal antics on stage! Adding to the merriment, princes and princesses from 8 to 98 are encouraged to dress up in their best royal attire; who knows – you may win a special princess prize!
Bring your families to St Peter’s Methodist Church in Katy from 3-6pm for our Fall Festival. We have spent so much time preparing for the day and we can’t wait to share it with you. There will be face painters, balloon artists, bounce houses, an inflatable slide, carousel, pony rides, petting zoo and dozens of games! We will have popcorn, cotton candy, popsicles, pizza and Chick-fil-a. We can’t wait to see you!!
Jazz Houston opens for jazz legend Ramsey Lewis. Lewis has been an iconic leader in the contemporary jazz movement for over 50 years with an unforgettable sound and outgoing personality that has allowed him to crossover to the pop and R&B charts. This is a ticketed event for the covered seating area. Free tickets are available (4 per person over age 16 while they last) at the Miller Outdoor Theatre box office.
The Bayou City Music Series, a new concert series presented by the Kinder Foundation, honors the great jazz, blues and zydeco musicians of Houston in free concerts taking place Emancipation Park this month.
The boys are taking on the Rams this week at NRG Stadium and we have an AWESOME
list of FREEBIES for after they WIN! BULLS ON PARADE!
1,000 Lights for Peace starts with a 5K Walk for Peace at Miller Outdoor Theatre, including an international cultural program with participants representing a broad cross section of nationalities. The finale and highlight of the evening is a candle lighting ceremony where all present have the opportunity to light a candle representing their pledge for peace. This is a ticketed event for the covered seating area. Free tickets are available (4 per person over age 16 while they last) at the Miller Outdoor Theatre box office.
The Children’s Museum was recently designated a Certified Autism Center and once a month will host Sensory Friendly Days for guests. Guests can enjoy light and sound reduction, smaller crowds, quiet areas, ear defenders available for loan, onsite experts, special activities, ability for visitors to bring in their own food.
Join Houston’s Open Dance Project and experience the fast-moving fun of spark plugs and pistons in this hyperphysical romp through the mechanics of motors and engines and the inventive minds of their creators. Everyday applications of math, science, and engineering are highlighted in this live performance featuring original music, theatre and dance. ENGINuity is geared towards audiences ages 6-15, but can be enjoyed by all! Seating for daytime performances is on a “first come, first served” basis for the covered seating area.
Home-based music and movement classes through Waldo Music is hosting a family friendly, sensory friendly, meaningful drum night at Adolphus Elementary. For details or to RSVP, email Malory at
[email protected].
October 17th | 6:30pm – 9:00pm :: Houston Moms Blog’s 5th Birthday Bash
Join us as we celebrate FIVE years of bringing you fabulous content and community to our loyal followers. We want to celebrate YOU — those of you making this mama gig that much better. Hosted on the picturesque grounds of Multiplicity in Katy and in partnership with Fresh Lunch Yellow Box and the Succulent Bar, we are going to have such a fun night! Per our usual HMB style, there will be TONS of spoiling, pampering, food, drinks, swag, and giveaways! This will be a wonderful Mom’s Night Out event and we encourage you to add your friends to this group too. Snag your tickets now while you still can!
October 19th | 7:30pm :: Splendid China XIII at Miller Outdoor Theatre
Splendid China XIII will feature new choreography in this international collaboration between dancers from China’s top companies and Houston’s Dance of Asian America! This is a ticketed event for the covered seating area. Free tickets are available (4 per person over age 16 while they last) at the Miller Outdoor Theatre box office.
October 20th & 21st | 8:00am – 5:00pm :: Wings Over Houston at Ellington Field
One of the top air shows in the United States, this premier Houston event is dedicated to showcasing vintage World War II aircraft, along with the thrills of modern aviation, and has supported a variety of local and national charities during its 34-year history.
October 20th | 9am – 4pm :: Pick-A-Dilly Craft Fair at SPUMC Katy
Come check out our handmade items ranging from jewelry, cards, soaps, candles, ornaments, knits and wood-carved items to beautiful wreaths and centerpieces. You will also find decorations for all the upcoming holidays. You may find food for sale, monogramming and personalized items, as well. And don’t forget the pumpkin patch!
October 20th | Kicks off at 9am :: Houston Congenital Heart Walk
This event is on Saturday, October 20th from 10 am to 5 pm at Memorial Park Conservancy in Houston. The Congenital Heart Walk is a family- friendly 1 mile route fundraising to support the missions of both national nonprofit organizations who are uniting to fight CHD. Registration begins at 8:00 AM.
October 20th | 1:00pm – 6:00pm :: Scarecrow Fest at Cross Creek Ranch
Free admission! Live music! Food Trucks! Pumpkin Patch! Carnival Rides (with wristband charge)! And fabulous shopping at the Glamour Gypsies Truck! Event is in Fulshear, Texas at Cross Creek Ranck Development.
October 20th & 21st | 11:00am – 4:00pm :: Fall Festival at Nature Discovery Center
Our Pumpkin Patch fall festival will return to Russ Pitman Park this fall! Come enjoy our refreshed, updated park as your family picks out the perfect pumpkins for your porch, takes a horse drawn wagon ride, browses vendor stalls, bounces, spins, and climbs on our big attractions, and plays plenty of festival games. Don’t forget to stop by the food trucks for some scrumptious eats! Admission to Pumpkin Patch is FREE.
October 24th | 11:00am :: Moving Myths : Story Telling Through Dance at Miller Outdoor Theatre
METdance’s Moving Myths introduces captivating legends from all over the world in a magical interlude of storytelling. As traveling dancers spend a night beside a campfire, they entertain each other with breathtaking examples of mythology from their homelands to North, East, South, and West. Students, teachers, and audience members will have the opportunity to converse with the dancers and participate in a wonder-filled hour of dance while learning of beloved tales from other cultures. Seating for daytime performances is on a “first come, first served” basis for the covered seating area.
October 25th | 11:00am :: Let’s Make a Play at Miller Outdoor Theatre
Taking suggestions from the audience, the Express Improv Players create a spontaneous children’s play with costumes, props, and spur-of-the-moment songs! Designed to help children directly experience the power of collaboration and creativity. Seating for daytime performances is on a “first come, first served” basis for the covered seating area.
October 25th | 4:30pm :: The Great Pumpkin Hunt at the Bellaire Town Square
Dress up in your Halloween costume and join us for a great pumpkin hunt! There will be candy and toys for all {Ages 0-10}.
October 25th | 7:20pm :: Texans Home Game vs Miami Dolphins
Texans VS Dolphins is sure to be the game you don’t want to miss! Want to show your Texans pride this week? Make a No-Sew Texans Skirt sure to catch JJ’s eye from the 50 yard line!
October 26th | 10 am to 4 pm :: No Label Brewery Oktoberfest
Howl-O-Ween will be hosted at Josey Lake, Bridgeland’s newest amentity, with FREE admission! Food and drinks can be purchased at the event, as well as roaming entertainment, a kids’ area, a pumpkin patch and farmers market, dog rescue groups, pumpkin decorating, face painting and balloon artists, AND a doggie fashion show and costume contest!
October 26th | 6 pm to 10 pm :: Scream on the Green
Visitors will have a spooky good time at Houston’s citywide costume contest and Halloween celebration for the whole family! There will be prizes, Halloween spectacle, a movie {E.T. the Extra–Terrestrial on the big screen at 7:30pm}, performances, living statues, music and more! Visitors can win candy and prizes playing our FREE games!
Red Baraat, dubbed as “the best party band in years” by NPR, is a band of eight musicians that perform an unprecedented, high-energy, gut-busting fusion of jazz, hip-hop beats, rock muscle, funky go-go, and scalding hot bhangra. This is a ticketed event for the covered seating area. Free tickets are available (4 per person over age 16 while they last) at the Miller Outdoor Theatre box office.
Idea Lab offers Friday Night STEAM workshops once a month! STEAM Team workshops are a fun-filled evening where parents can drop their children off for a night of themed activities and a pizza dinner at their nearest IDEA Lab Kids Facility! Workshops run from 6:30 pm- 9:00 pm. Each guest will participate in two hours of fun themed activities and enjoy a 30 minute pizza dinner! Friday night STEAM workshops are open to children ages 5-12. All guests will be split into age appropriate groups to enjoy an evening of fun! Cost :: $25 {Includes Pizza Dinner and 2 hours of activities for each guest.} Friday’s theme is Chef Academy. For this SPOOKY cooking workshop guests will explore fun Halloween themed recipes!
Howl-O-Ween will be hosted at Oak Meadow Park with FREE admission! Food and drinks can be purchased at the event, as well as roaming entertainment, a kids’ area, a pumpkin patch and farmers market, dog rescue groups, pumpkin decorating, face painting and balloon artists, AND a doggie fashion show and costume contest! Also, Bridgeland will be featuring headling act The Canine Stars!
Invite your friends, bring your family, and enjoy the festivities. Live music Obstacle courses, moonwalks, face painting, bake sale, Shortcakes the Clown, fabulous games, a trackless train, petting zoo, lots of pumpkins, great food with multiple Food Trucks– We will have a silent auction, model train display, vendors with wonderful crafts and merchandise and a whole lot more!
We want to invite YOU to come Celebrate Fall with us and all our barnyard friends. You can play on our playground, visit the petting zoo, play mini-golf, play in Tombstone, zip down the rope slide, and more. Plus your family will have access to our Vendor Market!
The Art For A Cause Exhibit is an interactive art experience inspired by the children for the children. Every adult ticket purchased comes along with unlimited amount of children. 100% of ticket profits and and percentage of each art sold will go towards the Project Clothe A Child Foundation. In addition to the exhibit, we will also be hosting a shoe drive in partnership with Divine Benevolence Medical Missions for disadvantage children and orphans in Kigali, Rwanda.
Houston Chamber Choir boasts a program of hits from the Big Band Era that have won the hearts of listeners over many decades. The Chamber Choir and Richard Brown Music’s Big Band turn back the clock to a time when swing was king! This is a ticketed event for the covered seating area. Free tickets are available (4 per person over age 16 while they last) at the Miller Outdoor Theatre box office.
The
Houston Striders is excited to present the 2018 Houston Half Marathon & 10K event. Whether you are in training , a charity supporter, or craving a well-organized fun-filled experience, we will leave you with a smile on your face. Join us on Sunday, October 28th for the 2018 Houston Half Marathon & 10K!
Open Lab at IDEA Lab consists of two hours of STEAM activities! During Open Lab guests get a snapshot of the many programs that IDEA Lab has to offer. Open Lab takes place during weekdays and allows students a chance to visit an IDEA Lab facility. No o previous experience necessary. Open Lab runs from 4:30pm-6:30pm and is open to students ages 5-12. Cost: $15. Theme :: “Think Like A Programmer” – For International Day Of Programming IDEA Lab is offering an one of a kind Open Lab. Guests will build a fun engineering project and learn how computers interact with everyday things.
Pinocchio, the story of a wooden boy carved from the loving hands of his “Mother”, Dame Gina Geppetto, is brought to life as only The Panto Company can. Join Pinocchio on an adventure full of magic and wonder as he sings and dances his way to becoming a real boy. He’ll experience Stromboli’s travelling show, Pleasure Island, the inside of a whale’s mouth with his companions, the Blue Fairy, and Jimmini Cricket, among many others. A classic show for the whole family with all the production values The Panto Company USA has become known for – guaranteed to be a show with no strings attached! Seating for daytime performances is on a “first come, first served” basis for the covered seating area.
Adventure Kids Playcare Memorial City will host a Halloween themed Open House at the new facility. Guests will receive staff-guided tours of the playrooms and children will experience Adventure Kids Playcare firsthand with free playtime. Children are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes for trick-or-treating and to enter the costume contest with the chance to win prizes and exclusive Adventure Kids Playcare discounts. Light bites and refreshments will be served while guests participate in activities for the whole family including face painting and arts and crafts.
Enjoy a special Monster Mash Boogie Bash, spooky games, experiments, entertainment and much more! Perfect for the little ones.
Strange and creepy happenings beset an average California family when ghosts commune with them through the television set. Celebrate Halloween at Miller with this creepy classic! This event is non-ticketed, including for the covered seating area. As always, open seating on the hill. The show goes on rain or shine.
Recurring Events for Your Calendar
Every Friday :: Free Fitness Classes at Sugar Land Plaza
Enjoy FREE Bootcamp with Cida Fitness from 9:00 am- 10:00 am and Zumba with Cida Fitness from 10:00am – 11:00am.
Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in October :: Blessington Farms Fall Festival
A great outing for the entire family with many Fall activities that include hay rides, giant slides, barrel train rides, pedal cars and animal encounters with camels, Baby Doll sheep, goats and MANY more. We have many new fun items debuting this Fall including a new gift shop. The walk-thru aviary where you can feed our new Quaker Parrots is a favorite as well as the recent addition of the Rope Maze and Fossil Dig. All activities are included in the price of admission with the exception of camel and bird feedings which are $3 each. Join us each weekend through October.
Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in October :: Zoo Boo at the Houston Zoo
We’re inviting all little ghouls and goblins to celebrate Halloween at the Houston Zoo with activities that are fun for the entire family. We encourage all kids to come dressed in their spookiest or prettiest Halloween costume, and don’t forget the trick-or-treat bags!
First Friday of Every Month | 7:00pm – 9:00pm :: Party at the Pavilion at Bellaire Great Lawn
Party at the Pavilion is a free concert that occurs on the first Friday of every month. Bring family and friends to enjoy live music and good food! Please bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating. Reminder, there are no dogs allowed in the park.
Introduce your child to the wonder of reading and instill a love of books at an early age. Storybook Theatre combines your favorite childhood books with songs, rhymes and finger plays which are meant to promote early literacy and enhance language development. No reservation needed. Free with price of admission.
Every Saturday | 9:00am – 1:00pm :: Forever Fulshear Farmer’s Market
Forever Fulshear hosts the Fulshear Farmers’ Market every Saturday, year round, from 9:00a.m.-1:00p.m. We can be reached by phone at 713.703.4129 or via email, [email protected].
Every Second Saturday of the Month | 12:00pm – 5:00pm :: Sawyer Yards Second Saturday
Spend the afternoon wandering through Sawyer Yards’ five studio buildings and discover an extensive selection of painting, sculpture, jewelry, photography, clothing, mixed media and more. Meet some of the 300+ artists, learn about their work and add a new piece (or two!) to your collection. Second Saturday is a free event and open to the public, so bring your friends!
Looking for more? Check out these links…
A Houston Moms Guide to 2018 Pumpkin Patches and Fall Festivals
Top 30 Family-Friendly Patios in Houston
Best Baby Registries in Houston
50 Family-Friendly Restaurants in Greater Houston
Houston’s Best Family-Friendly Brunch Spots
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!
