Fall festivals have been celebrated for thousands of years. To that end, Hill Country Fall Festivals improve every year! 2019 offers you and your family countless options. You will love the diverse collection of activities, artwork, things to do and food! For example, try your hand at chili cook-offs, wine tours, artisan expos, car shows and even rodeo. We recommend spending a bit of time planning your visit.

Originally, fall festivals often coincided with annual harvests as the days grew shorter and temperatures began to fall. In an attempt to thank the gods for giving ancient peoples enough food for the winter months, tribes often celebrated the bounty. We may know how to grow crops and grains better today, but that doesn’t mean we should not be thankful!

Additionally, you can consider where to find a central place to stay and recharge after a long day. Many guests work with a premier Hill Country lodging company. In some cases, they may be able to secure discounts to events and offer tips. After all, enjoying the fantastic Hill Country Fall Festivals will create lasting memories for everyone!

Food!!!

Hill Country Fall Festivals always include food! To start things off, on September 21, 2019, the annual Hill Country Shrimp and Music Fest brings you fantastic food and brilliant musicians. Here, you will find countless shrimp recipes, live music and entertainment for everyone in your family. For example, local food trucks deliver a huge selection of options. Additionally, you can check out the high school culinary arts students and home cooks battle in the Food Challenge. Parking is free, but we recommend purchasing discounted tickets prior to arriving.

Make no mistake – Texans knows how to prepare a proper chili. On October 5-6th, 2019, you can enjoy some award-winning chili and help a local charity! The Ladies State Chili Championship of Texas visits Blanco, TX to blow your mind. Additionally, you can participate in the raffle, an auction for cool items and many other activities. Admission is free with proceeds going to help local charities.

The Hill Country also knows the perfect way to roast a pig! On October 11-13, 2019 the Johnson City Pig Roast benefits the Cherokee Home for Children. What a great way to get out and explore the Hill Country. The annual event offers you many activities including a Poker Run, a night bike show, bands playing in the evening and much more. Tickets for the event are $30 per person for those over 11 years old. Alcohol is served, so anyone under 21 must be accompanied by an adult.

Next, from November 1-10, 2019, you can celebrate Wurstfest! You’ll find a unique salute to sausage during this German inspired festival. Perfect for the whole family, can will experience amazing fun, great music, delicious food, and special events. Think of it more as Texas’ version of Oktoberfest in Munich, but much closer in New Braunfels!

Wines!

What could be better than an entire month dedicated to Hill Country wines? Well, we can’t think of anything either. October lets you celebrate the Hill Country Wine Trail all month long. On this self-guided tour, you can enjoy local wines and find the perfect food pairing. Additionally, you can always venture through vineyards and cozy wineries. Be sure to get your tickets early!

Another wine, beer and spirits tour takes place in Dripping Springs and Driftwood during the month of October. The Dripping With Taste Trail and Passport. For $90, the two of you can sample up to four wineries, breweries or distilleries per day. As a result, you’ll get to experience some of the finest beverages in the Hill Country!

On October 26, 2019, you will not want to miss the 29th annual Fredericksburg Food and Wine Fest. As a result, you’ll find plenty of wines, food, music and many other attractions. Additionally, you can browse the different booths, artisans, food court and kids area. Come out for a great time! Tickets are $25 when you arrive at the event in Fredericksburg.

Things That Fly

Also just north of Horseshoe Bay  in Marble Falls, on September 26-28, 2019, the kids will love the Hill Country Space Expo. This expo welcomes students and kids curious about space. Kids will find hands-on model building, check out cool exhibits, try the flight simulators, and even meet visiting astronauts!

More Events

Hill Country Fall Festivals have something for everyone. If you are looking for artists, musicians and even mermaids – we’ve got you covered!

On September 21, 2019, your family will love the Downtown Mermaid Promenade; a full-day event in San Marcos. Yes, we said mermaids. By highlighting the San Marcos River and artistic culture, your family will absolutely enjoy everything the day offers. Additionally, the event would not be complete without real, fresh water mermaids! A parade line-up starts the day and continues at the Mermaid Aqua Faire right after the parade.

Wimberley is known for its local artists, so why not allow folks to tour their studios! On September 28-29, 2019, you have that option. The Wimberley Artists Studio Tour allow you to get a one-time chance to step into the creative inner sanctums of a variety of artists. See how they paint, sculpt, photograph and create jewelry and pottery. Finally, visit 23 artists who exhibit their work at eight different stops on the free tour.

On October 18-20, 2019, the Dripping Springs’ Songwriters Festival brings a collections of fantastic songwriters to Dripping Springs. This annual event gives you the opportunity to see more than 20 song-packed shows a day. Even better  – daily admission is free! Each day, the Main Stage will host an elite headliner showcase that will feature some very extraordinary songwriting talent. Don’t miss this event!