01 CreekFest The Houston Northwest Chamber of Commerce hosts its sixth annual event and a Color the Creek 5K fun run in partnership with several other community organizations. The festival includes a food truck roundup, fine art walk, craft merchant vendors, live entertainment, a library scavenger hunt and dog costume contest. Children take part in art and activity tents, a book walk, a bounce house and learn from professional chalk artists. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. 6823 Cypresswood Drive, Spring 281-440-4160 www.creekfesthouston.com

01 St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Community Fall Festival The annual festival features a petting zoo, camel rides, games, inflatables, rock wall, children’s train, obstacle course, dunking booth, photo booth, live and silent auctions, a flea market, food and music by a DJ. The event also promises a stuffed animal and mystery envelope booth. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Free. 10135 West Road, Houston 832-918-8085 www.stmaximilian.org/fall-festival

[caption id="attachment_170347" align="alignright" width="220"] The Original Greek Festival[/caption]

06-09 The Original Greek Festival This festival highlights Greek culture through traditional food, crafts, art and gifts. Food at the festival includes Greek dishes, such as baklava, tsoureki and dolmades. Each night features traditional Greek dancing reflecting the customs and culture of Greece. Cathedral tours are also offered throughout the festival. 5-10 p.m. (Oct. 6), 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 5- 10 p.m. (Oct. 7), 11 a.m.-10 p.m. (Oct. 8), noon-6 p.m. (Oct. 9). $5 (admission at the gate). Free (children age 12 and younger). 3511 Yoakum Blvd., Houston 713-526-5377 www.greekfestival.org

08 Zomball in Tomball The annual Halloween bash features a giant trick-or-treat celebration for children courtesy of local vendors and organizations. Other activities include a maze and swamp attraction with music, crafts and games for kids. Guests are invited to come in costume. 6 p.m. Free. 201 S. Elm St., Tomball 281-351-5484 www.ci.tomball.tx.us

[caption id="attachment_170348" align="alignright" width="220"] Texas Renaissance Festival[/caption]

08-Nov. 27 Texas Renaissance Festival Hundreds of thousands of people visit the festival each year. For eight weekends in October and November, festival attendees dress up and explore the Renaissance-themed park. Each weekend features food and drink vendors, live entertainment and more than 400 shops. Entertainment options include parades, jousting and theatrical performances. Shops sell a variety of medieval goods, including glasswork, leatherwork, potions and musical instruments. Each Saturday night, the festival hosts the adults-only TRF After Dark with dancing, food and hookah. 9 a.m.-8 p.m. $26 (adult), $14 (child). 21778 FM 1774, Todd Mission 800-458-3435 www.texrenfest.com

14-15 Judy Dierker Holiday Market The Foundry Church hosts the annual market featuring more than 100 vendors offering clothing, jewelry, homemade items and seasonal and home decor. The event also includes a tea room and Coffee and Treat Shoppe with various foods available for purchase. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. 8350 Jones Road, Houston 713-937-9388 www.foundrychurch.org

15 Freight Train Food truck Festival Salem Lutheran Church hosts a five-acre corn maze in the shape of an old steam locomotive to honor the early days of Tomball as a railroad hub and center of commerce in north Harris County. Tomball is also planning a festival with a pumpkin patch, food trucks, entertainment and more. An admission fee for the maze supports SLC ministries aimed at children and teens. Free. 201 S. Elm St., Tomball 281-351-5484 www.ci.tomball.tx.us

15-16 PetFest Old Town Spring hosts its annual pet-friendly, family-friendly event. The festival includes a parade, weiner dog race, “wannabe” weiner dog race, costume contest and a dog show. Veterinarians are available to answer questions. Pets should be on leashes. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (Oct. 15); 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. (Oct. 16). Free. 130 Spring School Road, Spring 281-353-9310 www.petfestoldtownspring.com

[caption id="attachment_170346" align="alignright" width="220"] Tomball Bluegrass Festival[/caption]

22 Tomball Bluegrass Festival The fifth annual festival promises an afternoon of music featuring banjos and dobros. David Davis & the Warrior River Boys and The Border Town Ramblers headline the event; other local and area musicians perform throughout the rest of the day. The festival also features various booths with food and a kids zone. Guests are welcome to bring instruments and join in on the performance at the Shade Tree Jam. 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. 201 S. Elm St., Tomball 281-351-5484 www.ci.tomball.tx.us

30 Boo Bash Attendees enjoy Halloween-themed games, food and crafts for the 17th year in a row. Children age 12 and younger can participate in activities, such as face painting and trick or treating at the outdoor market. The event features continual live music and activities. Traders Village also hosts a maze, magic show and DJ alongside the Cy-Fair Volunteer Fire Department. Harris County 911 passes out trick-or-treat bags to children. 1-4 p.m. Free (admission), $4 (parking). 7979 N. Eldridge Parkway, Houston 281-890-5500 www.tradersvillage.com

November

04-05 Ravensway Bazaar The annual event returns to the Ravensway neighborhood for the 23rd time with its yearly craft show and display of booths. The event is set to feature 45 different vendors that sell everything from handmade specialties to baked goods. Event organizers also promise the return of the bazaar’s renowned baked potatoes. Contact [email protected] for information. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. 12730 Jarvis Road, Cypress

05 Houston Margarita Festival For the fifth year in a row, attendees have their choice of more than 25 margarita flavors to sample at the festival from over 21,000 liters of margarita mix. The event also features a margarita competition that pits the city’s best mixologists against one another. Guests can compete in a salsa dance competition, enjoy live music and visit vendor booths with different types of cuisine. Noon-10 p.m. $25 (presale), $35 (day of event). Ticket includes a complimentary margarita. 1000 Bagby St., Houston www.houstonmargaritafest.com

12-13 Langham Creek FFA Craft Show The annual craft show features over 120 vendor booths selling a variety of crafts. The show also features indoor games, a silent auction and raffle. All proceeds from the event go to scholarship funds. 11206 Telge Road, Cypress 281-463-5400 http://langhamcreek.cfisd.net

[caption id="attachment_170344" align="alignright" width="220"] Home for the Holidays[/caption]

12-Dec. 24 Home for the Holidays Old Town Spring hosts its 36th annual event every weekend from Nov. 12 through Dec. 24. The event features live music, Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, a tree lighting and a children’s train. Shop hours vary. Free. 123 Midway St., Spring 281-353-9310 www.oldtownspring.com

19 Lighting of the Doves and iWow This year marks the 10th annual International Winter on the Waterway and 34th annual Lighting of the Doves. The event features live music, international food and entertainment, vendor booths, snow play areas and a fireworks display, weather permitting. Free (admission), $4 (parking). 3-9 p.m. 2099 Lake Robbins Drive, The Woodlands www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov

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Worth the trip

[caption id="attachment_170349" align="alignright" width="220"] Tomball Texas Music Festival[/caption]

Aug. 27 Tomball Texas Music Festival The festival features a variety of musicians, including Shay Domann, John Arthur Martinez from Nashville Stars, Darbi Shawn, Mike Amabile and Run Over Twice. The event has food and merchandise vendors and a kids zone. 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m. 201 S. Elm St., Tomball 281-351-5484 www.ci.tomball.tx.us

Oct. 14-16 Cajun Catfish Festival The annual event spans a three-day weekend in downtown Conroe. Food vendors offer traditional Cajun options and festival favorites, and live entertainment is featured on three different stages. Throughout the weekend, there is a catfish pageant, kids zone and other family-friendly attractions. 6 p.m.-midnight (Oct. 14), 11 a.m.-midnight (Oct. 15), noon-6 p.m. (Oct. 16). $10-$20. 101 S. Main St., Conroe 936-539-6009 www.conroecajuncatfishfestival.com

[caption id="attachment_170351" align="alignright" width="220"] Festa Italiana[/caption]

Oct. 13-16 Festa Italiana Festivalgoers celebrate Italian culture through traditional food, music and art. The event also features a car show, grape stomp and a pasta-eating contest highlighting Italian customs. 5-10 p.m. (Oct. 13), 11 a.m.-10 p.m. (Oct. 14), 11 a.m.-10 p.m. (Oct. 15), 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (Oct. 16).$5-$25 (ticket ranges), free (admission children 12 and younger). 3800 Montrose Blvd., Houston 713-524-4222 www.houstonitalianfestival.com

Oct. 1 Flying Saucer Beer Fest Sugar Land’s Flying Saucer hosts its fifth annual event featuring more than 50 breweries and 80 craft beers. Restaurants in Sugar Land Town Square have food available for attendees. 2-6:30 p.m. $15-$68. 15958 City Walk, Sugar Land 281-242-7468 www.saucerbeerfeast.com