Fall is the time of year when children go back to school, football season kicks off and farmers across the region begin to harvest their crops. The fall is always a time of family fun and, our staff has compiled this list of family-friendly fall festivals for your enjoyment.

September

2016 Fall Festivities Guide Beetles, Brew, and Barbecue[/caption]

Sept. 24 Beetles, Brew and Barbecue Festival

Formerly the Bugs, Brew & Barbecue Festival, the newly named festival takes place for a sixth time in Tomball. It is Tomball’s own version of Oktoberfest with over 150 Volkswagen Beetles, Texas craft beers and barbecue. Other food options are available, and the live music lineup includes Johnny & the Spinstations and The Mambo Jazz Kings. The event also promises a kids zone. 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. 201 S. Elm St., Tomball 281-351-5484 www.ci.tomball.tx.us

Sept. 23-24 St. Mary’s Fall Gift Market

St. Mary’s Episcopal Church hosts its 11th annual market to kick off the holiday shopping and decorating season. Guests can browse selections of jewelry, home decor, toys, flower arrangements, handcrafted gifts, collectibles, pottery, candles and trendy clothing for women and children from 80 different booths. There is a silent auction for items, including timeshares and sporting event tickets. All proceeds support the church’s outreach initiatives and projects. Refreshments are provided. Free. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. St. Mary’s Episcopal Church 15415 N. Eldridge Parkway, Cypress 832-559-8726  http://stmaryscypress.org

October Oct. 1 CreekFest

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

2016 Fall Festivities Guide Flying Saucer BeerFeast[/caption]

Oct. 1 Flying Saucer BeerFeast

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. Ticket purchase includes admission to the event, a tasting card that includes 12 beer samples and a tasting glass. Additional tasting cards are available for purchase. $15-$68. 2-6:30 p.m. Sugar Land Town Square 15958 City Walk, Sugar Land 281-242-7468 www.saucerbeerfeast.com

Oct. 1 Saint Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Community Fall Festival

This annual festival features a petting zoo, camel rides, games, inflatables,      a rock wall, kiddy train, obstacle course, dunking booth, photo booth, live and silent auctions, a flea market, food, a DJ and fellowship. Free. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Community 10135 West Road, Houston 832-918-8085 www.stmaximilian.org/fall-festival

Oct. 1 St. Paul’s Fall Festival & Craft Show

The annual event raises funds for the church. Activities include shopping at vendor booths, children’s activities, a petting zoo and barbecue. Free. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. St Paul’s Episcopal Church 5373 Franz Road, Katy 281-391-2785

2016 Fall Festivities Guide The Original Greek Festival[/caption]

Oct. 6-9 The Original Greek Festival

This festival highlights Greek culture through traditional food, crafts, art and gifts. Each night features traditional Greek dancing reflecting the customs and culture of the country. Cathedral tours are also offered throughout the festival. $5 (admission at the gate). Free admission (Oct. 6 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and every day for children age 12 and younger). $22 (presale ticket includes one-day admission and a dinner plate). 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). Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral 3511 Yoakum Blvd., Houston 713-526-5377 www.greekfestival.org

Oct. 8-Nov. 27 Texas Renaissance Festival

Hundreds of thousands of people visit the Texas Renaissance 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. $26 (adult), $14 (child). 9 a.m.-8 p.m. 21778 FM 1774, Todd Mission 800-458-3435 www.texrenfest.com

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 pasta-eating contest highlighting Italian customs. $5-$25, free admission (children age 12 and younger). 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). University of St. Thomas 3800 Montrose Blvd., Houston 713-524-4222 www.houstonitalianfestival.com

Oct. 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. Free. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The Foundry United Methodist Church, 8350 Jones Road, Houston. 713-937-9388 www.foundrychurch.org

2016 Fall Festivities Guide Cajun Catfish Festival[/caption]

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. $10-$20. 6 p.m.-midnight (Oct. 14), 11 a.m.-midnight (Oct. 15), noon-6 p.m. (Oct. 16). Downtown Conroe 101 S. Main St., Conroe 936-539-6009. www.conroecajuncatfishfestival.com

Oct. 15-16 Art in the Park Festival

Nonprofit organization Friendswood Fine Arts hosts its seventh annual festival. The event features the work of local artists, including fine art, fashion, music and performance. Attendees also enjoy live music and art demonstrations. Free. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. (Oct. 15), 11 a.m.-5 p.m. (Oct. 16) Stevenson Park 1100 S. Friendswood Drive, Friendswood 281-996-7700 www.aitpfestival.com

Oct. 15 Pick-a-Dilly Craft Fair

The fair benefits the St. Peters’ mission ministries. The craft fair—in its 26th year—features more than 80 vendor booths offering hand-made crafts, such as jewelry, wreaths, wood-carved trinkets, soaps and various other products. Free. 9 a.m-4 p.m. St. Peters United Methodist Church 20775 Kingsland Blvd., Katy 281-492-8031 www.stpkaty.org/pick-a-dilly-craft-fair/

Oct. 15-16 PetFest

Old Town Spring hosts its annual pet-friendly, family-friendly festival. The event 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 brought to the event on a leash, and pet registration for events is $5. Free. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (Oct. 15); 11 a.m.-5 p.m. (Oct. 16) Preservation Park 130 Spring School Road, Spring 281-353-9310 www.petfestoldtownspring.com

Oct. 22 ECDC Fall Family Festival

The annual ECDC Fall Family Festival is set for St. Peters United Methodist Church and is held rain or shine. The event features various family-friendly fall-themed events as well as on-site vendors. In addition to the festival, the St. Peters Pumpkin Patch will be open from Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m.- 7 p.m. and Sunday noon-7 p.m. every day of October. At the pumpkin patch, families can purchase pumpkins as well as get portrait-type photos taken. Free. 3-6 p.m. St. Peters United Methodist Church 20775 Kingsland Blvd., Katy 281-492-8031 www.stpkaty.org

Oct. 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 at the Downtown Depot. 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. Free. 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m. 201 S. Elm St., Tomball 281-351-5484 www.ci.tomball.tx.us

Oct. 30 Boo Bash

Attendees enjoy Halloween-themed games, food and crafts at the 17th annual event. 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. Free (admission), $4 (parking).  1-4 p.m. Traders Village 7979 N. Eldridge Parkway, Houston 281-890-5500 www.tradersvillage.com

November Nov. 5 Houston Margarita Festival

Attendees choose from more than 19 margarita flavors to sample at the festival. The event also features a margarita competition and a salsa dance competition as well as live music and vendor booths with different types of cuisine. $25 (presale), $35 (day-of) The ticket includes a complimentary margarita. Noon-10 p.m. Sam Houston Park 1000 Bagby St., Houston www.houstonmargaritafest.com

Featured Festival

2016 Fall Festivities Guide Katy Rice Harvest Festival[/caption]

Oct. 8-9 Katy Rice Harvest Festival

The 36th annual festival kicks off on Oct. 1 with the Rice Harvest Festival Parade in downtown Katy. The parade begins at 10 a.m. at the Katy Church of Christ, 5458 Fifth St., Katy. The route ends at Adorable Reception Hall at the intersection of Avenue C and 10th Street. The two-day Rice Harvest Festival is held the following weekend, Oct. 8-9, in downtown Katy on Second and Third streets and avenues B and C. The festival celebrates the rice farming heritage in Katy with live music, food vendors, and a shopping area with handmade crafts for sale. The festival is sponsored and organized by the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce. A large portion of the proceeds from the festival is donated to various Katy area charities and schools. Oct. 8, 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; Oct. 9, noon-6 p.m. Downtown Katy Avenues B and C, Second and Third streets, Katy 281-391-5289 www.riceharvestfestival.org