Events going on in the Heights, River Oaks and Montrose areas in October include the Bayou City Arts Festival, a guest lecture at the Houston Toy Museum and a haunted tour of Buffalo Bayou.

A conversation with Toy Historian Rob Goldberg

The Houston Toy Museum hosts Rob Goldberg, an author toy historian featured on The History Channel's "The Toys That Build America." Goldberg will discuss his new book "Radical Play: Revolutionizing Children's Toys in 1960s and 1970s America," which covers the movement against war-themed toys and how feminism transformed toy culture.Hispanic Business Summit

Local organizations will collaborate with the U.S. Small Business Administration for a morning of networking with business owners, information about the impact of Latino entrepreneurship in Houston, small business success stories, and a panel of lenders for tips on accessing business capital. This event will be held entirely in Spanish.Sight and Sound Concert


The River Oaks Chamber Orchestra collaborates with Houston’s Museum of Fine Art for an evening of art and music. Violinist Eva Burmeister and Pianist Audrey Andrist will perform at the concert, and works of art from the museum's curated collection will be on display.
  • Oct. 12, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
  • Free
  • 5500 Main St., Houston
  • www.mfah.org
Silver Celebration

The Houston Contemporary Dance Company kicks off its 2023-24 season with Silver Celebration. The show will feature a world premiere from Norbert De La Cruz as well as works by McKinley Willis, Yoshito Sakaraba and solo guest artist Sean Carmon. HCDC will also bring back its first-ever work from 2019, "Porcelain" by Joshua Manuchulich.ArBOOretum Family Fall Festival

During the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center event, guests can walk the trick-or-treat nature trail, learning about creatures that live at the arboretum while collecting candy. Other activities will include a pumpkin patch, Halloween market, carnival swings, falcon shows, pumpkin decorating and train rides.
  • Oct. 14, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • $20 (presale, non members), $25 (at the door, nonmembers), free (members and children under age 3)
  • 120 W. Loop 610 N., Houston
  • www.houstonarboretum.org
Bayou City Art Festival

The annual festival returns to Sam Houston Park, giving attendees a chance to view and purchase original art in a large outdoor gallery, meet artists and enjoy live entertainment at two stages. The event will also feature a food truck park, beverage stations and a chef's table, which will offer an arts and tasting experience with local chefs.Battle of the boards


Tickets are still available for the Houston Heights Association's fundraiser featuring a competition of local businesses making their best charcuterie boards. The event also includes drinks, dancing and live and silent auctions. Funds raised will benefit the HHA in its efforts to maintain the Historic Heights Fire Station and local parks.
  • Oct. 20, 6:30-11 p.m.
  • $75 (additional donations accepted)
  • Historic Heights Fire Station, 107 W. 12th St., Houston
  • www.houstonheights.org
Small Farms Fête 2023

The small plate dinner event raises funds for nonprofit Plant it Forward, which helps refugees in Houston develop sustainable farming businesses. Guests will enjoy an evening of seasonal bites, cocktails and live music. Participating chefs include Mark Clayton with Squable, Julia Doran with Tiny Champions, Evelyn Garcia with JŪN and Rafael Nasr with Craft Pita.
  • Oct. 21, 6 p.m. & 9 p.m.
  • $175 (additional donations accepted)
  • Houston Farmers Market, 2520 Airline Drive, Houston
  • https://plantitforward.farm
'BBQ Bash for Brighter Futures'

The group Communities in Schools hosts a festival that doubles as a fundraiser to support its mission of providing academic support, mental health services, family resources and individualized counseling at no cost to Houston-area students and families. The event will feature pumpkin decorating, corn hole, barbecue food and picnic foods from local restaurants, beer and wine, and live music.
  • Oct. 22, 2-6 p.m.
  • $250 (adults), $150 (teenagers), free (children ages 12 and younger)
  • Levy Park, 3801 Eastside St., Houston
  • www.cis.org/bbq
Spirits of the Bayou boat tour

The Buffalo Bayou Association offers a series of 90-minute history boat tours that include stories of hauntings in Houston from tour guide Andrew Groocock. The tour takes attendees along Buffalo Bayou from Allen's Landing.