October

01 through 31  
Pumpkin patch and scarecrow festival
For more than 20 years, Oil Ranch has hosted its annual fall-themed festival. The price of admission includes access to a petting zoo, interactive animal areas, hay rides, mini golf and other family-friendly activities. The festival also features a patch with 30,000 pumpkins and 80 scarecrows displayed throughout the property. Additional admission costs are charged for entrance into the mining areas and the paintball zone. Children receive a free pumpkin from the patch with the price of admission. Mon.–Fri. 10 a.m.–3 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. noon–5 p.m. $14.95 (daily admission per person). Oil Ranch, 23501 Macedonia Road, Hockley. 281-859-1616.
www.oilranch.com

05
Texas Wine Festival
The Empty Glass in Tomball presents its first festival with 10 Texas wineries on-site as well as local breweries, live music and food vendors. A portion of the proceeds from the event are donated to the Abandoned Animal Rescue and Camp For All. Noon–5 p.m. $75 (VIP area with food and upgraded wine selection), $25 (commemorative wine glass, program and 10 tasting tickets), $2 (additional tasting tickets). Historic Downtown Depot, 201 S. Elm St., Tomball. 832-698-4722.
www.theemptyglass.com

10 through 12
Conroe Cajun Catfish Festival
The festival celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. The event features live music on three stages, and the “Go Texan Wine Area” offers both wine and food samplings. Food offerings include catfish, boudain and alligator. Arts and crafts booths are also featured. 6 p.m.–midnight (Oct. 10), 11 a.m.–midnight (Oct. 11), noon–6 p.m. (Oct. 12). Free admission and shuttle. Downtown Conroe, 101 S. Main St., Conroe. 936-539-6009.
www.conroecajuncatfishfestival.com

11
Zomball in Tomball
The annual Halloween-style event features a “Trunk or Treat” with more than 20 local businesses and organizations lining Market Street to distribute candy as well as themed activities like a creepy caboose and menacing maze, games and music. The animated film “Hotel Transylvania” plays on an inflatable movie screen at dark. The festival is part of the programing for the second Saturday family-friendly event hosted each month at the Historic Downtown Depot Plaza. Attendees are welcome to dress in costume, and bring lawn chairs and picnic blankets for the movie. 5–8:30 p.m. Free. Historic Downtown Depot, 201 S. Elm St., Tomball. 281-351-5484.
www.tomballtx.gov

11 through Nov. 30  
Texas Renaissance Festival
Bringing more than 500,000 people to the area last year, the 40th annual festival is open to the public for eight weekends until the end of November. The festival features a variety of entertainment and vendors, including artisans, merchants, themed feasting areas and performance companies. A free shuttle service is offered each weekend by the city of Magnolia and is extended to accommodate visitors who attend the ball and stay at Magnolia Inn & Suites or Executive Inn & Suites. 9 a.m.–8 p.m. $13 (regular ticket price for children), $27 (regular ticket price for adults). 800-458-3435. Texas Renaissance Festival, 21778 FM 1774, Todd Mission. www.texrenfest.com

18
Texian Heritage Festival
The family-friendly historic festival is held at Fernland Historical Park across from Montgomery Elementary School. The festival celebrates Texas history with food and vendor booths as well as educational and entertaining activities, such as a revolutionary battle re-enactment and equestrian demonstrations. The event is put together by volunteers and benefits local nonprofit organizations, such as Montgomery County Emergency Assistance and the Montgomery Historical Society. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Free (admission for children 5 years old and under), $3 (admission for visitors over 5 years old). Fernland Historical Park, 780 Clepper Drive, Montgomery.
www.texianheritage.org

18
ZiegenBock Music Festival
The 12th annual music festival features more than 20 Texas country artists, including Josh Turner, Pat Green, Roger Creager, Kevin Fowler and Scooter Brown Band. 12:30 p.m. $25 (pre-sale tickets), $30 (day of the show), $80 (Lone Star College four-pack), $75 (VIP admission). Sam Houston Race Park, 7575 N. Sam Houston Parkway W., Houston. 281-807-8700.
www.ziegenbockfestivalhouston.com

18 through 31
Pumpkin Patch
Organized by First Baptist Church of Magnolia, the family-friendly event is held each fall. Attendees can purchase pumpkins, take photos in the patch and enjoy food on-site. Mon.–Fri. noon–6 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sun. noon–6 p.m. Free. Field north of First Baptist Church of Magnolia, 18525 FM 1488, Magnolia. 281-356-8543. www.fbcmagnolia.org

November

22
Lighting of the Doves and iWow
This year’s International Winter on the Waterway (iWow) includes snow play, ice carvers, vendor booths, children’s activities and the arrival of Santa Claus. Live music and fireworks are part of the celebration. The event also features The Woodlands’ annual Lighting of the Doves tradition with Christmas light displays. 3–9 p.m. Free. Town Green Park along The Woodlands Waterway.
www.thewoodlandscvb.com

22
Tomball Holiday Parade
The Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce hosts its 49th annual holiday parade along Main Street. Portions of FM 2920 and Main Street close at 9 a.m. to prepare for the parade and the roadways reopen to traffic at noon. The Miss Tomball Pageant is held later that evening at Salem Lutheran Church. 10 a.m. (parade begins), 7 p.m. (pageant begins). Free (admission and parking). Downtown Tomball along Main Street. 281-351-7222.
www.tomballchamber.org

December

12 through 31
Tomball German Christmas Market
This German food and market festival includes mulled wine, Christmas Stollen and bratwurst. Dutch Santa Claus makes a visit along with a variety of entertainers. The event features several other attractions, including a bungee jump and pony rides. 6–10 p.m. (Dec. 12), 10 a.m.–10 p.m. (Dec. 13), 10 a.m.–6 p.m. (Dec. 14). Free (admission, parking and shuttle). Old Town Tomball, 201 S. Elm St., Tomball. 281-379-6844.
www.tomballgermanfest.org

13
Magnolia Hometown Christmas
The seventh annual Christmas celebration hosted by the Greater Magnolia Area Chamber of Commerce and the Magnolia Historical Society starts with a Christmas parade, which begins at Magnolia Junior High School and runs down Nichols Sawmill Road before ending at Unity Park. The festivities continue after the parade at Unity Park and feature a Christmas market, photos with Santa Claus, games, rides, gingerbread decorating, letters to Santa Claus and a chili cookoff. 10 a.m.–dusk. Free. 19450 Unity Park Drive, Magnolia. 281-356-1488.
www.magnoliatexas.org