October
October 8 Zomball in Tomball The annual Halloween bash at the Tomball Historic Depot Plaza 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 and entertainment for kids. Guests are invited to come in Halloween costumes. 6 p.m. Free (admission and parking).Tomball Historic Depot Plaza, 201 S. Elm St., Tomball 281-351-5484 www.tomballtx.gov
October 8-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 and food. 9 a.m.-8 p.m. $26 (adult), $14 (child). Texas Renaissance Festival, 21778 FM 1774, Todd Mission 800-458-3435 www.texrenfest.com
October 15-Nov. 13 Corn maze Salem Lutheran Church hosts a 5-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. Other activities include hayrides, a pumpkin patch and yard games. 9 a.m.-noon (Tues.), 3-7 p.m. (Fri.), 10 a.m.-7 p.m. (Sat.), 1-7 p.m. (Sun.) $10 (ages 6 and older), $5 (ages 2-5), free (under 2). Salem Lutheran Church, 22601 Lutheran Church Road, Tomball 281-351-8223 www.tomballcornmaze.com
October 15 Freight Train Food Truck Festival The city of Tomball hosts a festival with more than 30 food trucks, live music, merchandise vendors and a kids zone. Artists include Picture Book and the Led Zeppelin cover band Von Hindenburg. Food trucks on-site include Luv Me Tenders, Soul Cat Cuisine, The Hungry Lumberjack, Whatchacravin and Katmania Crepes. Noon-6 p.m. Free (admission and parking). Tomball Historic Depot Plaza, 201 S. Elm St., Tomball 281-351-5484 www.tomballtx.gov
October 15-16 PetFest Old Town Spring hosts its annual pet-friendly, family-friendly event. The festival includes a parade, wiener dog race, “wannabe” wiener dog race, costume contest and a dog show. Veterinarians are available to answer questions, and pets should be on leashes. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (Oct. 15), 11 a.m.-5 p.m. (Oct. 16). Free (admission). Preservation Park, 130 Spring School Road, Spring 281-353-9310 www.petfestoldtownspring.com
October 21 Fall Festival Rosehill Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization hosts its fall fundraiser, featuring inflatables, carnival rides and games, facepainting, a putt putt golf course, and more. The festival also includes a DJ, live and silent auctions and food trucks. 5-9 p.m. Free (admission and parking), $10 (unlimited ride and game wristband). Rosehill Elementary School, 17950 FM 2920, Tomball www.respto.org
October 22 Fall Festival and Auction The Decker Prairie Elementary Parent Teacher Organization presents its annual fall event. The festival features games, prizes, performances, food, carnival rides and live and silent auctions. 2-7 p.m. Free (admission and parking). Decker Prairie Elementary School, 27427 Decker Prairie-Rosehill Road, Magnolia www.facebook.com/ptodpes
October 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 co-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 (admission and parking). Tomball Historic Depot Plaza, 201 S. Elm St., Tomball 281-351-5484 www.tomballtx.gov
November
November 10-12 Cooking4Courage BBQ Cookoff Texans United for Freedom hosts a three-day event honoring veterans. The event features a flag retirement ceremony, a dinner for veterans, silent and live auctions, live music and fireworks. 7 p.m. (Nov. 10), all day (Nov. 12-13). Free (admission and parking). $200 (general cookoff entry). Unity Park, 19450 Unity Park Drive, Magnolia www.tufffoundation.org
November 18-20 Junior League Holiday Market The annual holiday shopping fundraiser for the Junior League of The Woodlands Inc features a variety of gift items from flower arrangements to holiday ornaments. The organization promotes volunteerism, develops the potential of women and improves communities through the leadership of trained volunteers. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. (Nov. 18-19), 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (Nov. 20). Ticket cost TBA. The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center, 1601 Lake Robbins Drive, The Woodlands 281-376-5754 www.jlthewoodlands.org
November 18-Dec. 30 Downtown Holiday Lamp Post Stroll Downtown merchants and organizations decorate ornamental lampposts in the city of Tomball for the Christmas season. Guests can stroll the lampposts, shop in downtown businesses and sample food from local eateries. Hours vary. Free (admission). Downtown Tomball 281-351-5484 www.tomballtx.gov
November 19 Tomball Holiday Parade The Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce hosts the annual holiday parade along Main Street from Buvinghausen Street to the railroad tracks. The 2017 Miss Tomball Pageant in which young women from Tomball compete for a college scholarship begins at 7 p.m. at Salem Lutheran Church, located at 22601 Lutheran Church Road, Tomball. 10 a.m. (parade). Free (parade), $20 (reserved seating for pageant). Main Street, Downtown Tomball 281-351-7223 www.tomballchamber.org
December
December 2-3 Magnolia Hometown Christmas The family-friendly event includes caroling, hayrides, hot chocolate and cookies, and the official lighting of the tree at Williams Pavilion in Unity Park on Dec. 2. The festivities continue Dec. 3 with the annual holiday parade through the city, visits with Santa Claus, a Christmas arts and crafts market, games, Santa’s Workshop and a chili cookoff. Hometown Christmas is co-sponsored by the city of Magnolia, the Greater Magnolia Chamber of Commerce and the Magnolia Historical Society. 6:30 p.m. (Dec. 2), 10 a.m. (Dec. 3). Free (admission, parking and shuttle service). Unity Park, 19450 Unity Park Drive, Magnolia 281-356-1488 www.magnoliatexas.org
December 9-11 Tomball German Christmas Market The market features an estimated 175 vendors in an open market, four live music stages, carnival rides, street performers, folk dancers, a petting zoo, crafts and antiques. Vendors sell traditional German food and drinks. 6-10 p.m. (Dec. 9), 10 a.m.-10 p.m. (Dec. 10), 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (Dec. 11). Free (admission, parking and shuttle). Tomball Historic Depot Plaza, 201 S. Elm St., Tomball 281-379-6844 www.tomballgermanfest.org
December 10 Christmas on Commerce The city of Tomball hosts the annual holiday event with live entertainment, family-friendly games and activities, food vendors and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Noon-5 p.m. Free (admission). Commerce Street, Tomball 281-351-5484 www.tomballtx.gov
December 10 2017 Miss Magnolia Pageant Magnolia Community Foundation hosts the annual event to crown the next Miss Magnolia. Sophomores, juniors and seniors in the Magnolia ISD area are eligible to compete in the competition. The student named Miss Magnolia 2017 receives a $2,000 scholarship and the runner-up receives a $500 scholarship. 7 p.m. $5 (students), $10 (adults). Magnolia High School, 14350 FM 1488, Magnolia www.magnoliacommunityfoundation.org
