Houston’s Top 5 Family Friendly Events This Fall

I don’t know about you, but fall is my absolute favorite season here in Houston.  Because after a long, hot, scorching, sweaty {okay, you get the point} summer, a cool breeze and a pumpkin spice latte is just what this mama needs!  I love the scarves laid out at every boutique, the pumpkin patches on every corner, and most of all – the fall festivities that fill the calendar.  Yes, I LOVE fall in Houston and all of the fun events that there are to do!  From mutton bustin’  to traditional dance, and from howler monkeys to turkey legs – there is something to put a smile on everyone’s face.  And with so much going on and only so many weekends in each month, it almost makes it impossible to choose where to go and what to do.  So, here you have it Houston moms – the top five events you MUST take your family to this fall!

Greek Festival {October 3 – 6}

This is probably the only fall festival that I have not been to in Houston, but that is all going to change this year!  After hearing rave reviews from all of my friends, it has definitely made the cut and is being marked on the calendar.  Because evidently, this festival has it all – a great market for shopping, music for singing and dancing, a children’s area filled with inflatables and rides, and food…oooh, the food.  They have gyros, Greek salads, kourambiedes, and so much more.  Even if you aren’t Greek, word on the street is –  after attending this festival, you will wish you were!

Fort Bend County Fair & Rodeo {September 27 – October 6}

No matter what part of town you live in, you need to make the trek down to Richmond / Rosenberg to go to the Fort Bend County Fair and Rodeo!  Their motto is “Celebrating Our Western Heritage” – and I think that does a pretty good job of summing this great event up!  The entire week and a half celebration is this amazing combination of small town fair and rodeo combined with big city rides and entertainment.  They have silly games like the Diaper Derby and big name acts like Joe Diffie.  It is everything I love about Houston rolled up into one big ball of fun, and every Houstonian needs to experience it for themselves!

Zoo Boo {October 11 – 13, 18 – 20, 25 – 27}

Halloween at the zoo…who would have ever thought to put these two family favorites together?  The Houston Zoo did – that’s who!  And let me tell you, we are so glad that they did.  Kiddos are encouraged to dress up in their costumes and not only check out all of the animals, but participate in some really fun activities too!  Trick or treating?  Got it.  Pumpkin patch?  Got that too.  This year they even have a Candy Cave where children can go into a cave and explore larger than life candy.  How cool is that?!  If you have never been, you should definitely pack up your little ghosts and goblins and go.  I promise – it will become a family tradition for you and yours too!

Texas Renaissance Festival {October 12 – December 1}

The Texas Renaissance Festival is eight amazing weekends of live entertainment, delicious food, and a chance to take a step back in time…and I have no clue how they do it, but each year they manage to make it even bigger and better!  This year, they are adding a new stage, remodeled artisan’s quarters, and more amenities to their campgrounds.  And in case you have never been, they are always adding new activities for kids too!  Like their brand new ride called the Quintain which allows your kiddo {or even yourself!} to hop on a wooden horse, ride the rails, and try their hand at jousting with a knight.  Whether you are jousting with lances or feasting on the king’s fare, the whole festival is such a magical place where you can take a break from dirty dishes and piles of laundry and become royalty for the day!

 Children’s Festival  {November 9 – 10}

I think the name pretty much says it all.  This is a festival dedicated completely to the children…and to the parents that love them so!  For two fun-filled days, the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion is completely taken over by all things kids…and to make it easy on us mamas, it is broken down into four different exciting zones.  Activities include performers, bubble runners, face painting, bumper boats…pretty much everything our little ones know and love!  And the biggest perk for us moms?  Once you pay your admission into the festival, everything is FREE!  No messing with tickets or tokens – you just let your kiddos take the lead while you try to keep up with the fun!

Am I missing something?  Did I leave a great family friendly event out?  I would love to know!  Comment below with YOUR favorite fall event in Houston, and maybe my family and I will see you there too!