Special Events Archives - Visit Brenham Texas

Hot Nights, Cool Tunes

Hot Nights, Cool Tunes is one of the highlights of the summer in Washington County! And it is not just a one-time event. Bring your lawn chair and your friends, and join the fun each Saturday evening in July for live music on the historic square in Downtown Brenham. Admission and parking are free. Food and drinks are available for purchase at local downtown businesses. The west end of Alamo Street features a classic car show by Stray Katz Car Club, which is always a family favorite.

The music begins with local talent on the stage in Alamo Alley, 5:00-6:30pm. Wine & beer will be available to purchase, and air conditioned restrooms are available just steps away at The Barnhill Center back entrance. Bands TBA soon.

The headliner bands start playing at 7:00 pm and ends around 9:00 pm at the corner of Alamo and Baylor on the square. Come early for shopping, food, car show, and the local music!

July 6th, 2024 – Suede

Brenham Main Street is kicking off the 20th year by bringing back one of the most loved groups. The Austin-based classic rock ‘n roll band SUEDE returns to the courthouse square.

Sponsored by Dahmann & Associates, Brenham National Bank, Seidel & Shroeder, and Must Be Heaven

July 13th, 2024 – The Pictures

Voted "Best Austin Wedding Band Music" by Austin A-List, the second week of Hot Nights, Cool Tunes will feature The Pictures.

Sponsored by Briannas Fine Salad Dressings, Deep in the Heart Farms, Valmont, and Brannon Industrial Group.

July 20, 2024 – Brown Sugar

Returning this year, Brown Sugar Band is the most requested Hot Nights, Cool Tunes performers! This 6 piece member band comes together as one and gives you a musical moment to be remembered for years to come!

Sponsored by Upchurch Yates Law Firm, Citizens State Bank, Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative, Woodson Lumber

July 27, 2024 – The Spicolis

The classic MTV tribute band out of Houston, The Spicolis who feature hits from the 80s. This is the fourth year the Spicoli’s have performed in Brenham, and they are always a crowd-pleaser!

Sponsored by Brazos Valley Schools Credit Union, RCR Rail Company, Strand Associates, and Mike Hopkins Distributing.

Hot Nights, Cool Tunes concert series is brought to you by

The City of Brenham and KTEX 106.1

Make a weekend out of it, and stay in Brenham and Washington County! Click here for lodging.

Burton Cotton Gin Festival

Did you know that the oldest operating cotton gin in the United States is located in Burton, Texas?

Every year, this historical treasure is celebrated at the Burton Cotton Gin Festival. A day filled with FREE fun for the whole family kicks off with a parade followed by a classic car & tractor pulling contest, demonstrations, live music, shopping, family activities & contests, and all the food and refreshments you would expect from a small town of German heritage!

Experience the sights and sounds of the old cotton gin in action as festival goers witness the baling process. And don’t miss out on a tour of the Texas Cotton Gin Museum, where you can learn about the foundation of the gin and the story of how it was saved from becoming the site of a convenience store.

Burton Cotton Gin Festival – Burton, Texas

April 20, 2024 | 10:00am – 6:00pm

Spring Happenings Around Brenham

Spring in Washington County is a magical time! It’s not too hot, not too cold, and the colorful show that the Texas wildflowers faithfully display each year is worthy of the hype. But bluebonnets aren’t all that’s happening around Brenham in the spring! Here are NINE annual events in Washington County that you can use to plan your next visit–plus a few of the most popular things you can do every week in the spring. Make it a long weekend and enjoy all the live music, dining and shopping that the area has to offer.

Texas Independence Day Celebration

Texas Independence Day Celebration will look a different this year due to the extensive renovation projects happening at Washington-on-the-Brazos. Instead of the traditional celebration with vendors, performances and large-scale living history demonstrations, the celebration will begin on Independence Eve, with a concert on Friday night (March 1) and a few activities on Saturday, including a chili cook-off, ceremonies, and a gun salute. It will be a different Texas Independence Day than in the past, but once the renovation is complete in 2025, the traditional celebration will resume.

📍 23400 Park Road 12, Washington, Texas 77880
⏱️ Friday & Saturday, March 1-2

Texas Ranger Day, March 9

The 13th annual Texas Ranger Day at the historic Burton Railroad Depot is a day of family fun! Festivities include: Demonstrations by the Old West Rangers and the Legends of the Texas Rangers, folklife demonstrations including blacksmithing and chuckwagon cooking; kids activities; tours of the historic Railroad Depot; Burton Farmers Cotton Gin Tours (10am & 2pm); and live music.

📍 Burton Railroad Depot, 507 N Railroad Street, Burton Texas
⏱️ Saturday, March 9, 2024, noon to 5pm

Antique Rose Emporium Spring Celebration Weekend

The Antique Rose Emporium is gorgeous year round, but there is no time like spring, of course! The Spring Celebration Weekend includes an Artisan & Vintage Market, food trucks, and more blooms than you can imagine!

📍10000 FM 50, Brenham, Texas 77833-6453
⏱️ Saturday-Sunday, March 9-10, 2024

Antique Festivals

The Round Top Antique shows are just down the road, and some are even in Washington County! The La Bahia Antique Show is March 22-30. Burton is home to other antique events like Antiques at The Pavilions, as well as seasonal venues including Bayberry’s Antiques. Year round vintage & antique shopping includes The Nesting Company and Flown the Coop, both in Burton, and Leftovers Antiques‘ year round location between Brenham and Burton.

⏱️ March 16-30, 2024

Texas Historic Homes Tours in Independence

Located adjacent to Old Baylor Park in Independence, the Texas Historic Homes are open for tours on select weekends during the spring season. Observe the Texas Pioneer life at these historic homes and schoolhouse. Perfect for anyone who enjoys Texas history!

📍 Independence, Texas
⏱️ Saturdays, March 23 & 30, 2024; 10:00am-4:00pm

Texas Bluebonnet Festival in Chappell Hill

The Chappell Hill Historical Society will once again be hosting the Official State of Texas Bluebonnet Festival, April 13-14, 2024, in downtown historic Chappell Hill, Texas. Initially a small town antique festival has blossomed over the years and celebrates the official state flower, the bluebonnet. The Festival boasts more than 250 juried exhibitors (home décor, gardening, artists, craftsmen, jewelry, clothing, etc.), delicious country-style food, live entertainment and music, and tours of the historic community.

📍 Chappell Hill, Texas
⏱️ Saturday April 13, 2024; 9:00am-6:00pm
⏱️ Sunday April 14, 2024; 10:00am-5:00pm
Free admission, parking $10

Burton Cotton Gin Festival

Head to Burton, home of the 1914 Burton Farmers Gin, and celebrate the 35th Annual Burton Cotton Gin Festival! This is a FREE, family friendly event featuring a day full of fun and history. The day begins with a parade through Burton, and continues at the grounds of the Texas Cotton Gin Museum. Shop and eat in the Arts & Crafts Vendor Area, & Food Court. Watch Folklife skills demonstrations, such as Blacksmithing and butter churning, and spoon carving.

📍 Burton, Texas
⏱️ April 20, 2024, 10:00am – 6:00pm

Brenham Maifest

A very colorful scene unfolds the first weekend in May with Maifest, a celebration highlighting Brenham’s German heritage. Brenham Maifest includes a parade and Junior & Senior Coronations and features authentic German food, music and drink, and carnival rides at historic Fireman’s Park.

📍 Parade: Downtown Brenham, Texas;
⏱️ Saturday, May 4, 2024, 10:30am
📍 Other Festivities: Fireman’s Park
⏱️ May 3-4, 2024

Chappell Hill Art Walk

📍 Chappell Hill, Texas
⏱️ Saturday May 25, 2024

Weekly Happenings

Some of our favorite spring happenings are so good, we have to share them every week! Antique carousel rides ($1 each), free entry to the Brenham Fire Museum (open Saturdays and the entire week of Spring Break), and the live demonstrations every weekend at Barrington Plantation, which is located within Washington-on-the-Brazos historical site are a few. And you can’t miss Blue Bell, of course! The Parlor and Country Store are open weekdays, serving $1 scoops with a smile.

In addition to these spring happenings around Brenham, we have many daily events that include live music, theatre, and retail specials. See our full calendar of events here. Spring is the busiest season to visit the area, so make reservations with your favorite lodging partner soon!

Uptown Swirl in Downtown Brenham

Start the year in Downtown Brenham at the Uptown Swirl! Bring your friends and stroll through the charming historic downtown district to sample delicious wines at the shops and businesses.

The fun happens on Saturday, January 13, 2024, from 3 to 7 pm in Downtown Brenham.

Tickets are $35 in stores until December 31st. After January 1st, they are $40 in stores and $45 online.

Just sip, stroll, & shop!

Participating Merchants:

* Tickets can be purchased at these participating locations (links open a Google Map location of the business):

Texas Arts and Music Festival

The eighth annual Texas Arts & Music Festival in historic Downtown Brenham is just around the corner! Join us October 21-22, 2023, for a family-friendly weekend of art, music, street food, and activities in the streets of Downtown Brenham.

Each year the Texas Arts & Music Festival brings live music and world-renowned mural artists for live art installations for the public to enjoy.

Texas Arts and Music Festival will feature live music throughout the day on Saturday, October 21 with Nite Moves Band opening the main stage at 4:30pm. Headlining Saturday night at 7pm will be Reverend Horton Heat, the undisputed heavyweight champion and godfather of Psychobilly music. This band has reinterpreted the country-blues-rock roots of America to produce a toe-tapping, mind-blowing, psychobilly sound that is unforgettable to any and every one that has been fortunate enough to hear it. The concert, along with the festival, are family-friendly and FREE to the public. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy live music and delicious food and refreshments from local restaurants and food trucks.

The Art Village will be open on Saturday, 10am-8pm and Sunday, 11am-2pm. Artists and Craftsmen from across Texas will be set up offering their unique handmade creations to the public.

The Texas Arts & Music Festival is the perfect weekend to enjoy all that historic Downtown Brenham has to offer! Check out our lodging partners, and plan your weekend now.

For more information, visit the TAMF website.

Photography by Natalie Lacy Lange

10 Fall Happenings Around Brenham

The days are getting shorter and the promise of lower temperatures means that it’s time for fall! The Fall happenings in Brenham and around all of Washington County make it a favorite time of year to visit.

Mark your calendar and reserve your rooms for these TEN fabulous fall happenings around Brenham!

1 . Oktoberfest at Home Sweet Farm Biergarten

SEPT 29-30 It’s time for Oktoberfest at HSF Biergarten in Downtown Brenham, September 29-30. The tap wall will be filled with several fine imported German beers. Come raise a glass, chug a boot, and enjoy some live music by Beau Hinze & The Back Porch Shufflers and Sparky Parker. Prost, Ya’ll!

2 . Scarecrow Festival in Chappell Hill

OCT 14-15 Visit one of the most charming communities in Texas for the Scarecrow Festival. The festival boasts more than 250 exhibitors (home décor, gardening, artists, craftsmen, jewelry, clothing, etc.), delicious country-style food, live music, and tours of the National Register Chappell Hill community. A special Children’s Activity Corner provides pony rides, a petting zoo, face painting, barrel train, and more.

3 . Hocus Pocus Party

OCT 19 Join a bewitching blend of nostalgia and fun hosted by Glamfetti at Westwood Cinema 6. Tickets include movie, popcorn, glass of bubbly (non-alcoholic is available), themed photo opps, and more!

4 . Antique Shows

OCT 14-28 Round Top is just down the road, and there are several fabulous fall antique shows and year-round venues in Washington County. The LaBahia Antique Show (Oct. 20-28) between Burton and Round Top is celebrating over 30 years of incredible treasures. Antiques at the Pavilions will offer a variety of dealers at the pavilions of the Texas Cotton Gin Museum, Oct. 19-25. Look for all the antique dealers in Burton, as well as the world renowned Leftovers Antiques, open year-round between Brenham and Burton on HWY 290 W.

5 . Wine & Wander in Burton

OCT 20 Head to Burton for “Wine & Wander” October 20, at the Texas Cotton Gin Museum. Enjoy shopping and heavy appetizers catered by Blue Willow Cafe. Sip local wines from Busted Oak Cellars and meads from Rohan Meadery, and listen to the soulful music of Samuel Paul Brown.

6 . Texas Arts & Music Festival

OCT 21-22 The Texas Arts & Music Festival is the source of Downtown Brenham’s beautiful murals! This free, family-friendly event takes place in Downtown Brenham October 21-22, and includes live music, live mural installation, an art village, pop-up galleries, and much more. Music headliner for Saturday night will be Reverend Horton Heat!

7 . Mask-erade on Main

OCT 28 Join us for a spooktacular free family-friendly event in Historic Downtown Brenham, Saturday, Oct. 28. Grab the kids and costumes and head downtown for Trick-or-Treating at your favorite Main Street Brenham businesses! There will be plenty of family fun to sink your fangs into!
There will be food trucks, face painting, and more!

8 . Christmas Magic at Hermann Furniture & The Giddings Stone Mansion

NOV 3-5 Hosted by Hermann Furniture, the oldest furniture store in Texas, this festive weekend is more than a shopping event. The store will be decked wall to wall with seasonal decor, and they will have design seminars, door prizes, pop-up shops, wine and hors d’oeuvres. The festivities include a luncheon at the Giddings Stone Mansion on Saturday, November 4. Luncheon tickets are $30 per person with reservations required. Entry to store and design seminars is free.

9 . Fall Festival of Roses at Antique Rose Emporium

NOV 3-5 The experts at Antique Rose Emporium host the Fall Festival of Roses during the first weekend of November. Explore the inspiring display gardens and attend seminars to grow your gardening knowledge. In addition to the seminars and endless fall garden inspiration, enjoy food trucks and shopping in the heart of Independence, Texas.

10 . Weekly Fall Happenings

WEEKLY EVENTS Some of our favorite fall happenings are so good, we have to share them every week! Antique carousel rides ($1 each), free entry to the Brenham Fire Museum (Saturdays in October & November), and the live demonstrations every weekend at Barrington Plantation, which is located within Washington-on-the-Brazos historical site are a few.

In addition to these fall happenings around Brenham, we have many daily events that include live music, theatre, and retail specials. See our full calendar of events here. Fall is prime time to visit the area, so make reservations with your favorite lodging partner soon!

The Washington County Fair

Washington County is home to the oldest county fair in Texas!

The Washington County Fair offers an entire week of exciting events: a rodeo, carnival, live music & concerts, a variety of livestock shows, arts & crafts, special attractions, contests, commercial exhibits and more.

The festivities kick off on Saturday, September 14, with a trail ride followed by a parade in Downtown Brenham.

Tuesday, September 17, is the opening evening of the carnival. There are rides for toddlers up to the most adventurous riders.

Head to the rodeo arena for mutton bustin’, wild steer saddling, bull riding, and other rodeo events throughout the week. The CPRA Rodeo begins at 7:30 pm, Thursday through Saturday. Click here for a complete list of rodeo events.

Browse the antique tractor exhibit, along with the youth livestock barns to complete the county fair experience! There are also arts & crafts exhibits, as well as a country store to purchase from your favorite exhibitors.

Live music is playing in the pavilion throughout the week .

Advanced season passes will be available for purchase from a Fair Queen Candidate or online at https://www.washingtoncofair.com/p/tickets-deals

This family-friendly week of events truly offers something for everyone. Visit Brenham and hold on to your hats for the Washington County Fair!

For more information about tickets, schedule and more go to WCF.

Brenham Maifest: The Oldest Festival in Texas

Maifest is the oldest festival in Texas. Except for several years during World Wars I and II, this event has been held annually since 1881.

Check back soon for the full schedule of events, including all of the festivities at Fireman's Park.

Senior Coronation: Friday, May 3, 7:00pm Fireman's Park
Parade: Saturday, May 4, 10:30am, Downtown Brenham
Festivities including live music, German heritage activities, antique carousel rides: Saturday, May 4, during the day at Fireman's Park
Junior Coronation: Saturday, May 4, 7:00pm Fireman's Park

Look for displays of coronation attire at Downtown Brenham businesses in the weeks leading up to Maifest. The Brenham Heritage Museum also features a "Celebrate 134 Years of Maifest" exhibit with more details about this colorful event.

To purchase coronation tickets in advance go to Maifest's website.

Finding Holiday Magic in Brenham & Washington County

This is my favorite time of year … waiting and anticipating the first cold snap of the season … when the air turns crisp, leaves begin to float gracefully to the ground, coffee tastes better and animals and children alike seem to get a boost of extra playfulness. It’s magical.

Sounds a bit like the opening of a Hallmark movie, but … it is real. Brenham and Washington County can’t be replicated. This is true Texas. Unapologetically Americana. Authentic.

Fall wouldn’t be complete in Brenham without candy-littered streets from the annual homecoming parade, including of course, homecoming queen hopefuls waving from convertibles. It doesn’t get much more Americana than this, right?

October boasts creatively dressed scarecrows posed in front of Downtown Brenham shops. Each one lovingly put together by dozens of schoolchildren and individuals alike, who have put their hearts into these straw creations, in hopes of winning one of the many prizes. Local spirit and pride are reflected in each entry.

Our community of Chappell Hill, located just 15 minutes east of Brenham, throws its annual Scarecrow Festival. This popular event draws huge crowds to its tiny town to shop, eat and welcome the season with a smile. Tent-lined streets are full of holiday shoppers, happy to escape big city mass merchandise to enjoy unique street vendors and small-town life.

November continues the holiday spirit with Christmas at the Mansion, a home tour and Christmas fair held at Brenham’s beautiful Giddings Stone Mansion. The mansion’s exterior and eight rooms will feature different holiday themes, designed and decorated by Jennifer Hermann of Hermann Furniture. There is inspiration at every turn. Self-guided tours are available all weekend and even two separate seatings for a special lunch on Saturday (reservations required).

Antique Rose Emporium’s 32nd Annual Fall Festival of Roses is a favorite outdoor experience in November. Breathing in the cool rose scented air while taking in spectacular blooms and learning how to care for them is a unique seasonal event not to be missed.

And, what we’ve all been looking forward to all year long … the Christmas Stroll and Lighted Parade in Downtown Brenham … an event that will melt the heart of even the worst Scrooge. Downtown Brenham comes to life with residents and visitors mingling on the streets and throughout the shops. No crowded malls here, just a hometown atmosphere of genuine Christmas spirit. Brenham’s Downtown shopkeepers dazzle and surprise unsuspecting visitors with unique finds. Inside some of the antique architecture, new hip ventures are alive and well and waiting to be discovered.

The Stroll is kicked off with the tree lighting ceremony where onlookers are serenaded by a Girl Scout choir singing carols. As night continues to fall, the parade begins. Beautifully decorated and fully lit floats, marching bands, horses and dancers parade through Downtown, all to the delight of friends, family and visitors. And of course, the man of the hour SANTA makes his grand entrance to the squeals of excited children lining the streets, frantically waving to him as he passes by, perched atop a Fire Truck.

People passing, children laughing, meeting smile after smile … doesn’t just happen in a song or a Hallmark movie. It’s in Brenham, Texas and Washington County … where It’s a Wonderful Life!

Sorry, couldn’t help myself!

Photos by: Natalie Lange