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 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 in 2025!

1 . Pirate Fest at Home Sweet Farm Biergarten

Outdoor concert at Home Sweet Farm Biergarten in Brenham, Texas, with a live band performing under string lights, a crowd of people seated at picnic tables, and a large mural of two women’s faces on the brick wall behind the stage. — HSF Biergarten, Downtown Brenham

Oct 4 It’s time for Pirate Fest at HSF Biergarten in Downtown Brenham. Pirate Fest 2025 is Saturday, October 4th, Noon til Midnight! They will have a Pirate Market, a treasure Scavenger Hunt, two amazing bands, food vendors, a fire dancer performance and more!

2 . Scarecrow Festival in Chappell Hill

Scenes from the Chappell Hill Scarecrow Festival in Washington County, Texas. The collage shows visitors shopping at downtown storefronts decorated with fall and Halloween displays, strolling along vendor-lined streets under Texas flags, and enjoying the festival atmosphere with food booths, crafts, and family-friendly activities. — Scarecrow Festival, Downtown Chappell Hill

OCT 10-12 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. Antique Shows

Scenes from La Bahia Antique Show near Burton, Texas. On the left, vendors set up booths under large white tents shaded by oak trees, displaying antiques and vintage goods. On the right, a white barn serves as part of the show venue, with shoppers browsing outside under the afternoon sunlight. — La Bahia, Burton

OCT 4-18 Round Top is just down the road, and there are several fabulous fall antique shows and year-round venues in Washington County. La Bahia Antique Show (Oct. 10-18) 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. 11-19. 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.

4. Wine & Wander in Burton

OCT 17 Come shop with some great dealers and vendors, enjoy heavy appetizers, and sip local wines from Busted Oak Cellars. The theme this year is all about Dolly Parton, including a Dolly Parton cover band, so sport your favorite Dolly-inspired attire and join the fun. Stops on the trail include Burton Short Stop Icehouse, Bluebonnet Leather Shop, Junk in Yer Trunk, and more!

5. Texas Arts & Music Festival

Scenes from the Texas Arts & Music Festival in downtown Brenham, Texas. The collage shows artists painting a large mural on a building wall, festival-goers exploring vendor booths and food stands on downtown streets, and a live band performing on an outdoor stage at night in front of a mural backdrop. — Texas Arts & Music Festival, Downtown Brenham

OCT 17-19 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 17-19, and includes live music, live mural installation, an art village, pop-up galleries, and much more. Music headliner for Saturday night will be The Shiny Ribs. For more info, check out our post here.

6. Trick-Or-Treat Events

Families and children in costumes line up outside shops in downtown Brenham, Texas, during a trick-or-treat event. The storefronts are decorated for fall, and people carry candy bags while enjoying the festive atmosphere. — Downtown Brenham

OCT 25 Join us for spooktacular free family-friendly events in Historic Downtown Brenham, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2:00-5:00; in Burton, Saturday, Oct. 25, 5:30-7:30; in Chappell Hill, Sunday, Oct. 26, 1:00-3:00. Grab the kids and costumes and head to Washington County for Trick-or-Treating in your favorite communities. There will be plenty of family fun to sink your fangs into!

7. Fall Festival of Roses at Antique Rose Emporium

Scenes from the Antique Rose Emporium’s Fall Festival of Roses in Independence, Texas. The collage shows visitors walking through blooming gardens, an audience attending an indoor gardening seminar, and rows of rose plants on display in the outdoor nursery surrounded by landscaped grounds. — Antique Rose Emporium, Independence

OCT 31 – NOV 2 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.

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

Holiday scenes in Washington County, Texas. On the left, a shop owner stands behind a festive Christmas display filled with holiday décor, table settings, and greenery. On the right, a historic two-story mansion is decorated for Christmas with red bows, garlands, and wreaths along the balconies and columns. — Christmas Magic, Brenham

NOV 7-9 The oldest furniture store in Texas will be decked wall to wall with all the seasonal decor. There will be door prizes, pop-up shops, wine and hors d’oeuvres. Designers will be on hand to help with floral or any interior decor needs. The festivities this year will include a luncheon at the Giddings Stone Mansion on Saturday, November 8, from 11:30 – 12:30. Tickets are $35 per person, and reservations are required. Tickets sell quickly, so call early for a reservation: 979-836-7237.

9. Grand Reopening of Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site

Promotional poster for the Washington-on-the-Brazos Grand Re-Opening Celebration on November 8. The design features historic imagery of early Texans, including men in period clothing with a cannon, horse, and wooden building, with logos for the Texas Historical Commission and Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. — Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site, Washington

NOV 8 The Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site has undergone a $51 million renovation over the last two years. When re-opened on November 8, 2025, visitors will experience state-of-the-art exhibits at the Star of the Republic Museum and enhanced historical storytelling in the Visitor’s Center to introduce real people that lived and led the Republic of Texas. The Washington Townsite Experience will allow visitors to walk the streets of Washington, experiencing reproductions of pivotal landmarks in Texas history.

10 . Weekly Fall Happenings

Children ride brightly painted wooden horses on the antique carousel at Fireman’s Park in Brenham, Texas, while parents stand nearby. The indoor carousel is decorated with string lights and a red canopy overhead. — Antique Carousel, Brenham

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!

Texas Arts and Music Festival

The tenth annual Texas Arts & Music Festival in historic Downtown Brenham is just around the corner! Join us October 17-19, 2025, for a family-friendly weekend of art, music, street food, and activities in the streets of Downtown Brenham.

Nighttime scene of downtown Brenham, Texas, during a community event. People stroll along the streets lined with historic buildings, vendor tents, and shops lit up with colorful signs and string lights, creating a lively festival atmosphere. — Texas Arts & Music Festival, 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. This year, the festival will host a juried art show and art auction alongside the expected slate of activities. The show is eligible for any artist to enter and will be open during festival operating hours on Saturday and Sunday, with an added invite-only opening Friday evening.

Live band performing on an outdoor stage at the Texas Arts and Music Festival in downtown Brenham, Texas. Musicians play guitar, fiddle, bass, and drums in front of colorful mural backdrops, with banners and festival signage displayed behind them. — Texas Arts & Music Festival, Downtown Brenham

Texas Arts and Music Festival will feature live music throughout the day on Saturday, October 19 with Brenham Children’s Chorus starting things off from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Willow Creek Junction will follow from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Based out of Magnolia, the band offers a balanced repertoire of original compositions and cover renditions embodying the essence of Texas Country.

Next, Shekere will play from 6 to 7:30 p.m. This group brings the infectious rhythms of Latin music straight from Texas to the stage! With vibrant percussion, irresistible grooves, and soulful melodies, they create a high-energy, dance-worthy experience that celebrates the spirit of Latin culture. If you’re ready to move, Shekere will take you there.

This year’s headliner will be Shinyribs, playing from 8 to 9:30 p.m. This group defies genres as a sonic melting pot of Texas Blues, New Orlesans R&B funk, horn-driven Memphis Soul, country twang, border music, big band swing, and roots- rock. This nine-piece (sometimes 10-piece) supergroup was named ‘Best Austin Band’ at the Austin Chronicle’s Austin Music Awards in 2017 and 2018.

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.

Artist painting a large colorful mural of a longhorn cow on a downtown Brenham wall, standing on a yellow lift with paint supplies. The mural features bold lettering, bright colors, and detailed artwork in progress. — Texas Arts & Music Festival, Downtown Brenham

Aerial view of a nighttime concert in downtown Brenham, Texas, with crowds gathered in the street listening to live music on an outdoor stage. Colorful murals and building lights illuminate the scene, while food trucks and vendor tents line the area. — Texas Arts & Music Festival, Downtown Brenham

Artists and volunteers paint a large outdoor mural of bluebonnets in downtown Brenham, Texas. Buckets of paint and supplies line the sidewalk as children and adults add colorful details to the floral artwork. — Texas Arts & Music Festival, Downtown Brenham

The Children’s Business Fair is on Saturday from 10am – 1pm. The Art Village will be open on Saturday, 10am-8pm and Sunday, 10am-5pm. Artists and Craftsmen from across Texas will be set up offering their unique handmade creations to the public.

Art Village at the Texas Arts and Music Festival in Brenham, Texas. The collage shows colorful vendor booths displaying handmade clothing, shoes, ceramics, photography, and unique art pieces. Shoppers browse stalls filled with paintings, textiles, and crafts under tents in a lively outdoor market setting. — Texas Arts & Music Festival, Downtown Brenham

Scenes from the Texas Arts and Music Festival in downtown Brenham, Texas. On the left, artists work on scaffolding and ladders to paint a colorful mural on the side of a building. On the right, a live band performs on an outdoor stage at night in front of a mural backdrop decorated with string lights. — Texas Arts & Music Festival, Downtown Brenham

Colorful mural in downtown Brenham, Texas, featuring large flowers and the words “KEEP Growing.” On the left, an artist works on the mural from scaffolding, and on the right, the completed artwork is shown in full against a bright blue sky. — Texas Arts & Music Festival, Downtown Brenham

Artist paints a large downtown Brenham mural featuring a pink bear and a pop art-style woman with blonde hair on the side of a building. A ladder and paint supplies are set up while pedestrians walk by on the street. — Texas Arts & Music Festival, Downtown Brenham

Artist working on a large black-and-white mural in downtown Brenham, Texas, depicting two armadillos with cosmic designs of planets and stars on their shells. Paint supplies, ladders, and chairs are set up in front of the wall under a bright blue sky. — Texas Arts & Music Festival, Downtown Brenham

Shoppers stroll through vendor booths set up along a downtown street during a daytime market in Brenham, Texas. Tents display handmade goods, crafts, and local products, while families and visitors explore the lively outdoor event under a sunny sky. — Texas Arts & Music Festival, Downtown Brenham

Artist on a ladder painting a colorful mural in downtown Brenham, Texas, featuring a large cardinal bird, flowers, and green leaves. The artist is adding the words “love yourself” to the vibrant wall art. — Texas Arts & Music Festival, Downtown Brenham

Children draw colorful chalk art on the street during a downtown Brenham festival. A box of chalk sits nearby while families and visitors browse vendor booths set up under tents in front of historic brick buildings. — Texas Arts & Music Festival, Downtown Brenham

Artist on a lift paints a large mural of a tree with sprawling branches on the side of a downtown Brenham building. A couple walks by on the street, with historic storefronts and parked cars lining the block under a blue sky with wispy clouds. — Texas Arts & Music Festival, Downtown Brenham

Crowds enjoy a downtown Brenham street festival with rows of vendor tents selling art, crafts, and local goods. Families and visitors browse booths and gather on the sidewalks in front of historic brick buildings under a clear sky. — Texas Arts & Music Festival, Downtown Brenham

Mural in downtown Brenham, Texas, depicting Sam Houston holding the Texas and United States flags. The artwork, also features a black bird, a mockingbird, and red stars against the yellow wall of a historic building. — Texas Arts & Music Festival, Downtown Brenham

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

Sometimes the best things in life are FREE … or pretty close …

TOP NINE FREE THINGS

to do and see in Washington County!

The ‘dog days’ of summer are here and you are dreaming of having fun—something beyond the blow up pool in the backyard. You NEED to get out of the house, experience a complete change of scenery, make some memories, feed your spirit … without breaking the bank! No worries. Head to the Brenham and Washington County area! It’s an easy drive away—halfway between Houston and Austin—and a world away from the hustle and bustle of big city life.

Window Shop in Historic Downtown Brenham and Chappell Hill

You’ll feel the stress melting away as you stroll our peaceful historic streets and experience small town friendliness and charm. Take a moment to sit in the shade of huge oak trees surrounding the Courthouse in Brenham or the historic buildings in Chappell Hill and don’t be surprised if you get a friendly wave or two. FREE!

New Splash Pad near Fireman’s Park

Take a seat at a nearby picnic table and watch the kids laugh and play in the cool, clean water. You might just want to join them! Good, clean fun for all. FREE!

Peeka Ranch Alpacas

Get up close and pet these beautiful animals. You’ll fall in love as soon as you gaze into their sweet eyes, complete with enviable long eyelashes! FREE for those under 17, $5 for adults! Appointments required.

Texas Cotton Gin Museum in Burton

History comes alive with this one-of-a-kind experience. Built in 1914, the Burton Farmer’s Cotton Gin is the oldest operating gin in the U.S. The museum is full of cotton memorabilia and the store offers fun, cotton-inspired shopping. Open Tuesday – Saturday from 10-3. The Museum is FREE for everyone. Tours at 10 am and 2pm are FREE for children 5 and under; Students $4; Adults $6.

Let Giant Murals Inspire Your Creativity

Drop by the Visitor Center in Downtown Brenham and pick up a passport or download a map here, that will direct you to all the breathtaking murals that have been painted by famed muralists from around the country. Truly inspiring—and great backdrops for selfies! FREE!

1. Chappell Hill Lavender Farm

Ahhhh, the sweet smell of lavender! Take a scenic drive to the Chappell Hill area and walk among the rows and rows of gorgeous lavender plants. The shop offers a variety of lavender-inspired soaps, food, gifts and more. Fresh air and lavender are FREE ! Open Thursday – Sunday, see website for hours.

Antique Rose Emporium

This 8-acre complex features nature in all its glory and is a definite “must see.” Photographers love the endless vignettes (charges apply for professional photo shoots). Gardeners are inspired by the creative uses of plants and found objects that dot the gardens. Nature lovers get their ‘fix’ of all things beautiful in these display gardens. FREE! Open Thursday – Sunday, see website for hours.

Old Baylor Park

Sprawling old oak trees shade this historic site, where stone ruins remain from Baylor University’s earliest days. Picnic tables and a playground make this a favorite stop for traveling families. An easy two-mile round-trip walk (or drive) takes you to Independence Cemetery, one of the most soulful historic cemeteries in the area. FREE!

Blue Bell Creameries

No trip to our area is complete without visiting the creamery. Browse the Blue Bell Visitor Center for all kinds of history, pictures, and videos. Savor a generous scoop of your favorite Blue Bell ice cream from the Parlor (only $1 per scoop) and a trip to the Country Store for a unique gift. Important Note: Observation Deck is not currently open, but the Parlor, Visitor Center and Gift Shop are FREE and open Monday – Friday 8am-5pm.

Plan a weekend stay to do it all! There’s plenty to do and see in the fresh open spaces of our area—without breaking the bank. You are FREE to roam our area. See you soon!