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 in 2024!

1 . Oktoberfest at Home Sweet Farm Biergarten

SEPT 27-29  It’s time for Oktoberfest at HSF Biergarten in Downtown Brenham.  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 12-13  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 . Boozy Book Fair at Floyd’s Lounge

Boozy Book Fair at Floy's Lounge flyer. It reads "an epic collab between Floyd's Lounge & The Book Nook"

OCT 17   Join us for an epic collaboration between 2 of downtown Brenham’s businesses: The Book Nook & Floyd’s Lounge. From 6-8pm, swing by Floyd’s to peruse tables of books for purchase while sipping on a delish handcrafted cocktail!

4 . Antique Shows

OCT 5-19   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. 11-19) 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.

5 . Wine & Wander in Burton

OCT 17  Come shop with some great dealers and vendors, enjoy heavy appetizers, sip local wines from Busted Oak Cellars, all while listening to the soulful music! Next stops on the trail include Bluebonnet Leather Shop, Burton Short Stop Icehouse, Bluebonnet Leather Shop, Flown the Coop, Junk in Yer Trunk, TXJunkr, and more!

6 . Texas Arts & Music Festival

OCT 18-20  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 18-20, and includes live music, live mural installation, an art village, pop-up galleries, and much more. Music headliner for Saturday night will be Jomo & The Possum Posse!

7 . Mask-erade on Main

OCT 26   Join us for a spooktacular free family-friendly event in Historic Downtown Brenham, Saturday, Oct. 26. 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 1-3   The store will be decked wall to wall with all the seasonal decor. We will have door prizes, pop-up shops, wine and hors d’oeuvres. Our 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 2, from 11:30 – 12:30. Tickets are $30 per person, and reservations are required. Tickets sell quickly, so call early for your reservation: 888-836-7237. We’ll have some of our favorite brands in the store with us for the weekend, including Juliska, Caspari, Matouk, Silhouettes, Paula’s Palate, and custom monogramming for linens. At the emporium we’ll have Carmie’s Dips, and Honey Guy.

9 . Fall Festival of Roses at Antique Rose Emporium

NOV 2-3   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

child riding antique carousel ride with other children riding it in the background. Adults standing in back.

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!

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.

A Toast to Texas Family Festival

Texas Independence Day celebrations will look a little different this year due to ongoing renovations at Washington-on-the-Brazos. Join us for A Toast to Texas Family Festival on Saturday, March 1, from 10am. to 4pm as we celebrate the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence on March 2, 1836.

ANTIQUE ROSE EMPORIUM SPRING CELEBRATION WEEKEND

The Antique Rose Emporium is a must-visit year-round, but spring is something truly special! The Spring Celebration Weekend from March 7-9 includes an Artisan & Vintage Market, food trucks, and more blooming roses than you can imagine.

TEXAS RANGER DAY

The 14th annual Texas Ranger Day at the historic Burton Railroad Depot is a fun-filled event for the whole family. On Saturday, March 15, from 12 to 5pm, enjoy Old West Ranger demonstrations, blacksmithing, chuckwagon cooking, kids’ activities, depot and cotton gin tours, and live music!

TEXAS HISTORIC HOMES TOURS IN INDEPENDENCE

Step back in time with a tour of the Texas Historic Homes in Independence. Adjacent to Old Baylor Park, these historic homes and schoolhouses offer a glimpse into Texas pioneer life—perfect for history lovers! Tours are available on Saturdays, March 15 and 22, from 10am to 4pm.

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 21-29. Burton is also home to other antique events like Antiques at The Pavilions.

TEXAS BLUEBONNET FESTIVAL IN CHAPPELL HILL

The Chappell Hill Historical Society will once again be hosting the Official State of Texas Bluebonnet Festival, April 12-13, 2025, 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! 

BURTON COTTON GIN FESTIVAL

Head to Burton Saturday, April 26, home of the 1914 Burton Farmers Gin, and celebrate the 36th 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!

BRENHAM MAIFEST

Children in traditional Bavarian clothing dancing around the Maypole in Fireman's Park at Maifest

Brenham’s German heritage takes center stage at Maifest on May 2-3. Enjoy a festive weekend featuring a parade, Junior & Senior Coronations, authentic German food, music, drinks, and carnival rides at Fireman’s Park. Festivities begin on Friday, May 2, at 5pm and continue until 11:30pm, then resume on Saturday, May 3, from 11:30am to 11:30pm!

CHAPPELL HILL ART WALK

Meet and watch artists working and creating their masterpieces in Chappell Hill on Main Street, at the Historical Society Museum, and other select Washington County locations. Presented by Chappell Hill Chamber of Commerce, Chappell Hill, Texas. Vote for your favorite and you have the opportunity to purchase works from our artists too!

Weekly Happenings

Some of our favorite spring events happen every week!

Antique Carousel Rides – Just $1 per ride at Fireman’s Park.

Brenham Fire Museum – Open Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the entire week of Spring Break.

Barrington Plantation Live Demos – Every weekend at Washington-on-the-Brazos.

Blue Bell Ice Cream – Enjoy $1 scoops at the Blue Bell Parlor & Country Store!

There’s always something happening in Brenham! Explore daily events like live music, theater performances, and retail specials by checking our full calendar of events. Spring is our busiest season, so be sure to book your lodging early and make the most of your trip!

Where to Watch on Game Day

The season is always right to watch your favorite team–especially when you have a list of the best places to watch on game day! Here are a few of the best places to cheer on your team with friends in Brenham and Washington County…

Brazos Valley Brewing Company

BVB is a family-friendly, small-town brewery and taproom that has screens inside the taproom to watch a big game. There are also indoor games, an outdoor playground and games and plenty of room to stretch your legs. You won’t go hungry with their food truck BVB Eats. You can also catch live music on weekends at the Brewery.

Brown Water Cigar Bar

Enjoy a smoky Old Fashioned and your favorite cigar while you watch the game at Brown Water Cigar Bar. This Downtown Brenham venue is a favorite place for the guys to relax.

BT Longhorn Saloon & Steakhouse

The antique bar at BT Longhorn is a piece of history–and a favorite place to watch on game day. Sit at the bar or one of the high-tops and check out their delicious menu and full bar.

Floyd’s Lounge

It doesn’t get much better than the patio at Floyd’s Lounge. The party lights will be on and the heaters and fire pit are ready for those cooler nights. If it’s a really big game, Floyd’s is great to bring in a big blow-up screen to make viewing easy for bigger crowds.

Home Sweet Farm Biergarten

HSF is the perfect place for a favorite wine or your favorite beer on tap. It’s also one of those places that feels like home when you’re cheering on your team with a room full of people who don’t seem like strangers anymore. Order food from HSF Kitchen food truck, just steps away from HSF.

Pioneer Smokehouse

The cozy indoor space at Pioneer is just right for a smaller crowd. The patio offers games and room to play if part of the family would rather use some of that energy on playing games instead of watching the game. Don’t miss the hobo nachos to share for the perfect start to your game day meal.

30 North Gastropub

From the delicious food to the full bar to the extensive choice of indoor and outdoor seating, 30 North is an easy choice on game day. Enjoy some of the best pizza in town and settle in for cocktails or beer at this Downtown Brenham establishment.

Wine Bar Brenham

Located in a historic corner building of Downtown Brenham, Wine Bar Brenham is the perfect stop to catch the game during a day of Downtown shopping and strolling. They offer light bites, shopping, and games.