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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!

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!

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–BVB has bar bites and is home to acclaimed food truck Country Sunshine. 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 while the girls shop nearby.

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.