Fall in Texas Wine Country: Can’t Miss Events for Autumn 2023
If you’re anything like us, you never want to hear the words “heat dome” again. After a blistering summer, the cooler temperatures of autumn in the Hill Country are a welcome relief.
Take advantage of this long-awaited respite with festivals and events around Fredericksburg, Stonewall, and Johnson City. Start here to plan your fall escape, and use The Vind app to build the perfect autumn itinerary! This is our longest list of events ever! Enjoy what the Texas Hill Country has to offer.
October Eclipse Events
On October 14, 2023, an annular solar eclipse will make its way across the Texas sky. The moon will pass in front of the sun, leaving just a thin halo of light suspended in the sky. While this won’t be a total solar eclipse, it will still be an amazing spectacle! (But mark your calendar—a total solar eclipse IS coming to the Texas Hill Country in April 2024. Here’s where you can glimpse this unique event.
Eclipse at Stonehenge II
Stonehenge II is a concrete monument built in homage to the original Stonehenge in Salisbury, England. What better place to marvel at the primal wonder of a solar eclipse? You can reserve an RV site, or get a one-day wristband for access to food trucks, a beer tent, and live music in an all-day party.
Solar Eclipse Festival at Grapetown Vineyard & Farm
Catch the eclipse at Grapetown Vineyard’s 2023 Solar Eclipse Festival with live music, great food, and of course, plenty of wine. You can camp onsite to make a weekend of it, or simply come for the day to catch the main event.
Eclipse Brunch at Kuhlman Cellars
The Estate is perfectly positioned to see a 90% complete Solar Eclipse on October 14, 2023. Escape the crowds. Enjoy a jazz brunch. Watch the Eclipse. Enjoy space at the Estate! Your Ticket includes admission to the Estate, one glass of wine, single-pass Eclipse Brunch service (at selected time), safety glasses, eclipse sticker and Tossware glass keepsake.
Eclipse Viewing at Enchanted Rock
At Enchanted Rock, you can view the eclipse with a solar-filtered telescope alongside the nature area’s park rangers. Or climb the pink granite dome (with eclipse glasses in hand) to get even closer to this celestial wonder. Day passes or overnight reservations required!
Where to Get Your Eclipse Glasses and Gear
Pro tip: Wherever you plan to view the eclipse, make sure you’re safe and prepared while showing your Texas pride. You can get ISO Certified Eclipse Glasses at the Totality Over TX website. They also have Texas inspired t-shirts, caps, tumblers, and more. Check out the “Extravaganza Tour” t-shirt, a classic band-style tee that lists the eclipse start times and durations in some Texas cities.
Take 10% off Texas inspired Eclipse Glasses for a limited time with code: TheVind
Hill Country Fall Food & Wine Events
Celebrate Hill Country wine and the local bounty at these delicious fall events.
Becker Vineyards’ Annual Grape Stomp
Fall is harvest season. That means it’s time for the Annual Grape Stomp at Becker Vineyards, where visitors can get their feet dirty. Squish those grapes to extract their juice, and sip some of the previous years’ production while you’re at it. This weekend-long festival on the tasting room lawn takes place on September 2nd and 3rd.
Alla Campagna Italian Grand Opening
New Italian restaurant Alla Campagna will be celebrating its formal grand opening on September 20th. Join them for their happy hour launch including cold shareable snacks, hot pizza, and Italian wine.
Texas Wine Month
The entire month of October is a celebration of Texas wine here in the Hill Country. When you buy a Passport ticket to Texas Wine Month, you’ll get a digital barcode good for free tastings at over 40 participating wineries during the month of October (up to four per day). It will also be your key to exclusive discounts on bottle purchases, so you can take your favorite varietals home with you.
Texas Wine Jam
The organizers of the Texas Wine Jam know that wine goes better with music. At this two-day festival on November 4th and 5th, you can sample the goods from 20 great Texas wineries while listening to the musical stylings of local bands. And if you choose to buy something from one of the wineries, you’ll automatically enter a raffle to win even more wine. The event is at Vinovium, a Johnson City winery, and benefits the SIMS Foundation and Texas Wine Community Scholarships.
Gillespie County Wild Game Dinner
On November 19th, experience a one-of-a-kind country-style event at the Gillespie County Fairgrounds. The Gillespie County Wild Game Dinner is an evening of games, raffles, auctions, and small bites made from local wild game. Proceeds support agriculture and youth education.
Fredericksburg Food & Wine Fest
The 33rd annual Fredericksburg Food & Wine Fest is back on October 28th at the Fredericksburg Marketplatz. The festival will include booths from some of the best local wineries and breweries, plus Texas-made food and wares. There will also be live music, games, dancing, and cooking classes from great local chefs.
Arts & Entertainment Events for Fall 2023
From classic cars to handcrafts, there’s plenty of entertainment and fun in the Hill Country this fall.
LuckenRod Car Show
The LuckenRod Car Show on September 9th will be part-car show, part-music festival, and all good times. Enjoy live music all day, and see which car takes home the awards for Best in Show, Best Classic Car, Longest Distance, and more.
History of Rock & Roll Tribute
The RockBox Theater will be rocking on September 23rd with a tribute to music legends Buddy Holly, Elvis, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis. Star Johnny Rogers is considered the best Buddy Holly tribute act there is, endorsed by Holly’s family.
29th Texas Mesquite Arts Festival
Shop handcrafted goods made from Texas mesquite and more at the 29th Texas Mesquite Arts Festival on October 13th - 15th. Find everything from furniture to vases to Christmas tree ornaments to wall art to jewelry at this celebration of Lone Star craftsmanship.
Vintage Motorcycle Show
Celebrate a century of motorcycles at Pecan Grove Store’s Vintage Motorcycle Show on October 21st. There will be live music, delicious half-pound burgers and hand cut fries, and plenty of bikes. All you need to get in is three cans of food or a cash donation for the local food bank.
Real Ale Ride
It’s a Tour de Texas at the annual Real Ale Ride, a biking tour through the Hill Country on October 28th. Choose from routes of 15, 30, 50, 60, and 75 miles for your ride. Whichever you select, you’ll cross the finish line at Real Ale Brewing Company for a party featuring local beer, live music, and food trucks.
The Peddler Show
The Peddler Show is a traveling marketplace highlighting small designers, boutiques, and vendors from across Texas. From November 24th - 26th, the show will be at the Gillespie County Fairgrounds where you can browse clothing, furniture, soaps and lotions, artisan foods, and much more.
Fun Fall Festivals & Celebrations
Pumpkin spice season is coming. Celebrate it at family-friendly Oktoberfests, corn mazes, and more!
Jenschke Orchards Corn Maze
For a classic fall festival, visit Jenschke Orchards Corn Maze in Fredericksburg. Solve the 5-acre corn maze, choose your fall pumpkin from the pumpkin patch, and go for a bouncy wagon ride. Kids will love the petting zoo, pony rides, Texas Size Jumpy Pillow, and games galore. Exact dates are TBD, but the Corn Maze is usually open Friday through Sunday during the fall season.
Plan for lunch at Leroys Tex Mex BBQ, right on property.
Wildseed Farms Fall Festival
The Fall Festival at Wildseed Farms is a celebration of wildflowers, pumpkins, and fall bounty. Activities at this September 23rd event include face painting, pumpkin painting, live music, and games for kids. Make sure your phone is at 100%—there will be plenty of photo ops.
Fredericksburg Oktoberfest
With our long German heritage, Fredericksburg’s Oktoberfest is an annual favorite. From October 6th - 8th, you can feast on brats and sauerkraut, play games, and drink Oktoberfest beer to the tune of cheerful oompah music. It all happens at the Marketplatz.
Texas Marigold Festival
Blanco’s Texas Marigold Festival from October 23rd - 29th celebrates these vibrant orange and gold fall flowers. Shop at the Marigold Market, join workshops focused on marigold crafts, and enjoy live music by Brave Combo at the Marigold Dance.
Holiday Season Kickoff Events
It’s hard to believe, but Christmas will be here before you know it. Start the season with these late fall events!
Christmas Nights of Lights
German and Texan Christmas traditions meet at Fredericksburg’s Christmas Nights of Lights. From November 21st - January 7th, you can see the nightly lighting of the Community Christmas Tree and German Christmas Pyramid. It’s accompanied by a 10-minute audio presentation with holiday carols and the story of the town’s heritage.
Historic Home Tour & Holiday Market
On November 18th, you can take a self-guided tour through some of Fredericksburg’s most intriguing historic homes, from the pioneer days to today. Guests can learn some of the history of each home, and see them dressed in their holiday finest. There will also be a charming holiday market featuring boutiques and vendors selling gifts and goodies.
Christmas Wine Affair
From November 27th through December 22nd, Hill Country wineries come together for a Christmas Wine Affair. Your ticket will include complimentary wine tastings at participating wineries (up to four per day) and special discounts. See the wineries in their holiday splendor and sip your way to a happy season.
Plan the Perfect Fall Escape with The Vind
With The Vind, you can plan your fall trip to the Texas Hill Country in a snap. Choose one of our pre-made itineraries made by local experts and travel bloggers for wine lovers, girls trips, families, and more.
Or use the Create a Trip feature to get personalized recommendations for lodging, shopping, dining, and entertainment. Add the fall events of your choice to create the perfect autumn escape.
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