Fun things to do in Texas

“Survival of the Fittest”

Through September 8 Prior to the 1900s, artists rarely depicted wild animals in their natural surroundings. This changed with a pioneering group of painters dubbed the Big Four. Now you can see 45 of their prized works, sourced from the Netherlands’ Rijksmuseum Twenthe and the National Museum of Wildlife Art. Four works by American wildlife artist Robert “Bob” Frederick Kuhn will also be on display. General admission, $14. Kids 12 and under are free. Briscoe Western Art Museum, San Antonio.

Night Creatures

Second Friday of each month through October Join a master naturalist on a sensory evening hike through the rolling prairie and woodlands north of Dallas. Keep your eyes peeled for owls, fireflies, scorpions, bats, and other nocturnal critters. General admission, $4. Kids 12 and under are free. Bonham State Park, Bonham.

Pumpkin Nights

Through November 3 Take in elaborate displays of more than 7,500 hand-carved real (and faux) pumpkins at a local farm and catch the artists in action at “The Pumpkin Village.” Tickets from $20 for adults; from $15 for kids 4 and older. Pioneer Farms in Austin, Howell Family Farms in Arlington.

“Amalia Mesa-Bains: Archaeology of Memory”

Through January 12 This touring exhibition is the first major retrospective for Amalia Mesa-Bains, a pioneering Chicana artist. Among the 40-plus works are some of her signature, large-scale reimaginations of altares (home altars) and ofrendas (offerings to the dead). General admission, $22 for adults; free for children 12 and under. San Antonio Museum of Art, San Antonio.

International Geocaching Day

August 17 In honor of the growing craze that is geocaching (following GPS coordinates to locate hidden containers in the great outdoors), go on a self-guided treasure hunt in the Hill Country. Bring your own GPS device and pick up a list of coordinates at the park’s Discovery Center. Park entrance fee, $7. Kids 12 and under are free. Guadalupe River State Park, Spring Branch.

Galveston Island Wine Festival

August 30–September 1 Drink pinot with the penguins and sip syrah while surrounded by sharks. Tastings can be paired with multicourse meals and a tour of the renovated Aquarium Pyramid. Tickets start at $125. Moody Gardens, Galveston.

Xtreme Hummingbird Xtravaganza

September 14 and 21 Every year, ruby-throated hummingbirds migrate south up to 1,300 miles, stopping in Texas before journeying on to Central America. In addition to learning about conservation efforts, watch the tiny birds get tagged by scientists, take part in hummingbird-themed games, and purchase plants to create a bird-friendly habitat in your backyard. Adults, $5. Kids 12 and under are free. Gulf Coast Bird Observatory, Lake Jackson.

Antique Alley Texas

FREE! September 20–22 Eight towns, more than 150 vendors, and 30 miles of antiques and collectibles—this biannual flea market has grown so much through the years that it’s no longer referred to as “Little Round Top.” Start in either Grandview or Cleburne, then mosey along Highway 4. Johnson and Ellis counties.

Austin Museum Day

FREE! September 22 Explore more than 30 cultural institutions across the capital city, from the Blanton Museum of Art to Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farms, a living-history museum that details the stories of the area’s earliest settlers. Austin.

Mermaid Capital of Texas Fest

FREE! September 28 Stake out a spot and wave to the mermaids (and mermen) in a downtown parade dedicated to the historic Aquamaids of Aquarena Springs. Afterward, shop an artisan market while listening to live R&B music. Downtown San Marcos.

Concordia Cemetery Ghost Tour

October 5 Join the Paso Del Norte Paranormal Society at the final resting place for gunslingers and outlaws like John Wesley Hardin. The Society’s other tours, offered monthly, explore the San Elizario Historic District and The WigWam, a haunted saloon built in 1883. Tickets, $25. El Paso.

Chappell Hill Scarecrow Festival

FREE! October 12–13 An hour from Houston, this charming town honors its farming heritage with a fall street festival, now in its 47th year. Take a historical tour of an old mercantile and 1920s schoolhouse, browse antiques while nibbling on a candy apple, and admire 100-plus scarecrows made by local businesses and homeowners. Parking is $10, cash only. Chappell Hill.

The Texas Jazz Festival

FREE! October 18–20 The world’s longest-running, largest free jazz festival returns with three stages featuring everything from solo acts to full brass bands. Beer and wine gardens, as well as an artisan market, round out the weekend. Heritage Park, Corpus Christi.

Texas Clay Festival

FREE! October 26–27 Clay takes center stage at this longstanding showcase with live demos and artist talks. Shop for mugs, planters, and abstract sculptures. Bid on more one-of-a-kind items at the silent auction that benefits artists in need. Historical District, Gruene.

Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival

November 6–10 Gather with fellow ornithophiles at the convergence of the Central and Mississippi flyways for a chance to spot a cactus wren, muscovy duck, or 400 other species that frequent the area. In addition to guided field trips and workshops, don’t miss the “Birders Bazaar” selling gear, books, and art. $75 for an all-inclusive pass (field trips priced separately). Harlingen Convention Center, Harlingen.

Round Top Film Festival

November 7–10 Be among the first to attend panel discussions and screenings of more than 40 films—including documentaries, shorts, and music videos—at this inaugural film festival founded by native Texans. Four-day passes start at $400. Round Top.

Frontier Day

November 9 Marvel at Mexican folklorico dancers, meet a Buffalo Soldier reenactor, or stomp your feet to a fiddle orchestra—this annual event honors the diverse groups that once traversed the West Texas frontier. $5 for ages 13 and up. Abilene State Park, Abilene.

Heritage Syrup Festival

FREE! November 9 Travel back in time as you watch cane syrup be produced the old-fashioned way: via antique, mule-powered equipment. Square dancing, a classic car show, and a melodrama performance at the local Opera House add to the fun. Henderson.

Stockyards Rodeo Rink

November 18–January 5 Practice your twizzles and toe loops at a Texas-sized outdoor ice rink on the lawn of the Livestock Exchange Building. Time your skate with the Christmas in the Stockyards event on December 7 for photos with Cowboy Santa and a Christmas parade. General admission, $25 for adults; $20 for kids (skates included). Fort Worth Stockyards, Fort Worth.

Austin Pow Wow

November 23 Indigenous tribes across Texas and as far away as California and Canada gather to share their heritage through food, art, and colorful performances. Don’t miss the Grand Entry, an opening ceremony led by the dancers, that takes place at noon. General admission, $7 online, $10 at the door. Kids 12 and under, free. Travis County Expo Center, Austin.

Christmas at Old Fort Concho

December 6–8 Around the holidays, Fort Concho’s 1800s-era buildings get decked out in Christmas lights and greenery, including the old Army headquarters, which becomes Santa’s House. Learn about the site’s military history on a curator-led tour, catch the locally famous Concho Cowboys skit, and pick up a commemorative ornament. General admission, $9 adults; $3 for kids; 6 and under free. San Angelo.

Holiday Sing-Along and Stroll

FREE! December 7 Meander through downtown Austin, ending at the Capitol building for a tree lighting set to a crowd-led rendition of “O Christmas Tree.” Along the way, enjoy food trucks, craft stations, and photo opps on Candy Cane Lane. Congress Avenue between 8th and 11th streets, Austin.

Gingerbread Build-Off

FREE! December 14 Sponsored by Architecture Center Houston, amateurs and professionals compete to construct edible, compostable masterpieces modeled after real-life landmarks and fictional scenes (think Minute Maid Park vs. Gingerassic Park). Kids also have the option to build their own. Levy Park, Houston.