Fall into fun with activities across Central Texas
By BRANDY CRUZ | Photos courtesy of ROBINSON FAMILY FARM, SWEET EATS, IDLE CREEK FARMS, SWEET BERRY FARM, PARRIE HAYNES RANCH, BARROW BREWING AND SALADO SCOTTISH GATHERING AND GAMES
There is something about fall that makes us want to get out of the house. Maybe it’s the promise — however optimistic in Central Texas — of cooler weather. Maybe it’s the pumpkins piled high at local farms, the smell of festival food or that first glorious morning when stepping outside doesn’t feel like opening the door to an oven. Whatever puts you in an autumn state of mind, there are plenty of ways to celebrate.
This fall, you can wander through a corn maze, pick the perfect pumpkin, watch a pig race, hoist a stein, learn Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” dance dressed as a zombie, meet local authors, cheer on strongman competitors or spend a weekend surrounded by bagpipes, kilts and Highland athletes. And that’s before Thanksgiving arrives.
So grab the family, call a few friends and make some room on the calendar. Fall fun is waiting.
PUMPKINS, HAYRIDES & FARM FUN
Robinson Family Farm | Temple
You could go to Robinson Family Farm just to pick out a pumpkin, but good luck convincing the kids to leave it at that.
The Temple farm turns fall into a full-blown festival each weekend through Nov. 1, packing enough activities into the property to turn pumpkin shopping into an all-day adventure.
Zip lines? Check. Mega slide? Check. Axe throwing, archery and mini golf? Check, check and check.
There are farm animals, jumping pads, a corn pit, giant swing, playground, corn cannons and photo opportunities scattered throughout the farm. A tram helps visitors make their way around the property, while food trucks and a wine and biergarten offer an excuse for the grown-
ups to slow down.
Halloween has its own celebration Oct. 31, complete with candy, while supplies last, and nighttime fireworks. Oh, yes, there are also pumpkins — a lot of them!
When: Weekends, through Nov. 1
Where: 2651 Bob White Road, Temple
Website: www.therobinsonfamilyfarm.com
Sweet Eats Adventure Farm | Georgetown
If your idea of the perfect fall day involves pumpkins — I mean a lots of pumpkins — Sweet Eats Adventure Farm in Georgetown is ready for you. The farm’s 2026 Fall Festival runs through Nov. 8 and features a Texas-sized pumpkin patch with more than 40 varieties of pumpkins, along with a 4.5-acre themed corn maze.
But pumpkins are only the beginning. Families can catch the daily pig races — where competitors have names such as Hoggy Potter and Snoop Hoggy Hog — visit the petting zoo, take a pony or wagon ride and test their aim with an apple cannon. More than 30 farm activities are included with general admission.
October brings even more reasons to stay after dark. Friday and Saturday nights, except Halloween, include fire, falconry and animal shows.
If you’ve ever wondered what happens when 80 pounds of candy is launched into the air, there’s a candy cannon for that, too.
When: Through Nov. 8.
Where: 14400 E. State Highway 29, Georgetown
Website: www.sweeteats.com
Idle Creek Farms | Kempner
For a fall outing with a little more country charm, point the car west toward Kempner.
Idle Creek Farms has become a favorite seasonal destination for families looking for the classic pumpkin-patch experience with plenty of ways to burn off some energy along the way.
The farm combines pumpkins and a corn maze with the sort of attractions that can keep children happily occupied for hours. Past fall offerings have included hayrides, a corn pit, petting zoo, jump pad, barrel rides and even a glow maze party.
When: Weekends in October
Where: 10049 U.S. Highway 190, Kempner
Website: Check idlecreekfarms.com for pricing
FALL EVENTS
Oktoberfest at Barrow Brewing Co. | Salado
Why celebrate Oktoberfest for one weekend when you can celebrate it for six?
Barrow Brewing Co. is bringing a little Bavaria to the banks of Salado Creek every Saturday through Oct. 31. The weekly celebration pairs authentic German food with German-inspired Texas craft beer brewed right in Salado, plus games and the laid-back atmosphere that has made the creekside brewery a popular gathering place.
For adults, it’s a chance to grab a pint and settle in with friends. Families can enjoy the outdoor setting, food and festivities. Prost!
When: Saturdays through Oct. 31
Where: 108 Royal St., Salado
Website: www.barrowbrewing.com/Oktoberfest
CTX Strongest Team | Belton
Forget lifting pumpkins. These competitors are moving some serious weight.
CTX Strongest Team comes to the Huntington Bank Expo Oct. 3 for what organizers are calling the first team strongman event of its kind in Texas. Teams of three will take on events including a relay medley, team stone load, truck pull and maximum deadlift, turning strength into a team sport.
Whether you know your deadlift from your dumbbell or simply want to see exactly what the human body is capable of moving, this may be one of the most unusual additions to your fall calendar.
When: Oct. 3; competition begins at 10 a.m.
Where: Huntington Bank Expo, 301 W. Loop 121, Belton
65th Annual Salado Scottish Gathering & Highland Games | Salado
If you hear bagpipes echoing through Salado in November, follow the sound.
The 65th annual Salado Scottish Gathering and Highland Games takes over the village Nov. 13-15 for three days celebrating Scottish heritage.
And this isn’t an event that does anything halfway. Expect Highland dancers, pipe and drum competitions, Scottish athletics, clan tents, Celtic music, food and shopping.
Whether you have Scottish ancestry or simply appreciate bagpipes, tartan and watching very strong people throw very heavy objects, the Gathering offers one of Central Texas’ most distinctive fall traditions.
When: Nov. 13-15
Where: Events are held at locations including Barrow Brewing Co., Salado Museum and College Park and Inn on the Creek in Salado.
Website: www.saladomuseum.org/scottish-gathering-and-highland-games
The Enchanted Book Festival | Belton
Fall isn’t only for pumpkins and costumes. Sometimes the perfect autumn day calls for a good book. The Enchanted Book Festival brings a cozy, slightly spooky literary celebration to the Harris Community Center in Belton.
Presented by The Little Flower, the free festival brings together local authors, vendors, books and activities in a seasonal setting designed for readers.
For bookworms who would rather get lost in a story than a corn maze, this one deserves a spot on the calendar.
When: 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Oct. 24
Where: 401 N. Alexander St., Belton
SPOOKY SEASON
Boo Ball | Temple
Dust off the leg warmers, tease up that hair and prepare for a totally tubular trip back to the decade of big hair, neon colors and some seriously scary movies. The Temple Civic Theatre Guild is turning back the clock for its Boo Ball on Oct. 17 with an ’80s-themed Halloween party made for grown-ups who still believe dressing up shouldn’t be reserved for kids.
Guests are invited to come dressed as their favorite ’80s horror character or simply raid the fashion archives for their best 1980s attire. Think Freddy Krueger and Jason Voorhees — or Madonna, Miami Vice and enough neon to be visible from space.
Prizes will be awarded for Best Couple, Best Costume and Best Witch’s Hat.
Grab a date or a group of friends and celebrate spooky season with an unmistakably ’80s twist.
When: Saturday, Oct. 17, 7 p.m.
Where: 2413 S. 13th St., Temple
Website: templecivictheatre.com/special-events
Fall Fest & Thriller | Temple
Temple Civic Theatre is proving that the stage isn’t the only place for a little drama this fall.
The theatre’s Fall Fest returns Oct. 24 with four hours of food, local vendors, live entertainment, pumpkins, face painting, pony rides and a rummage sale.
But the real showstopper may be what happens when the zombies arrive.
For $10, participants can learn the choreography to Michael Jackson’s iconic “Thriller” while the theatre’s makeup artists transform them into suitably undead dancers.
It’s part fall festival, part dance class and part zombie apocalypse — which sounds like a pretty good Saturday to us.
When: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Oct. 24
Where: 2413 S. 13th St., Temple
Website: templecivictheatre.com/special-events
Second Sunday Trunk or Treat
Spooky Market | Belton
Halloween and shopping join forces at Sanctuary in Belton this October The Second Sunday market gets a spooky makeover Oct. 11 with a Trunk or Treat theme. Come browse local vendors while adding some Halloween fun for families.
It makes an easy addition to the fall calendar for anyone who likes supporting small businesses almost as much as they like candy.
When: Beginning at noon Oct. 11
Where: 1010 S. Wall St., Belton
Texas Trail Halloween Roundup | Killeen
For families looking to squeeze every possible bit of fun out of spooky season, add the Texas Trail Halloween Roundup to the list.
The Killeen event offers another opportunity to break out the costumes and celebrate Halloween closer to home — because, really, if you spent that much time deciding on a costume, you might as well wear it more than once.
When: Oct. 29-Nov. 1
Where: Parrie Haynes Ranch Equestrian Center, 13816 Maxdale Road, Killeen
Spooktacular Scavenger Hunt Trail Ride | Killeen
Who says trick-or-treating has to be done on foot? Instead of knocking on doors in search of candy, saddle up for a Halloween adventure at H.E.L.P.’s sixth annual Spooktacular Scavenger Hunt Trail Ride. Riders will head out on horseback along an approximately 4-mile trail, searching for Halloween-themed items hidden along the way. The three riders who collect the most scavenger hunt items will take home prize buckets.
And don’t put away the costumes just because you’re wearing riding boots.
The day includes a light breakfast, full lunch, snacks, swag bags and a silent auction. Riders will also have an opportunity to learn something new with a presentation on the Masterson Method by Asli Topaloglu of Sacred Strides Equine Services.
Best of all, there’s a good cause behind the spooky fun. The event is hosted by Horse Empowered Learning Programs, or H.E.L.P., a therapeutic riding center that uses horsemanship and horseback riding to help people with disabilities and other challenges build confidence and independence.
Proceeds from the trail ride benefit Phoebe’s Scholarship Fund, which helps families who might otherwise be unable to afford the organization’s services.
When: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 24
Where: Parrie Haynes Ranch Equestrian Center, 13816 Maxdale Road, Killeen
FAITH, FOOD & THANKFUL HEARTS
Harvest Festival | Killeen
Fall festivals don’t have to be all pumpkins and costumes.
First United Methodist Church in Killeen carries on the season with its Harvest Festival, a longtime church tradition centered on fellowship and community.
It’s the kind of event that reflects another side of fall in Central Texas — neighbors gathering together, sharing food and enjoying traditions that have been passed from one year to the next.
When: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Oct. 24
Where: 3501 East Elms Road, Killeen
MAKE A FALL BUCKET LIST
Central Texas may not always give us blazing red maples, crisp 50-degree afternoons and the sweater weather shown in the movies. October has been known to arrive wearing shorts.
But what we lack in predictable autumn weather, we more than make up for in ways to celebrate the season.
So pick a pumpkin. Get lost in a corn maze. Drink a German-inspired beer beside Salado Creek. Put on zombie makeup and learn the “Thriller” dance. Buy a book. Cheer for a strongman. Listen to the bagpipes.
And maybe — just maybe — wear that new sweater. Just bring a T-shirt to change into.
