There’s always something going on, somewhere, something good…
TEXAS LIFE
ONE EVENT AT A TIME
As much as we’d like to, we can’t travel all the time. These are just a few of the things that have caught our interest and have us itching to get to. But, if not, why can’t we share and hopefully some of you can. Maybe even send us a note, some pics and let us know how it was. Enjoy!
November 1 & 2, 2025
2025 Texas Monthly BBQ Fest Benefiting Feeding Texas in Lockhart
The annual festival returns to the Barbecue Capital of Texas as the 2025 Top 50 list makes its Lockhart debut.
Texas Monthly is excited to bring TM BBQ Fest, benefiting Feeding Texas, back to Lockhart during the first weekend of November. The historic downtown will provide the backdrop for the BBQ World’s Fair on Saturday, November 1, and the Top 50 Picnic will return to Lockhart City Park on Sunday, November 2. This year, we will debut restaurants from the NEW 2025 list of top fifty barbecue joints in Texas. You can expect to see some familiar faces, but many new ones as well.
VIP and early bird tickets are sold out. Only TM BBQ Club members get access to early-bird tickets at the lowest price. If you want early access to tickets next year (plus perks on-site at the event), join the club today!
Like and follow TM BBQ Fest on Facebook and Instagram for real-time updates.
Texas Monthly is pleased to continue a partnership with Feeding Texas and support the unified effort for a hunger-free Texas. A portion of all ticket proceeds will be donated to Feeding Texas and the network of food banks across the state. Additional contributions can be made on the Feeding Texas website.
Hungry for an appetizer? Texas barbecue is constantly in the news these days and we know you’re chomping at the bit to make it to the first weekend of November. We’re excited to announce a series of barbecue events kicking off this summer. From informative Cue Course dinners at Top 50 joints to a two-steppin’ BBQ Family Reunion under the stars, it’s all happening this year. Click here for the full 2025 event lineup.
Top Pick
Historic Downtown
Lockhart, Texas
Tejas Fest
Victoria, Texas
October 3 & 4, 2025
Victoria, Texas
Get ready for Victoria’s largest free festival, Tejas Fest! Taking place October 3-4, 2025 in beautiful Downtown Victoria at De Leon Plaza, catch some of the biggest stars in Tejano and Texas Country music take the stage!
Honoring the legacies of previous Victoria events like Armadillo Fest and Bootfest, Tejas Fest has brought a whole new tradition to Victoria, Texas! Our inaugural event in 2024 saw over 15,000 folks enjoy two days of family-friendly entertainment. Our live music lineup for 2025 is sure to knock it out of the park with legends of the Texas Country and Tejano music scenes!
But Tejas Fest is about more than just the incredible music! Looking to do a little shopping? The Tejas Fest Market, organized by Mother Cluckers Downtown and featuring dozens of local vendors, is going to be absolutely loaded with unique finds, great gift ideas, and more. Are you a a car nut? See some of the coolest rides around at the Bikes, Trikes & Power Wheels Car Show happening on Saturday, October 4. If you’re a cornhole player and looking to scratch that competitive itch, sign up for the Cornhole Throwdown, presented by Crossroads Cornhole. Shoot your shot to take home the top prize and all bragging rights at the tournament on Saturday, October 4.
Avocado Festival 2025
Pharr, Texas
October 11, 2025
Pharr, Texas
The Avocado Festival is Pharr’s annual October tradition that brings the community together with live music, big-name headliners, talented local bands, delicious food, and family-friendly fun. Dozens of vendors join the celebration by featuring avocado-inspired foods, drinks, and creative displays, filling the festival grounds with flavor and color.
Pharr is home to the Pharr International Bridge, the nation’s leading crossing for fresh produce. For more than a decade, it has been the #1 produce bridge in the country, moving over 60% of the nation’s fruits and vegetables. Among these, avocados stand out as one of the most significant.
In fact, 70% of the avocados consumed in the United States pass through Pharr, with a record-breaking 1.3 billion pounds in 2024 alone. Grown in Michoacán and Jalisco, these avocados make their way across the Pharr International Bridge before reaching homes, restaurants, and markets nationwide.
The Avocado Festival was created to honor this impact, not just on the nation’s food supply, but on Pharr’s culture and economy. As part of the city’s “Fresh on the Border” initiative, the festival also marks the start of the produce season each October, paying tribute to the bridge, the growers, and the fresh foods that connect our region to the entire nation.
What began as a celebration of Pharr’s role in the produce industry in 2023 has grown into one of the Valley’s most anticipated events. In 2024, the festival welcomed more than 20,000 attendees from across the Rio Grande Valley, making it a true showcase of community pride, culture, and flavor.
Goldthwaite Music Festival
Goldthwaite, Texas
Octover 17 & 18, 2025
Goldthwaite, Texas
The Goldthwaite Music Festival (the GMF) is a two day Texas Music Festival where you will enjoy listening to live bands play great music. Enjoy the sounds of top artists at the Southside Tavern in Goldthwaite, Texas.
The Goldthwaite Music Festival proudly supports Funds for Children Foundation a non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to serving youth in Central Texas with hopes for expanding services and funding to children and families in need from all across Texas.
Day of the Dead Festival
Denton, Texas
October 24 – 26, 2025
Denton, Texas
Celebrate Fall Traditions in Downtown Denton, TX
Denton’s Day of the Dead festival is a staple of the community, bringing a culturally inclusive and family-focused event to our historic city.
From humble beginnings in 2009 with the inaugural performances of Cirque du Horror to the first festival in 2011, we’ve grown to include E. Hickory and E. Oak Streets as well.
Now, festival-goers enjoy great local food & drink, arts & crafts, live music and folk dancing, along with our signature events!
Incorporating elements from Día de Muertos, Halloween, and other Fall traditions, Denton’s Day of the Dead Festival embraces the richness of our community fabric like nothing else.
Hogeye Festival
Elgin, Texas
October 25, 2025
Elgin, Texas
Brought to you by the City of Elgin Main Street Program, the annual Hogeye Festival is a downtown street festival held on the 4th Saturday of October. Hogeye celebrates community, family, famous Elgin Sausage, and all things swine!
Play Cow Patty Bingo and win fabulous prizes based on where a cow does her or his business (splatter matters in this game). Sample the winners at the BBQ Pork Cook Off, dance all day to live music.
Enjoy handmade arts and crafts, the Pearls Before Swine Art Show, and kid’s activities. Stroll through the People’s Choice Car & Bike Show. Join us as we sing along to “P-O-R-K in the USA” and “Hoofloose” while the Harleys roll in with The Elgin Sowpremes. This is a free festival that is produced by the Elgin Main Street Board, organized by local hogunteers (volunteers), and underwritten by generous business sponsors.
Join us for “The Best Little Pig Gig In Texas” in Downtown Elgin!
Bob Wills Fiddle Festival & Contest
Greenville, Texas
October 31 & November 1, 2025
Greenville, Texas
It’s always an honor to talk about Bob Wills Fiddlefest! So many memories, music, and friends over the years, and, I’m thrilled to say the 11th Annual Bob Wills Fiddle Festival and Contest is returning to Greenville on October 31 and November 1, 2025!
But wait! There’s also an amazing additional event happening at the Texan Theatre on October 30! Thanks to Barbara Horan and Michael Markwardt, this complimentary evening features dinner and screening of the award-winning film “The Birth and History of Western Swing.” Limited RSVP tickets are available!
BWFF is about fiddling and fiddlers and the best of competitions. It’s about the life and music of Bob Wills, about bringing people together, hearing toe-tappin’ music and simply having fun. The time-honored Fiddle Contest, held at the Texan Theater, draws contestants of all ages near and far while the entertainment package highlights the best of the best in the world of Western Swing.
Texas Dance Halls
Here’s a short list for some of Texas’ famous dance halls spread about. We encourage visiting these places as they are all a diamond in the rough and some unfortunatley won’t last forever. The stories behind a few are inecredible and worth the listen.
Albert Dance Hall – Albert, Texas
Luckenbach Dance Hall – Luckenbach, Texas
London Dance Hall – London, Texas
Gruene Hall – Gruene, Texas
Bankersmith – Bankersmith, Texas