OCTMBER

  October 11–Nov 16 - Brenham
BRAZOS VALLEY MAIZE... The Brazos Valley Maize is a corn maze and pumpkin patch offering family friendly activities. Enjoy the fun! 3063 Salem Road. Saturdays 10am-9pm; Sundays 1pm-7pm. For details: www.brazosvalleymaize.com.

  October 31–Nov 2 - Brenham
FALL FESTIVAL OF ROSES... Enjoy three days of garden-related seminars presented by nationally & inter-nationally known speakers. All programs are free. Food truck on the grounds Friday & Saturday. With 8 acres of landscaped grounds, Antique Rose Emporium is located at 10000 FM-50 in Independence, Texas. For more info: (979) 836-5548 or www.weAREroses.com.

NOVEMBER

  November 1 - Boerne
CHAMBER WILD GAME DINNER … Discover exotic dishes including jalapeno-bacon-wrapped quail, grilled bison sliders, fried alligator, whole roasted hog, elk fajitas, crawfish pasta & more. Fabulous auction includes African safaris, Argentina dove hunt, original art-work, guns. Kendall County Fairgrounds in Boerne. 5:30pm-10pm. Tickets: $20 (all-you-can-eat). (830) 249-8000. www.boerne.org.

  November 8 - San Marcos
VETERAN’S DAY CELEBRATION ... The community of San Marcos pays tribute to military war heroes with a parade and celebration through the streets of downtown. Admission is free and the parade starts at 10:00 am. For additional information, call (512) 393-8400, or visit website www.toursanmarcos.com.

  November 8–9 - Gruene Historic District / NewBraunfels -
31st ANNUAL TOUR DE GRUENE BICYCLE CLASSIC... Participants enjoy a leisurely ride through the Texas Hill Country or competitive time trials with prizes for the best course records. Also free live music at Gruene Hall in Gruene Historic District. www.tourdegruene.com. Call (210) 862-3524 to register.

  November 8–9 - Georgetown
17th HILL COUNTRY ARTS  & CRAFT FAIR ...Sat 9am-4pm & Sun 11am-4pm. Over 100 booths of juried artists that hand craft and home make all their art, perfect for holiday giving. For seventeen years, the crowds have come to enjoy some of the finest shop-ping in Central Texas. #2 Texas Dr, Georgetown TX (5 miles west of I-35 on Williams Dr. / FM 2338). For inquiries: (512) 948-7393.

  November 21–22 - College Station
CELEBRATE THE WORLD AT BRAZOS VALLEY WORLDFEST... Enjoy culture displays, salsa judging contest, storytelling, international cuisine, demonstrations, live performances, arts & crafts, vendors, Latin music and dance lessons on Friday 6pm & more. 10am-5pm. Wolf Pen Creek Park. For more info, visit www.brazosvalleyworldfest.org.

  November 21–December 12 - New Braunfels
FESTTAGE HOLIDAYS… Enjoy several weeks of holiday events, including the Downtown Lighting, Gruene Market Days, Weihnachtsmarkt, Annual Gruene Pony Express Ride, Visit with Santa, Gospel Brunch with a Texas Twist, Wassailfest and more! (800) 572-2626.

  November 22 - Brenham
HOLIDAY HOME TOUR... Tour historic homes beautifully decorated for the holidays, and shop for holiday gifts. Home tours are 1pm-4pm both days. Shopping hours are 10am-6pm. Giddings Stone Mansion, 2203 Century Circle, Brenham. www.giddingsstonemansion.com. 1-888-BRENHAM or (979) 836-1690.

  November 29 - Anderson
TWILIGHT FIRELIGHT AT FANTHORP… Celebrate the holiday season with a journey back to the 1850s! Enjoy the ambiance of the candlelit inn, period music, living history, poetry, stage-coach rides & holiday fare. 4:30-7:30pm. Tickets sold in front of Courthouse, 4:30-7:30pm. Fanthorp Inn State Historic Site. (936) 878-2214. www.birthplaceoftexas.com.

DECEMBER

  December 1, 5, 6 - Flatonia
CHRISTMAS IN FLATONIA... Dec 1 - Christmas Village Lighting & Santa; Dec 5 - Wonderful Winter Wine Walk (5pm-9pm); and Dec 6 - Christmas Market, Cookie/Candy Carnival & Santa. Civic Center, 9am-4pm. 208 E.N. Main Street in Flatonia. Exit 661 on I-10.  flatoniacofc@sbcglobal.net. (361) 865-3920. www.FlatoniaChamber.com. 

  December 3–6 - San Marcos
28th SIGHTS & SOUNDS OF CHRISTMAS... Get the entire family into the Christmas spirit by joining in on the fun-filled activities at Sights & Sounds. Start your Christmas shopping early at the arts & crafts marketplace, visit Santa’s village, ride the carousel, view a live nativity scene, and enjoy holiday foods. Admission: $5 adults  nightly; kids free 12 & under. For more info: (512) 393-8400 or www.toursanmarcos.com.

  December 4–21 - Brenham
UNITY THEATRE PRESENTS “PLAID TIDINGS”... The hilarious, heavenly Forever Plaid quartet re-turns to earth in this holiday treat wrapped up in a harmonious package with a big bow on top! Unity Theatre, 300 Church. Tickets:  www.unitybrenham.org. Tickets@UnityBrenham.org. (979) 830-8358.

  December 5 - Brenham
DOWNTOWN BRENHAM CHRISTMAS STROLL & LIGHTED PARADE... Enjoy live entertainment and holiday shopping as you stroll the beautifully-lighted streets of Historic Downtown Brenham. The downtown lighted parade is sure to put everyone in the holiday spirit. Free admission & free parking. 1-888-Brenham. www.downtownbrenham.com.

  December 6 - Cameron
CHRISTMAS PARADE... Join us for Cameron’s Annual Christmas Parade & fun on downtown’s decorated historic square. Get a snack at the food booths, listen to the music & have your picture taken with Santa. Festivities start at 5:30 pm, with parade at 6:30 pm. What a great way to recapture your childhood Christmas spirit with lights, music, floats and Santa! (254) 697-4979. www.cameron-tx.com .

  December 6 - Elgin
HOLIDAY BY THE TRACKS... Catch the holiday spirit in Historic Downtown Elgin! Before or after cutting your Christmas tree from one of two local tree farms, enjoy live music, caroling, shopping and kid’s activities. There are also pictures with Santa and a lighted holiday parade at dusk. On Hwy 290, only 19 miles east of Austin. 9am-3pm. (512) 285-4515. www.elgintx.

  December 6–7 - Austin
VIOLET CROWN ARTS FESTIVAL... Heralding the holiday season, this fest is a popular neighborhood event held at Brentwood Elementary (6700 Arroyo Seco). Featuring 100 artists & artisans, plus local musicians per-forming live from 10am-5pm. Free admission. Proceeds help support Violet Crown Community Works. For more info, visit www.violetcrownartsfestival.com.

  December 6–7 - Boerne
31st ANNUAL OMA’S CHRISTMAS FAIR... Shop for handcrafted merchandise among dozens of vendors in three buildings at the Kendall County Fairgrounds. Enjoy photos & scheduled visits with Santa, door prizes, kid’s activities, complimentary holiday spiced tea & a bake sale. www.KCFA.org.

  December 11–13 & December 18–20 - Canyon Lake - NORTH POLE VILLAGE... Discover the magic of Christmas where children can write a letter to Santa, pet puppies, adopt a toy, go “fishing”, select Library books, make a craft, decorate cookies, get their face painted, go on a hayride, see a nativity & sit on Santa’s lap! CRRC Recreation Center, 125 Mabel Jones Dr., Canyon Lake, TX. 6pm to 9pm. www.crrcofcanyonlake.org. (830) 964-2324.

  December 12–13 - Brenham
BRENHAM CHILDREN’S CHORUS CHRISTMAS CONCERT... Join the Brenham Children’s Chorus for Christmas music that lifts your spirits and gets you in the Christmas mood, even if your name is Scrooge. O’Donnell Performing Arts Ctr, Blinn College. www.brenhamchildrenschorus.org.  (979) 277-6540.

  December 13 - Burnet
CHRISTMAS AT FORT CROGHAN... Costumed interpreters present the heritage of Fort Croghan with holiday decorations typical of the late 1800’s period. 5:30pm-8:30pm. Free admission & free parking. Fort Croghan Museum & Grounds, 703 Buchanan Drive (TX-29 West). (512) 756-8281.

  December 13 - Washington
CANDLELIGHT CHRISTMAS... Modern and historic activities will be staggered throughout the site during the day. Evening activities move to Barrington Living History Farm for vignettes of holiday festivities from the 1850s. Noon-6pm. Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site, FM 1155. Call for fees. (936) 878-2213 or visit www.BirthplaceofTexas.com.

  December 13 - Winedale
CHRISTMAS IN WINEDALE... Enjoy 19th-century folk-life demonstrations, stagecoach rides, historic homes decorated as they would have been in the mid-1800s, farm animals, storytellers, children’s crafts, musical entertainment, family friendly event. 12-4pm. Free. Wine-dale Historical Complex, 3738 FM-2718, Round Top. winedale@austin.utexas.edu. www.cah.utexas.edu.

JANUARY

  January 17, 2015 - Brenham
UPTOWN SWIRL... Treat yourself, your spouse & your friends to a fun afternoon and evening of sipping wine and swirling through historic Downtown Brenham from 3pm-7pm. For a small fee, attendees enjoy a tasty wine sampling & a collectible wine glass. For tickets & details: (979) 337-7384 or www.BrenhamUptownSwirl.com.

FEBURARY

  February 14 - Anderson
STAGECOACH DAYS… Fanthorp Inn visitors experience cross country travel via stagecoach. Learn about the Inn’s history & 1840s-60’s stage lines connecting Texas towns. Presentations throughout the day. Coach rides 11am-3pm (dependent on weather & teams) with suggested adult ride donation of $10 & children $5. Open to all ages; children must be accompanied by adult. February through October on second Saturday. www.birthplaceoftexas.com.

  Feb 19–Mar 8 - Brenham
UNITY THEATRE PRE-SENTS “APIECE OF MY HEART”
..Theatrical performances based on the true accounts of six young women
and their experiences before, during, and after their tour in war-torn Vietnam.  Unity Theatre downtown. Thurs 7:30pm, Fri/Sat 8pm, Sun 4pm. www.unitybrenham.org. Call for tickets: (979) 830-8358.

  February 28–March 1 - Washington
TEXAS INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION... Come celebrate the 179th anniversary of Texas Independence! Costumed re-enactors, period craft demonstrations, military encampments & Texas tunes. Experience life in the Republic of Texas! 10am-5pm. Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. www.birthplaceoftexas.com. (936) 878-2214.

MARCH

  March 1–31 - Flatonia
PARADE OF QUILTS...Czech us out! Shop owners display a profusion of heirloom and contemporary quilts throughout downtown stores during the month of March. Flatonia is located at Exit 661on I-10, between Houston & San Antonio. flatoniacofc@sbcglobal.com. (361) 865-3920. www.flatoniachamber.com.

  March 14 - Burton
TEXAS RANGER DAY… Enjoy re-enactments, history, a cook-off and live musical entertainment. Noon-8pm. Gate charge. Burton Heritage Society, 507 N. Railroad Street. www.burtonheritagesociety.org.

  March 27–April 4 - Burton
LA BAHIA ANTIQUE SHOW AT LA BAHIA HALL... LaBahia Antique Show (during the Round Top Festival). Offering a wide variety of antiques, collectibles, vintage items & porcelain restoration at the show. Country cooking all day. Free admission & parking. 8am. LaBahia Hall at 290W/237TX. Burton, TX. www.labahiaantiques.com.

  March 28 - Flatonia
SPRING MARKET DAY WITH TEXAS INDEPENDENCE RELAY EXCHANGE... Arts and crafts, jewelry, hand-crafted one-of-a-kind items, food, drinks, music & more! CHEER on the TIR runners on South Main St. Downtown Flatonia. www.flatoniachamber.com. (361) 865-3920. flatoniacofc@sbcglobal.net.

APRIL

  April 11-12 - Chappell Hill
OFFICIAL BLUEBONNET FESTIVAL OF TEXAS... Stroll through this historic town to enjoy the fest’s 50th Anniversary with over 400 juried vendor booths of home decor, gardening, pet accessories, children’s items, jewelry & more. Plus great food, music entertainment & fun in the heart of bluebonnet country. Listed in Texas Highways Magazine as the #7 most popular event! Call 1-888-BRENHAM, or visit www.chappellhillmusuem.org.

MAY

  May 16 - Cameron
DEWBERRY FESTIVAL... Cameron celebrates Spring with the Dewberry Festival! Come enjoy a cake and cobbler bake-off, youth fishing tournament, classic car show, arts and crafts fair, and much more! It’s where the fun begins! For updates on more events, check out www.cameron-tx.com, or call (254) 697-4979.

  May 28–June 14 - Brenham
UNITY THEATRE PRESENTS “CHAPTER TWO”… Widower George meets Jennie, a divorced soap opera actress, and they must discover not when, but how, they can start Chapter Two of their lives. Unity Theatre, 300 Church Street. Thurs 7:30pm, Fri/Sat 8pm, Sun 4pm. www.unitybrenham.org. (979) 830-8358.   v