NOVEMBER

  November 1 - Devine
54th ANNUAL FALL FESTIVAL AND AVACADO SHOWCASE... Wonderful hometown festivities include a Fall Fest Parade (10am), Avocado Cooking Contest, Avocado Seed Spitting contest, arts/crafts/food booths, Kid’s coloring contest, Scarecrow contest & free evening street dance. Great entertainment all day, 11:30-midnight, including Billy & the Bailouts, Chris Salinas, and Jeremy Richards. For more details: (830) 663-2739. www.devinechamber.com.

  November 1 - George West
26th ANNUAL GEORGE WEST STORYFEST... “The Storytelling Capital of Texas” presents tall tales, cow-boy poetry, Texas State Liars’ Contest, classic car show, folklore & ghost stories, live music, living history, arts/crafts, children’s activities, 5K race & 1-mile fun walk at the Courthouse Square. (361) 449-2481. www.georgeweststoryfest.org.

  November 1 - San Felipe
HERITAGE CELEBRATION... The San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site presents a birthday celebration for Stephen F. Austin, “The Father of Texas”. Enjoy heritage programs, reenactments, entertainment & food. 9am-5pm. Call for more info: (979) 885-2181, (877) 558-7245, or www.visitsanfelipedeaustin.com.

  November 1–2 - Houston
WINGS OVER HOUSTON AIR-SHOW...  The 30th Annual CAF Airshow features US Navy Blue Angels, MV-22 Osprey, US Navy “Fat Albert” C-130, Vietnam demos, Tora! Tora! Tora!, F-86, Shockwave Jet Truck, skydiving, CAF & current military demos/displays and much more! Ellington Airport. (713) 266-4492. www.wingsoverhouston.com.

  November 2 - Port Isabel
21st ANNUAL WORLD’S CHAMP-IONSHIP SHRIMP COOK-OFF... Sunday. Awards in both professional & amateur divisions with contestants from both sides of the border. Also in con-junction, a Folk Art Festival and Mini Carnival with all types of arts & crafts for sale and fun for all. (800) 527-6102.

  November 8 - Angleton
AUSTIN TOWN HISTORICAL REENACTMENT... Celebrating the lives of those pioneers who settled Colonial Texas. The fictitious “Austin Town” features interpreters, period craft demonstrators, sutlers, militia drill units, period games, historical reenactments. Presented by the Brazoria County Historical Museum. In its 18th year! www.bchm.org. (979) 864-1208.

  November 8–9 - Bellville
ANNUAL BELLVILLE ANTIQUES & GARDEN FESTIVAL... Great shop-ping for Christmas giving and personal collections. Indoor meals available both days at Turnverein Hall, 988 East Main St. Sat 9am-5pm & Sun 10am-4pm. (979) 865-5618. www.ruraltexasantiquesshows.com.  info@ruraltexasantiques.com.

  November 27 - Houston
UPTOWN LIGHTING AND PARADE ... On Thanksgiving evening, thousands gather along Post Oak Boulevard to kick off the holiday with more than a half-million twinkling lights, a sparkling electric light parade, Santa & exciting holiday stage show. Incredible fireworks light up the Houston skies & music fills the air during the dramatic finale. (713) 621-2011.

  November 30 - Hallettsville
FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS & PARADE ... Saturday. An “elegantly awesome” lighting extravaganza illuminates Lavaca County’s Courthouse and features a Lighted Christmas Parade highlighting the luminescent evening. Visit with Santa & Mrs. Claus and browse Market Days booths featuring arts & crafts and food. Saturday and Sunday feature a “live” Christmas Pageant. www.hallettsville.com. (361) 798-2662.

DECEMBER

  December 4–6 - Rosenberg
ROSENBERG CHRISTMAS NIGHTS ... Jump-start your holidays exploring eateries and shops of antiques, collectibles, gifts & handmade furniture. Enjoy seasonal activities, including craft and gift vendors, photos with Santa, the Rosenberg Railroad Museum, children’s carnival, entertainment, foods, and performing & visual arts. Historic Downtown. www.CityofRosenberg.com/RCN. (832) 595-3525.

  December 4–6 - Seguin
HOLIDAY SIP ‘N STROLL...Enjoy a North Pole Stroll on the Square to shop and sample cocoa at each participating shop, plus a festive lighted parade on Town Square, photos with Santa, Christmas music, carriage rides, Heritage Tour of Homes, trolley shuttle, and much more! (830) 379-6382. www.visitseguin.com.

  December 5, 6, 7 - Gonzales
WINTERFEST... Visit Historic Gonzales during the Winterfest Celebration. Five homes will be open during the Christmas Tour, 2pm to 6pm, with $20 admission for all five homes. The annual lighted parade is Friday, Dec 5 at 6pm. Santa’s Market is Saturday, Dec. 6. Call 888-672-1095, or visit www.gonzalestexas.com.

  Dec 5–6 & Dec 12–13 - Gonzales
STARS IN THE VILLAGE... Gonzales Pioneer Village Living History Center presents a stroll through its 1800s village after dark. Enjoy period Christmas decorations and sip wassail with ginger cookies while musicians play Christmas music on old-time instruments. Bus. US 183N. Adults $8; children $5. thevillage@gvec.net. (830) 672-2157. www.gonzalespioneervillage.com.

  December 5–7 - Castroville
31st ANNUAL OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS... Now a Two-Day Event! Enjoy over 250 outdoor craft & food booths of handmade and commercial items, plus Friday night’s lighting ceremony. Santa arrives Saturday, 1pm. Friday 6pm-10pm; Saturday 9am-4pm. www.castroville.com. (830) 538-3142 or (800) 778-6775.

  December 6 - Port Isabel
28th ANNUAL CHRISTMAS LIGHTED BOAT PARADE...This spectacular lighted boat parade can be viewed bayside Saturday evening as floating, decorated vessels dazzle onlookers. All sizes and types of boats take part in this annual illuminations extravaganza — even kayaks!  (800) 527-6102.

  December 6–7 - Cypress
19th ANNUAL CY-FAIR FFA COUNTRY CHRISTMAS CRAFT SHOW… Held at Cy-Fair Exhibit Center, 11206 Telge Road, off Hwy 290. Sat 9am-5pm; Sun 10am-4pm. 160 indoor exhibitor spaces (10x10) at $120 and 20 outdoor at $110. www.cyfaircountrychristmas.org. Email: vendor.info@cyfaircountrychristmas.org.
Contact Liz Gilbreath at 281-513-6781 or Dione Pevehouse at 832-220-6011.

  December 12–14 - Tomball
7th ANNUAL TOMBALL GERMAN CHRISTMAS MARKET... Shop 175 vendors for holiday decor, food & gifts at this open-air street festival with three tented stages of live performances, German Santa, biergartens, Kinderfest entertainment for youngsters, carnival, food, hayride, arts & crafts, German & Texas music. Old Town near historical Depot Plaza. Free admission.  www.TomballGermanFest.org. (281) 379-6844.

  December 13–14 - Ingleside
INGLESIDE RENAISSANCE FAIRE ... Relive the 1700’s with medieval com-bat, archery, acrobats, costumes, jousting, food, juggling, belly dancing, musical entertainment, vendors & much more! Live Oak Park. inglesidetxchamber@gmail.com. (361) 776-2906.

JANUARY

  January 10, 2015 - Port Isabel
31st ANNUAL PORT ISABEL “LONGEST CAUSEWAY RUN & FITNESS WALK”... In its 31st year, enjoy 10K certified run, #TX05009WG, and 3-mile fitness walk. Over 4,800 participants. Call Chamber of Commerce for info and applications. (800) 527-6102.

FEBRUARY

  February 7 - Rockport
ROCKPORT’S CLAY EXPO... The Bountiful Bowl Pottery Fair features 35 potters and great food at the High School Commons. Rockport Center for the Arts, merchants & galleries feature clay art in the Historical District. (361) 729-5352.

  Feb 6–8 & Feb 13–15 - Galveston
MARDI GRAS GALVESTON... Held over two weekends outdoors in the Up-town Entertainment District. Enjoy two stages with live music, over 26 Mardi Gras style parades, the 5th Annual Funky Uptown Umbrella Brigade & Decorated Golf Cart Parade, vendors, balcony parties & more! (409) 770-0999.

  February 10–15 - Mercedes
11th ANNUAL RIO GRANDE VALLEY MUSIC FESTIVAL... Country, Bluegrass, Western & Gospel Music. Five stages. Five full days plus Sun-day morning Gospel jam. Special Mariachi & Folkloric performances. Livestock Show Grounds. For info, call  (956) 373-0130, or go to www.rgvmf.com. To reserve RV Camping onsite, call (956) 565-2456.

  February 19–22 - Port Aransas
19th ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF WHOOPING CRANES... A year-round birder’s paradise! This annual fest features guided bus & boat tours, world-renowned speakers, demonstrations, a nature arts & crafts show, art classes & more. (361) 749-5919. www.whoopingcranefestival.org. (800) 45-COAST.

MARCH

  March 20–29 - Eagle Pass
INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP FESTIVAL... This celebrated border festival presents carnival rides at Shelby Park, sporting events, downtown parade, Noches Mexicanas with live entertainment, and a variety of food & other booths at Shelby Park. Toll free 1-888-355-3224.  v