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Free Things to Do with Houston Kids in October

Zomball in Tomball! Photo courtesy the City of Tomball.
Zomball in Tomball! Photo courtesy the City of Tomball.
9/26/19 - By Carrie Taylor

Houston, fall is technically here. There is a ton happening around the city in October, including many free events for the family. Most fall festivals and pumpkin patches around Houston are free, and don't forget to check out our guide to free Halloween events or see what organization near you is hosting a fun trunk-or-treat (yes, also free). 

This month enjoy free concerts at Market Street, story hour at McGovern Centennial Gardens, and so much more - check our calendar every day for things to do around Houston with your kids. And for more free fun year-round, see our Guide to Free Events & Activities for Houston Families.

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Free Things to Do in October

42nd Annual Festival Chicano at Miller Outdoor Theatre

Oct. 3-5, 2019
Celebrate the Chicano culture in this three day festival designed to enrapture audiences through the musical expression of generations of artists.Hear the influence of Tejano, Conjunto, and more in this stunning display of music. READ MORE

Bubbles' Amazing Circus

Oct. 4, 2019
Come one, come all, to the greatest daycare of them all! TLE Pearland is excited to invite you to Bubbles' Amazing Circus - an evening of fun and activities for the whole family! READ MORE

Stargazing with Houston Astronomical Society at Discovery Green

Saturdays in October
Learn about the moon, planets, and other deep-sky objects from Houston Astronomical Society volunteers as you view the sky through telescopes. You might even see the International Space Station (I.S.S.) or Hubble Space Telescope flying overhead! READ MORE

Korean Festival Houston at Discovery Green

Oct. 5, 2019
Korean Festival showcases the best of Korean food, music, performing arts, and culture. READ MORE

Oak Ridge North Annual Fall Festival

Oct. 5, 2019
Make your way to Marilyn Edgar Park for a fun, FREE fall festival the whole family will enjoy. There are train rides, games, prizes, food, and lots of family fun.  READ MORE

Fire Prevention & Family Safety Festival

Oct. 5, 2019
Come out to The Fire Museum of Texas for a day of food, fun, safety education, children's games and activities, demonstrations, and more.  READ MORE

Party at the Pavilion - Bellaire Town Square Center

Oct. 6, 2019
Head to the Great Lawn for a free concert on the first Friday of the month and enjoy an evening of live music and community.  READ MORE

33rd Annual St. Andrew's Craft Fair

Oct. 11-12, 2019
Get a jump start on holiday shopping by attending St. Andrew's Craft Fair this fall. Held in conjunction with the church’s annual Pumpkin Patch, the fair showcases handcrafted and unique items from local vendors and artisans. READ MORE

2nd Saturday at Tomball's Historic Depot

Oct. 12, 2019
Join an enchanting evening watching a movie under the stars at Tomball Depot Plaza. READ MORE

The Great Harvest Festival

Oct. 12, 2019
Get ready for a day of fall fun! Families can enjoy rides, games, face painting, a petting zoo, Reptile Ranch’s Exotic Reptiles, a pumpkin carving contest, live entertainment, and more.  READ MORE

KBR Kids Day at Tony Marron Park

Oct. 12, 2019
Come out for free family fun at the annual KBR Kids Day. Activity stations include hands-on activities from over 20 Houston partners, local entertainment and performers, Dia de los Muertos face painters, balloon artists, a Sports Zone and more! READ MORE

Zomball in Tomball

Oct. 12, 2019
Come out for some Halloween fun in Old Town Tomball! Kids can take part in a monster-sized trunk-or-treat, spooky kid-friendly attractions, lots of entertainment, a movie under the stars and more. READ MORE

Bay Explorations at Galveston Island State Park

Sundays in October
Join a naturalist guide and learn all about the connections between the mainland and the island as you explore salt marsh and bay ecosystems. READ MORE

Invasives Beware at Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center

Oct. 19, 2019
Help with habitat management as you find, document, and remove invasive plant species at Jesse Jones Park with the park's Eradicator's.  READ MORE

St. Peter's Pick-a-dilly Craft Fair

Oct. 19, 2019
It's time for the annual Pick-a-dilly Craft Fair, where nearly 100 vendors come together just in time for the holiday season to sell jewelry, handmade gifts, food, and everything in between.  READ MORE

Freight Train Food Truck Festival in Tomball

Oct. 19, 2019
Enjoy a day of tasty treats and eats and live music at the Freight Train Food Truck Festival. More than 20 food trucks are making their way to Tomball for a day of food that's accompanied by local music favorites Folk Family Revival and Galveston’s the Mambo Jazz Kings.  READ MORE

5th Ward Unity Fall Fest

Oct. 19, 2019
Enjoy an afternoon of games, a moonwalk, live music, food trucks, and lots of family fun at the annual 5th Ward Fall Fest.  READ MORE

Houston Family Fun Fest at La Centerra

Oct. 20, 2019
Houston Family Magazine is back at LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch with its Family Fun Fest. Take part in a full afternoon of children's games and activities, shopping, live music, inflatables, and food vendors. READ MORE

Kids International Festival/KIFEST

Oct. 20, 2019
Embrace diversity and learn about other cultures through with your family through art, cuisine, music and cultural dance groups.  READ MORE

Island Oktoberfest in Galveston

Oct. 25-26, 2019
Don your German costumes, grab your bier steins, and head to Galveston's Island Oktoberfest, an annual event that is packed with two days of music, dancing, authentic German food, a children's activities area, and more.  READ MORE

7 Acre Wood's Thrill at the Mill & Vendor's Market

Oct. 26, 2019
Celebrate Fall with a special day of FREE admission and activities* at 7 Acre Wood, plus access to the annual Vendor's Market.  READ MORE

Tomball Bluegrass Festival

Oct. 26, 2019
Grab your banjo and head to Tomball for an afternoon of bluegrass music, arts and crafts, a kid zone, and more. This year's event features national, regional, and local performers and amateur pickers playing tunes.  READ MORE

5th Annual ARTumn Fest at CityCentre

Oct. 26, 2019
Stop by this two-day art festival for live music, family fun, and a variety of artistic vendors, and picture-worthy backdrops created by Arts by Aaron.  READ MORE

Houston Family Fun Fest - Evelyn's Park

Oct. 27, 2019
Houston Family Magazine hosts its bi-annual event in Bellaire that features crafts, games, inflatables, face painting, prizes, and live entertainment. READ MORE

Free Family Night at The Children's Museum of Houston

Oct. 31, 2019
Join every Thursday evening for a fun-filled, family-friendly experience at Children's Museum Houston! READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

The Fire Museum of Texas
Bellaire Town Square Center
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church
Jesse H. Jones Park and Nature Center
St. Peter's United Methodist Church
Lyons Unity MBC Parking Lot
First Lutheran Church of Galveston
Tomball's Historic Downtown Depot
Evelyn's Park Conservancy
Children's Museum of Houston