Fall in Houston: A Family’s Guide to Crisp Weather, Pumpkins & Smiles
Hi, friends! Fall in Houston can feel like a soft, short-lived sigh of relief between scorching summer and the bustle of the holidays. As both a mom and a family photographer, I’m always on the lookout for little moments and big events where families can soak in that golden light, enjoy festive fun, and maybe get some photo ops while we’re at it. As I’m doing research for my own family, I thought I’d share what I found with you! Happy fall, y’all!
Here’s your 2025 Houston-area fall “checklist” — with events, at-home ideas, and tips for chasing this magical season with littles.
🍁 Go-To Fall Events Around Houston (2025 Edition) 🍁
Here are some of my favorite annual picks — I’ll link to them so your readers can jump right to the pages.
Houston Pumpkin Festival at Discovery Green
When: September 20 – November 2, 2025
What to expect: Over 50 pumpkin varieties, a giant “bouncy pumpkin,” a corn pit, LED crystal kayaks, photo installations, slides, and whimsical fall attractions.
Tip: Walk-ins may not be allowed, so reserve ahead.
Zoo Boo at Houston Zoo
When: September 26 – October 31, 2025
What to expect: Fall-themed décor, carved pumpkins, a Pumpkin Lantern Tunnel, “Peek-a-Boo” pumpkins, animal-themed displays, and special extended hours on select nights.
Tip: Zoo Boo is included with zoo admission, but you must reserve your ticket slot in advance.
Dewberry Farm Fall Festival
When: September 13 – November 9, 2025
What to expect: Pumpkin patch, giant 8-acre corn maze, over 40 rides & attractions, pumpkin houses, glowing lantern “pumpkin strolls,” nighttime events, and more.
Tip: Try visiting in the evening for the lantern walk and carved-pumpkin displays.
Ivy Leaf Farms Fall Fest & Pumpkin Patch
When: October 9–10 & 30–31, 2025
What to expect: Pumpkin patch, fall décor, vendor booths, games, and photo zones.
Tip: Visit early on weekend days to avoid long lines and crowds.
Blessington Farms Fall Festival & Pumpkin Patch
When: September 20 – November 23, 2025
Where: Simonton, TX (about 40 minutes west of downtown Houston)
What to expect: A family favorite for a reason — pumpkin picking, giant slides, hay rides, a rope maze, gem mining, camel and barrel train rides, and photo-ready pumpkin displays. They also have a fall market with local honey, produce, and seasonal treats.
Tip: Bring water and plan to spend a few hours — it’s easy to make a full morning or afternoon out of your visit!
ArBOOretum at Houston Arboretum
When: October 18, 2025 | Even if this event has passed, it’s a good one to keep in mind for next year! Mark your calendar for the middle of October 2026.
What to expect: This is the Arboretum’s big fall family festival — pumpkin decorating, a Trick-or-Treat Nature Trail, live animals, a Halloween market, carnival swings, train rides, and more.
Tip: There is no on-site parking for the event — check their parking and shuttle details ahead of time.
Bayou City Art Festival (Fall)
When: October 10–12, 2025 | Same as above: if this event has passed, it’s a good one to keep in mind for next year!
What to expect: Hundreds of visual artists, live music, a children’s art zone, food vendors, and a walk-friendly festival atmosphere.
🗓️ Late November & Early December Treats
Just because autumn wanes doesn’t mean the festive fun stops.
Keep an eye out for the new Fleet Week Houston (Nov 5–12), children’s holiday musicals like The Pigeon Gets a Big Time Holiday Extravaganza! (Nov–Dec), and timeless performances like A Christmas Carol.
Once Thanksgiving passes, seasonal favorites like Zoo Lights, ice skating at Discovery Green, holiday markets, and local light displays make their grand entrance — perfect for winding down fall and ushering in the Christmas season.
🏠 At-Home & Neighborhood Fall Activities
Not every day needs a big outing. Sometimes the best memories are made in your own yard or nearby park.
Mini Pumpkin Hunt (Neighborhood Edition)
Much like an Easter egg hunt, scatter mini pumpkins (or painted gourds) around your yard or a small green space. Invite a few neighbor kids to hunt for clues (or hide them!). You can tie in little treats (stickers, Halloween pencils) or redeeming prizes. It’s simple, low-cost, and super fun for toddlers and preschoolers.
Park “Pumpkin Picnic + Leaf Collage Station”
Head to a local park for an early-evening picnic. Bring a blanket, warm cider or cocoa, string lights or lanterns, and a “leaf collage station” — paper, glue sticks, tape, and leaves. Don’t forget crayons for leaf rubbing. Let the kids collect leaves and make art while you snap some candid portraits (perfect for your “behind the scenes” photography stories).
Halloween “Speed Decorating” Challenge
Set a timer (10–20 minutes) and let each kid (or each family member) decorate a small pumpkin or gourd with stickers, markers, or craft bits. Display them around your home or front porch.
Bonus: Use these pumpkins as props for your own little at-home photoshoot. Then, switch and let the littles be “photographers” (you’d be surprised by the shots they get sometimes!).
“Spooky” Story Walk
Pick a short Halloween or fall-themed children’s book. Tape the pages (or printed pages) around a walking loop in your neighborhood or a park. Walk as a family, reading the pages as you go. At the end, share hot cocoa or cookies. (Or apple juice if it’s still hot…)
👩🌾 Adorable Neighborhood Pumpkin Patches & Markets
If you want something a little closer to home, check nearby churches, preschools, and public schools in your area. More than likely, you’ll find an adorable little patch (maybe even a haybale maze!) for a spontaneous fall-weather outing.
Here are a few examples:
· St. Andrew’s Pumpkin Patch Pearland | September 27 through early November 2
· P-6 Farms | Weekends through November 2nd
· The Houston Farmers Market | Year-round with seasonal offerings
· Urban Harvest Farmers Market & Community Gardens| Year-round on Saturdays from 8 am – 12 pm
· Market Square Park Farmers Market | Every Saturday, September 7 – November 16, from 10 am – 2 pm (October 26 is the Halloween Block Party & November 16 is Friendsgiving.)
· East End Farmers Market (very kid-friendly) | Year-round on Sundays from 10 am – 2 pm
· McKinney St. Farmers Market | 2nd Wednesday every month from 10:30 am – 1:30 pm
· Faith United Methodist Pumpkin Patch (Spring) | Open daily through October 31
📸 Tips for Fall Family Photos with Littles
Golden hour is gold — those late-afternoon rays are magical. In October, that window is a little earlier than summer, so plan accordingly.
Dress in layers & comfortable shoes — Houston’s “fall” can flip back to warm midday. Be ready with a light sweater.
Props = memories — bring along a pumpkin, a blanket, or perhaps your mini pumpkin hunt finds. They give children something to touch, hold, and pose with.
Plan buffer time — with littles, transitions take longer. Build in extra minutes for snack breaks, bathroom dashes, or meltdown recovery.
Embrace candid over perfect — the messy pumpkin, the leaf-in-hair moment, the laughter as a sibling tosses a leaf — those are the ones that last.
Want professional photos, too? I’ve got you covered!
💡 A Few Notes Before You Go
Always double-check event dates, times, and ticketing on official websites before heading out — things can change.
Many fall events fill up quickly; whenever possible, reserve early (especially for Discovery Green, Zoo Boo, and ArBOOretum).
Start small. If your little ones are easily overstimulated, pick a shorter event or do the park-based ideas first and “level up” as confidence grows.
Need Updated Family Photos Before the Year Ends?
I would love to help you fill your walls with toothy grins! Let’s connect—I can’t wait to meet you!
