You know the Texas Hill Country is fun to visit in the summer. And you know that Lights Spectacular turns Johnson City into a twinkling winter wonderland. But there’s also just something special about visiting Johnson City and the Texas Hill Country in the fall.
It’s the perfect opportunity for a getaway, while the days are still long but the evenings begin to get a little cooler. In October, especially, Johnson City has something fun to do every weekend, including festivals and other fall fun.
Sip Your Way Through Texas Wine Jam
One of the biggest reasons to visit Johnson City in October is Texas Wine Jam, a one-day celebration of Texas wine, live music and Hill Country hospitality.
Texas Wine Jam was recently voted one of USA Today’s 10Best Wine Festivals in the United States. The event brings wineries from across Texas together in Johnson City, giving visitors the opportunity to taste a wide variety of wines, meet winemakers and purchase bottles directly from participating producers.
In contrast to most wine festivals, where the point is just to taste wines, Texas Wine Jam focuses on wine education and wine-buying. You can sample plenty of wines and can also attend Spotlight Sessions focusing on wine education, so you can walk away with wine knowledge and some purchases to enjoy later.
Add the live music from talented local artists, and spending your Saturday at Texas Wine Jam in downtown Johnson City’s Memorial Park is a perfect way to plan for a wonderful weekend. Learn more about the festival.
Experience the Hill Country Toy Run Pig Roast
The Hill Country Toy Run and Pig Roast brings motorcycles, live music, barbecue and plenty of Hill Country flavor to our community.
The multi-day event at the Blanco County Fairgrounds features live music, a bike show, motorcycle games and activities, camping and a traditional pig roast. The event is organized by the Hill Country Toy Run and combines a big Texas biker gathering with a charitable mission benefiting children during the holiday season. Learn more about the event.
Feel the Good Vibes at Johnson City Jazz Fest
Johnson City Jazz Fest adds a flair of arts and culture to an evening in the Texas Hill Country.
The free-to-all festival showcases talented jazz musicians in an outdoor setting. It’s the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the (hopefully) cooler weather and spend your evening listening to music under a star-studded Hill Country sky.
Bring a chair or blanket, order a to-go meal from a downtown restaurant, grab a bottle of local wine, and enjoy an evening of jazz in one of the most charming settings in the Hill Country. Learn more about the event and performers.
Celebrate Halloween – Frightful or Family-Friendly
Fall wouldn’t be complete without Halloween, and in Johnson City, you can do the holiday your way, with family-friendly festivities or with frightful thrills.
Halloween on the Square is a family-friendly trick-or-treating event sponsored by local businesses.
The community’s Halloween celebration is a fun opportunity for families to enjoy the historic downtown area in costume, with trick-or-treating and Halloween-themed activities creating a festive atmosphere around the square.
In addition, if you’re in the mood for something scarier, the Hill Country Haunted House is a wildly frightening experience that’s seriously scary. If you’re a thrill seeker, you’ll love it. And, since being frightened can work up an appetite, you’ll want to plan to grab some food and a cold drink at Proof and Cooper afterward. Learn more about the Haunted House.
Enjoy Classic Americana at Gears & Beers
Johnson City is home to the Texas Vintage Motorcycle Museum, but in addition, the city also has other fun events revolving around wheels.
Car and motorcycle enthusiasts always put Gears & Beers, an annual downtown car and motorcycle show, on their fall calendar.
Classic, vintage, antique and custom vehicles line the courthouse square while visitors enjoy live music, food and local beverages. It’s a fun event even if you aren’t a car enthusiast, and it’s one that families love as well!
Get Outside and Enjoy the Fall Landscape
Cooler temperatures make fall a wonderful time to explore the Johnson City area’s parks, trails and waterways. Pedernales River Nature Park is a fun, nearby option to enjoy the outdoors, and in the fall, the water may still be nice enough for plenty of outdoor adventures.
You can also head just out of town to Pedernales Falls State Park. It’s the perfect spot for an all-day adventure, climbing on limestone formations, enjoying the hiking and cycling trails, and just observing the beauty of untouched nature.
Step Back in Time at the LBJ National Historical Park
The Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park offers visitors an opportunity to learn about the life and legacy of the 36th president. You can visit the LBJ Boyhood Home and other historic sites, including the nearby LBJ Ranch where you can see legendary Texas Longhorns, explore the ranch complex, and learn more about the rich pioneering history of our community.
The milder fall weather makes it easier to spend time really exploring and diving into the history.
Make Time for a Hill Country Meal
After spending the day at a festival, exploring downtown or hiking a trail, settle in for a meal at one of the city’s locally owned restaurants or wine tasting rooms. You’ll find everything from Texas comfort food and barbecue to craft beer, cocktails, wine and other Hill Country-inspired fare.
And because Johnson City is small enough to explore at a leisurely pace, there’s no need to rush from one attraction to the next. Leave some room in your itinerary for an extra cup of coffee, a long lunch or an impromptu stop at a shop you noticed while walking downtown.
Plan a Fall Weekend in Johnson City
The best way to experience fall in Johnson City is to make a weekend of it. Find a charming local short-term rental and book a stay that gives you plenty of time to explore all day and relax under the stars at night.
In October, it’s easy to build a weekend around one of the signature events—whether that means tasting wines at Texas Wine Jam, listening to jazz, checking out classic cars or joining in the Halloween festivities.