OCTOBER

  October 31 & November 1 - Houston
WINGS OVER HOUSTON AIRSHOW ...The 25th Annual Airshow featured acts include: U. S. Navy Blue Angels, Korea-Vietnam Demo, Tora!Tora!Tora!, WWII Airpower Demo, Heritage flights, fighter/helicopter demos, displays of bombers, fighters, cargo, helicopters, warbirds and more! Legends & Heroes autograph tent and Kids Zone. Produced by CAF. Ellington Airport. www.wingsoverhouston.com (713) 266-4492.

NOVEMBER

  November 1 - Port Isabel
16th ANNUAL WORLD’S CHAMPION-SHIP SHRIMP COOK-OFF... Sunday. Awards in both professional and amateur divisions with contestants from both sides of the border. Also in conjunction, a Folk Art Festival & Mini Carnival with all types of arts and crafts for sale and fun for all. (800) 527-6102.

  November 7 - Hebbronville
5th ANNUAL VAQUERO FESTIVAL... As the “Vaquero Capital of Texas”, Jim Hogg County celebrates with a parade, cowboy breakfast, entertainment, western arts and crafts, games, authentic church wagon cooking, ranching families, cactus cook-off, free street dance & more. Also silent auction and reception on Friday evening. Held on County Courthouse grounds. (361) 527-4461. www.jhcvaquerofest.com.

  November 7-8 - Angleton
AUSTIN TOWN HISTORICAL RE-ENACTMENT... Celebrating the lives of those pioneers who settled Colonial Texas. The fictitious “Austin Town” features interpreters, period craft demonstrators, sutlers, militia drill units, historical reenactments, and period games. Presented by Brazoria County Historical Museum. (979) 864-1208. www.bchm.org.

  November 12-15 - Crystal City
SPINACH FESTIVAL... “The Spinach Capital of the World” hosts a spinach cook-off, parade, sports tournaments, food booths, carnival, live entertainment, and family oriented fun. Downtown with free parking. Website: www.ccspinachfest.com. Email: maryeatsspinach@sbcglobal.net. Info: (830) 374-3161.

  November 14 - Houston
TEXAS MENNONITE SALE AND AUCTION FOR WORLD RELIEF... Several dozen handmade quilts auctioned, plus crafts from over 30 countries, wood-working, needlework and food. Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Wirt Road at Westview. Free admission. (713) 464-4865. See photos at www.texasreliefsale.org.

  November 14-15 & November 21-22 - Old Town Spring - HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS... Home for the Holidays invites you to two open-house weekends. Visit Santa’s House for photos, and ride the Christmas train. Each weekend, enjoy the musical entertainment and complimentary horse and carriage rides. Annual tree lighting ceremony begins at dusk Nov 14. Christmas shopping in over 150 shops continues through December. www.oldtownspring.com.  1-800-OLD-TOWN.

  November 20-21 - Galveston
SEASIDE TREASURE FESTIVAL... The 11th annual Seaside Treasure Festival in Galveston will be held Saturday, 9am to 4pm. Located at the Moody Memorial First United Methodist Church on 53rd Street & Avenue U. Free admission & parking. For additional information: www.moody.org/stf, email stf@moody.org, or call 409-744-4526.

  November 20-21 - Wharton
SHOPPING PARTY ON MONTERREY SQUARE... Enjoy music, food, door prizes, and great bargains in Wharton’s beautiful Downtown Square Shopping District! www.whartontexas.com. (979) 532-1862.

  November 24 - Wharton
WHARTON CHAMBER CHRISTMAS PARADE... Kick off the Holiday Season at the Wharton Christmas Parade! Enjoy music, vendors, and a Float Contest! Bring the kids and have a meet and greet with Santa and his Elf! www.whartontexas.com.

  November 27-28, Dec 4-5, Dec 11-12 - 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.

  November 27-December 31 - Houston
2nd ANNUAL DOWNTOWN HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR… Downtown Houston decks the halls with five weeks filled with special events, starting on Thanksgiving Week-end and continuing through New Year’s Eve. Enjoy the Discover Green’s ice rink, festive décor of Main Street Square, Holiday Trolleys connecting downtown destinations, H-E-B Holiday Parade, Theater District’s lineup of shows, fun runs and shopping. New this year is the first annual Illuminated Holiday Art Car Event! (713) 224-9115.

DECEMBER

  December 4-6 - Sealy
23rd FANTASY OF LIGHTS FESTIVAL & HOLIDAY TOUR OF HOMES... Arts & crafts booths, children’s fantasy, Santa Claus, games, activities, food, Holiday Tour of Homes, cook-off, all-day live entertainment, ending with a SPECTACULAR NIGHT PARADE. www.visitsealy.com. (877) 558-7245.

  December 5 - Wharton
WHARTON 1889 CHRISTMAS... Step back in time this Holiday Season to 1889 Wharton! Interact with actors in period costumes and enjoy Monterrey Square decorated for the Holidays. www.whartontexas.com. (979) 532-1862.

  December 5 - Rosenberg
CHRISTMAS IN ROSENBERG...
Three stages of musical entertainment, Santa & Mrs. Claus, children’s carnival, craft & food vendors, and charming downtown shops & restaurants. Downtown Historic District. Saturday, 3pm-9pm. (832) 595-3525. www.rosenbergevents.com.

  December 5 - Castroville
OLD FASHION CHRISTMAS... Known as “The Little Alsace of Texas,” this community was settled in 1844 by French Alsatians. Enjoy over 250 outdoor craft and food booths of handmade and commercial items in the Saturday holiday bazaar. (830) 538-3142 or (800) 778-6775. chamber@castroville.com.

  December 5 - Port Isabel
LAGUNA MADRE CHRISTMAS 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 5-6 - Cypress
CY-FAIR FFA COUNTRY CHRISTMAS CRAFT SHOW… Held at the Cy-Fair Exhibit Center, 11206 Telge Road, off Hwy 290. December 5th, Sat 9am-5pm, December 6th, Sun 10am-4pm. A wide array of original hand-crafted items.  We have 160 indoor exhibitor spaces (10x10) at $80 and 20 out-door at $70. Please contact Dayna Wesneski: e-mail hwesneski@comcast.net or (281) 373-0433.

  December 12 - Tomball
2nd ANNUAL GERMAN CHRISTMAS MARKET... Shop over 80 vendors for holiday decor, food and gifts at this open-air street festival with its own ice skating rink. A German tent also offers music, refreshments and German Santa, while Kinderfest provides entertainment for youngsters. 10am-10pm. Old Town near historical Depot Plaza. www.tomballsistercity.org. (281) 379-6844.

  December 12, 2009 & March 26-28, 2010 - Tomball - GERMAN FESTIVALS… (1) German Christmas Market (outdoor and indoor Christmas vendors) and German Heritage Festival (outdoor only). Music/Street festivals in Old Town Tomball. Vendors welcome. Contact Grady Martin: (281) 379 6844, www.tomballsistercity.org or email gradsand@yahoo.com.

  December 12-13 - Ingleside
INGLESIDE RENAISSANCE FAIRE ...Relive the 1700’s with jousting, medieval combat, archery contests, fabric aerial, vendors, food and plenty of period music!  Witness a Renaissance wedding and participate in the costume contest! Noon to 5pm, both days. www.renfaireingleside.org. 800-899-2906. ingchamber1@cableone.net.

JANUARY

  January 9, 2010 - Port Isabel
PORT ISABEL “LONGEST CAUSE-WAY RUN & FITNESS WALK”.... Enjoy 10K certified run, #TX05009WG and 3-mile fitness walk. Over 2,700 participants. In its 26th year. Call Chamber of Commerce for info and applications. (800) 527-6102.

FEBRUARY

  February 13 - Rockport
ROCKPORT’S CLAY EXPO... The Bountiful Bowl Pottery Fair features 30 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.

  February 16-21 - Mercedes
RIO GRANDE VALLEY MUSIC FESTIVAL... Country, Bluegrass, Western and Folk Music. Five stages. Five days plus Sunday Gospel jam. Special Mariachi and Folkloric performances. For information, go to www.rgvmf.com or call (956) 373-0130. Reserve RV Camping on site: (956) 565-2456.

  February 25-28 - Port Aransas
14th ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF WHOOPING CRANES & OTHER BIRDS... A year-round birder’s paradise! This annual festival features guided bus and boat tours, world-renowned speakers, demonstrations, nature arts & crafts show, art classes & more. www.portaransas.org (361) 749-5919 or (800) 45-COAST.

MARCH

  March 13-22 - 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 and other types of booths. Toll free 1-888-355-3224.  v