Top 12 Food & Drink Events This Month: October 2018

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Photo courtesy of Houston Italian Festival

With the Houston summer officially behind us, October brings plenty of outdoor fun. And said fun just so happens to be tasty, too.

Also in October 2018

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Plan Your Weekend This Week

This month offers the chance to fill up on authentic Greek and Italian fare, celebrate Oktoberfest with a brat and stein, and eat endless amounts of tacos.

You can also hit an awareness-raising bake shop, experience the culture of Houston’s East End, and sip beers from around the world. Check out the hottest culinary happenings in Houston this October.

Top 12 Food & Drink Events This Month: October 2018

  • The Original Greek Festival at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral | Thursday, October 4 to Sunday, October 7 – Feel the love of Greek culture at this annual family-friendly festival, where you’ll find traditional music and dancing, flowing wine, shopping opportunities, and authentic Greek eats, from souvlaki and spanakopita to pastitsio and baklava. Tickets are $5 at the gate (free on Friday before 3pm); children ages 12 and under get in free. Times vary.
  • King’s Oktoberfest Weekend at King’s Biergarten & King’s BierHaus | Friday, October 5 to Sunday October 7 (Pearland); Friday, October 19 to Sunday, October 21 (Heights) – King’s annual Oktoberfest celebration returns with more live German music, more biers, more brats, and more fun. Held on two separate weekends (one at Pearland’s Biergarten and one at the BierHaus), activities include a Ceremonial Keg Tapping, Bier Pong Tournament, Bavarian Strongman Competition, and Munich Oktoberfest 2019 giveaway. Tickets start at $12. Friday 5pm to midnight; Saturday noon to midnight; Sunday noon to 9pm.
  • Oktoberfest 2018 at Saint Arnold Brewery | Saturday, October 6 and Sunday, October 7 – Break out your best dirndl or lederhosen for Saint Arnold’s annual Oktoberfest party (those that dress to impress may just be crowned King or Queen of Oktoberfest). The event will feature live music, a special German dinner, and a full lineup of beers on tap. Tickets are $50 each day and include admission, beer, dinner, and a commemorative Oktoberfest glass boot. Space is limited. Saturday 6pm to 9pm; Sunday 1pm to 4pm.
  • The Epicurean Project at The Revaire | Monday, October 8 – Guests are invited to explore the landscape of Houston’s culinary scene as top culinary artists compete with the finest ingredients from local purveyors at The Epicurean Project. 6:30pm to 9:30pm.
  • The Depressed Cake Shop at Silver Street Studios | Sunday, October 7 | No Cover – Hoping to help lift the stigma associated with depression and mental health, local chef Jody Stevens launched the Houston version of international cake pop-up, The Depressed Bake Shop. Now in its sixth year, the free to the public bake sale returns with gray confections and cakes created by both home bakers and celebrity pastry chefs. Noon to 4pm.
  • Woodlands BBQ Festival at Town Green Park | Sunday, October 7 – The third annual barbecue festival invites ‘cue lovers for an afternoon of savory samples and family fun, with smoked goodness from top area pitmasters like Blood Bros BBQ, Corkscrew BBQ, Roegels Barbecue Co, Tejas Chocolate + Barbecue and more. Tickets are $50 for general admission (entry and all-you-can-sample portions from each joint) or $100 for VIP (early entry, two drink tickets, all-you-can-sample portions from each joint, tote bag with goodies, and a festival t-shirt). Kids 12 and under get in free. 1pm to 4pm.
  • Thursday Night Take Over at Fluff Bake Bar | Thursday, October 11 – Fluff Bake Bar owner Rebecca Masson continues her monthly “Thursday Night Take Over” dinner series, with this month featuring Boston chef Tim Maslow. Each guest chef will create a menu of three to four items available a la carte and Masson will create a special dessert to compliment the menu, with optional wine pairings and specialty beer from Saint Arnold. No tickets or reservations are required, but four “chef’s table” seats will be available for purchase each month. Ten percent of all proceeds will benefit Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry program. 6pm to 9pm.
  • Houston Italian Festival at the University of St. Thomas | Thursday, October 11 to Sunday, October 14 – Celebrating 40 years, the Houston Italian Festival brings Italian culture to the forefront, offering fun events from an Adult Grape Stomp Contest and Pasta Eating Competition to Bocce Tournament in addition to live music, Italian wine and beer sampling, and your favorite Italian eats. Tickets are $6 in advance, with food and wine tickets available an additional cost. Times vary.
  • Conroe Cajun Catfish Festival in Downtown Conroe | Friday, October 12 to Sunday, October 14 – Held in the historic Downtown Conroe, this family-friendly event features catfish and Cajun eats alongside non-stop live music with local, regional, and national performers, food and drink vendors, arts and crafts, a carnival, KidZone area, and annual Catfish Pageant. Tickets are $10 in advance ($15 at the gate); $20 for a three-day pass, with VIP passes available. Times vary.
  • East End Street Fest on Navigation Esplanade | Saturday, October 20 | No Cover – Celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Houston’s historic East End with live music, art, food, and interactive fun at the annual East End Street Fest. Taking place on Navigation between S. Jensen and Delano, the family-friendly festival is free and open to the public, with food, beverage, and merchant items available for purchase. Noon to 10pm.
  • Tacolandia at The Water Works at Buffalo Bayou Park | Saturday, October 27 – Get tacos galore at this fourth annual taco sampling event and throwdown, with participating restaurants ranging from Hugo’s and La Fisheria to Los Tios and Peli Peli Kitchen. Tickets are $35 ($45 day of if available) and include entry into the event and unlimited taco samples. VIP tickets and fiesta packs are also available. 4pm to 7pm.
  • Flying Saucer’s BeerFeast at Sugar Land Town Square | Saturday, October 27 – The seventh annual Flying Saucer BeerFeast will feature over 100 quality craft beers from across the globe, food vendors, and live music. Tickets for general admission are $35 pre-sale and $45 at the door, with 12 two-ounce beer samples included in the ticket price. VIP tickets are $68 and include early entry at 1pm, access to six rare beer tappings, 12 two-ounce beer samplings, a food voucher and BeerFeast t-shirt. Designated driver tickets are also available ($15) and the event is 21-and-up. 2pm to 6:30pm.

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Brooke Viggiano
Brooke Viggiano is a food and lifestyle writer residing in Houston. When she's not contributing to publications like 365 Things to Do in Houston, Thrillist Houston and the Houston Press, she's on the hunt for the coolest happenings in the city. You can follow her musings on Twitter @BrookeViggiano .