Top 15 Food & Drink Events in Houston This Month: October 2023

A bustling crowd moving between two rows of tent canopies at a food festival
The 19th Wine Walk returns to Market Street in the Woodlands | Courtesy of Food & Vine Time Productions

Dine on delicious dishes and enjoy our picks for the top food and drink events taking place around Houston in October 2023.

This October, Houston chefs take the stage at the annual Chefs for Farmers event, tacos take over the bayou at the annual Tacolandia, and we see the return of epic foodie fundraiser Southern Smoke. Here’s everything you need to eat, drink and do in Houston this month.

Top 15 Food & Drink Events in Houston This Month: October 2023

  • Chefs For Farmers at Autry Park | Saturday, September 30 & Sunday, October 1 – Now with an extra day for Houstonians to enjoy, all-inclusive tasting event Chefs for Farmers has curated a lineup of top culinary talent to showcase family farms throughout Texas. Expect immersive activations and live entertainment, wines from the top vineyards, craft cocktails, and excellent farm-fresh eats. $135; VIP available for $185. 2pm to 5pm.
  • Table to Stage with Chris Shepherd at Stages | Sunday, October 1 – Chef Chris Shepherd will host an exclusive series of intimate conversations, opening up a dialogue with world-renowned chefs and exploring the hidden artistry and inspirations that shape the foods we love. In October, Lucille’s Hospitality Group’s Chris Williams will take the stage. $150. 7:30pm.
  • 19th Annual Wine Walk at Market Street | Thursday, October 5 The 19th annual H-E-B Wine Walk takes over three blocks of Market Street in the Woodlands, offering an all-inclusive experience featuring culinary creations from area restaurants, wine displays with industry experts, craft beers, live music, and incredible wine experiences. $75. 6pm to 9pm.
  • The Original Greek Festival at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral | Thursday, October 5 to Saturday, October 7 – The annual Greek festival returns to the heart of Montrose, where you can expect bountiful Greek food, wine tastings, dancing, games and other family-friendly fun. $5; free for ages 12 and under. Thursday 5pm to 10pm; Friday and Saturday 11am to 10pm.
  • Oktoberfest at Sugar Land Town Square | Saturday, October 7 – Sugar Land Town Square will host its second annual Oktoberfest, rocking brews at the Flying Saucer Biergarten, a curated marketplace by Boho Market, live music and dancing, festival eats from brats and pretzels to German-inspired dishes from area restaurants, Oktoberfest games and contests, and more. $5 in advance, $7 at the door; free for ages 11 and under. 4pm to 9pm.
Rows of tables in Bavarian cloth stretch into the distance as people walk around a festival
Sugar Land Town Square packs the district with an Oktoberfest biergarten, games and more | Courtesy of Sugar Land Town Square
  • 34th Annual Conroe Cajun Catfish Festival in Downtown Conroe | Friday, October 13 to Sunday, October 15 – The family-friendly Conroe Cajun Catfish Festival features three days of live music with local, regional and national performers on three stages, food vendors offering festival and Cajun favorites, arts and crafts vendors, a professional carnival, assorted community and educational exhibits, an annual Catfish Pageant, a KidZone area, and more. $15 and up; free for ages 12 and under. Times vary.
  • Southern Smoke Festival 2023 at Discovery Green | Saturday, October 14 – Southern Smoke Foundation’s big bash returns for 2023, raising funds for the nonprofit’s efforts to help food and beverage industry folks nationwide. Joined by a stellar lineup of chefs from Houston and around the country, this year’s events include the Respect the Rosé multi-course collaborative affair at the Four Seasons Hotel Houston on Friday (currently sold out), followed by the chef-fueled Throwdown at Discovery Green on Saturday. Tickets are $175; VIP available for $500. 3pm to 8pm on Saturday.
  • Tacolandia at the Water Works at Buffalo Bayou Park | Saturday, October 21 Taco fans will find unlimited samples at the annual Tacolandia extravaganza, held along the Buffalo Bayou with the city skyline as a backdrop. This year’s lineup of vendors includes Blanco Cocina + Cantina, El Tiempo Cantina, TJ Birria y Mas and more. $35 (discounts for groups of 4); $75 for VIP with early entry, exclusive taco samples and more. 4pm to 7pm.
  • The Monster S.M.A.S.H. Beer Fest at SpindleTap Brewery | Sunday, October 22 – The North Houston brewery hosts a Halloween-inspired competition where more than 20 local breweries will compete for your votes with concoctions that only utilize one type of malt and one strain of hops. Stick around all afternoon and enjoy food trucks and live DJ. $30. 1pm to 4pm.
  • CultureMap‘s The Tailgate at Silver Street Studios | Wednesday, October 25 – Arts District hosts this tailgate-themed event complete with foods from award-winning chefs, gameday-inspired cocktails, activities, live entertainment, and more. Advance tickets are $35; $50 closer to the event. 7pm.
Chef Cheetie Kumar prepares to serve guests at a food tasting event
Cheetie Kumar is one of 65+ chefs to feature at Southern Smoke Festival in October | Courtesy of Southern Smoke Foundation
  • Texas Wine Dinner at Rainbow Lodge | Thursday, October 26 – The Lodge’s annual Texas Wine Dinner will feature Reddy Vineyards, with special guest Akhil Reddy. Guests can enjoy seated and coursed meals paired with the host winemaker’s wines. Prices and times are TBD.
  • Witchy Brunch at Brennan’s of Houston | Saturday, October 28 – The fine dining Creole institution invites guests to gather ‘round the cauldron for its annual Witchy Brunch. Wear something witchy and enjoy a three-course menu with favorites including Turtle Soup, Gumbo, Eggs Brennan’s, and more. Reservations required. $45, plus tax and gratuity. 11am to 2pm. 
  • 3rd Anniversary Halloween Parties at Pier 6 Seafood & Oyster House | Saturday, October 28 & Sunday, October 29 – The San Leon oyster house will celebrate its third year with an epic weekend-long Halloween bash, featuring spooky decor and decked-out staff, food and drink specials, candy for kiddos, plenty of live entertainment and prizes for Best Dressed. Menu prices vary. Saturday 11am to 10pm; Sunday 11am to 9pm.
  • 49th Texas Renaissance Festival in Todd Mission | Saturdays & Sundays in October Beginning Saturday, October 7, the 49th annual Texas Renaissance Festival returns to Todd Mission, transforming the grounds into a 16th-century English village complete with market vendors, enchanting artists and performers, and food and drink fit for a king. This month’s themed weekends include the Queen’s Birthday Celebration (October 7–8), 1001 Dreams (October 15–16), Pirate Adventure (October 21–22), and All Hallow’s Eve (October 28–29). Tickets are generally $29 and up; $15 for ages 5 to 12. 9am to 8pm.
  • Oktoberfest Biergarten at CityCentre | Sundays in October Beginning Sunday, October 1 and every following Sunday in October, the mixed-use center will transform some of its outdoor space into a pop-up Biergarten. Beer fans and football fans can look forward to football action on six state-of-the-art 65-inch TVs, plus savory bites available to order from area restaurants, cold brewskis and non-alcoholic drinks in the Plaza. Admission is free and open to the public. Noon to 7pm.

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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 .