October 1-4, 2026
Fall vendors in Spring Branch, songwriters in New Braunfels, and a Bulverde wine bar running music three nights straight. Here are the essentials.
Live music and nightlife
Vine in the Village, Bulverde
Bulverde: Vine in the Village runs music three nights straight. Open Mic Night with Nick takes Thursday, October 1 at 6:30 PM, Bill Caisse plays Friday, October 2 at 7:00 PM, and Stan Wayne closes it out Saturday, October 3 at 7:00 PM. The room sits at 2295 Bulverde Road and stays open until 11:00 PM Friday and Saturday.
Insider tip: happy hour is half off wine by the glass and every beer, starting at 4:00 PM. Roll in around 6:00 and you have a seat and a full glass before the room fills. 21 and up, so not a bring-the-kids night.
Phoenix Saloon, New Braunfels
New Braunfels: Phoenix Saloon stacks five acts across three days. Bob Schmueckle hosts open mic Thursday, October 1 at 7:30 PM. Friday brings Elisa Maria for happy hour at 5:00 PM and the Barnyard Stompers at 9:00 PM. Saturday runs George Joseph Marsh on the afternoon stage at 3:00 PM and Seattle Underground at 8:30 PM.
Insider tip: the kitchen closes at 7:00 PM while the bar runs to midnight, 1:00 AM on Saturday. Eat before the late set or you are eating somewhere else. The Saturday 3:00 PM slot is the quiet one and the easiest table in the building.
The Redbird Listening Room, New Braunfels
New Braunfels: The Redbird Listening Room has something all four nights. Songwriter's Night is Thursday, October 1, with doors and the sign-up sheet at 6:00 PM and songs at 7:00 PM, ten dollars suggested at the door. Zach Aaron plays Friday at 7:30 PM, Sterling Finlay takes Saturday at 7:30 PM, and Michael O'Connor with Libby Koch close the weekend with a Sunday matinee at 4:00 PM.
Insider tip: it is BYOB with a $10 fee per group, and doors open thirty minutes before each show. The name is literal, so save the catching up for the parking lot. The Sunday 4:00 PM show is the one to bring somebody who does not stay up late.
Local eats and drinks
BlueBird Bread Co., Spring Branch
Spring Branch: BlueBird Bread Co. bakes Thursday through Saturday, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, at 25191 TX-46 West. Organic flour, no commercial yeast, no preservatives, and a board of sourdough and pastry that rotates week to week.
Insider tip: preorders open Sunday afternoon and close Tuesday or Wednesday at 4:00 PM depending on your pickup day. Walk in without one and you take what is left, and 2:00 PM is a hard stop rather than a suggestion. They also teach a beginner sourdough class once a month.
Maven's Inn & Grill, Canyon Lake
Canyon Lake: Maven's Inn & Grill sits at 10530 FM 2673, with the grill open Sunday through Thursday from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM and Friday and Saturday until 11:00 PM. Burgers are what the kitchen is known for, with a brunch menu and a kids menu alongside the regular one.
Insider tip: happy hour runs Monday through Friday, and the inn upstairs stays open year round if a night at the lake turns into a stay. If you are out that way midweek, bingo is Tuesday at 6:30 PM with cash payouts.
Redbud Cafe, Blanco
Blanco: Redbud Cafe is at 410 4th Street, with live music Friday and Saturday evenings and trivia every Thursday. Thursday runs to 8:00 PM, Friday and Saturday to 9:00 PM, and Sunday is 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
Insider tip: happy hour is Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 3:30 to 5:30 PM, which is the gap between the lunch rush and the music. They pour local brews and craft cocktails alongside the coffee and espresso, so the same table works either way.
Community and events
The District on 46, Spring Branch
Spring Branch: The District on 46 hosts its Fall Festival on Saturday, October 3, from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM at 15000 TX-46. More than 30 vendors, face painting, a balloon artist, food and drinks around the property, drink specials, and football running all day.
Insider tip: the District is a whole complex rather than one storefront, so the vendor booths sit alongside Outlaw Pizza, Texas Wing Haus, Pink Coffee and Local Threads. If somebody in your group is not built for craft fairs, Throwbacks on 46 has the games up on twenty screens a few steps away.
Blanco: Blanco State Park runs along a spring-fed stretch of the Blanco River at 101 Park Road 23, with fishing, paddling, swimming and picnic tables under the cypress. Entry is $5 for adults and free for kids 12 and under.
Insider tip: you do not need a fishing license to fish from shore inside the park. Day passes are reserved online or by phone before you drive out rather than bought at the gate, so handle that the night before. Motors have to be electric, which is why the water stays quiet.
The goal
Five towns, four nights, and one Saturday you can spend outside without leaving the zip code. Pick one, go, and tell somebody where you found it.
On the radar:
Blanco Market Day, Saturday, October 17, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM on the Old Blanco County Courthouse square.
Alex / Hill Country Hot Ticket
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P.O. Box 4, Spring Branch, TX 78070