October 22-25, 2026

A Creed tribute band on 281, a rodeo in Bulverde, and two Canyon Lake fall festivals back to back. The weekend, distilled.

Live music and nightlife

The yard at Screaming Goat Yard and Tap in Spring Branch, Texas

Screaming Goat Yard & Tap, Spring Branch

Spring Branch: Screaming Goat Yard & Tap has music all four days at 4 Sun Valley Drive. Paul Isaac plays Thursday, October 22 at 7:00 PM, the Electric Cherry Band takes Friday at 7:00 PM, Chad Boyd plays Saturday at 3:00 PM with the Hoodoo Daddies at 7:00 PM, and Jake N' Rey close it out Sunday at 3:00 PM. Every one of those is free.

Insider tip: Thursday's $20 all-you-can-eat catfish opens at noon, seven hours before Paul Isaac goes on, so eat early and keep the table. Saturday starts with a free mat Pilates class at 9:00 AM and a jazz brunch at 11:00. There are live goats on the property that kids can feed.

A handcrafted cocktail at Bourbon and Branch in Spring Branch, Texas

Bourbon & Branch, Spring Branch

Spring Branch: Bourbon & Branch brings in HIGHER, a Creed tribute band, Saturday, October 24 with the show starting at 9:00 PM. Mic Lo is the band's new lead singer. Entry is free and the room is 21 and up, at 4476 Highway 281 North.

Insider tip: getting in costs nothing, but front-room tables start at $25 and go fast. Call or text (830) 245-1848 to hold one, or come early and take open seating at the bar top. Sunday is NFL all day with Pablo cooking from 1:00 to 7:00 PM.

The arena at Tejas Rodeo Company in Bulverde, Texas

Tejas Rodeo Company, Bulverde

Bulverde: Tejas Rodeo Company runs both nights at 401 Obst Road. Matt Tejeda plays an acoustic set Friday, October 23 from 7:00 to 9:00 PM, and Saturday, October 24 is the Saturday Night Rodeo at 7:30 PM with live music and dancing from 9:00 PM to midnight.

Insider tip: gates open at 5:00 PM Saturday and the pre-show starts at 7:00, so the seats go well before the rodeo does. Live music is included with the rodeo ticket and most nights sell out, so buy ahead. The steakhouse opens at 4:00.

Gruene Hall, the oldest dance hall in Texas, in New Braunfels

Gruene Hall, New Braunfels

New Braunfels: Gruene Hall has something all four days at 1281 Gruene Road. Coby Rotan & The Naturals play Thursday from 6:00 to 7:30 PM with Love & Chaos at 8:00, both free. Cody Hibbard headlines Friday at $20.50, doors at 7:00 PM and Lawson Knight opening at 8:00. Tyler Halverson takes Saturday at $25, doors at 8:00 PM with Harper O'Neill at 9:00. Sunday is free top to bottom: Sour Bridges at 11:30 AM, John Del Toro Richardson at 3:00 PM, and Soul Sessions at 6:30 PM.

Insider tip: Sunday is the one to know about, three acts from 11:30 AM to 9:30 PM and nothing at the door. Saturday is free until evening too, with Tony Taylor at 11:00 AM and Bo Phillips at 1:00 PM.

Local eats and drinks

The taproom at Guadalupe Brewing Company in New Braunfels, Texas

Guadalupe Brewing Company, New Braunfels

New Braunfels: Guadalupe Brewing Company pours at 1586 Wald Road with a pizza kitchen alongside. Thursday, October 22 is Pints for Polio with the New Braunfels Rotary, 4:00 to 8:00 PM, costumes and dogs welcome. The Nightcrawlers play Friday from 6:30 to 9:30 PM, the Bob Bass Band takes Saturday from 2:00 to 5:00 PM with the Chris Lopez Band at 7:00, and the Jake Castillo Trio closes Sunday from 2:00 to 5:00 PM.

Insider tip: the kitchen closes before the taproom does. Grill and pizza run 5:00 to 9:00 PM Thursday and Friday, noon to 9:00 Saturday, noon to 6:00 Sunday, so the Saturday afternoon set is the one where you can eat and listen at once.

Blanco: Blanco River Pizza Co. sits at 306 Pecan Street and runs Thursday Night Football on October 22 with $3 domestic drafts and half-price garlic knots.

Insider tip: the Texas-size slice with a soda is $7.39, Monday through Friday only, so Thursday is the last of it this week. College football runs all day Saturday. Their website has been down, so Instagram is where the current word is.

Community and events

Canyon Lake: Fall Fun & Pumpkin Carving takes over The Heritage Museum on Saturday, October 24 from 4:00 to 6:00 PM, co-hosted with the Tye Preston Memorial Library. Community groups set up for trick or treating, with pumpkins and carving tools on site, activities for kids, and snow cones for sale. Admission is free.

Insider tip: pumpkins and tools are provided with donations welcome, so the snow cone is the only thing you need cash for. Costumes are encouraged, and two hours is the whole window, so treat it as an early stop rather than the night.

Canyon Lake: Canyon Lake Fall Fest runs Sunday, October 25 from 2:00 to 6:00 PM at Canyon Park Area 3, 1769 Canyon Park Road. The Broken Duckfeet play, with artisan vendors, food trucks, pumpkin painting, a petting zoo, inflatables, and lawn games. The kids costume contest starts at 4:00 PM with cash prizes.

Insider tip: a Comal County vehicle registration sticker on your windshield gets you into the park free between 2:00 and 6:00 PM. Everybody else pays standard park admission. The pumpkin painting is free while supplies last, so go early.

The goal

Four days, five towns, and two fall festivals in a county that waited until late October to feel like fall. Pick one, go, and tell somebody where you found it.

New on the site: our local guides to Bulverde and Spring Branch.

Alex / Hill Country Hot Ticket

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P.O. Box 4, Spring Branch, TX 78070