NOVEMBER

  November 4-5 - Hebbronville
7th ANNUAL VAQUERO FESTIVAL ... As the “Vaquero Capital of Texas”, Jim Hogg County celebrates with a parade & trail ride, Battle of the Bands, Randy Rogers Band & other entertainment, western arts/crafts, games, ranching families, cactus cook-off, and two free street dances. Also silent auction & reception on Friday evening. Held at Pena’s Ranchitz, Hwy 16 South. (361) 527-2900. www.vaquerofestival.com. 

  November 5 - Port Isabel
18th 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 & crafts for sale & fun for all. (800) 527-6102.

  November 5 - 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 & period games. Presented by Brazoria County Historical Museum. www.bchm.org. (979) 864-1208.

  November 5 - George West
GEORGE WEST STORYFEST... “The Storytelling Capital of Texas” presents cowboy poetry, folklore, ghost stories, petting zoo, living history, musical entertainment, arts/crafts, children’s games, craft demonstrations & food at the courthouse square. (888) 600-3121. www.georgeweststoryfest.org. 

  Nov 12-13 & Nov 19-20 - 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 musical entertainment and complimentary horse & 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 12-13 - Cypress
16th ANNUAL LANGHAM CREEK FFA FALL CRAFT SHOW… Featuring 175+ vendors with wide variety of original arts & crafts, handcrafted items, foods and games. Also a Silent Auction. Held at Cy-Fair ISD Exhibit Center, 11026 Telge Rd, off US Hwy 290. Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm. FREE ADMISSION. Inside/outside booths available: ($85-12’x10'). For vendor info: Kim (281) 414-0487 or langhamcreekffa@yahoo.com.

  November 22 - 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 25 - December 23 - 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.

DECEMBER

  December 2-3 - Castroville
OLD FASHION CHRISTMAS... Now a Two-Day Event! Enjoy over 250 outdoor craft & food booths of handmade and commercial items, Santa, plus Friday night’s parade and lighting ceremony. Friday 6pm-10pm; Saturday 9am-4pm. www.castroville.com. (830) 538-3142 or (800) 778-6775.

  December 2-3 - Sealy
25th FANTASY OF LIGHTS FESTIVAL ...Enjoy a Live Snowfall (3pm), Kid’s Fantasy, Santa Claus in the Gazebo, games, BBQ cook-off, vendors, Bean-Bag & Youth Girls’ softball tournaments, all-day live entertainment, and ending with a SPECTACULAR EVENING LIGHTED PARADE (6pm). Levine Family Park on Main St. (877) 558-7245. www.sealycommunityfoundation.org.

  December 2-3 and Dec 9-10 - 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.

  December 3 - Kingsville
22nd ANNUAL LA POSADA PARADE OF LIGHTS... Celebrate the holiday season at this “Red, White and Blue Christmas” event with floats, cars, horses, award-winning marching bands and Santa in his own train! Kleberg Avenue at Courthouse & 11th St. www.kingsvilletexas.com. (619) 962-7737 or (361) 592-8516.

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

  December 3-4 - Cypress
CY-FAIR FFA COUNTRY CHRISTMAS CRAFT SHOW… A wide array of original hand-crafted artworks. 11206 Telge Road, off Hwy 290. Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm. 160 indoor exhibitor spaces (10x10) at $90 and 20 outdoor at $80. Cy-Fair Exhibit Center. Kim Willingham: (281) 373-1991, or e-mail: kawillingham@comcast.net. 

  December 3-4 - Gonzales
WINTERFEST... Visit Historic Gonzales during the Winterfest Celebration. Five homes will be open during the Christmas Candle-light Tour, 2pm to 6pm, with $15 admission for all five, or $5 for individual houses. The annual lighted parade is Friday, Dec 2 at 6pm. Scate’s Market is Saturday, Dec. 3. Visit www.gonzalestexas.com, or call 888-672-1095.

  December 9, 10, 11 - Tomball
4th ANNUAL TOMBALL GERMAN CHRISTMAS MARKET... Shop 120 vendors for holiday decor, food and gifts at this open-air street festival with three stages of live performances, German Santa, fireworks, beer, Kinderfest entertainment for youngsters, carnival, food, hayride, arts & crafts, German & Texas music. Free admission. Old Town near historical Depot Plaza. (281) 379-6844. www.TomballGermanFest.org.

  December 10-11 - Ingleside
INGLESIDE RENAISSANCE FAIRE ... Relive the 1700’s with jousting, medieval combat, archery, blacksmith & craftsmen, acrobats, vendors, food, period music! Witness a Renaissance wedding and participate in the costume contest! Live Oak Park, 10am-5pm both days. Admission $3. 1-800-899-2906; www.inglesidetxchamber.org; (361) 776-2906; ingchamber1@cableone.net. 

JANUARY

  January 14, 2012 - Port Isabel
PORT ISABEL “LONGEST CAUSEWAY RUN & FITNESS WALK”.... In its 28th year, enjoy 10K certified run, #TX05009WG and 3-mile fitness walk. Over 3,800 participants. Call Chamber of Commerce for info and applications. (800) 527-6102.

FEBRUARY

  February 4 - 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 14-19 - 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, call (956) 373-0130, or go to www.rgvmf.com. Reserve RV Camping on site at (956) 565-2456.

  February 23-26 - Port Aransas
16th 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, a nature arts & crafts show, art classes and more. (361) 749-5919 or (800) 45-COAST. www.whoopingcranefestival.org. 

MARCH

  March 23-April 1 - 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 & other booths at Shelby Park. Toll free 1-888-355-3224. v