What's Happening in
Wimberley: Late Summer
& Fall 2026
One of the things I love most about Wimberley is that there's always something happening. And not in a big-city, overstimulating way. These are community events, the kind where you run into your neighbors, discover a local artist you hadn't heard of, or find yourself at a picker's circle on a Tuesday evening with a cold drink in your hand. As late summer rolls into Hill Country autumn, the calendar is packed with art shows, chili cook-offs, film screenings under the cypress trees, and holiday traditions that have been bringing this town together for decades. August closes with the projectART Youth ART Show at ARTSPACE and live music like Ruben V at Willow Lake. Then September kicks off with the quarterly Art Crawl and Market Days, the first Saturday rhythm that Wimberley has kept for over 40 years. October brings a brand-new tradition in the 1st Annual Chili Cook-Off & Music Fest at Willow Lake, alongside returning favorites like the Arts Fest and BOO! Hole Halloween. Here's everything coming up in Wimberley for the rest of 2026.
I have been going to Market Days and community events on the Square for nearly 40 years, and they are a big part of what makes Wimberley feel like home. If you are visiting, try to time your trip around a Market Day or an Art Crawl. You will get a taste of what daily life is really like here. And if you are thinking about making the move, these are the moments that will convince you.
Recently Celebrated
These events already happened — we're sharing them so you can plan for next year.
Wimberley Pie Social & Butterfly Festival
A beloved Wimberley spring tradition held in partnership between the Wimberley Institute of Cultures and the EmilyAnn Theatre & Gardens. The Pie Social at the Wimberley Valley Museum featured pie competitions in five categories (cream, fruit, nut, savory, and children's), a pie-eating contest, winning pie auction, live music, and children's games — all benefiting the museum. Across the way at the EmilyAnn Theatre, the Butterfly Festival offered live butterfly releases, animal meet-and-greets, crafts, and family activities. Together, it was a true celebration of Wimberley community spirit.
Learn MoreVFW Post 6441 Rodeo
The 80th Annual VFW Rodeo is one of Wimberley's most beloved summer traditions. Three nights of live rodeo action — bull riding, barrel racing, calf roping, and more — capped off with fireworks over the Hill Country. The whole town turns out, and it's one of those events that makes Wimberley feel like the small Texas town it truly is.
Learn MoreWimberley Independence Day Parade
Wimberley's hometown Fourth of July parade is a classic small-town celebration. Decorated floats, classic cars, marching groups, and community organizations make their way through town while families line the route with lawn chairs and American flags. It's followed by the VFW Rodeo that evening — making July 3rd one of the biggest days on the Wimberley calendar.
Learn MoreCentral Texas Custom Bicycle Festival
A free community bike festival celebrating custom bicycles, cycling culture, and outdoor fun. Bring the whole family for a day of bike shows, demonstrations, and community energy on the same day as Market Days — making August 1 one of the busiest days of the summer in Wimberley.
Learn MoreWimberley Market Days — August Edition
The August edition of Wimberley's beloved Market Days brought hundreds of vendors and thousands of visitors to the Community Center grounds. A massive day combining Market Days with the Custom Bicycle Festival — one of the busiest days of the summer.
Learn MoreUpcoming Events
Mark your calendar — these are the events worth planning around.
Wimberley Market Days
The second-largest outdoor market in Texas, and a Wimberley institution for over 40 years. More than 400 vendor booths fill the grounds with antiques, artisan crafts, jewelry, home décor, clothing, and Hill Country food. It's part shopping, part social event — you'll run into neighbors, discover new artists, and probably leave with something you didn't know you needed.
- Bring cash — many vendors don't take cards
- Arrive early for the best selection
- Parking fills up by mid-morning
- Free admission
Wimberley Farmers Market
A weekly gathering of local farmers, bakers, and food artisans selling fresh produce, eggs, honey, baked goods, and handmade foods. It's smaller and more intimate than Market Days — a midweek tradition where you can stock up on local ingredients and chat with the people who grew them.
- Great for picking up fresh produce for the week
- Local honey and seasonal fruits are standout items
- Bring your own bags
projectART 'Better Together' Youth ART Show
The annual 'Better Together' Youth ART Show at ARTSPACE showcases works created by young artists in projectART's Summer Camp program — featuring pieces from 20 different camps held throughout 2026. The Opening Reception on August 29th is a wonderful celebration of Wimberley's next generation of creatives, with light refreshments and the chance to meet the young artists. The exhibit runs through early September and is free to the public.
- Free admission to the gallery
- Meet the young artists at the opening reception
- Exhibit runs through early September
Art on 12 Second Saturday
A monthly gallery event at Art on 12, one of Wimberley's premier art spaces. Each Second Saturday features a new exhibit opening with live music, complimentary wine and hors d'oeuvres, and the chance to meet the featured artist. It is the most reliable monthly arts event on the calendar and a wonderful way to experience Wimberley's creative community year-round.
- Free to attend
- A new artist or exhibit every month
- Live music and refreshments included
- Part of the Wimberley Valley Arts & Cultural Alliance Gallery Trail
Art Crawl Wimberley
Wimberley's quarterly Art Crawl invites you to stroll through galleries, studios, and local businesses as part of the Wimberley Valley Arts & Cultural Alliance Gallery Trail. Each venue features guest artists, special displays, live demonstrations, and refreshments. It's a relaxed, social evening that showcases why Wimberley has been called an artist colony since the 1960s.
- Start at any participating gallery — grab a map
- Many galleries offer wine and hors d'oeuvres
- Art on 12 hosts a Second Saturday event monthly with live music
EmilyAnn Trail of Lights
A Wimberley holiday tradition spanning approximately 8 acres of brilliantly lit outdoor exhibits. Walking through the Trail of Lights has become a must-do for families and visitors during the holiday season. The trail opens with the Hometown Holidays celebration and the Wimberley Lighted Parade, and runs through late December. Free to attend, with donations accepted.
- Opening night includes the Lighted Parade at 6 PM
- Best visited on weekday evenings to avoid crowds
- Bring the kids — it's magical for all ages
- Donations support the EmilyAnn Theatre
Hometown Holidays & Lighted Parade
The official kick-off to the holiday season in Wimberley. The evening begins with the Trail of Lights opening at the EmilyAnn Theatre & Gardens, followed by the Lighted Parade through downtown. Floats, marching groups, and community organizations decked out in holiday lights make their way through town while families watch from the sidewalks. Street closures apply during the parade.
- Arrive early for parade viewing spots
- Street closures begin before the parade
- Combine with Trail of Lights for a full evening out
Wimberley WIC Fireside Supper
An annual gathering hosted by the Wimberley Institute of Culture (WIC), bringing together community members for an evening of food, conversation, and celebration of Wimberley's cultural heritage. The Fireside Supper is one of those events that reminds you how tight-knit this community really is.
- Tickets or reservations may be required
- Check the WIC calendar for details
Wimberley Arts Fest
The Wimberley Valley Art League's premier annual festival, now merged with the Blue Agave Art Fair into one expanded weekend event. The Arts Fest showcases dozens of regional and local artists, live music, hands-on creative activities, and Hill Country food — all within walking distance of the Square. It's the perfect weekend to experience Wimberley's thriving arts scene.
- Free to attend
- Great for browsing original art and meeting the artists
- Walkable from Wimberley Square restaurants and shops
- Arrive early for the best selection
BOO! Hole Halloween
Wimberley's largest annual event, drawing over 5,000 attendees to Blue Hole Regional Park for an unforgettable Halloween celebration. The evening features a Trick-or-Treat Trail through the cypress grove, carnival games, live music, a family-friendly hayride, costume contests for all ages, themed photo booths, a cider and hot cocoa station, and the ever-popular Haunted Trail (ages 10+). It is one of those magical Wimberley nights where the whole community comes together.
- Free to attend - registration recommended
- Arrive early for the best Trick-or-Treating
- Costume contest registration begins at 4:00 PM
- Haunted Trail has a separate fee and is recommended for ages 10+
- Great family-friendly event for all ages
1st Annual Wimberley Chili Cook-Off & Music Fest
A brand-new Wimberley tradition! The 1st Annual Chili Cook-Off & Music Fest brings together chili chefs from across the Hill Country for a day of bold flavors, cold drinks, and live music at Willow Lake Watering Hole. Gates open at 8 AM with the official chili fire lit at 9 AM, followed by chili tasting starting at noon. The afternoon features the Red River Shootout (OU vs Texas) on the big screen, and winners are announced at 5:30 PM. It's a full day of community fun at one of Wimberley's most beloved gathering spots.
- Chili tasting begins at noon — bring your appetite
- Red River Shootout viewing at 2:30 PM
- Family-friendly event at Willow Lake Mercantile
- Check willowlakemerc.com for ticket updates
Wimberley Film Festival
The third annual Wimberley Film Festival is an outdoor cinema experience under the towering cypress trees at Blue Hole Regional Park. Featuring Texas-made short films, live music, and the magic of a Hill Country night, it's one of the most unique cultural events in the region. Proceeds benefit The Watershed Association, dedicated to clean water and healthy ecosystems in the Wimberley Valley.
- Bring blankets or lawn chairs
- Some films may be PG-13 — check ratings in advance
- Free for children 10 and under
- Proceeds support local watershed conservation
Breakfast with Santa
A beloved Wimberley holiday tradition hosted by the Wimberley Civic Club. Families gather for a pancake and sausage breakfast with warm Wassail, two crafts, a free book, and a photo with Santa himself. Tickets are affordable ($5 kids / $8 adults) and the proceeds support local community programs.
- Tickets sell quickly — check the Civic Club calendar
- Great for young children
- Combine with Market Days and Trail of Lights for a full holiday weekend
Ruben V Live at Willow Lake
Ruben V brings his signature blend of Latin rock and soul to the Willow Lake stage for a Saturday night show. Willow Lake has become one of Wimberley's favorite gathering spots, part music venue, part mercantile, part community living room. Grab a drink, settle into a lawn chair, and enjoy live music under the Hill Country stars.
- Arrive early for good seating
- No cover charge
- Full bar and food menu available
Winter's Eve Festival
A magical evening on the Wimberley Square that transforms the heart of town into a winter wonderland. The Winter's Eve Festival features local craft vendors, warm food and drinks, holiday music, and the kind of small-town Christmas atmosphere that makes you feel like you're in a Hallmark movie. It is the perfect midweek holiday outing for the whole family.
- Bundle up. December evenings in the Hill Country can be chilly
- Combines beautifully with the Trail of Lights at EmilyAnn
- Free to attend
- Shop local for holiday gifts from Wimberley artisans
projectART 'SATURATION' Opening Reception
The next exhibit at ARTSPACE, titled 'SATURATION,' opens with an evening reception celebrating bold color and creative expression. projectART continues to energize Wimberley's arts scene with rotating contemporary exhibits that showcase both established and emerging artists. Light refreshments are served, and the exhibit runs through late fall.
- Free admission to the gallery
- Meet the featured artists at the reception
- ARTSPACE is part of the Wimberley Valley Arts & Cultural Alliance Gallery Trail
Year-Round Favorites & Weekly Happenings
Beyond the big events, Wimberley has a steady rhythm of weekly happenings that keep the community connected. The Wimberley Farmers Market runs every Wednesday from 3 to 6 PM on the Wimberley Square — local produce, honey, baked goods, and artisan crafts. There is also a Saturday market from 8 AM to 1 PM at the Shopping Center for weekend shoppers.
On Wednesday evenings, Willow Lake Watering Hole & Mercantile hosts Music Bingo from 6 to 8 PM, equal parts trivia night and live music, with food and drinks in a backyard setting. On the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Tuesdays, Willow Lake hosts the Picker's Circle at 6 PM, where local musicians gather for an informal acoustic jam that anyone is welcome to join. And The Shady Llama runs Team Trivia nights, with family-friendly rounds at 5:30 PM and full team trivia at 7 PM.
The Art on 12 gallery hosts a Second Saturday gathering each month with live music and refreshments. The Wimberley Valley Winery features live music on weekends throughout the year. And venues like Neon Armadillo and Devil's Backbone Tavern have live Texas music most weekends.
Also new in 2026, the 1st Annual Wimberley Chili Cook-Off & Music Fest on Saturday, October 10 at Willow Lake Watering Hole & Mercantile brings together chili chefs, live music, and the Red River Shootout on the big screen — a full day of Hill Country flavor starting at 8 AM. And mark your calendar for Saturday, October 24 — the BOO! Hole Halloween celebration at Blue Hole Regional Park is Wimberley's biggest community event of the fall. With over 5,000 attendees each year, the Trick-or-Treat Trail, costume contests, live music, and the famous Haunted Trail make for an unforgettable Hill Country Halloween. Best of all, admission is free. The best way to stay in the loop is to follow the Wimberley Chamber of Commerce calendar and check local bulletin boards when you're in town. Events pop up all the time - that's part of the charm.
Planning a Visit?
If one of these events has you dreaming about Wimberley, I'd love to help you explore what it would be like to live here. No pressure — just honest local knowledge from someone who's called the Hill Country home for 40+ years.
Get in Touch with Steve Steve has been living and working in the Wimberley area for 40+ years. Learn more about Steve →