Holidays
October 2025
Oct
25
10:00a
End Date
Painting Pumpkin Pins
Mission Tejas State Park
Dive into the fall season with park staff and paint your own Jack-o-Lantern Pins!
Oct
25
10:00a
End Date
Pumpkin Decorating Contest
Goliad State Park & Historic Site
Break out your creativity and paint a pumpkin! Will you be a lucky winner taking home a prize?
Oct
25
10:00a
End Date
B.A.R.K. Ranger Halloween Hike
Fort Richardson State Park & Historic Site / Lost Creek Reservoir State Trailway
Join us for a howlin’ good time for our B.A.R.K. ranger Halloween hike!
Oct
25
12:00p
End Date
Creature Features
Dinosaur Valley State Park
Grab your spookiest friends and stop by the different booths highlighting cool animal adaptations on Saturday, October 25th in celebration of Halloween!
Oct
25
1:00p
End Date
Spooky Scavengers
Sea Rim State Park
Nature’s has its own recycling crew! Even if they are a little spooky looking
Oct
25
3:00p
End Date
Oct
25
5:00p
End Date
Trick-or-Treating
Fort Richardson State Park & Historic Site / Lost Creek Reservoir State Trailway
Get ready for a spook-tacular time at our annual Trick-or-Treat in the Park!
Oct
25
5:00p
End Date
Candy and Cauldrons Trick-or-Treating
Martin Creek Lake State Park
Enjoy a spooky kooky time at Martin Creek Lake State Park!
Oct
25
5:00p
End Date
Oct
25
5:00p
End Date
2nd Annual Halloween in the Park at Lake Whitney State Park
Lake Whitney State Park
2nd Annual Halloween in the Park at Lake Whitney State Park is creeping up! Join us for a night of frightful fun and festive chills on the Horseshoe Loop & Towash Forest trail! Don your costumes and bring your courage—it’s going to be a hauntingly good time!
Oct
25
5:00p
End Date
Oct
25
5:00p
End Date
Trunk or Treat
Buescher State Park
Join us at the free community event- Smithville ISD Trunk or Treat at Smithville JR High and High School for a spooky fun time!
Oct
25
5:00p
End Date
Oct
25
5:00p
End Date
CANCELED - Boo at the Bog
Fort Boggy State Park
This year's event is being canceled due to the weather.
Oct
25
5:30p
End Date
Oct
25
6:00p
End Date
Trail of the Dead
Choke Canyon State Park - Calliham Unit
A family friendly Halloween/Day of the Dead event complete with a haunted house/trail (Nature Center Area), educational booths, crafts, and more!
Oct
25
6:00p
End Date
Oct
25
6:00p
End Date
Night Hike - Fall Trees and Tall Tales
Mission Tejas State Park
Night Hikes are back! Come to Mission Tejas State Park for an evening hike with park staff and hear tall tales and legends of the people who lived here and the beasts they told stories of.
Oct
25
6:00p
End Date
10th Annual Boo Camp
Lake Bob Sandlin State Park
Come join us for some family friendly Halloween fun!
Oct
25
6:00p
End Date
Spooky Science Fest: Night of the Living Bugs!
Estero Llano Grande State Park
Celebrate and save our tiny heroes! Come and see how! Bring your friends and family of all ages, in costume if you like, to join what has been 1,000 to 2,000 others for our annual Fall Festival to learn a little science and perhaps to be frightened just the right amount!
Oct
25
6:00p
End Date
Wildlife Trick or Treat
Government Canyon State Natural Area
Take a short, wooded hike to visit a series of trail stations where you'll learn about "spooky" wildlife including scorpions, bats, spiders and more. Bring your trick-or-treat gear!
Oct
25
6:00p
End Date
Oct
25
6:15p
End Date
Sounds of the Night
Government Canyon State Natural Area
Sssshhhh...did you hear that? What was that noise?
Oct
25
7:00p
End Date
(CANCELLED) BOO-Gill Fishing Event and Haunted Boathouse
Huntsville State Park
Due to storms forecasted during the event, we are sorry to say, it is cancelled this year.
Oct
25
7:30p
End Date
Oct
25
8:30p
End Date
Oct
26
2:00p
End Date
Trick- or -Tweet
Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park
Create your own eco-friendly bird feeder from pumpkins for Halloween!
Oct
26
3:00p
End Date
Sea Center Spooktacular
Sea Center Texas
Join Sea Center Texas for our annual Halloween Spooktacular, Sunday, Oct. 26, from 3-6pm.
Oct
29
7:00p
End Date
Oct
30
7:00p
End Date
Halloween Night Hike
Guadalupe River State Park
Join us for a hauntingly fun night hike through the eerie trails of Guadalupe River State Park!
Oct
30
7:00p
End Date
Arachineers: Spooky Spider Science
Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park
Discover the amazing world of spiders in this hands-on program where nature meets engineering!
Oct
31
9:00a
End Date
Halloween Scavenger Hunt
Eisenhower State Park
Something spooky is hiding in the park... can you find it?
Oct
31
10:00a
End Date
Dia de los Muertos Sugar Skulls and more
Fort Leaton State Historic Site
Join Presidio High School art students in making authentic sugar skulls, alebrijes and papel picado for the ofrendas of Dia de los Muertos. Come see how this day of remembrance is celebrated on the Borderlands.
Oct
31
12:00p
End Date
Not-so-Spooky Skins, Skulls, and Scat at Spirits of Blanco Festival
Blanco, TX - Old Blanco County Courthouse
Come see us at Blanco Town Square for the Spirits of Blanco Fest!
Oct
31
6:00p
End Date
Mexia Downtown & City of Mexia's 7th Annual Blackcat Boo Bash
Mexia, TX - Downtown Mexia
Family-friendly community trunk or treat!
Oct
31
6:30p
End Date
Creatures of the Night
Inks Lake State Park
Join us for a fun hike as we learn about some of our favorite nocturnal creatures!
Oct
31
6:45p
End Date
Spooky Stories in the Dark
Lake Casa Blanca International State Park
Celebrate Halloween at Lake Casa Blanca where a ranger will tell some spooky stories around the campfire. Which one will be your favorite?
Oct
31
7:00p
End Date
Oct
31
7:00p
End Date
November 2025
Nov
1
End Date
Dia de los Muertos
Fort Leaton State Historic Site
Celebrate the families who called Fort Leaton home for generations by joining in the cultural traditions of Dia de los Muertos!
Nov
1
9:00a
End Date
Nov
1
9:00a
End Date
Park of the Dead
Celebrate Dia de los Muertos at BRGVSP!
Nov
1
10:00a
End Date
Corn Husk Dolls
Goliad State Park & Historic Site
Make a doll the old-fashioned way using corn husks and creativity!
Nov
1
12:00p
End Date
Not-so-Spooky Skins, Skulls, and Scat at Spirits of Blanco Festival
Blanco, TX - Old Blanco County Courthouse
Come see us at Blanco Town Square for the Spirits of Blanco Fest!
Nov
1
2:00p
End Date
Día De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Celebration
Lake Bob Sandlin State Park
Join us to learn about and celebrate preserving Hispanic and cemetery heritage.
Nov
1
7:00p
End Date
Spooky Creatures of the Night Hike
Lockhart State Park
Ever wondered what (or who) goes bump in the night?
Nov
2
2:00p
End Date
Día De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Celebration
Lake Bob Sandlin State Park
Join us to learn about and celebrate preserving Hispanic and cemetery heritage.
Nov
15
9:00a
End Date
Nov
22
9:00a
End Date
Chisholm Trail Turkey Trot
Lockhart State Park
Ready, Set….Gobble! Join us for a 1-mile or 5K run/walk to celebrate fall in the park!
Nov
22
2:00p
End Date
Nov
23
1:00p
End Date
Decorate an Ornament
Inks Lake State Park
Make a Christmas ornament, and get a head start on your holiday decorating.
Nov
26
10:00a
End Date
Storytime and Craft: Wild Turkeys
Guadalupe River State Park
Join us for an unforgettable wild turkey story and craft!
Nov
27
9:00a
End Date
Nov
27
9:00a
End Date
Turkey Trot
Garner State Park
Get your workout in before the feast. Turkey trot along our Nature trail, a half-mile course and a three-mile course.
Nov
27
10:00a
End Date
Guided Turkey Hike
Galveston Island State Park
There has never been a Wild Turkey recorded in the park, but that won’t stop us from looking for one!
Nov
27
10:00a
End Date
Nov
27
12:15p
End Date
Garner Parksgiving 2025
Garner State Park
This is our version of a Thanksgiving celebration. Come celebrate all the things you are thankful for at our potluck feast under the oak tree at the park pavilion.
Nov
28
End Date
Opt Outside Day at Guadalupe River State Park
Guadalupe River State Park
Skip the stores and #OptOutside with us!
Nov
28
9:30a
End Date
Nov
28
10:00a
End Date
Hike Off the Turkey
Caddo Lake State Park
After sleeping in, take a leisurely hike through the forest with a ranger to hike off that Thanksgiving meal!
Nov
28
10:00a
End Date
Walk Off the Stuffing
Ray Roberts Lake State Park - Johnson Branch Unit
Join a Ranger as we walk off the stuffing from Thanksgiving.
Nov
28
10:30a
End Date
Nov
28
1:00p
End Date
Hike Off the Leftovers
Caddo Lake State Park
We know you had leftovers for lunch... Now, come hike that off too on a different hiking trail!
Nov
29
9:00a
End Date
Nov
29
10:00a
End Date
Deck the Halls
Lyndon B. Johnson State Park & Historic Site
Learn about making Christmas decorations with natural materials.
Nov
29
10:00a
End Date
Christmas Open House Presented by Friends of Garner State Park
Garner State Park
Friends of State Park will be providing warm wassail and homemade cookies at the newly renovated Visitor Center. Santa will make a visit at 11:30am!
Nov
29
2:00p
End Date
December 2025
Dec
6
10:00a
End Date
Winter Holiday Traditions
Government Canyon State Natural Area
Celebrate the holidays the old-fashioned way by hand-crafting items families might have been made on the historic ranches that became Government Canyon.
Dec
6
12:00p
End Date
Art in the Park: Christmas Cards
Guadalupe River State Park
Join us for an early National Christmas Card Day Celebration!
Dec
6
5:30p
End Date
Star Party with the Hill Country Astronomers
Blanco State Park
The stars at night are big in bright deep in the heart of Texas Hill Country!
Dec
6
6:00p
End Date
Dec
6
6:00p
End Date
6th Annual Holiday Light Drive-Thru
Lake Corpus Christi State Park
Check out our camper's holiday spirit by taking a drive by lighted campsites and park buildings!
Dec
6
7:00p
End Date
Christmas Campfire Story and S'mores
Government Canyon State Natural Area
Bring a blanket and settle in for a festive story read by a ranger, then make s'mores over our campfire.
Dec
12
End Date
Dec
12
4:00p
End Date
Christmas in the Park
Guadalupe River State Park
Join us for a night of holiday magic on Friday, December 12th and Saturday, December 13th as Guadalupe River State Park transforms into a winter wonderland!
Dec
12
5:00p
End Date
Dec
12
5:30p
End Date
Christmas in the Park
Atlanta State Park
Experience a Christmas Wonderland and meet Santa inside the Pineywoods of Atlanta State Park!
Dec
12
6:00p
End Date
Dec
12
6:00p
End Date
Christmas in the Park 2025
Lake Bob Sandlin State Park
Join us for the 13th Annual Christmas in the Park!
Dec
13
9:00a
End Date
Dec
13
1:00p
End Date
Lakeside Christmas
Fort Parker State Park
A Fort Parker State Park tradition! Take pics with Santa, make ornaments, play games galore!
Dec
13
1:00p
End Date
Christmas with the Fishes
Sea Center Texas
Join Sea Center Texas for an underwater Christmas spectacular!
Dec
13
1:30p
End Date
Reading Ranger: Dino Story and Craft
Government Canyon State Natural Area
Bring a blanket and settle in for a festive story read by a ranger, followed by a craft. We'll bring the hot cocoa.
Dec
13
2:00p
End Date
Christmas Crafts
Lockhart State Park
Paint a nature-inspired salt dough ornament to take home with you! Stop by any time between 2:00pm and 3:30pm.
Dec
13
4:00p
End Date
Christmas in the Park
Guadalupe River State Park
Join us for a night of holiday magic on Friday, December 12th and Saturday, December 13th as Guadalupe River State Park transforms into a winter wonderland!
Dec
13
5:00p
End Date
Dec
13
5:00p
End Date
Ghost of Christmas Past
Fort Richardson State Park & Historic Site / Lost Creek Reservoir State Trailway
Come glimpse Christmas life of the 1800's
Dec
13
5:30p
End Date
Christmas in the Park
Goose Island State Park
See the park in lights, enjoy holiday activities, and CAMP FOR FREE when you decorate your campsite!
Dec
13
5:30p
End Date
Christmas in the Park
Atlanta State Park
Experience a Christmas Wonderland and meet Santa inside the Pineywoods of Atlanta State Park!
Dec
13
6:00p
End Date
Dec
13
6:00p
End Date
Christmas Starfest at Enchanted Rock
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
What's better than wishing upon a star? Wishing upon 4,500 stars at once.... and also, Santa at the same time! Join Texas Parks and Wildlife staff for our biggest star party of the year, with telescopes run by experienced Rangers, holiday activities for the kids, a star tour, and an introductory astronomy lesson.
Dec
13
6:00p
End Date
Cowboy Christmas Music & Poetry
Copper Breaks State Park
Celebrate the season with our singing park rangers!
Dec
13
6:00p
End Date
Dec
13
6:00p
End Date
Dec
18
8:00a
End Date
Elf on the Shelf: Scavenger Hunt
Fort Richardson State Park & Historic Site / Lost Creek Reservoir State Trailway
This holiday season, join us for a park wide adventure to track down three mischievous elves!
Dec
19
End Date
Holiday Heritage Trail Hike
Galveston Island State Park
Take a hike on our self-guided Holiday Trail!
Dec
19
1:00p
End Date
A Crafty Caddo Christmas
Caddo Lake State Park
Deck the halls in our CCC Hall. Join us by the fire for hot chocolate, cookies, and creating your own Christmas tree ornaments. All supplies will be provided!
Dec
19
2:00p
End Date
Dec
20
End Date
Holiday Heritage Trail Hike
Galveston Island State Park
Take a hike on our self-guided Holiday Trail!
Dec
20
10:00a
End Date
Corn Husk Angels
Fort Richardson State Park & Historic Site / Lost Creek Reservoir State Trailway
The perfect kind of angel for your holiday season!
Dec
20
10:00a
End Date
Christmas for the Birds
Guadalupe River State Park
Experience a festive feathered celebration this holiday season!
Dec
20
1:00p
End Date
Santa's Workshop
Pedernales Falls State Park
Help Santa's elves build gifts for all the good birdies!
Dec
20
1:00p
End Date
Dec
20
3:00p
End Date
Holidays for the Birds
Lockhart State Park
Join the elves in Santa’s workshop by making bird feeders for our feathered friends!
Dec
20
6:00p
End Date
Christmas in the Park 2025
Lake Whitney State Park
It's the most Wonderful Time of the year at Lake Whitney State Park. Come stay in the Horseshoe Loop and decorate your campsite to hopefully be voted the best of 2025! The votes will be placed by the visitors that get FREE entry to drive through our park from 6 to 8 pm.
Dec
20
6:00p
End Date
Holiday Festival of Lights
Inks Lake State Park
If you're camping with us on Dec. 20th please bring holiday decorations to brighten up your campsite!
Dec
20
6:00p
End Date
Christmastime Constellations
Pedernales Falls State Park
Come see what constellations and other objects are found in our December sky!
Dec
21
End Date
Holiday Heritage Trail Hike
Galveston Island State Park
Take a hike on our self-guided Holiday Trail!
Dec
21
9:00a
End Date
Winter SOLE-stice Hike
Ray Roberts Lake State Park - Johnson Branch Unit
Join a ranger on a hike celebrating the first day of Winter!
Dec
21
5:30p
End Date
56th Annual Tree Lighting
Lyndon B. Johnson State Park & Historic Site
Enjoy this special tradition started 56 years ago by President and Mrs. Johnson.
Dec
22
End Date
Holiday Heritage Trail Hike
Galveston Island State Park
Take a hike on our self-guided Holiday Trail!
Dec
23
End Date
Holiday Heritage Trail Hike
Galveston Island State Park
Take a hike on our self-guided Holiday Trail!
Dec
24
End Date
Holiday Heritage Trail Hike
Galveston Island State Park
Take a hike on our self-guided Holiday Trail!
Dec
25
End Date
Holiday Heritage Trail Hike
Galveston Island State Park
Take a hike on our self-guided Holiday Trail!
Dec
26
End Date
Holiday Heritage Trail Hike
Galveston Island State Park
Take a hike on our self-guided Holiday Trail!
Dec
27
End Date
Holiday Heritage Trail Hike
Galveston Island State Park
Take a hike on our self-guided Holiday Trail!
Dec
27
9:00a
End Date
Dec
27
6:00p
End Date
Christmastime Constellations
Pedernales Falls State Park
Come see what constellations and other objects are found in our December sky!
Dec
28
End Date
Holiday Heritage Trail Hike
Galveston Island State Park
Take a hike on our self-guided Holiday Trail!
Dec
29
End Date
Holiday Heritage Trail Hike
Galveston Island State Park
Take a hike on our self-guided Holiday Trail!
Dec
30
End Date
Holiday Heritage Trail Hike
Galveston Island State Park
Take a hike on our self-guided Holiday Trail!
Dec
31
End Date
Holiday Heritage Trail Hike
Galveston Island State Park
Take a hike on our self-guided Holiday Trail!
Dec
31
10:00p
End Date
New Year's Eve Honey Creek Nature Hike *Registration Required*
Honey Creek State Natural Area
Say goodbye to 2025 and ring in the new year while on a hike with us!
January 2026
Jan
1
End Date
First Day Honey Creek Guided Walks *Registration Required*
Honey Creek State Natural Area
Experience the natural and cultural history of Honey Creek on our First Day Hikes!
Jan
1
End Date
Self-Guided First Day Nature Hikes
Guadalupe River State Park
Experience the great outdoors and join us for a self-guided First Day Hike!
Jan
1
8:00a
End Date
First Day Hike - Self Guided
Fort Richardson State Park & Historic Site / Lost Creek Reservoir State Trailway
Ring in the New Year right with a First Day Hike
Jan
1
9:00a
End Date
First Day Hike - Prickly Pear
Fort Richardson State Park & Historic Site / Lost Creek Reservoir State Trailway
Ring in the New Year right with a First Day Hike!
Jan
1
9:00a
End Date
Jan
1
10:00a
End Date
First Day Hike: Let's Ring in 2026!
Stephen F. Austin State Park
Begin the New Year with a healthy dose of nature and start a new tradition at Stephen F. Austin State Park!
Jan
10
9:00a
End Date
Jan
24
9:00a
End Date
February 2026
Feb
7
6:00p
End Date
Murder Mystery at the Fort
Fort Richardson State Park & Historic Site / Lost Creek Reservoir State Trailway
Love… Betrayal… and Murder!
April 2026
Apr
18
8:00p
End Date
Spring Star Party with UT ASA
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
Join the University of Texas Astronomy Students Association for a fabulous Star Party under our Central Texas skies!
December 2026
Dec
12
1:00p
End Date
Lakeside Christmas
Fort Parker State Park
A Fort Parker State Park tradition! Take pics with Santa, make ornaments, play games galore!
December 2027
Dec
11
1:00p
End Date
Lakeside Christmas
Fort Parker State Park
A Fort Parker State Park tradition! Take pics with Santa, make ornaments, play games galore!
December 2028
Dec
9
1:00p
End Date
Lakeside Christmas
Fort Parker State Park
A Fort Parker State Park tradition! Take pics with Santa, make ornaments, play games galore!
December 2029
Dec
8
1:00p
End Date
Lakeside Christmas
Fort Parker State Park
A Fort Parker State Park tradition! Take pics with Santa, make ornaments, play games galore!
December 2030
Dec
14
1:00p
End Date
Lakeside Christmas
Fort Parker State Park
A Fort Parker State Park tradition! Take pics with Santa, make ornaments, play games galore!