Your Complete Fall Bucket List In Waco!
It’s finally fall, which means it’s time to take advantage of the cooler weather by creating your own ultimate fall bucket list in Waco!
Ok, ok…maybe it’s not really “cool” weather, but it’s at least not 105 degrees anymore. And there’s nothing like an autumn night, some pumpkin patches, and a pint of Oktoberfest beer.
I’m sharing a few of the best things to do in Waco in the fall, from special seasonal fairs and rodeos to more weather-appropriate things like hiking and farmers markets. Cheers to pumpkins and fall air! I hope this inspires you to make your own fall bucket list in Waco!
The Ultimate Fall Bucket List In Waco
1. Go To A Waco Pumpkin Patch
Fall isn’t fall without visiting a pumpkin patch! Or…a fall festival, because it seems like pumpkin patches get more and more exciting every year.
Lots of the pumpkin festivals in the Waco area include fair activities like train rides, petting zoos, live music, food vendors, and more! Check out this guide to the best pumpkin patches in Waco to find one near you.
WEBSITE | 4901 Lake Shore Dr, Waco, TX, United States, Texas
2. Check Out The HOT Fair and Rodeo
The Heart O’ Texas Fair and Rodeo happens every October in Waco, and it’s so much fun! There’s a livestock show, a rodeo performance, and lots of rides and fair games and yummy fried food.
It doesn’t feel like fall in Waco until you go to the HOT Fair and Rodeo! This event goes on for more than a week every October, so you have a few options for days to get tickets and make sure you can go!
WEBSITE | 4601 Bosque Boulevard Waco, Texas 76710
3. Tailgating Before A Baylor Football Game
Sic ‘em, bears! It’s 100% not fall until you go to a football game! Or at least tailgate before
one, even if you don’t end up getting tickets to Mclane Stadium.
Here’s the Baylor football schedule so you can get tickets ahead of time!
WEBSITE | 1311 S 5th St, Waco, TX, United States, Texas
4. Oktoberfest At A Waco Brewery
Here’s a complete list of all of the craft breweries in Waco so you can stay up to date on their Oktoberfest events. Every year, a bunch of Waco breweries host weekend Oktoberfest events with special brews and food and fun events like stein holding competitions.
But even if you miss the actual Oktoberfest event, be sure to swing by a local Waco brewery and drink some Marzen or other fall beer! They often have it on tap through November or December.
5. Drive-In Movie In Waco
Ever been to an outdoor movie in Texas in the summer? MISERABLE. But a drive-in theater in the fall? Actually, it was really fun! The Last Drive-in Picture Show in Gatesville is an adorable drive-in movie theater near Waco. They have double features and a snack bar and a fun vintage vibe!
WEBSITE | 2912 TX-36, Gatesville, TX 76528, United States
6. Silobration at Magnolia Market
Silobration is Waco’s autumn favorite! It’s located at the famous Magnolia Market and features fall vendors, live music, lots of food, and even an evening with Chip and Joanna!
There’s plenty of free fun here, but you can also get tickets to special events like some of the concerts. Check the website for more details.
WEBSITE | 601 Webster Ave Waco, TX 76706
7. Annual Homestead Fair at Homestead Heritage
Homestead Heritage is a community devoted to simple living, and every autumn they host a homestead fair. It includes uplifting family-friendly concerts, more than 2 dozen hands-on crafting projects like basket weaving and candle making, and seminars about how to grow your own food.
Not wanting to be quite so hands-on? There’s plenty of shopping, too! You can meander through the vendor booths selling home goods and specialty items that were all made right here in Waco at Homestead Heritage.
This is a multiple day event with both single tickets and season passes.
Photo Credits: Garry H., Yelp
WEBSITE | 608 Dry Creek Rd Waco, TX 76705
8. Brew at the Zoo at Cameron Park Zoo
Brew at the Zoo is one of the best fall events in Waco! It’s a 21+ event, which might seem a little funny for a zoo event…but once you go, you realize how fun it is to be at the zoo without kids!
Enjoy sips from regional breweries, purchase food from food trucks, and enjoy the autumn evening air at the incredible Cameron Park Zoo.
WEBSITE | 1701 N 4th St Waco, TX 76707
9. Go Hiking in Waco
There are a handful of great hiking trails in Waco, but please don’t try to go hiking in the summer…you’ll melt. However, around mid-October, the weather typically starts to treat us with a few cool days that are perfect for hiking.
10. Wine Tasting At A Waco Winery
Wine is delicious year-round, but there’s something about those surprisingly cool days that make an outdoor vineyard visit sound way more fun!
One of the best wineries near Waco is Valley Mills Vineyards, where you can make a reservation for your very own 1-hour reserve tasting of their finest wine. It just feels like an Autumn bucket list item!
Photo Credits: Courtney P., Yelp
WEBSITE | 1686 FM1637 Valley Mills, TX 76689
11. Visit A Farmers Market
The Waco Downtown Farmers Market is open year round, but it’s especially fun to stop by and get some fall harvest while it’s available! I’m talking about gourds, root vegetables, and the last remaining bit of hot summer veggies. Plus, there’s often a few bouquets of pretty autumn flowers available.
I just love the vibe of a farmers market in the fall, so if you’re looking for some fall bucket list fun in Waco, make sure you spend a weekend morning at the Waco Downtown Farmers Market or the Woodway Farmers Market!
Photo Credits: Keli M., Yelp
WEBSITE | 500 Washington Ave Waco, TX 76701
12. Watch the Ironman 70.3 Waco
Ever spectated an Ironman race? There’s a half Ironman that happens in Waco every October. And yes, that’s a total of 70.3 miles of swimming in the Brazos river, biking through Central Texas, and running a half marathon to finish at the Waco Suspension Bridge.
Whether you’re a big supporter of triathlons or it’s your very first one to watch, you’ll get all sorts of feel-good endorphins from watching the athletes compete with their superhuman strength to get across the finish line of this epic race.
Fall running races are a great item to add to your fall bucket list. Whether you’re participating or cheering, you’re sure to get all the happy fall feels!
WEBSITE | Waco, TX 76701
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