By Ashley Donde

Gourmet food tastings, jousting knights, and dressed-up pups, make for a festive Fall in the Texas Hill Country Located just north of Austin, Cedar Park is a family-friendly destination that has plenty of ways you can enjoy the Fall. Check out the following events and festivals, and plan your visit for a fun and exciting season. 

Cedar Bark Festival

If you like your festivals with a side of cute and cuddly, here’s one you won’t want to miss. The Cedar Bark Festival (occurring the second Saturday in October) is a fun-filled celebration for dogs and their people. Dress up your dog for the costume contest, or—if you and your dog share an uncanny resemblance—enter the pet/owner lookalike contest. Watch energetic doggie demonstrations, shop vendors and pet products, and enjoy entertainment, food, and plenty of dog-friendly activities—all in the company of your furry friend. Admission is free, but donations to the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter are encouraged.  Join in the paw-some festivities at the Cedar Bark Park and have a dog-gone good time.

Taste of Cedar Park

Sample sophisticated flavors in a casual, community environment at Taste of Cedar Park, a delicious annual food and wine event. Come out for an evening of live music, local eats, and the grand unveiling of the Cedar Park Sculpture Garden’s newest sculptures. Sip a full-bodied wine or an ice-cold beer and stroll from booth to booth for bites of some of the city’s most exquisite culinary creations. Admiring the art and savoring all the enticing flavors is a true treat for your senses.

Arts & Crafts Festival

Browse hand-made creations by more than 100 talented vendors at the Arts and Crafts Festival (Oct. 19). Enjoy live music and food concessions while you spend a fall afternoon beneath the glorious Texas sky shopping for gifts, home goods, and more. Vendors are only allowed to sell handmade products, so you can look forward to discovering unique and creative items that you won’t find anywhere else. Whether you want to do some early Christmas shopping or find a piece of artwork that’s just your style, there are thousands of items to choose from.

Fable Fest

Medieval jousting featuring horses and knights, miniature train rides, and a whimsical costume parade. You’ll find all this, and much more, during Fable Fest, a celebration of storytelling and the love of reading. The day is absolutely jam-packed with exciting events and games for kids, including a petting zoo, pony rides, and inflatables. Browse the arts and crafts market, get something tasty from one of several food trucks, and check out the jousts and parade before sitting down for Mother Goose Storytime. Hang out for the day and you’ll leave feeling like a kid again.

The charming city of Cedar Park offers plenty of ways to experience the magic of autumn in Texas. Learn more about this Hill Country city and start planning your fall getaway today.

About the Author: Ashley Donde is a freelance writer who loves adventure. Her family of four can often be found exploring the great outdoors, touring museums, or enjoying a local festival.