LoneStar Network Staff
Looking for things to do in the Hill Country this weekend? Mid October brings one of the fullest Saturdays of the fall. Boerne has a festival for dogs and their people on Main Plaza, Kerrville has a free art afternoon for kids, Johnson City pours Texas wine downtown, Fredericksburg hosts an evening of cowboy poetry, and a three day string band festival runs in Driftwood. Dates, times and prices below come from each organizer's own website.
Boerne Barktoberfest 2026 takes over Main Plaza on Saturday. The 6th annual Boerne Barktoberfest runs Oct. 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Hill Country Animal League puts it on as an Oktoberfest style fundraiser for its affordable spay, neuter and wellness clinic.
According to Hill Country Animal League, the day opens with check in, registration and a practice doggy dash from 10 to 11 a.m. The costume contest follows from 11 a.m. to noon, the doggy dash races run from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., and the dachshund races close things out from 1:30 to 2 p.m. Expect rescue pet adoptions, a petting zoo, a silent auction, food trucks, local beer vendors and shopping with local businesses.
Good to know before you go: Hill Country Animal League says pets must be leashed and up to date on vaccinations, owners must clean up after their animals and keep them under control, and aggressive dogs may be turned away. Every dollar raised goes to affordable spay, neuter and wellness care for Hill Country pets.
Kerrville events this weekend include Art in the Park on Saturday. The City of Kerrville's third annual Art in the Park is Oct. 17 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the City of Kerrville Library, and admission is free. The Parks and Recreation Department describes it as a family event with hands on activities like pumpkin painting, plus booths from local art businesses and school groups. It depends on the weather, and the city notes details can change on short notice, so check the city's event page that morning.
Texas Wine Jam fills downtown Johnson City on Saturday. The 6th annual Texas Wine Jam is a one day festival on Oct. 17 where you can taste wines from Texas producers, meet the winemakers, listen to live music and buy bottles directly from the wineries.
According to the official Texas Wine Jam ticket page, general admission is $69 and gets you in at 1 p.m. with tastings, a tasting glass and a tote bag. VIP tickets are $99 and add early entry at noon, VIP lounge access and preferred seating at the Spotlight Sessions. Designated driver passes and passes for guests under 21 are $29. The festival wraps up at 6 p.m.
The Texas Bubbles and Brunch add on is sold out. Lawn chairs, blankets and leashed dogs are allowed, but outside food and drinks are not. Tickets are no longer refundable. If severe weather makes it unsafe, organizers say the festival moves to Sunday, Oct. 18.
Texas Wine Growers is also hosting free Spotlight Sessions, each about 45 minutes, with winemakers and growers at Pecan Street Brewing. You need a Wine Jam ticket plus a separate session registration through the Texas Wine Growers event listing, and seating is limited. For more dates this fall, see our Hill Country wine festivals and events 2026 calendar on the LSN blog.
Fredericksburg events this weekend include the Texas Hill Country Cowboy Gathering on Saturday. The gathering is Oct. 17 at the Rockbox Theater in Fredericksburg, which the organizers call historic, and it is an evening of cowboy poetry and music. Organizers list Pipp Gillette and Lloyd Wright, Joel Nelson, Chris Ryden, Andy Hedges and Maggie Rose Hedges.
We could not confirm the showtime or ticket prices, so check the event's website or the theater before you go. If you are making a weekend of it, our guide to 48 hours in Fredericksburg on the LSN blog can help.
The Austin String Band Festival runs Friday through Sunday in Driftwood. The 19th annual festival is Oct. 16–18 at Camp Ben McCulloch, 18301 FM 1826, in Hays County. Austin Friends of Traditional Music, which runs the festival, promises two stages of string band music, square dances, workshops, kids' activities and plenty of campsite jamming.
Local ears may want Saturday night. According to the festival's posted schedule, Grammy Award winner Dom Flemons plays at 8 p.m. and Georgia Parker, who was raised in Boerne, plays at 9 p.m.
Austin Friends of Traditional Music lists a weekend pass at $60 for non members, a Saturday pass at $50 and a Friday pass at $35, and kids under 15 get in free with an adult. Tent camping is $30 a night and RV sites are $40 a night. Unlike Barktoberfest, the festival allows no dogs except service animals. Want more live music? See our list of Hill Country live music venues that aren't Gruene Hall on the LSN blog.
When is Boerne Barktoberfest? It is Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Boerne's Main Plaza, according to Hill Country Animal League.
Can I bring my dog to Texas Wine Jam? Yes. The official Texas Wine Jam page lists leashed dogs as allowed. Barktoberfest welcomes leashed dogs too, but the Austin String Band Festival allows only service animals.
How much are Texas Wine Jam tickets? General admission is $69 and VIP is $99, according to the festival. Designated driver and under 21 passes are $29.
What happens at Texas Wine Jam if it rains? It is a rain or shine event. If severe weather makes it unsafe, organizers say the festival will be rescheduled for Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026.
Are there free things to do in the Hill Country this weekend? Yes. Kerrville's Art in the Park has free admission on Saturday, Oct. 17.