October is a busy month throughout the Rio Grande Valley. Between Halloween frights and foodie celebrations, we’re highlighting events you won’t want to miss.
There’s always something exciting going on in the Rio Grande Valley, but fall is extra enjoyable. The slightly cooler weather means more outdoor activities, the turning leaves can create gorgeous settings, and Halloween’s arrival means dressing up in costumes and embracing ghoulishly good vibes.
This October is no exception. The Valley is packed with fun fests and thrilling times, butterfly migrations, many opportunities to dance and eat, and a chance to say hello to your favorite Pokémon.
So, let’s hop to it! Dive into these ten worthwhile RGV events that will make your October one to remember.
Queen Isabella Days, Port Isabel
Dates: Oct. 3–11
Many festivals are hosted annually. This one has gone 41 years between occurrences, and it’s a glorious return. Culture, history, and food collide at Queen Isabella Days, an extravaganza of events celebrating Port Isabel and the people who’ve turned it into a cozy community. You’ll find worthwhile entertainment every day, from lucha libre fights to antique and flea markets to paella and live music. Pachanga on Maxan Street offers an unparalleled amount of revelry alongside tasty food and drink from both sides of the border. And guests can stroll the waterfront or climb up the lighthouse for a unique bird’s-eye view of all the merriment below.
Sunset on the Boardwalk, South Padre Island
Dates: Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28
October is a big month for butterflies migrating across Texas. The South Padre Island Birding, Nature Center & Alligator Sanctuary has one of the best seats in the state. Each Wednesday night, you can enjoy food and drink on the patio while watching butterflies pass through a picturesque sunset backdrop. Prefer a weekend activity? The sanctuary is hosting several hands-on events throughout October weekends, including pumpkin-themed bingo and making your own alligator puppet.
Avocado Festival, Pharr
Date: Oct. 10
The comedian Sheng Wang has an excellent bit about avocados and how short their window of ripeness is. “When you find one ripe avocado, that’s a moment of joy,” he says. “When you find a bag of five, that’s a crisis.” Luckily, at Pharr’s Avocado Festival, the avocados are plentiful, from fresh guacamole to stylish avocado earrings. The Pharr International Bridge is the largest crossing for fresh produce in the United States, with 70% of the country’s avocados passing through the city. Not obsessed with avocados? You’ll still have a good time, with live music, carnival rides, arcade games, mariachi performances, lucha libre fights, and shows from Jurassic RGV.
Pink Pumpkin Contest, Rio Grande City
Dates: Oct. 12–19
My attempts to create Jack-o-Lanterns typically end in horrifying pumpkins, though it’s more a result of very bad carving skills rather than a spooktacular design. If you’re better with a knife, why not enter the Pink Pumpkin Contest? Drop off your best pumpkin work at the old RGC Fire Station between Oct. 12–16. On Oct. 19, judges will vote on the funniest, most creative, and best overall pumpkins. Should you wind up victorious, you’ll take home a $25 gift card, which technically would make you a professional pumpkin carver. What a nice career!
Foodie Fest, McAllen
Date: Oct. 15
You know those days where you’re considering ordering dinner or going out for a meal, but you can’t quite decide on what type of food you want? That’s not an issue at McAllen’s Foodie Fest, which features over 20 cuisines from around the world. There’s also beer tasting and live music, so you can get your dance on while supporting local chefs and businesses. If that’s not a reason to cheers, we don’t what is.
PokéMarket: Gotta Haunt Them All, Brownsville
Date: Oct. 18
GirlGangMarket is taking over the Brownsville Event Center to host PokéMarket: Gotta Haunt Them All. Wear a costume and get ready to be photogenic with the finest Pokémon in the land. All of the classic characters will be here, including Pikachu, Eevee, Snorlax, and Gengar (it IS Halloween, after all). Alas, my sweet prince Golduck will probably not be in attendance, likely because he’s too busy Surfing around the Seafoam Islands. If you understand that sentence, you’ll have a blast at PokéMarket. And if you didn’t get the reference, it’s still pretty cool to eat cotton candy shaped like a Ghost Pokémon.
Los Muertos Bailan, Edinburg
Date: Oct. 24
October is a prime season for Día de Muertos celebrations around Texas. Los Muertos Bailan, hosted at the Promenade Park Amphitheater in Edinburg, is no exception. The free event includes a bevy of activities, such as a community ofrenda, a massive chalk art installation, and live music and performances. It’s a beautiful way to honor the departed loved ones in your life, as any good Día de Muertos celebration should be.
Fright Fest, Mission
Date: Oct. 25
When an event’s official title has both a skull AND blood drop emoji in it, you know you’re in for a frighteningly good time. Mission’s Fright Fest🩸💀 is back, with Allysa’s Acres welcoming a whole host of horrors. The fest promises that “not everyone you meet will be human.” Sure, that could refer to the on-site petting zoo, but it’s far more likely you’ll encounter creatures of the nightmarish and/or undead variety. Visitors will also have ample opportunities for creepy photo ops, sinister games and activities, and haunted houses with scares at every turn. And don’t worry, if you spook easily or have little ones in tow, there are family-friendly frights, as well.
Boo at the Zoo, Brownsville
Dates: Oct. 30–31
One of the best alternatives to trick-or-treating, Boo at the Zoo transforms Brownsville’s Gladys Porter Zoo into a spooky land of horrors (in the fun way, not the run-for-the-hills way). Put on a Halloween costume—animal-themed encouraged, though not necessary—grab a bag of candy, and indulge in over 50 stations filled with games and treats. Boo at the Zoo has an extensive menu with something to satisfy everyone, from turkey legs and roasted corn to popsicles and Dippin’ Dots. The event runs from 6–9 p.m. both days and costs $5 for visitors, though zoo members get in for free and can enter an hour earlier.
Monster Dash 10K, 5K, and 1-Mile Run, Harlingen
Date: Oct. 31
We love a good 5K around these parts, and Harlingen’s Monster Dash is a new welcome addition to the foray. With 5K, 10K, and 1-mile “Little Monsters Dash” options, participants of all ages can get their running on. If the idea of a run sounds scarier than a zombie at your door on Halloween, there’s plenty of other entertainment to check out. Explore the trick-or-treat trail for the Little Monsters, admire human and dog costume contests, take a picture in the pumpkin patch, and rock out to music from Reserve, Pappa Bear & The Cubs, and McAllen and McAllen South School of Rock.
