Fall is already in the air and there is plenty to do in the Big Country.

Whether you’re looking for a Halloween trunk or treat or a laid-back beer and wine festival, you’re sure to love Abilene.

Throughout the month

The Signature Cocktail Showdown, hosted by the Abilene Chamber of Commerce, takes place through October 31 at various locations in Abilene. Help honor the “Downtown Abilene Signature Cocktail Master.”

The annual pumpkin decorating contest at the Abilene Public Library South Branch will be held October 1-26. Submissions will be displayed in the last week of October. Categories for children aged 0-6, 7-12, 13-17, 18+ and team/group entries.

The Pleasant Harvest Pumpkin Patch is open to the public on weekends from October 5 to November 5. 2. Choose your own pumpkin and enjoy fun games and activities. The entry fee for ages 5 and older is $6 per person. No reservations are required.

Thursday night dances at the Rose Park Senior Center, 2625 S. Seventh St. Open from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. every Thursday. Admission is $5 per person. For more information, call 325-734-5300.

Boo at the Zoo will be held the last three weekends of October at the Abilene Zoo, 2070 Zoo Lane. Enjoy fall attractions like live shows with scary creatures, a hay maze, pumpkin patch and more. Ticket prices vary.

Anti-scary events

SunnHaus Oktoberfest 2024 with SunnHaus Brewing, 344 Clark Road, October 5 from 11 a.m. Come enjoy live music, games and craft beer.

Oktoberfest benefiting Haven of Hope in Abilene. October 5 from 5 to 10 p.m. at the Lime Rock Amphitheater, 12584 US Highway 277 S. in Tuscola.

Abilene Community Band Fall Concert at the Historic Paramount Theatre, 352 Cypress St., October 8 at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free to all participants.

“Rafael Lopez: Un Processo Hermoso” exhibition opening at the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature, 102 Cedar St., is open to the public Oct. 10 at 5:30 p.m.

Business Mercado 2024: Me Encantan los Ochentas – I love the 80s! takes place October 12 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Abilene Convention Center, 1100 N. Sixth St. Organized by the Abilene Chamber Latino Business Council to showcase business products and services with the intention of building a bridge with the Latino consumer.

Oktoberfest with Grain Theory, 202 Pine St., October 12, 5-10 p.m. Admission is free. Family friendly event with live music, food, outdoor activities and beers.

Breast Cancer Bunco at Rose Park Senior Center, 2625 S. Seventh St., October 16 at 1 p.m. Cost is $5 per person. Participants are required to wear pink to play.

The Big Cheese Mac & Cheese Cookoff will be held on October 17 from 6-8 p.m. at the Abilene Convention Center, 1100 N. Sixth St. Admission is $30 for adults and $10 for children 15 and under.

Shift sector – attack on the landing field on October 19–20. Come enjoy high octave motor racing at the Abilene Regional Airport, 1941 Navajo Circle. Ticket prices vary.

The West Texas Wine Festival will be held on October 19 from 1-6 p.m. at Frontier Texas, 625 N. First St. Ticket prices vary. For information or to purchase tickets, contact Whitney Herrington at [email protected].

Celebrate the arts at the Abilene Luncheon on October 23 at 11:45 a.m. at the Hunter Welcome Center at Abilene Christian University, 1949 ACU Drive. Tickets are $37.50 or $300 for a table of eight.

Tricks and treats

Lone Star Outpost Fall Festival and Vendor Market on October 5 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 4415 Loop 322 in Abilene.

Inspired Crafts and Merchandise Vendors Market at 201 Mesquite Event Center, 201 Mesquite St., October 11, 5-9 p.m., and October 12, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Shop from over 60 vendors, youth vendors, and food trucks. Free admission.

Paramount Film Series: “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” at the Paramount Theater, 352 Cypress St., screening on October 11-12, at 19:30. The closed captions show is scheduled for October 12 at 14:00. Tickets are $7 for adults and $6 for students, seniors, military and children.

Play the Faire Park Zombie Crawl on October 12 at Play Faire Park, 2300 N. Second St.

Grill, Chill & Pumpkin Thrill October 12 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. presented by G5 Beverage Barn and Potosi Chill, 2237 FM Road 1750. Celebrate the fall season with food, pumpkins and homemade treats.

Trivia Night: Spooky Movies October 17 at 6 p.m. at APL South Branch, 4310 Buffalo Gap Road. Play as a team or individually and test your knowledge.

Trunk or Treat at the YMCA of Abilene, 3125 S. 32nd St., October 18 from 6-8 p.m. There will be bounce houses, music and lots of sweets. Free to the public.

Swenson House Boo Bash at The Swenson House, 1726 Swenson St., October 19 from 7-11 p.m. Member tickets are $67 and general admission tickets are $80.

Fall Market and Brunch at Peacock Patio, 536 Hickory St., Oct. 19 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Dia de los Muertos Family Festival October 24 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at The Grace Museum, 102 Cypress St. An event full of cultural events celebrating history and tradition. Free admission.

Trunk or Treat with Express ER Abilene, 4157 Buffalo Gap Road, October 25 from 5-7 p.m.

Haunted Abilene at The Swenson House, 1726 Swenson St., October 25-26. Enjoy a haunted house, food trucks, and craft vendors. Free entry for children up to 5 years old.

Trunk or Treat at the Abilene Farmers Market on October 26 from 11 a.m. to noon. The market is located at North First Street and Mesquite Street across from Frontier Texas.

Trick or Treat Through the City at Imagination City, 1401 S. Danville Drive, October 26 from 1-4 p.m.

Eighth Annual Harvest Festival: Beetlejuice Edition with Abilene Association of Realtors, 626 S. Pioneer Drive, October 26, 4:00-6:00 p.m. Enjoy a Beetlejuice themed festival with playhouses, games for all ages , sweets and more. All proceeds go to Walk with Pride.

Paramount Film Series: “Hocus Pocus” at the Paramount Theater, 352 Cypress St., Oct. 30-31. The film starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $7 for adults and $6 for students, seniors, military and children.

Get Crafty

Art Smarts: Polka Dot Pumpkins at APL Main Branch, 202 Cedar St., October 8 at 2:30 p.m. For teens and tweens.

Crafty DIY: Autumn wreaths at the APL Main Branch, 202 Cedar St., October 9 at 10:00 Event for adults.

Terrific Tots: Monster Puppets at APL Main Branch, 202 Cedar St., Oct. 9 at 11:30 a.m. Event for children up to 4 years old.

Creative Club: Spiders! Event at the APL Main Branch, 202 Cedar St., October 10 at 5 p.m. Event for children.

Bad Art Night for adults on October 10 at 6 p.m. at APL Mockingbird Branch, 1326 Mockingbird Lane.

Crafty U: Macrame Rope Ghosts at APL South Branch, 4310 Buffalo Gap Road, October 15 at 6 p.m. For teens and adults.

Grace Studio: Fall Felt Wreath at The Grace Museum, 102 Cypress St., October 17, 6-8 p.m. A $30 fee is required for classes and materials. Grace members receive $5 off.

Art Smarts: Self-Portraits at APL Mockingbird Branch, 1326 Mockingbird Lane, October 22 at 2:30 p.m. Event for teens and tweens.

Workshops with Pom-Pom bats at the APL Main Branch, 202 Cedar St., October 23 at 15:30 For teenagers and adults.

Sugar Skulls workshop at the APL Mockingbird branch, 1326 Mockingbird Lane, October 26 at 2:30 p.m.

More: Get Involved: Abilene Yarn Co. will open on Saturday

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This article originally appeared on the Abilene Reporter-News: Things to Do in October: Fun Fall Festivals and Events in Abilene