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Snowy Hill Country mountain slides plus 9 more Texas travel tidbits for November

JW Marriott Hill Country Resort & Spa holiday activation

Take a slide down Snow Flow Mountain in the Hill Country.

Photo courtesy of JW Marriott Hill Country Resort & Spa

Thanksgiving is barely on the horizon, but places all over Texas are getting a head start on the holiday season's festivities. Can't decide where to take a quick vacation, road trip, or staycation? Here are 10 events, special celebrations, and hotel happenings to help plan a getaway in November.

Around Austin

One of the city's oldest hotels, The Stephen F. Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel, recently welcomed the arrival of its new royal mascot. The Baron of Austin is an ode to The Hippopotamus Lounge and Piano Bar, which previously occupied the second-story bar and terrace during the "early 20th century." To celebrate, the hotel has created the swanky "Baron of Austin Experience Package" in partnership with the Austin Zoo. Guests who book a stay in one of the luxurious suites using the promo code "BARON" will receive two free admission passes to the zoo, cocktail vouchers for "The Basking Baron" (a secret menu specialty cocktail from Stephen F's Bar and Terrace), and 10 percent of the proceeds from the stay will be donated to the zoo. Nightly rates for suites begin at the princely sum of $729.

The banks of Waller Creek will soon be aglow with illuminated art installations as part of Waterloo Greenway's free creek show, which has been a must-see annual event since 2014. Visitors can experience Austin in a whole new light and walk along 9th Street to Waterloo Park to experience the eye-catching artwork from November 10-18. This year's show features six new light-based art pieces created by local artists and designers. The show will run from 6 pm to 10 pm.

In the Hill Country

Texans on fall getaways will find a winter wonderland at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa, starting already on November 11. The popular resort's Hill Country Christmas adventures are rolling out several familiar and brand new immersive experiences. Resort guests and visitors can slide down Snow Flow Mountain, sing their favorite holiday carols with Mrs. Claus, decorate gingerbread houses, participate in a Secret Santa Scavenger hunt, and more. Ticket prices range from from $12.99 to $39.99 for different activities, and bundle ticket pricing is available. The Hill Country Christmas experiences will run until December 31.

For even more Hill Country holiday revelry, travelers can take a spin on the ice rink at the Hill Country Galleria in Bee Cave, beginning November 10. The Galleria is bringing the wintery activity back this year after its highly successful debut season in 2022. The ice rink will be open daily at varying hours, and reservations are encouraged. Tickets for a 60-minute skate session are $15 each, which also includes the skate rental.

Weekend holiday events are also ramping up in the Gruene Historic District in New Braunfels, but visitors can catch live music in the small town every day, all year. The Grapevine Garden's monthly "Come and Taste It" event falls on November 16, and is open to the public for all to share in delightful Texas wines and craft beer. Riding in for some early Christmas cheer, Cowboy Kringle will visit Gruene for special photo sessions with families from November 18-19 and 24-26. If you're hanging around the small town on the first weekend for Cowboy Kringle, make sure to stick around for the Old Gruene Market Days to shop the many vendors selling handmade items and locally made food.

Around Central Texas

Waco's Fixer Upper royalty Chip and Joanna Gaines are resuming tours of their century-old "Cottonwood Castle," which they spent years renovating and showcased on TV last fall. One-hour, guided walking tours that explore its design and history will be offered Mondays through Saturdays, for a limited time. Tour tickets are available online in timed intervals from 9 am to 12:30 pm through January 31, 2024. Tickets are $50 (children under four are free), and groups of six or more can receive a 10 percent discount.

Just down the road, the Gaineses' fixed-up Hotel 1928 also officially opens for reservations on November 1. The 33-room, luxe boutique hotel sits in the historic Grand Karem Shrine Building in downtown Waco and is named for the year in which it was completed. Rates start at $375 per night. Hotel 1928 will get its own weekly TV series, Fixer Upper: The Hotel, beginning 8 pm November 8 on Magnolia Network.

In North Texas

Even before the official Christmas in the Fort Worth Stockyards celebration in December, the holidays arrive with the Stockyards Rodeo Rink on November 20, and several other spirited Christmas activities. Santa's Grand Arrival Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place right after Thanksgiving on November 24, and visitors can grab photos with Cowboy Santa on Wednesdays through Sundays starting that same day until December 24. Mrs. Claus will hold her classic story time hour for families on Thanksgiving weekend and into December.

November 22, 2023 marks the 60th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy's assassination in Dallas, and The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza will acknowledge the sad occasion with a special exhibition opening November 8. "Two Days in Texas" will revisit the former president's November 1963 trip to Texas through eyewitness accounts and his own words. Original film footage, photographs, news articles, and more will be drawn from the museum’s collection of more than 95,000 artifacts relating to the assassination. Never-before-seen video of Kennedy's motorcade will also be debuted during the exhibition, which will run until June 16, 2024. "Two Days in Texas" is included with the price of admission ($18 for adults until December 31, and $22 beginning January 1, 2024).

The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas partnered with Texas-based design firm Rottet Studio for a multimillion-dollar renovation that, it promises, "redefines the standards of opulence." The hotel's public areas, Club Lounge, and all of the 218 guest rooms and suites have gotten their own upgrades with new luxurious amenities. The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas is offering a limited time “Destination Dallas” package to celebrate the renovations through March 31, 2024. Guests can book one of the hotel’s deluxe city-view guest rooms using the code "CUE" and receive breakfast for two, a surprise welcome amenity, a 20 percent discount on spa services, and two tickets for the JFK Trolley Tour. Room rates for the package begin at $1,079 per night in November.

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Have Fun for Less

New discounts mean State Fair of Texas will cost less in 2026

Photo by Kevin Brown

The State Fair of Texas runs September 25-October 18, 2026.

It will be cheaper to get into the State Fair of Texas this year. Admission and parking prices are being lowered for 2026, and kids will be able to get in for $10 every day, organizers have announced.

The 2026 fair runs September 25 through October 18 at Fair Park in Dallas.

Adult admission is dropping by $4, from $19 to $15 on weekdays and from $29 to $25 on weekends. Kids ages 3-12 will pay $10 every day, down from $14 on weekdays and $24 on weekends.

Additionally, entry after 5 pm on weekdays will be $10 for all visitors. On weekends, adults will see their ticket price drop from $25 to $20 after 5 pm. Seniors 60 and over will now pay $13 on weekdays, a $1 drop from the previous year.

According to a release, the decision to lower ticket prices came after feedback from fairgoers during the 2025 season and an evaluation of how to balance affordability with the quality of the fair.

Parking in official State Fair parking lots is also dropping by $5, to $25 every day.

“Families have always been at the heart of the State Fair of Texas, and every year we listen closely to what our fairgoers tell us about their experience,” said Karissa Condoianis, State Fair of Texas senior vice president of public relations, in a statement.

"This year, we are making meaningful changes to admission and parking while continuing to offer the experiences, traditions, and attractions our guests look forward to every fall. Our goal is to make it easier for families to plan a State Fair day that works for them and get the most from their time at the State Fair.”

More ways to save
There are a lot more ways to save during the 2026 State Fair of Texas. Here is a complete list of discounts:

Opening Day Peanut Butter Drive: On Opening day, Friday, September 25, visitors can enjoy the Fair while also helping the North Texas Food Bank by bringing two jars of peanut butter to donate to receive $10 admission at the gate.
Feed the Need Wednesdays: Every Wednesday, fairgoers can receive $7 admission by bringing five canned food items to benefit the North Texas Food Bank.
Dr Pepper Value Days: Every Tuesday and Thursday of the State Fair, Big Tex Insiders can purchase online admission for $12 with a promotional code. Guests can sign up for the Big Tex Insider program at BigTex.com/Insider.
Senior Day: Every Thursday, guests ages 60 and older can receive admission for $7 at the gate.
Military Appreciation Day Presented by Chevrolet: Active-duty military, retired military, and veterans can save $5 off admission any day with valid military identification.
First Responder Discounts: The State Fair honors active and retired law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics, and other emergency services personnel with $5 off admission any day with valid department or organization identification.

Military and first responder guests purchasing discounted admission online will be prompted to verify eligibility through ID.me. Guests purchasing at the gate should bring valid documentation.

McDonald's Discounts: Participating McDonald's locations throughout North Texas will offer State Fair admission discounts through coupons available on tray liners and inside select meal bags. Adults can save $5 on admission any day with a valid coupon. Only one discount may be applied per guest, and discounts cannot be combined, stacked, or used in conjunction with any other offer.
Free Admission for Select Texas Students and Teachers: Students from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade at participating school districts receive free admission tickets, and teachers and school faculty for grades 9-12 receive free admission through our voucher program. Teachers must visit the admission ticket sales window, provide a teacher voucher, and show their valid school-issued photo ID to receive an admission ticket to the Fair.

In addition, the State Fair of Texas has partnered with Dallas Park and Recreation on their Teen All Access Pass Program, which provides free admission to the city's most popular museums, libraries, entertainment venues, and leisure facilities to registered Dallas teens ages 13 to 17. More information can be found on DallasParks.org.

If you're a State Fair fanatic, then a Season Pass is your best bet to save money. Both the Digital Season Pass, available for $52, or the Commemorative Hard Card Season Pass, available for $62, pay off in as little as three visits.

Both passes include admission every day of the State Fair, but the Digital Season Pass includes admission only.

The Commemorative Hard Card Season Pass offers extra perks like:

A commemorative card featuring annual State Fair artwork
One free single-day Bring-a-Friend admission ticket, valid one time Monday through Friday
Complimentary admission to the Texas Discovery Gardens during the 2026 State Fair
Parking pre-purchase discount

Both types of passes are available now at BigTex.com/Tickets. For those who want to save a couple bucks, the Commemorative Hard Card Season Pass is also available at the gate for $60.

The Fair also offers a variety of Flex options for anyone who want the flexibility to choose their State Fair visit date

Guests can purchase a one-day Flex admission ticket online for $27. Two- and four-pack FLEX ticket combinations that come with food and midway coupons and one free parking space are available for a limited time, ranging from $104-$129.

Offers are available through August 31 or while supplies last.

Savvy visitors know that savings are available in areas besides tickets. Options include:

Thrilling Tuesdays: Guests can enjoy savings on Midway rides every Tuesday, with most rides available for four coupons and select kiddie rides available for three coupons. The Thrillway and Texas Star Ferris Wheel are excluded.
Thrifty Thursday Discount Fair Food Presented by T-Mobile: Every Thursday, participating food vendors offer select signature menu items at reduced prices, giving guests another opportunity to enjoy some of the State Fair's most popular food offerings.
Kids Win Every Time Midway Games: No more spending a lot in the hopes that your kid will win a prize. At select Midway games marked by the “Kids Win Every Time” sign, kids will, well, win a prize every time they play.

Daily tickets can be purchased online in advance starting September 1. Online admission prices at BigTex.com are inclusive of online processing fees and therefore higher than gate prices.

Admission tickets may be purchased at any State Fair Admission Gate starting on Opening Day, Friday, September 25.

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