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Good morning, Bastrop County
The county tips fully into Halloween season this week, and Elgin throws the biggest party of all.
Thursday through Saturday, the 39th Annual Hogeye Festival takes over downtown Elgin with a BBQ cook-off, a glow-in-the-dark 5K, a street dance and a costume-and-pet parade. Around it, the whole county leans into the season: trunk-or-treats at Community Gardens and Hyperloop Plaza, Scream Hollow back for its Friday-to-Sunday haunt, Hocus Pocus under the stars at Fisherman's Park, and a Night Court Masquerade murder mystery at the Bastrop library. The pumpkin patches are open all weekend, the vineyards have live music, and the Bastrop Opera House takes its final bow of Shakespeare (Abridged) on Sunday night.
There is a lot packed into these seven days. Let's dig in.
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🐷 Featured This Week | The 39th Annual Elgin Hogeye Festival | October 22-24, Downtown Elgin
For 39 years, Elgin has closed down its historic downtown for a weekend that smells like smoked pork and sounds like a street dance. The Hogeye Festival is the City of Elgin's own Main Street celebration, and in 2026 it runs Thursday through Saturday, October 22-24, with free admission all three days.
Thursday opens the weekend after dark. The Hogeye Stroll brings craft vendors and artists out along Main Street, there's a Hog-Calling Contest, and the Pearls Before Swine Gala & Art Show opens at The Clever Tiger (5-9pm), a benefit art auction from the Elgin Arts Association. The Hogeye Hustle 5K | Glow in the Dark steps off at 6pm from Veterans Memorial Park.
Friday night is the old-fashioned street dance downtown, with live bands running into the night.
Saturday is the main event, roughly 10am to 6pm: a BBQ pork cook-off, a bike show, Cow Patty Bingo, a kids' area with a barrel train, live music, and the Children's Costume & Pet Parade (check-in 8:30am at Veterans Memorial Park). Bring the family, bring the dog, and come hungry.
🍂 The 2026 Bastrop County Fall Guide | Free Download
Halloween is less than two weeks away, and Thanksgiving is right behind it. Our free 2026 Bastrop County Fall Guide lists more than 150 events from now through the end of November: festivals, pumpkin patches, trunk-or-treats, church and school fall nights, markets, craft fairs, holiday bazaars and fall classes.
It covers Bastrop, Elgin, Smithville, Cedar Creek, McDade and Paige. The listings run in date order, and every one has the time, the place and a link to the organizer, so you can plan a whole weekend from your phone.
Save it, and send it to a neighbor who's planning their fall.
🗓️ Bastrop County Events | October 19 - 25, 2026
Monday, 🗓️ October 19
💀 Día de los Muertos Community Display | 10am-5pm daily through November 1 | Bastrop County Museum & Visitor Center, 904 Main St, Bastrop | The community ofrendas stay up all month. Included with museum admission. Bastrop County Historical Society
🦋 Family Nature Quest | 10:30am-12:30pm | McKinney Roughs Nature Park, 1884 State Hwy 71 W, Cedar Creek | Screen-free nature play and trail activities. $10 a person, reservation required. LCRA Parks
📚 Smithville Library Weekly Programs | 10:30am meditation and chair yoga, 1pm Spanish | Smithville Public Library, 507 Main St, Smithville | Free drop-in programs. Smithville Public Library
🧘 Qi Flow | 1-2pm | Bastrop Recreation Center, 1008 Water St, Bastrop | Gentle Taoist-inspired movement and meditation. A free adult program. City of Bastrop Parks & Recreation
🎱 Monday 8-Ball Tournament | 7:30pm | American Legion Post 533, 3003 Loop 150 E, Bastrop | Double elimination, $10 entry. American Legion Post 533
Tuesday, 🗓️ October 20
💀 Día de los Muertos Community Display | 10am-5pm daily | Bastrop County Museum & Visitor Center, 904 Main St, Bastrop | On view through November 1. Bastrop County Historical Society
🎲 Dominoes, Stitchers & Knitters | 10am, 10:30am and noon | Smithville Public Library, 507 Main St, Smithville | The library's Tuesday drop-in groups. Free. Smithville Public Library
👶 Baby Bookworms | 10:30-11am | Elgin Public Library, 404 N Main St, Elgin | Stories, songs and early literacy fun for the tiniest readers. Free. Elgin Public Library
🇫🇷 French Conversation | 2-3pm | Bastrop Public Library, 1100 Church St, Bastrop | Casual French practice for travelers and returning speakers. Bastrop Public Library
🧶 Knitter's Nook | 2-3:30pm | Bastrop Public Library, 1100 Church St, Bastrop | A weekly knitting circle in the Maynard Conference Room. Bastrop Public Library
🌳 Trees and Me | 2-3pm | Bastrop Recreation Center, 1008 Water St, Bastrop | Hands-on tree and nature activities for ages 2 to 5. Free. City of Bastrop Parks & Recreation
🧱 LEGO Club | Create-a-Creature | 3-4:30pm | Bastrop Public Library, 1100 Church St, Bastrop | The library supplies the LEGOs, kids supply the creativity. Bastrop Public Library
🍼 Fall Community Baby Shower | 5-7pm | McDade Fairgrounds, 143 Bastrop St, McDade | Baby items, children's books, a community boutique and family resources alongside the Care-A-Van visit. Parents register ahead. Bastrop County Cares
🧵 Bastrop Fiber Arts | 6-8pm | Bastrop Public Library, 1100 Church St, Bastrop | Bring a knit or crochet project. Beginner supplies on hand. Bastrop Public Library
🎤 Open Mic Night with Robert Kraft | 6-8pm | Gracie's, The Grace Miller, 706 Pine St, Bastrop | The third-Tuesday open mic. The Grace Miller
🧠 Trivia Night | 6-8pm | Prufrock Pub, Hyperloop Plaza, 865 FM 1209, Bastrop | Free team trivia with prizes. Hyperloop Plaza
🎧 Walking Audiobook Club | 7pm | Bastrop Public Library, 1100 Church St, Bastrop | Listen to your own audiobook on a group walk, then discuss. Bastrop Public Library
🎤 Karaoke with Elijah | 7pm | 602 Brewing Company, 919 Main St, Bastrop | Every Tuesday. 602 Brewing Company
Wednesday, 🗓️ October 21
💀 Día de los Muertos Community Display | 10am-5pm daily | Bastrop County Museum & Visitor Center, 904 Main St, Bastrop | On view through November 1. Bastrop County Historical Society
📚 Preschool Storytime | Peek-a-Boo | 10:30am | Bastrop Public Library, 1100 Church St, Bastrop | Stories, rhymes and songs about hide-and-find fun. Bastrop Public Library
🌎 Bebe Bilingue | 10:30-11am | Elgin Public Library, 404 N Main St, Elgin | Stories and songs in English and Spanish for little ones. Free. Elgin Public Library
📖 Reading Ranger | 10:30am | Smithville Public Library, 507 Main St, Smithville | A ranger from Buescher State Park leads a themed book reading and craft, all ages. Texas Parks & Wildlife
🧗 High Ropes & Zip Line | 10:30am | McKinney Roughs Nature Park, 1884 State Hwy 71 W, Cedar Creek | A guided ropes course and zip line. $45, reservation required. LCRA Parks
🎲 Senior Game Day | noon-3pm | Elgin Public Library, 404 N Main St, Elgin | An afternoon of games and friendly competition. Free. Elgin Public Library
🧘 Chair Yoga & Knitters | noon and 1pm | Smithville Public Library, 507 Main St, Smithville | The library's Wednesday drop-in programs. Free. Smithville Public Library
🧠 Brain Boost | 1-2pm | Bastrop Recreation Center, 1008 Water St, Bastrop | Trivia, word games and puzzles for seniors. Registration required. City of Bastrop Parks & Recreation
☕ Coffee & Friends with Dr. Fazlur Rahman | 3pm | Bastrop Public Library, 1100 Church St, Bastrop | Coffee and conversation with a local oncologist and author. Bastrop Public Library
✝️ Fields of Faith | gates 6pm | Tiger Stadium, 285 State Hwy 95, Smithville | Fellowship of Christian Athletes brings students together on the field to hear classmates share their faith. Fields of Faith
🎯 BINGO with Ben | 7-9pm | Bastrop Beer Company, 1008 Main St, Bastrop | Weekly Wednesday bingo. Bastrop Beer Company
🌟 Thursday, 🗓️ October 22 | Hogeye Weekend Begins
💀 Día de los Muertos Community Display | 10am-5pm daily through November 1 | Bastrop County Museum & Visitor Center, 904 Main St, Bastrop | Included with museum admission. Bastrop County Historical Society
🍽️ 8th Annual Women's Leadership Luncheon | 11am-1pm | Bastrop Convention & Exhibit Center, 1408 Chestnut St, Bastrop | A benefit luncheon for the Family Crisis Center, during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Family Crisis Center
🥬 Elgin Farmers' Market | 4-7pm | Veterans' Memorial Park, 109 Depot St, Elgin | Local produce, meats, baked goods, honey and crafts. SNAP welcome. Elgin Farmers' Market
🎨 Pearls Before Swine Gala & Art Show | 5-9pm | The Clever Tiger, 32 N Main St, Elgin | A Hogeye-weekend art show and auction supporting youth art. Elgin Arts Association
✨ Hogeye Hustle 5K | Glow in the Dark | 6pm | Veterans Memorial Park, Elgin | The glow-run kickoff to Hogeye, with a bib and medal. Elgin Texas Run Club
🎤 Open Karaoke | 6-9pm | Prufrock Pub stage, Hyperloop Plaza, 865 FM 1209, Bastrop | All ages in the courtyard. Free. Hyperloop Plaza
🧶 Bring Your Own Craft | 6-8pm | Bastrop Public Library, 1100 Church St, Bastrop | A casual drop-in craft night in the Maynard Conference Room. Free. Bastrop Public Library
🎸 Live Music | Murphy & Lynn | 6:30-8:30pm | Copper Shot Distillery, 809 Main St, Bastrop | An acoustic Americana duo on the patio. Copper Shot Distillery
📸 Quarterly Meeting with Lucian Perkins | 6:30-8pm | Council Chambers, Bastrop City Hall, 1311 Chestnut St, Bastrop | The two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer and Bastrop native shares the stories behind his photographs. Free, reserve a spot online. Bastrop County Historical Society
🎭 Night Court Masquerade | 7pm | Bastrop Public Library, 1100 Church St, Bastrop | A costumed murder-mystery night. Registration required. Bastrop Public Library
❓ Trivia with Ben | 7-9pm | Bastrop Beer Company, 1008 Main St, Bastrop | Weekly Thursday trivia. Bastrop Beer Company
Friday, 🗓️ October 23
💀 Día de los Muertos Community Display | 10am-5pm daily | Bastrop County Museum & Visitor Center, 904 Main St, Bastrop | On view through November 1. Bastrop County Historical Society
🦋 Family Nature Quest | Fri-Sun | 10:30am | McKinney Roughs Nature Park, 1884 State Hwy 71 W, Cedar Creek | Screen-free nature play for families. $10 a person, reservation required. LCRA Parks
🧶 Bastrop Fiber Arts | 3-5pm | Bastrop Public Library, 1100 Church St, Bastrop | Bring a knit or crochet project. Beginner supplies on hand. Free. Bastrop Public Library
🚗 Party at the Patch | Trunk or Treat | 5-8pm | Community Gardens, 1067 Hwy 71 W, Bastrop | A free fall trunk-or-treat at the pumpkin patch. Community Gardens
🐟 Fish Fry at Grace Lutheran | 5pm | Grace Lutheran Church, 308 Byrne St, Smithville | $15 a plate, dine in or to go. Facebook event
🏈 Friday Night Football | Elgin Wildcats host Crockett for Homecoming; Bastrop Bears face Austin Navarro in district play; McDade travels to Founders Classical, 6pm; Smithville is on a bye | Kickoff times are not all posted yet, so check with your school. Bastrop ISD Athletics
🌱 Something Wicked This Way Grows | 6:30-7:30pm | Bastrop County Museum & Visitor Center, 904 Main St, Bastrop | A spooky-season garden program from the Bastrop County Master Gardeners. Bastrop County Master Gardeners
👻 Scream Hollow Wicked Halloween Park | Fri-Sun | 7pm-midnight | 149 Split Rail Ln, Smithville | Five haunted attractions, a haunted hayride, live music and food. Ages 12 and up recommended. Scream Hollow
🎶 Live Music | Sledge & Haney | 7:30-10pm | Gracie's, The Grace Miller, 706 Pine St, Bastrop | Friday night live music. The Grace Miller
🎭 The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) | Fri-Sat | 7:30pm | Bastrop Opera House, 711 Spring St, Bastrop | Three actors, thirty-seven plays. Rated PG-13. Bastrop Opera House
💃 Hogeye Festival | Street Dance | from about 8pm | Historic Downtown Elgin | A free old-fashioned street dance with live bands, running into the night. City of Elgin
🎤 Friday Night Karaoke | The RAB Show | 8pm-midnight | American Legion Post 533, 3003 Loop 150 E, Bastrop | Weekly. American Legion Post 533
🌟 Saturday, 🗓️ October 24 | Hogeye Day
🐷 Hogeye Children's Costume & Pet Parade | Check-in | 8:30am | Veterans Memorial Park, Elgin | Kids and pets in costume kick off Hogeye Saturday. City of Elgin
🐷 39th Annual Elgin Hogeye Festival | 10am-6pm | Historic Downtown Elgin | Our featured event. A BBQ pork cook-off, bike show, Cow Patty Bingo, a kids' area with a barrel train and live music. Free admission. City of Elgin
🥕 Bastrop 1832 Farmers Market | 10am-2pm | 1302 Chestnut St, Bastrop | The weekly producers market. SNAP and Lone Star welcome. Bastrop 1832 Farmers Market
🎃 Family Fun Farmers Market | Fall Fest & Trunk or Treat | 10am-2pm | Hyperloop Plaza, 865 FM 1209, Bastrop | The plaza's fall market with a trunk or treat, costumes and candy. Free. Hyperloop Plaza
🎃 Community Gardens Pumpkin Patch | Sat-Sun | 10am-5pm | Community Gardens, 1067 Hwy 71 W, Bastrop | Day passes and family passes online. Community Gardens
🎃 Evergreen Farms Pumpkin Hunt | Weekends in October | 10am-5pm | Evergreen Farms, 242 Monkey Rd, Elgin | A family pumpkin hunt and fall fun. Evergreen Farms
🐾 Tricks, Treats and Trails | 10am-3pm | McKinney Roughs Nature Park, 1884 State Hwy 71 W, Cedar Creek | A family Halloween trail event. From $15, ages 4 and up. LCRA Parks
👻 Smithville's Haunted Campground | 3:30-6:30pm | Smithville | A family-friendly haunt from Smithville Parks & Rec. Smithville Parks & Rec
🍷 Live Music | Ben Zuniga | 4-7pm | Rising Sun Vineyard & Yegua Creek Brewery, 233 Edmonson Ranch Rd, McDade | A local singer-songwriter on the vineyard stage. Free, family and dog friendly. Rising Sun Vineyard
🎬 Movies in the Park | Hocus Pocus | 7pm | Fisherman's Park, Bastrop | A free movie with free popcorn. Costumes encouraged, bring chairs and blankets. City of Bastrop Parks & Recreation
👻 Scream Hollow Wicked Halloween Park | 7pm-midnight | 149 Split Rail Ln, Smithville | See Friday. Scream Hollow
🎭 The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) | 7:30pm | Bastrop Opera House, 711 Spring St, Bastrop | Bastrop Opera House
🎶 Live Music | Stone Relics | 7:30-10:30pm | Gracie's, The Grace Miller, 706 Pine St, Bastrop | Saturday night live music. The Grace Miller
Sunday, 🗓️ October 25
🏃 Lost Souls Trail Run | 50K 7am, 25K 7:30am, 10K 8am, 5K 8:30am | Rocky Hill Ranch, 1569 FM 153, Smithville | A scenic, challenging trail race from Rise Racing Co. Rise Racing Co.
🥬 Smithville Sunday Market | 10am-2pm | James H. Long Railroad Park, Main & 1st, Smithville | Produce, handmade goods and live music, rain or shine. Free. Smithville Market
🎃 Community Gardens Pumpkin Patch | 10am-5pm | Community Gardens, 1067 Hwy 71 W, Bastrop | Last weekend before Halloween week. Passes online. Community Gardens
🦋 Family Nature Quest | 10:30am | McKinney Roughs Nature Park, 1884 State Hwy 71 W, Cedar Creek | Screen-free nature play for families. $10 a person, reservation required. LCRA Parks
🎶 Live Music | Sean Orr | noon-2pm | Gracie's, The Grace Miller, 706 Pine St, Bastrop | Sunday lunch music. The Grace Miller
🍷 Live Music | JustHannah | 2-5pm | Rising Sun Vineyard & Yegua Creek Brewery, 233 Edmonson Ranch Rd, McDade | Afternoon music on the vineyard stage. Free. Rising Sun Vineyard
👻 Scream Hollow Wicked Halloween Park | 7-10pm | 149 Split Rail Ln, Smithville | Shorter Sunday hours. Scream Hollow
🎭 The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) | Closing Night | 7:30pm | Bastrop Opera House, 711 Spring St, Bastrop | The final performance of the run. Bastrop Opera House
🔮 Planning Ahead
🐷 In your inbox Thursday | Our midweek issue returns with a new Featured Business of the Week and the heart of Hogeye weekend. Keep an eye out.
🎵 Starts Mon Oct 26 | Mini Maestros Music Class | Mondays 8:30am, eight weeks | Bastrop Academy of Music, 1109 Main St, Bastrop | Music, singing and rhythm for ages 2 to 5. $145, sibling discounts. Register at 512-321-7529. Bastrop Academy of Music
👻 Fri Oct 30 | Spooks & Scandals Walking Tour | New Date | 5:30-6:30pm | Starts at the Bastrop County Courthouse Gazebo, Bastrop | The Oct 24 tour sold out, so the museum added a second night. $15, small groups. Bastrop County Historical Society
🎭 Fri Oct 30 | Heroes & Horseshoes Wild West Masquerade | 6-10pm | Bastrop Convention & Exhibit Center, 1408 Chestnut St, Bastrop | A Western-themed benefit gala for Restoration Ranch. $75. Restoration Ranch
🧠 Fri Oct 30 | Spooky Trivia Night | 7-9pm | Elgin Public Library, 404 N Main St, Elgin | Halloween trivia for ages 18 and up. Elgin Public Library
🚲 Fri Oct 30 | Halloween Bike Ride | 7pm | Fisherman's Park to Downtown Bastrop | A costumed 4-mile family ride. Bring lights. City of Bastrop Parks & Recreation
👻 Sat Oct 31 | Bastrop Boo Bash | 2-6pm | Downtown Bastrop | The downtown Halloween route. Downtown Bastrop
📚 Sat Oct 31 | Bastrop Book Bash | 2-6pm | Bastrop Public Library, 1100 Church St, Bastrop | Bastrop Public Library
🐮 Sat Oct 31 | Jim & Hilary Play Halloween | 4-7pm | Austin Farm Sanctuary, Paige | Live music at the sanctuary on Halloween afternoon. Facebook event
🎃 Sat Oct 31 | Boo Bash at the Museum | 4-8pm | Bastrop County Museum & Visitor Center, 904 Main St, Bastrop | Stop by the museum porch in costume for a special prize. $10. Bastrop County Historical Society
🕯️ Sun Nov 1 | Día de los Muertos Honor Walk | 6-8pm | Starts at the Bastrop County Museum & Visitor Center, 904 Main St, Bastrop | Bring a loved one's name and walk downtown past the ofrendas at local businesses. Bastrop County Historical Society
🤠 Thu Nov 5 | Farm Street Opry | 7pm, doors 5:30pm | Bastrop Convention & Exhibit Center, 1408 Chestnut St, Bastrop | The monthly traditional country show. The Farm Street Opry
🍷 Fri Nov 6 | Starlight Dinner in the Vineyard | 6:30-8:30pm | Rising Sun Vineyard, 233 Edmonson Ranch Rd, McDade | A four-course wine-paired dinner with jazz. Rising Sun Vineyard
🎨 Sat Nov 7 | Bastrop Art Fest | 10am-4pm | Lost Pines Art Center, 1204 Chestnut St, Bastrop | Free admission. Vendor applications close October 26. Lost Pines Art Center
🚗 Fri-Sat Nov 13-14 | Heroes & Hot Rods Veterans Weekend Car Show | 20th Year | Main Street cruise-in Friday 5-9pm, car show Saturday from 7:30am | Downtown Bastrop | Bastrop Area Cruisers
🏡 Sat Nov 14 | Smithville Garden Club Tour of Homes | 11am-3pm | Smithville | Five homes and a church on the tour, with tickets at each home and the Smithville Visitors Center. Facebook event
🏛️ Sat Dec 12 | Bastrop Historic Homes Tour | Bastrop | The museum's holiday tradition, with six stops this year, including a historic church. Mark the calendar. Bastrop County Historical Society
🍂 Everything else through November | It's all in the free 2026 Fall Guide. Download the Fall Guide
🎁 October Referral Prize | $50 to Numero 28 | Your link is right below
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See you Thursday.
Marilyn - The Bastrop Current