Once the Texas heat finally breaks, San Marcos settles into its favorite season. Porch lights come on earlier, the smell of crunchy leaves fills the air, and your social schedule starts filling up. If you're looking for things to do in San Marcos, TX, this fall, there’s something new going on almost every weekend from September through November. Texas State football, harvest festivals, and Halloween happenings all compete for a spot on your calendar; the good news is, you can say yes to them all!
Texas State Game Days in San Marcos
Fall Saturdays in San Marcos revolve around Texas State football, with the 2026 home schedule keeping UFCU Stadium busy from September through November. Whether you’re a football enthusiast or just there for the tailgate, going to watch a game is one of those must-try things to do in San Marcos, TX. Not up for the big stadium? Watch the game from a downtown patio or have people over to the 8,000 sq ft clubhouse at your home in Pyland Ranch.
Fall Festivals Around San Marcos
This season brings some of San Marcos's biggest festivals downtown. The San Marcos Harvest Fest draws thousands each October with vendor booths, live music, and food trucks around the square, while the Sacred Springs Powwow brings traditional dance and drumming from Indigenous communities at no cost to attend. These are two of the best free things to do in San Marcos, TX all season that’s close to home.
Halloween Happenings for Every Age
Halloween season stretches across most of October in San Marcos. Farmer Fred's Harvest Fall Carnival turns City Park into a free evening of games, a haunted trail, and a costume contest open to all ages. Over at Wonder World Cave & Adventure Park, you'll find hay rides, trick-or-treating, and ticketed haunted cave tours later in the month. Between the free carnival and the low-cost cave tours, it's easy to find cheap things to do in San Marcos, TX without missing the spooky season lineup.
More to Do Around Pyland Ranch
From Bobcat football to harvest festivals and Halloween nights, there are plenty of exciting, new things to do in San Marcos, TX, nearly every week this fall. At Pyland Ranch, you're minutes from all of it, with a pool, outdoor fire pits, and Hill Country views waiting back home between events. Schedule a tour of our apartments in San Marcos, TX, and start planning your fall around Pyland Ranch.