If you're thinking about moving to Van Alstyne, one of the best ways to get a feel for the town is to show up on an event day. Downtown fills with neighbors, kids, and local businesses, and you get a real sense of what living here is like.
Here's what's on the calendar from now through the end of the year. Details can change, so double-check with the host before you go. (Last updated September 28, 2026.)
At a glance
| Date | Event | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Tue., Oct. 6 | National Night Out (6–8 PM) | Central Social District Park |
| Sat., Oct. 10 | Fall-Der-All Festival (10 AM–4 PM) | Historic Downtown |
| Sat., Oct. 24 | Downtown Trick or Treat (4–7 PM) | Downtown |
| Sat., Nov. 7 | Lord's Acre Harvest Festival (from 9 AM) | First United Methodist Church, 303 S. Preston Ave. |
| Sat., Nov. 7 | Chamber Sip & Stroll: Vines & Finds (11 AM–2 PM) | Dorothy Fielder Park |
| Sun., Nov. 29 | Holiday Vendor Market (11 AM–4 PM) | Rustic Grace Estate |
| Sat., Dec. 5 | Holiday Hangout: Christmas parade, market, and tree lighting | Central Social District Park and downtown |
| December (dates to come) | Santa's Magical Nights at the Museum | Van Alstyne Historical Museum |
| Sat., Dec. 19 | National Wreaths Across America Day | Van Alstyne Cemetery |
National Night Out: Tuesday, October 6
A free evening of family fun and community connection from 6 to 8 PM at Central Social District Park (215 E. Van Alstyne Parkway). You can meet your local first responders, join games and activities for all ages, and enjoy food. The Hurricane Creek Rotary Club is sponsoring free hot dogs. See the City's calendar for updates.
Fall-Der-All Festival: Saturday, October 10
This is the town's big fall celebration, hosted by the City and held every year on the second Saturday of October. The 2026 lineup includes more than 100 vendors, carnival rides, a petting zoo, food trucks, shopping with local businesses, and live music from Double Vision (a Foreigner tribute) and the Jake Wofford Band. It runs 10 AM to 4 PM in Historic Downtown.
Downtown streets have seen construction this year, so give yourself extra time for parking, and check the City's events page and construction updates before you head over.
Downtown Trick or Treat: Saturday, October 24
Families, kids, and pets are invited to dress up and trick or treat at downtown merchants from 4 to 7 PM. Businesses set up along Marshall Street, Jefferson Street, Main Drive, and Preston Street, and there's a live DJ and a costume contest at 4:30 PM at Dorothy Fielder Park. It's free, and it's hosted by the Downtown Merchants. Details are on the City's calendar.
Lord's Acre Harvest Festival: Saturday, November 7
First United Methodist Church hosts this annual event starting at 9 AM at the church campus and the Sanford Activities Center (303 S. Preston Ave.). It includes a country store and silent auction, a BBQ brisket and pulled pork lunch, children's games and bounce houses, pictures with Santa, and a live auction. The church says all proceeds go to local community organizations and its mission work. See the full schedule.
Chamber Sip & Stroll: Vines & Finds, Saturday, November 7
The Van Alstyne Chamber of Commerce's annual afternoon of sipping, shopping, and strolling runs from 11 AM to 2 PM at Dorothy Fielder Park (107 N. Main Drive). You can explore local businesses while enjoying wine tastings. It shares a Saturday with Lord's Acre, so you can do both. Find it on the Chamber's calendar.
Holiday Vendor Market: Sunday, November 29
A holiday market at Rustic Grace Estate from 11 AM to 4 PM, with shopping, Santa, family fun, festive treats, and photo spots. It's listed on the Chamber's calendar.
Holiday Hangout: Saturday, December 5
The City's holiday celebration is the one to circle. It's a day of free family fun at Central Social District Park (215 E. Van Alstyne Parkway) and downtown: a holiday market (listed noon to 6 PM), the Christmas parade at 2 PM, and the annual tree lighting at 6 PM. Free activities in the park run from 2 to 6 PM, including photos with Santa, performances by local groups, appearances by the Grinch and Frosty, and live reindeer. Watch the City's calendar for updates and parade details.
More holiday happenings
- Santa's Magical Nights at the Museum. Last year the Van Alstyne Historical Museum hosted small-group evenings with story time, cocoa, cookies, and a visit with Santa on three December Saturdays. Tickets were $30. Watch for 2026 details.
- Wreaths Across America Day, Saturday, December 19. Each December, families gather at cemeteries across the country to lay wreaths on veterans' graves. Nearly 1,000 veterans are buried at Van Alstyne Cemetery, and the local Sister Grove Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution helped start the program here. You can sponsor a wreath for Van Alstyne Cemetery online, and the local ceremony details will follow.
Staying in the loop
- The City of Van Alstyne posts events on its calendar, on the Parks & Recreation page, and in its weekly VA Insider email newsletter.
- The Van Alstyne Chamber of Commerce keeps a public calendar of member events, including networking breakfasts and after-hours mixers.
Thinking about making Van Alstyne home?
Events like these are a big part of why so many people are looking at this town. If you'd like to see what's for sale, or talk about what it would take to move here, I'm glad to help.
Kelly Bishop is a full-time real estate agent serving Van Alstyne, Howe, Anna, Gunter, and surrounding communities since 2018, and co-owner and Broker of Record of Rise Realty Texas.
Sources: City of Van Alstyne (cityofvanalstyne.us); Van Alstyne Chamber of Commerce; First United Methodist Church of Van Alstyne; Wreaths Across America. Event details as of September 28, 2026 and subject to change.