October is one of the busiest months of the year in Houston for outdoor events. Within the next few weeks, District C will be home to dozens of cultural festivals, arts events, and social gatherings. Here are a few highlights.

Houston Italian Festival

This weekend, the 40th Annual Houston Italian Festival will take place on the University of St. Thomas campus, hosted by the Italian Culture and Community Center of Houston​. This is one of the largest festivals in Houston and attracts thousands of visitors from around the country each year. The festival will include authentic Italian food and wine, live traditional music and dancing displays, grape stomping, a bocce ball tournament, marionette puppet shows, and cooking demonstrations for adults and children. The festivities will take place from 11AM-10PM today and tomorrow (Friday, October 12th and Saturday, October 13th) and from 11AM-6PM on Sunday, October 14th. 

Garden Oaks Wine Walk

The Garden Oaks Civic Club will host the 10th Annual Garden Oaks Wine Walk on Saturday, October 20th. The event supports their neighborhood Constable Program. Twelve tables of wine, food, and  beer options will be stationed around the beautiful backyard of Ed and Brenda de Alba, who generously host this event every year. Festivities will begin at 4PM.

Oak Forest Festival of Abilities

On Saturday, October 27th, the Friends of Oak Forest Park will host the Festival of Abilities, a family-friendly and inclusive festival benefitting the implementation of a Playground for All Abilities in Oak Forest Park. Mayor Turner and Mayor Pro Tem Cohen will kick off welcoming remarks at 4PM and the event will include a craft biergarten, a petting zoo, trick-or-treating, a pumpkin patch, a costume contest, and much more. The event will take place 3PM-7PM in Oak Forest Park (2100 Judiway St, 77018).