Saturday morning brings three hours of free fall fun to Southwest Houston. No admission charge. No hidden fees. Just pumpkins, face painting, a petting zoo, games, and a costume contest—all free.
The International District Fall Fest happens October 18 from 10 AM to 1 PM at the International Community Garden on Dairy View. Show up early, grab a free pumpkin (first 250 kids only), and let your children pet goats, get their faces painted like butterflies or tigers, and show off their Halloween costumes two weeks before trick-or-treating begins.
This is Houston’s best fall festival value: everything free except the food vendors.
What Makes This Festival Special
The International District covers twelve square miles of Southwest Houston—a unique area that transformed from Houston’s Chinatown extension into a truly international community. The Fall Fest celebrates that diversity while giving families a safe, fun place to kick off Halloween season.
Free Pumpkins (But Get There Early!)
The math is simple. Two hundred fifty free pumpkins. Thousands of families looking for fall activities. The pumpkins disappear fast.
Pumpkins cost five to fifteen dollars at stores. Here, you walk in and grab one. No payment. No tickets. Just show up with your kids before the supply runs out.
The festival opens at 10 AM. Smart families arrive by 10:15 AM. Families who sleep in miss the pumpkins.
Petting Zoo
City kids rarely touch farm animals. The petting zoo changes that. Goats, sheep, rabbits, chickens—gentle animals kids can pet under supervision.
Children learn what different animals feel like. Soft rabbit fur. Coarse goat hair. Smooth chicken feathers. They discover that farm animals smell different than house pets. They watch how animals interact with each other and with humans.
Parents capture photos of kids grinning while holding bunnies or standing next to goats twice their size. These photos beat any mall visit for genuine childhood joy.
All-Ages Costume Contest
Halloween falls on October 31—exactly two weeks after this festival. The timing works perfectly for families still perfecting their costume choices.
Your eight-year-old spent three weeks assembling a superhero costume. Does it fit? Can she move in it? Will the cape trip her while walking? The costume contest answers these questions before Halloween night matters.
All ages compete. Toddlers waddle in their first costumes. Elementary kids showcase elaborate DIY creations. Teenagers demonstrate their costume-making skills. Parents join the fun too.
The contest creates zero pressure. No high stakes. Just families showing creativity and having fun. Consider it a dress rehearsal for the real Halloween.
Face Painting
Professional face painters work throughout the festival. Butterflies, tigers, superheroes, flowers—whatever design makes your child happy.
Face painting typically costs ten to twenty dollars at festivals and fairs. Here, painters work for free. Your budget stays intact while your daughter becomes a rainbow butterfly or your son transforms into Spider-Man.
The painters work fast but carefully. Lines move quickly. Kids wait five to ten minutes, then walk away with art on their faces and huge smiles.
Games and Activities
Multiple game stations scatter throughout the seven-acre space. Expect fall classics: cornhole, ring toss, maybe pumpkin bowling or similar activities.
Games give kids something to do between the petting zoo and face painting. Parents rest on benches while children burn energy. Everyone stays entertained without spending money.
The three-hour timeframe works perfectly. Long enough for kids to try everything. Short enough that nobody gets overtired or cranky. You finish before lunch, leaving your whole afternoon free.
The International Community Garden
The festival takes place at the International Community Garden, located at 8409 1/2 Dairy View (near the corner of Beechnut and Dairy View).
This isn’t just any park. What started as a simple community garden grew into a seven-acre nature center featuring a tree farm, orchard, pavilion, and gathering space for residents of all ages. The property is leased from Alief ISD and represents true community collaboration—volunteers, local businesses, organizations, and the International Management District all contributed to creating this space.
The garden embodies what makes the International District special: diverse people coming together to build something beautiful for everyone to enjoy.
About the International District
The International Management District encompasses approximately twelve square miles of Southwest Houston, bounded by Beltway 8 on the east, Bellfort and Bissonnet on the south, State Highway 6 on the west, and Alief-Clodine/Clarewood/Bellaire on the north.
What started as an extension of Houston’s Chinatown evolved into a genuinely international community. The diversity creates a rich mix of ethnic businesses and restaurants that draw shoppers, diners, and visitors from across Houston.
Drive through the district and you’ll find Vietnamese pho restaurants next to Mexican taquerias next to Chinese dim sum houses next to Indian grocers. Korean barbecue shares strip centers with Middle Eastern markets. African stores operate alongside Filipino bakeries.
The district’s mission focuses on enhancing public safety, economic development, environmental and urban design, and mobility. Events like Fall Fest support that mission by bringing the community together and showcasing what makes this area special.
Perfect Timing for Families
October 18 falls perfectly in the middle of fall festival season. Halloween excitement is building but not overwhelming yet. The weather (hopefully) has cooled down. The morning timing means you finish before afternoon heat. Saturday scheduling works for working parents. The three-hour duration matches young children’s attention spans perfectly.
The 10 AM-1 PM timeframe deserves emphasis. You attend the festival, let kids burn energy, grab lunch afterward, and still have your whole afternoon free for other activities or naps (for both kids and parents).
What to Bring
Essential
Camera or phone for photos (petting zoo plus costumes plus face painting equals lots of photo opportunities)
Sunscreen (October in Houston can still bring sunshine)
Water bottles (staying hydrated matters)
Hand sanitizer (petting zoos are fun, but animals are animals)
Comfortable shoes (you’ll walk around the seven-acre space)
Optional
Blanket or lawn chairs (if you want to claim a spot to relax)
Snacks (though food vendors will be present)
Small wagon or stroller for tired little legs
Cash (food vendors may prefer cash)
For the Costume Contest
Your Halloween costume (or any costume you want to wear)
Confidence and creativity
Free Means FREE
Let’s address the economics directly. The festival charges ZERO admission. Pumpkins are FREE for the first 250 kids. The petting zoo is FREE. Face painting is FREE. Games are FREE. The costume contest is FREE.
Yes, food vendors sell food and drinks (that’s how vendors earn their living), but families can attend the entire festival, participate in all activities, get a pumpkin, and leave without spending one dollar if they bring snacks from home.
In a city where family entertainment often costs fifty to one hundred dollars for a family of four, this festival offers genuine value.
Community Building
Fall Fest accomplishes more than entertainment. It builds community—connecting neighbors who might never otherwise meet, introducing families to local organizations, and demonstrating what collaboration achieves.
The International Management District focuses on public safety, economic development, environmental design, and mobility improvements. But festivals like this show the district’s deeper purpose: creating a place where people want to live, work, and raise families.
When diverse neighbors gather for pumpkins and petting zoos, barriers dissolve. Language differences matter less when everyone’s laughing at a toddler chasing a rabbit. Cultural backgrounds fade when parents swap costume ideas. Shared experiences create community bonds that last beyond one Saturday morning.
The Bigger Picture: Houston’s International Communities
Houston thrives as one of America’s most diverse cities. The International District concentrates that diversity, proving that people from dozens of countries and cultures can build something together.
Fall Fest celebrates that diversity while focusing on what unites everyone: families wanting safe, fun activities for their children. The costume contest, petting zoo, and pumpkins transcend cultural boundaries. They’re universally appealing fall traditions that bring people together.
This is Houston at its best—diverse communities creating inclusive events that welcome everyone.
The Bottom Line
Saturday, October 18, from 10 AM to 1 PM, bring your family to the International Community Garden. Get there early for free pumpkins. Let kids pet animals, get their faces painted, play games, and show off costumes. Enjoy three hours of fall fun without spending money (unless you buy food from vendors).
Mark your calendar. Set your alarm for 9:30 AM. Get to the festival by 10:15 AM. Grab your free pumpkin. Make memories.
This is what community events should be: accessible, enjoyable, and genuinely welcoming to everyone.
Event Details
What
International District Fall Fest
When
Saturday, October 18, 2025 | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Where
International Community Garden 8409 1/2 Dairy View Houston, TX (Near corner of Beechnut and Dairy View)
Cost
FREE admission
Free Activities
- Pumpkins for first 250 kids
- Petting zoo
- Face painting
- Games
- All-ages costume contest
Additional
- Food vendors (paid)
- Family-friendly entertainment
Parking
Available at the community garden
Best For
All ages, especially families with young children
What to Wear
Come in costume for the contest, or wear comfortable clothes for outdoor activities
Weather
Outdoor event – check weather forecast before attending
Getting There
From Beltway 8: Exit Beechnut, head west
From Highway 6: Exit Beechnut, head east
Look for the community garden near the corner of Beechnut and Dairy View
Pro Tips
- Arrive by 10:15 AM for best chance at free pumpkins
- Bring hand sanitizer for after petting zoo
- Pack water bottles and snacks if you want to avoid food vendor costs
- Bring camera for costume contest and face painting photos
- Consider bringing a wagon or stroller for young children
- Cash is helpful for food vendors
Contact
Website: IMDHouston.org
Social Media: Follow International District on Facebook and Instagram for updates
About the Organization
The International Management District serves Southwest Houston’s international community, focusing on public safety, economic development, environmental design, and community enhancement. The Fall Fest is one of several annual events bringing residents together to celebrate their diverse community.
Note
While the event takes place on property leased from Alief ISD, it is not an official school district event.
See you at the festival! 🎃🐾👻
