From gourds to Guadalupe: a week that has something for everyone

Kerr County doesn’t slow down for the first week of September, and this week’s calendar proves it.

Between Monday and Sunday, residents can choose from wildflower walks, wheel-throwing, wine socials, a veterans benefits fair, a Schreiner football home opener, and a folk festival with a headline act — often several in a single evening.

Start with the arts, where the county’s cluster of studios and galleries keeps a near-constant rotation running. The Hill Country Arts Foundation alone is juggling three concurrent exhibits — Nature’s Bounty, a gourd art show paired with Master Naturalist works, running through Oct. 9; the KACC’s showcase of Robert Behan, Doreen Shann, Aurora Joleen Artistry and the Magnificent Seven Artists through Sept. 19; and the Museum of Western Art’s “The Enchanted West of Adrienne Stein,” on view through Nov. 7. Down the road in Comfort, MixHaus Gallery opens Douglas Galloway’s “Lagniappe” this week, and the Heart of the Hills Heritage Center continues its exhibit marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

That’s before counting the hands-on classes. The Color of Clay kicks off a four-week handbuilding course Tuesday nights in September. HCAF has pen-and-ink, pallet-knife landscapes, surface decoration in clay, stained glass and wheel-throwing on the books through October. The Hill Country Atelier is running botanical drawing and composition courses that stretch into November, alongside its weekly Saturday life drawing drop-in. KACC’s Soul Collage sessions and watercolor workshops round out a lineup deep enough to fill a full continuing-education catalog.

The library isn’t sitting this one out either. Butt-Holdsworth has story times for toddlers and preschoolers, an author visit from Drew Tipton, a Friends of the Library book sale, a historical fiction book club tackling “The Vagabonds,” Lego Club, Fiber Friday and a meditative sound bath — all inside a single week.

Outdoors and outreach groups are equally busy. Riverside Nature Center hosts the Wildflower Bunch, a Bird City Kerrville meeting and a butterfly walk. The Kerrville Walking Group meets Saturday morning, and the Hill Country Master Gardeners launch a new first-Wednesday series on foraging and preserving at the UGRA Auditorium. On the service side, the Light on the Hill runs its Mega Food Pantry Monday, the Hill Country Veterans Center holds its food bank Tuesday, and Kerr County’s Veterans Benefits Fair takes over the Hill Country Youth Event Center Thursday. Peterson Health’s campus adds grief support, Parkinson’s support and a Light After Loss suicide-loss survivor group to the week.

Markets and made-in-Kerrville commerce get their own morning Saturday, with the Hill Country Swap Meet and Kerr County Market Days at the Youth Event Center alongside two farmers markets — Heart of the Hills and Hill Country Heritage.

Sports fans have a full slate: Schreiner women’s soccer hosts Texas Lutheran Thursday, and the Mountaineers’ football team opens at home against Austin College Saturday, with a pregame fan experience at Trailhead Beer Garden beforehand.

And when the sun goes down, the live-music map lights up nearly every night — the Inn Pub, Gravity Check Saloon, Pint & Plow, Truffles & Vines, Singing Water Vineyards, Cafe at the Ridge and more all have acts booked. Friday and Saturday, the “From the Roots We Rise Fest” at Lazy Days Canteen brings in headliners Billy Mata & The Texas Tradition and Monte Montgomery on back-to-back nights, while Crider’s caps Saturday with rodeo, dinner and a dance.

Add in wine tastings at Bending Branch and the Museum of Western Art, a First Friday Wine Share, trivia and karaoke nights, and a screening of “Ocean’s Eleven” at The Arcadia Live, and the week adds up to dozens of ways to spend an evening — or a whole weekend — without leaving Kerr County.

The full calendar, including recurring exhibits and how to get an event listed, runs in The Kerr County Lead’s weekly newsletter, compiled by Event Editor Maia Walther.

Monday, August 31, 2026

Outreach groups

Mega Food Pantry — The Light on the Hill, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Information: lightonthehillkerrville.org

Wellness

Spring Forest Qigong — Riverside Nature Center, 9:30 a.m. Information: springforestqigong.com The details: A simple practice of movement and meditation led by Nanette Newbern, certified practice group leader. Donations accepted for local nonprofits.

Veterans Yoga — Kerrville Elks Lodge, 3 p.m. Information: ricksyogatherapy.com The details: Join Rick Trzcinski of the Veterans Yoga Project every Monday for a session. The class is free for veterans.

Tuesday, September 1, 2026

For the kids

Toddler Time: Rescue Rangers — The Ridge Marketplace, 10 a.m. Information: shopsattheridge.com

Library events

Lap Sit Story Time — Butt-Holdsworth Memorial Library, 10 a.m. Information: buttholdsworth.librarycalendar.com The details: A story time program for ages 3 and under with songs, rhymes, and playtime.

Great Decisions Discussion Group — Butt-Holdsworth Memorial Library, 12 p.m. Information: buttholdsworth.librarycalendar.com The details: This month the discussion is Multilateral Institutions in a Changing World Order.

Community clubs & meetings

Hill Country Chapter of Texas Democratic Women Meeting — Barnett Chapel UMC, 10:30 a.m. Information: hillcountrytxdemocraticwomendotorg.wordpress.com The details: The meeting is open to everyone, RSVP to treasurer4hcctdw@gmail.com.

Kerrville Toastmasters — Security State Bank & Trust, 12 p.m. The details: Contact Kevin F. Clark at (512) 771-5845 for more information and online meeting link.

Outreach groups

Grief Support Group — Peterson Hospice & Home Care Building, 5:30 p.m. Information: petersonhealth.com

Live music

Heartbreak Outlaws — The Inn Pub, 6 p.m. Information: facebook.com/innpub

Jesse Owen Band — Gravity Check Saloon, 6 p.m. Information: gravitychecksaloonandarena.com

Games

Trivia Night — True Texas BBQ (HEB), 6:30 p.m. Information: challengeentertainment.com

Wednesday, September 2, 2026

Science and nature

Wildflower Bunch — Riverside Nature Center, 10 a.m. Information: riversidenaturecenter.org The details: Join the group and learn about native wildflowers.

Know & Grow: Foraging Texas and Preserving — UGRA Auditorium, 12 p.m. Information: (830) 257-6568 The details: The Hill Country Master Gardeners are hosting a new series on first Wednesdays designed for anyone who wants to learn something new, whether you’re an experienced gardener, just getting started or simply curious about the plants and natural world around us. The event is free and open to the public.

Bird City Kerrville Meeting — Riverside Nature Center, 4:30 p.m. Information: facebook.com

Games

Cornhole Games — Dietert Center, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Information: facebook.com

Library events

Author Story Time: Drew Tipton — Butt-Holdsworth Memorial Library, 10 a.m. Information: buttholdsworth.librarycalendar.com

Friends of the Library Book Sale — Butt-Holdsworth Memorial Library, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Information: buttholdsworth.librarycalendar.com

Outreach groups

Veterans Food Bank — Hill Country Veterans Center, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Information: facebook.com The details: Food items, haircuts, clothing available. Bring valid Texas ID and proof of military service. Visit Facebook or call the center at (830) 315-3100 for more details.

Parkinson’s Support Group — Peterson Hospice & Home Care Building, 4 p.m. Information: petersonhealth.com

Wine & art

Wild West Wine Wednesday — Museum of Western Art, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Information: museumofwesternart.com The details: Enjoy tastings from Michael Ros Winery and a short presentation on what’s going on at MoWA. Free event.

Live music

Open Mic — Kerrville Favorite Saloon, 6 p.m. Information: facebook.com

Movie night

Iconic Film Series: Oceans Eleven (1960) — The Arcadia Live, 7 p.m. Information: thearcadialive.org

Thursday, September 3, 2026

Outreach groups

Kerr County Veterans Benefits Fair — Hill Country Youth Event Center, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Information: kerrcountytx.gov

Light After Loss: Suicide Loss Survivor Group — Hospice & Home Care Building, 5:30 p.m. Information: petersonhealth.com

Science & nature

Sprouts — Riverside Nature Center, 10:30 a.m. Information: riversidenaturecenter.org The details: Explore the wonders of nature through story time with your preschooler.

Kerr County Friends of the Night Sky Meeting — Riverside Nature Center, 4 p.m. Information: kerrnightsky.org The details: A special presentation: “Documenting light pollution from top of Enchanted Rock and Light Trespass in Texas” by Ben DuBose, Board member of DarkSky Texas. Open to the interested public. Member meeting to follow at 5 p.m.

Library events

Historical Fiction Book Club — Butt-Holdsworth Memorial Library, 12 p.m. Information: buttholdsworth.librarycalendar.com The details: The group will discuss “The Vagabonds” by Jeff Guinn.

Lego Club — Butt-Holdsworth Memorial Library, 4 p.m. Information: buttholdsworth.librarycalendar.com

College sports

SU Women’s Soccer vs Texas Lutheran — Schreiner University, 6 p.m. Information: schreinermountaineers.com

Live music

Country Nights Open Mic Night — Gravity Check Saloon, 6 p.m. Information: gravitychecksaloonandarena.com

Toby Lee Happy Hour — Kerrville Favorite Saloon, 6 p.m. Information: facebook.com

The Maplewood Brothers Duo — Howdy’s Bar & Chill, 7 p.m. Information: facebook.com

Friday, September 4, 2026

Wellness

Spring Forest Qigong — The Center for Fitness, 9:30 a.m. Information: (springforestqigong.com The details: A simple practice of movement and meditation led by Nanette Newbern, certified practice group leader. Donations accepted for local nonprofits.

Games

Cornhole Games — Dietert Center, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Information: facebook.com

Library events

Fiber Friday — Butt-Holdsworth Memorial Library, 10 a.m. Information: buttholdsworth.librarycalendar.com

Meditative Sound Bath with Humbling Bloom — Butt-Holdsworth Memorial Library, 5 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. Information: buttholdsworth.librarycalendar.com

Wine and more

Dessert Before Dinner: Bourbon & Swiss Chocolate Social — Bending Branch Winery, 5 p.m. Information: bendingbranchwinery.com The details: For more info and tickets, click here.

First Friday Wine Share — Guadalupe Bank, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Information: firstfridaywineshare.com The details: A fun way to meet new or different wines, people, and places. Please bring no more than one bottle of wine for every two people and your own wine glass.

Live music

Susan Herndon — Cafe at the Ridge, 5:30 p.m. Information: shopsattheridge.com

Jessie Wren — Pint & Plow Brewing Co, 6 p.m. Information: pintandplow.com

Friday Happy Hour Open Jam — Hotel Giles, Comfort, 6 p.m. Information: hotelgiles.com

Wasted Grace — Truffles & Vines, 7 p.m. Information: trufflesandvines.com

Karaoke — Gravity Check Saloon, 7 p.m. Information: gravitychecksaloonandarena.com

Karaoke — Trailhead Beer Garden, 7 p.m. Information: trailheadbeergarden.com The details: Hosted by the Student Activities Board.

From the Roots We Rise Fest — Lazy Days Canteen at Roddy Tree, Information: lazydaysandstarrynights.com The details: With vendors, activities, and headliner Billy Mata & The Texas Tradition.

Saturday, September 5, 2026

Outdoor activities

Kerrville Walking Group — 7:30 a.m. Information: www.kerrville.xyz The details: Join the KWG on Saturday mornings for nature walks. Most routes are 2-4 miles. Visit website for exact meeting location and further details.

Butterfly Walk & Talk — 10 a.m. Information: riversidenaturecenter.org

Markets

Hill Country Swap Meet and Kerr County Market Days — Hill Country Youth Events Center, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Information: kerrmarketdays.org The details: A community garage sale and flea market with all types of merchandise. Buy, sell and trade. Concessions available, indoors, free parking. Pets are welcome: stop by the KPA! tent to see what fun things they have for your furry friends.

Hill Country Heritage Farmers Market — 301 Junction Hwy, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Information: facebook.com

Heart of the Hills Farmers Market — 741 Water St Parking Lot, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Information: facebook.com

The arts and the crafts

Life Drawing — Hill Country Atelier, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Information: hillcountryatelier.org The details: Join Saturday mornings for Life Drawing with local artists. No instruction. Drop-in (no registration), $15 per session. The first Saturday of the month is a long pose, costumed figure, which is open to teens. For more info, click here.

Luminaria Workshop — The Color of Clay, 12 p.m. Information: thecolorofclay.com

Social Gathering — The Rogue Skein, 4 p.m. Information: therogueskein.com The details: For more info, click here.

Adult Yoga with Humbling Bloom — Butt-Holdsworth Memorial Library, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Information: buttholdsworth.librarycalendar.com

College sports

Tailgate Party! — Trailhead Beer Garden, 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Information: schreiner.edu The details: Schreiner University will welcome students, alumni, families, fans and members of the Kerrville community to campus for the pregame Mountaineer Fan Experience!

SU Football vs Austin — Schreiner University, 6 p.m. Information: schreinermountaineers.com The details: For tickets, click here.

Live music

April Hall Duo — Singing Water Vineyards, 1 p.m. Information: singingwater.com

Philip Smith — Singing Water Vineyards, 5 p.m. Information: singingwater.com

Brock Stephen — Cafe at the Ridge, 5:30 p.m. Information: shopsattheridge.com

London Baileigh — Trailhead Beer Garden, 7 p.m. Information: trailheadbeergarden.com

Karaoke — Gravity Check Saloon, 7 p.m. Information: gravitychecksaloonandarena.com

Chris & Bill Booker — Elm Waterhole Saloon at the YO Hotel, 7 p.m. Information: facebook.com

Ruben & Friends — Truffles & Vines, 7 p.m. Information: trufflesandvines.com

The Limestoners — The Inn Pub, 8 p.m. Information: facebook.com/innpub

From the Roots We Rise Fest — Lazy Days Canteen at Roddy Tree, Information: lazydaysandstarrynights.com The details: With vendors, activities, and headliner Monte Montgomery.

The rodeo

Crider’s Rodeo and Dance — Crider’s Rodeo and Dancehall, 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Information: cridersrandd.com The details: Cafe opens at 6:30pm, rodeo starts at 8pm, Case Hardin and dance starts at 9pm. Click here for ticket and table information.

Monday-Sunday, Aug. 31 to Sept. 6, 2026 | kerrcountylead.com
Get listed in The Kerr County Lead
Welcome to The Kerr County Lead’s newsletter about events across Kerr County and the Texas Hill Country. Do you want your event added to the list? Just email us at maia.walther@kerrcountylead.com

Book an appearance on The Lead Live!
The Lead’s weekday morning webcast is always open to new guests, recurring guests and folks who just want to show up. To appear on The Lead Live please email Sarah Stone at sarah.stone@kerrcountylead.com The Lead Live runs from 9-10 a.m. Monday-Friday at Pint and Plow Brewing Co.

Upcoming events: Save the date – RSVP – Sign up early!

Fall Clay Handbuilding Class — The Color of Clay

The details: Tuesdays in September, 4 weeks. 6:30-8:30pm. For more info, click here.

Drawing Nature with Pen & Ink — HCAF

The details: Sept. 17-19, 6-8 p.m. For more info and to register, click here.

Botanical Drawing Course — Hill Country Atelier

The details: September 17- November 19, Thursdays, 1-4pm. To register, click here.

Dynamic Composition I&II — Hill Country Atelier

The details: September 17- November 19, Thursdays, 5:30-8:30pm. To register, click here.

Soul Collage — KACC
The details: Sept. 19, 1-3:30 p.m. For more info and to register, click here.

Hill Country Leadership Summit — Camp Lucy, Dripping Springs

The details: September 24. Hosted by the Hill Country Alliance. For more info, click here.

The Sky is Not the Limit: Painting Workshop with Phil Bob Borman — MOWA

The details: Sept. 24-26. For more info and registration, click here.

Landscape Pallet Knife and Brush Workshop — HCAF

The details: Sept. 24-26, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more info and to register, click here.

Surface Decoration in Clay — HCAF

The details: Sept. 24-25, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more info and to register, click here.

Watercolor for Beginners — KACC
The details: Sept 26, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. For more info and to register, click here.

Stained Glass — HCAF

The details: Sept. 29–Oct. 1, 5-7pm. For more info and to register, click here.

Basic Wheel Throwing — HCAF

The details: October: Mondays and Wednesdays, 6-8:30pm. For more info and to register, click here.

Honor Yourself: Spirit Dolls and Personal Words — HCAF

The details: October 3, 9am-4pm. For more info and to register, click here.

Sculpting the Western Horse and Rider with Jason Scull — MOWA

The details: October 11-13. For more info and registration, click here.

Bea Carruthers Memorial Folk Art Workshop — HCAF

The details: October 15-17, 9am-4pm. For more info and to register, click here.

Painting with Wool: Needle Felted Landscape with Andrea Rummel — MOWA

The details: October 16. For more info and registration, click here.

Intro to Glazing — HCAF

The details: October 23-25, 10am-4pm. For more info and to register, click here.

Soul Collage — KACC
The details: October 31, 1-3:30 p.m. For more info and to register, click here.

Soul Collage — KACC
The details: November 14, 1-3:30 p.m. For more info and to register, click here.

3D Wet Felted Pumpkin Workshop with Andrea Rummel — MOWA

The details: November 20-21. For more info and registration, click here.

Needle Felted Holiday Ornaments with Andrea Rummel — MOWA

The details: December 11. For more info and registration, click here.

Recurring events

Texas in the American Revolution — Heart of the Hills Heritage Center

The details: In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the exhibit highlights the contributions of the inhabitants of Texas, then New Spain, to the American Revolution. Tues-Sat, 10am–4pm.

Nature’s Bounty — HCAF

The details: August 28-October 9. Gourd Art Show and works from Master Naturalists. Tues-Fri, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sat 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

KACC Art Exhibits — KACC

The details: August 27-September 19. Featuring paintings by Robert Behan & Doreen Shann, Aurora Joleen Artistry, and Magnificent Seven Artists. Tues-Sat, 10am-4pm.

The Enchanted West of Adrienne Stein — MOWA

The details: August 22 – November 7. Tues-Sat, 10am–4pm.

Frontier Free Thursdays — Frontier Times Museum, Bandera

The details: Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The museum is also open Mon-Sat 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the regular fee.

Douglas Galloway: Lagniappe — MixHaus Gallery, Comfort

The details: August 28-September 27. Fri-Sat 11am-5pm, Sun 12-4pm.