Annual & Community Events

January 2023

Polar Bear Plunge (1^st Saturday after New Year's Day)
Sip Shop & Stroll (2nd Thursday of each month, 5-8 pm)
Farmers’ Market (Thursdays, 4-7 pm)
Martin Luther King, Jr. Observance Walk and Program (MLK Holiday)

February 2023

Sip Shop & Stroll (2nd Thursday of each month, 5-8 pm)
Farmers’ Market (Thursdays, 4-7 pm)
Hatitude (February 4, Black History Month)

March 2023

Sip Shop & Stroll (2nd Thursday of each month, 5-8 pm)
Farmers’ Market (Thursdays, 4-7 pm)

April 2023

Sip Shop & Stroll (2nd Thursday of each month, 5-8 pm)
Farmers’ Market (Thursdays, 4-7 pm)
Music in the Park (Fridays in April and May, 7:30 pm)
Relay for Life (4^th Saturday in April)

May 2023

Sip Shop & Stroll (2nd Thursday of each month, 5-8 pm)
Farmers’ Market (Thursdays, 4-7 pm)
Music in the Park (Fridays in April and May, 7:30 pm)
Explore Elgin Arts & Culture (1st Saturday in May)
Local Lore – Elgin’s History Adventure (1st Saturday in May)

June 2023

Sip Shop & Stroll (2nd Thursday of each month, 5-8pm)
Farmers’ Market (Thursdays, 4-7pm)
Juneteenth Festival (2^nd weekend in June)
Juneteenth on Juneteenth (June 19^th)
Western Days (last week in June)

July 2023

Sip Shop & Stroll (2nd Thursday of each month, 5-8 pm)
Farmers’ Market (Thursdays, 4-7 pm)
Independence Day Celebration, July 4^th
McDade Watermelon Festival (2^nd Saturday in July)
Original Elgin Rodeo (2nd full weekend in July)

August 2023

Sip Shop & Stroll (2nd Thursday of each month, 5-8 pm)
Farmers’ Market (Thursdays, 4-7 pm)

September 2023

Sip Shop & Stroll (2nd Thursday of each month, 5-8 pm)
Farmers’ Market (Thursdays, 4-7 pm)
Sacred Heart Labor Day Fiesta (Sunday of Labor Day weekend)
Homecoming Parade, September TBA

October 2023

Sip Shop & Stroll (2nd Thursday of each month, 5-8 pm)
Farmers’ Market (Thursdays, 4-7 pm)
National Night Out (1^st Tuesday in October)
The Pearls Before Swine Art Show (4^th Thursday in October)
Hogeye Festival (4^th weekend in October)
Safe Trick or Treat Trail (October 31^st)

November 2023

Sip Shop & Stroll (2nd Thursday of each month, 5-8 pm)
Farmers’ Market (Thursdays, 4-7 pm)
Dia de los Muertos Festival (November 1^st)
Veteran’s Appreciation Parade (November 4^th)
Texas Arbor Day (1^st Saturday in November)
Shop Small Saturday (4^th Saturday of November)
Christmas Tree Farms

December 2023

Sip Shop & Stroll (2nd Thursday of each month, 5-8 pm)
Farmers’ Market (Thursdays, 4-7 pm)
Christmas Tree Farms
Santa Sightings & Letters to Santa (all month)
Holiday by the Tracks (1^st Saturday)
The Art of Giving (2^nd Saturday)
Holiday Sweater Saturday (3^rd Saturday)
Stocking Stuffer Saturday (the last Saturday before Christmas)

Parks & Recreation Programs

see here

Library Programs

see here

Sip Shop & Stroll

The second Thursday of each month. Sip a little wine and shop as you stroll through the stores in Historic Downtown Elgin. You will find diverse merchandise, eclectic decor, artwork by local artists, and live music in many of the venues.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Observance

Each year in January, a walk is planned followed by a program with guest speakers in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. The cities of Bastrop, Elgin, and Smithville take turns hosting the event. The current date and location will be listed on the Community Calendar.

Explore Elgin Arts & Culture

Explore Elgin Arts & Culture is a day full of activities and fun for the whole family. Local studios open their doors to the public and downtown businesses host artists from all over Central Texas for a day filled with artist demonstrations, live music, and hands-on activities in historic downtown Elgin. Art mediums include jewelry, ornamental metal smithing, watercolors, glass, blacksmithing, geologic creations, photography, paper and fiber arts, ceramic tiles, sculpture, film, woodworking, and more. There will be artist & makers' markets, guided Public Art Walks, Church Sanctuary Tours, and more!

Local Lore- Elgin's History Adventure

Celebrate Historic Preservation with an architectural scavenger hunt, walking tours, farm equipment and vintage cars, interactive displays, games of the past, a youth art show, and more! Sponsored by the City of Elgin and the Elgin Main Street Board.

Relay For Life

This annual event is sponsored by the American Cancer Society. It is a community event that not only raises funds for research and patient services but also raises awareness and gives hope to those touched by cancer and their families. For more information on this event, visit the website at Relay For Life Elgin, or email.

Music in the Park

Join us for our annual, free, live-music series, Music in the Park! Every Friday in April and May, The Friends of Elgin Parks will host a different band in Historic Downtown Elgin's Veterans Memorial Park. Be sure to bring your friends and family, beverages, snacks, a blanket, or a lawn chair to enjoy this event to its fullest. For more information and a complete schedule, click here: Elgin Parks and Recreation.

Juneteenth Festival

President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation into law on January 1, 1863. Texans did not receive word of this proclamation until June 19, 1865. Elgin celebrates the occasion the 2nd weekend in June with a parade, dance, and festival. The events take place in Historic Downtown Elgin in Veterans' Memorial Park. For more information, see Juneteenth Festival.

Western Days

Held the fourth week in June in Elgin Memorial Park, the festival week begins with the Tiny Tot and Miss Western Days Pageants on Tuesday, Carnival on Thursday, and Tennis Court Dance on Friday night. Saturday includes a Grand Parade down Main Street and the Festival in the Park. Come and join in on all the fun! Greater Elgin Chamber of Commerce.

Original Elgin Rodeo

Held in July at 186 Hwy 95 South in Elgin. Gates open at 7 pm, rodeo starts at 8 pm. Broncs, Roping Dogging, Barrels, and Bulls. For more information call 512-350-9566 or email: tlprcelign@gmail.com

National Night Out

Neighborhoods throughout Elgin are invited to join with thousands of communities nationwide for this event in October. Elgin Police officers and City officials visit neighborhoods in support of building a community partnership. Residents are encouraged to turn on their porch lights, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, and spend the evening outside with their neighbors. To participate contact the Elgin Police Department at 512-285-5757. Register your neighborhood/group (PDF).

The Pearls Before Swine Art Show

The Pearls Before Swine Art Show kicks off the annual Hogeye Festival every year on the 4th Thursday of October. Sponsored by the Elgin Arts Association, "Pearls" showcases artists from around the country. A silent auction raises funds for scholarships for area high school seniors who wish to continue their education in the arts. The show remains open to the public throughout the Hogeye weekend. The event is generously supported by local businesses, the Elgin Main Street Board, and the Hogeye Festival Committee. For more information, visit Elgin Arts Association.

Hogeye Festival

The festival is held on the fourth Saturday of October in Historic Downtown Elgin and features food, kids activities, handmade arts and crafts, live music, and plenty of pig puns to go around. Events include Lindsy Kay Wing Children's Pet Parade, Road Hog Car Show, Gordon Swenson Memorial BBQ Pork-Off, Cow Patty Bingo, and last but not least, the Hogalicious Dessert Contest! For more information, or to register for any of the events listed, go to Hogeye Festival.

Safe Trick or Treat Trail

The Safe Trick or Treat Trail is sponsored by the Elgin Parks and Recreation Dept and takes place on Halloween in Historic Downtown Elgin and Veterans' Memorial Park. Local businesses pass out treats and provide activities for the Trick or Treaters. This safe alternative to traditional Trick or Treating is a popular event for kids. For more information click here: Elgin Parks and Recreation.

Shop Small Saturday

Celebrated the Saturday after Thanksgiving at participating businesses. Enjoy refreshments, store specials, and holiday sales. Shop Small Saturday is a national promotion by American Express to support shopping with locally-owned businesses. The Elgin Chamber of Commerce, the Elgin Main Street Board, and the Economic Development Corporation hope you’ll celebrate the Saturday after Thanksgiving in Elgin!

Home for the Holidays

Elgin celebrates the holidays starting the last Saturday in November with Shop Small Saturday and continuing every Saturday in December until Christmas.

Santa Sightings & Letters to Santa

Drop your letter to Santa downtown at the gazebo in Veterans Memorial Park and look for Santa in December and take your own pictures to share with family and friends. Enjoy this magical holiday tradition with your child or grandchild in the relaxed setting of various downtown businesses.

December 2nd - Holiday by the Tracks

Tis the season for FREE holiday-themed children’s activities, Santa's reindeer games, Christmas carols, and festive food trucks! Select a limited-edition holiday souvenir mug and enjoy hot cocoa with the Chamber's annual Hot Cocoa Stroll. Shop the local businesses in Historic Downtown Elgin and enjoy Elgin's Lighted Christmas Parade.

December 9th - The Art of Holiday Giving

This holiday season, downtown businesses will be partnering with local artists and featuring non-profit organizations. Consider a handcrafted artisan gift and giving back to a local non-profit. Enjoy a showcase of unique handcrafted items from local artists in the Elgin area and nonprofit organizations benefiting the local community. The Clever Tiger Gallery & Studio will feature an artist collective and Studio 621 will be open with artists sharing their creations.

December 16th - Holiday Sweater Saturday

Wear your holiday sweater while you shop downtown and vote for your favorite small business owner in the best Holiday Sweater to win a grant from the Elgin Main Street Board. There will be a Tacky Holiday Sweater Contest for individuals at The Owl Wine Bar and Home Goods Store! Store Specials throughout downtown and you can enjoy delicious dining options too!

December 23nd - Stocking Stuffer Saturday

Last chance for holiday shopping before Christmas. Downtown stores will feature items to fill up your stockings and will be offering great holiday specials as well as tempting holiday fare to keep your energy high. Relax and look forward to continued celebrations with delicious dining options from local restaurants!

Christmas Tree Farms

Elgin is home to two choose-and-cut Christmas tree farms, where you can select your tree and cut it in the field while enjoying games, refreshments, and lovely gift shops. Elgin Christmas Tree Farms and Evergreen Christmas Tree Farm are open throughout the holiday season starting Thanksgiving weekend.

http://www.elginchristmastreefarm.com/ http://www.evergreen-farms.com/