If you’re considering a move to Waxahachie, you’re probably wondering what actually happens here beyond the pretty courthouse photos and Victorian homes. Smart question, because the difference between a town that looks charming and a town that feels alive comes down to one thing: events that brings people together, month after month, year after year.
This isn’t just a festival list, this is your preview of what life actually looks like when you live here. These are the Saturday mornings, Friday nights, and holiday traditions that turn “I moved to Waxahachie” into “I’m from Waxahachie.”
Let me walk you through what’s happening every month of the year in the “Gingerbread City”.
January: Coffee, Community, and Fresh Starts
Coffee Crawl (Downtown)
What it is: A free downtown walking event where local coffee shops and businesses serve samples while visitors and residents explore the historic square.
Why it matters: This is how you discover your new favorite local spots in one morning. The businesses participating are the ones that survive and thrive here, your future dry cleaner, your favorite gift shop for last-minute presents, and the new place you’ll grab lunch between errands.
The vibe: Casual, walkable, genuinely friendly. People bring their dogs, store owners actually remember your name and This is small-town socializing without the “you’re not from here” gatekeeping.
February: Mardi Gras Comes to Main Street
Hachie Gras (Downtown)
What it is: Waxahachie’s version of Mardi Gras—beads, live music, parades, street parties, and local bars transformed into New Orleans-style celebration spots.
Why it matters: This event proves something important: Waxahachie doesn’t just preserve history, it makes new traditions. You’re not moving to a museum town stuck in 1890, you’re moving somewhere that actively creates reasons to have fun.
The vibe: Music on every corner, families and adults-only groups both enjoying themselves, local breweries and restaurants getting creative with themed food and drinks. It’s the kind of night where you run into your new neighbors and actually exchange phone numbers.
Late February Through March: Instagram-Worthy Spring
Tulipalooza (Getzendaner Park)
What it is: Thousands of tulips in full bloom at Getzendaner Park, with walking paths, photo opportunities, and flowers available for purchase. Ticket proceeds benefit local charities.
Why it matters: This is your proof that Getzendaner Park isn’t just green space on a map, it’s an active community hub. Spring weekends here mean festivals, not just mowing your lawn and wondering what to do.
The vibe: Families with strollers, couples on date mornings, photographers getting engagement shots. The kind of beautiful Saturday where you text your friends still living in Dallas asking why they’re sitting in traffic when they could be here.
March: Family Fun and Downtown Strolls
Hachie Critter Carnival (Getzendaner Park)
What it is: Educational family day with animal encounters, conservation programs, interactive exhibits, and hands-on activities for kids.
Why it matters to families: If you have kids (or are planning to), this shows Waxahachie actively invests in family programming. This isn’t “take your kids to Target again” weekends, this is actual enrichment activities that don’t cost $200 per child.
Why it matters to everyone else: A city that programs for families is a city that plans to keep families. That means good schools stay funded, parks stay maintained, and your property values stay stable.
St. Patty’s Day Beer Stroll (Downtown)
What it is: Ticketed evening event where you sample craft beers at multiple downtown stops, discover local shops, and end at brewery after-parties.
Why it matters: Waxahachie has an actual nightlife scene for adults—not “drive 45 minutes to Dallas” nightlife, but walkable, local, “I know the bartender” nightlife. These stroll events support local businesses while giving you reasons to explore your own downtown.
The vibe: Casual crowds, local breweries showing off seasonal releases, merchants staying open late with special sales. It’s social without being a scene.
Late March Through Early April: Rodeo Season
Ellis County Livestock Show & Rodeo (Ellis County Expo Center)
What it is: Week-long event combining youth livestock shows, auctions, carnival rides, food vendors, and professional rodeo performances.
Why it matters: This is real Texas, not theme-park Texas. Ellis County still has working ranches, agricultural families, and kids showing pigs and steers they raised themselves. When you move here, you’re joining a community with actual roots, not just a bedroom suburb that could be anywhere.
The experience: Even if you’ve never been to a rodeo, this is accessible and welcoming. Watching a 10-year-old walk their calf around a show ring with more confidence than most adults give presentations, that’s the kind of thing that reminds you why you wanted small-town life in the first place.
April Through May: Renaissance Weekends
Scarborough Renaissance Festival
What it is: An eight-weekend Renaissance fair on a 35-acre permanent site featuring full-combat jousting, 200+ artisan vendors, multiple stages of entertainment, themed weekends, and a complete 16th-century village atmosphere.
Why it matters: Scarborough brings 200,000+ visitors to Waxahachie every spring. That means restaurants stay busy, hotels stay full, and the local economy thrives on something besides just Friday night high school football.
Local life tip: Locals often buy season passes and make weekend traditions out of specific themed weekends (Celtic, Pirate, Time Traveler). This isn’t tourist-trap Waxahachie, this is something residents actually attend and enjoy year after year.
April: Film, Music, and Western Heritage
Waxahachie Cowboy Gathering
What it is: Western poetry, storytelling, music, and a celebration of cowboy culture and heritage.
Why it matters: Waxahachie respects its history without being trapped by it. This event honors Western heritage while attracting people who genuinely appreciate the culture, not just a theme.
Crossroads of Texas Film & Music Festival
What it is: Showcase of Texas-made films and live music performances, often at historic venues like the Chautauqua Auditorium.
Why it matters: Waxahachie has been a filming location for decades (movies like Places in the Heart, Bonnie and Clyde, and many more). This festival celebrates that legacy while supporting Texas filmmakers and musicians today.
May: Cultural Celebration Downtown
Cinco de Mayo Festival (Downtown; ECHO)
What it is: Family-friendly celebration organized by Ellis County Hispanic Organization (ECHO), featuring live music, cultural performances, food vendors, and downtown festivities.
Why it matters: Waxahachie’s growing Hispanic community has strong organizational leadership and cultural presence. This festival shows a community that celebrates diversity rather than just tolerating it.
Real talk: If cultural inclusivity and diverse community life matter to you, events like this are proof points. This isn’t performative, this is actual investment in making everyone feel at home.
Spring (Date Varies): Police and Community Connection
Cops & Kids Picnic (Getzendaner Park)
What it is: Free community event where local police host games, activities, bike giveaways, and informal meet-and-greet opportunities for families.
Why it matters: In an era where police-community relations make national headlines, Waxahachie police actively work on building trust and familiarity. This is the kind of proactive community policing that makes neighborhoods feel safer because relationships exist before emergencies happen.
Early June: Historic Home Tours
Gingerbread Trail Tour of Homes
What it is: Self-guided tour of historic Victorian homes with distinctive “gingerbread” architectural details, organized by Ellis County Museum and Historic Waxahachie, Inc.
Why it matters: You’re not just buying a house in Waxahachie, you’re buying into a community that actively preserves what makes it special. These tours let you see inside beautifully restored homes and understand what historic district living actually looks like.
Bonus: If you’re considering a historic home purchase, this is your chance to see renovation approaches, meet homeowners who’ve done the work, and understand what you’re getting into before you write an offer.
June: Whiskey, Heritage, and Community Rides
Texas Whiskey Ramble (Downtown)
What it is: Ticketed downtown walking event featuring Texas whiskey tastings, BBQ pairings, and local merchant participation.
Why it matters: These “ramble” and “stroll” events show downtown Waxahachie functions as an actual entertainment district, not just a place to take visiting relatives for photos.
Juneteenth Festival (Railyard Park)
What it is: Free community festival honoring Juneteenth with live music, food trucks, vendors, and educational programming at Railyard Park.
Why it matters: Railyard Park is one of Waxahachie’s newest gathering spaces, and events like this show the city using it as an inclusive, accessible venue for community celebration.
Cow Creek Country Classic Bike Ride
What it is: Annual fundraiser cycling event offering multiple route lengths through Ellis County’s scenic countryside.
Why it matters: Active community = healthy community. If you’re into cycling, running, or outdoor activities, Waxahachie has the roads, trails, and organized events to support that lifestyle without requiring a drive to Dallas or Fort Worth.
July 3–4: The Biggest Weekend of the Year
Crape Myrtle Festival, Fireworks & Parade
What it is: Two-day Fourth of July celebration with free concert and fireworks at Waxahachie Sports Complex on July 3rd, traditional patriotic parade through downtown on July 4th.
Why it matters: This is THE Waxahachie summer tradition. Free admission, lawn seating, local radio broadcast—it’s designed so everyone can attend, not just people who can afford VIP tickets.
What to expect: July 3rd brings thousands to the sports complex for live music and one of the best fireworks displays in Ellis County. July 4th parade fills the downtown square with floats, marching bands, classic cars, and families staking out curb spots hours early.
Local life: This is when you realize you’ve become a local, when you know exactly where to park, which parade watching spot to claim, and which restaurants to hit before or after.
Late September: Free Learning and Arts
Waxahachie Chautauqua Festival
What it is: Free day-long festival of learning, performances, and hands-on activities at the historic Chautauqua Auditorium, one of the last remaining open-air Chautauqua structures in Texas.
Why it matters: Waxahachie has a rare historic venue and uses it actively, not just as a museum piece. This festival brings education, arts, and community together in a setting you won’t find anywhere else.
The experience: Lectures, musical performances, historical demonstrations, and activities for all ages, all free, all outdoors, all celebrating the original Chautauqua movement’s spirit of lifelong learning.
October Through Mid-November: Fall Festival Season
Scarborough’s Hollow (Fall Fantasy Festival)
What it is: New family-focused fall festival at Scarborough grounds featuring hayrides, seasonal foods, immersive fall experiences, and weekend entertainment through Halloween and into November.
Why it matters: After Scarborough’s Screams Halloween event ended, the organization pivoted to create something more inclusive for all ages. This shows adaptability and commitment to keeping the venue active year-round.
Crossroads of Texas GO TEXAN Country Festival (Downtown)
What it is: Massive one-day downtown festival with 200+ vendor booths, multiple music stages, Texas-made products, GO TEXAN-certified goods, and free admission.
Why it matters: This is one of the largest single-day events Waxahachie hosts—drawing regional visitors while showcasing Texas makers, musicians, and businesses.
The experience: Downtown completely transforms. Every block has vendors, every stage has live Texas country music, and the energy rivals much larger city festivals, but you can actually move around and parking doesn’t cost $40.
Early November: Honoring Veterans
Ellis County Veterans Celebration
What it is: Countywide tribute event at Waxahachie Civic Center honoring veterans with ceremonies, speakers, and recognition programs.
Why it matters: Communities that honor service members create cultures of respect and civic participation. If you’re a veteran or military family considering Waxahachie, events like this signal genuine appreciation, not just token recognition.
Early December: Holiday Magic Begins
Christmas Parade & Community Tree Lighting
What it is: Lighted evening parade through downtown followed by community tree lighting ceremony at or near Railyard Park, featuring letters to Santa, photos with Santa, face painting, and holiday activities.
Why it matters: This is Hallmark-movie-level charm, except it’s real. The courthouse is lit up, the square is decorated, families in matching pajamas, local businesses sponsoring floats, this is the Christmas card version of your life if you move here.
Real talk: If your decision to leave a big city involves wanting your kids to experience “traditional” Christmas magic, this is that. Small enough to feel intimate, big enough to feel special.
December (Two Weekends): Walk Through Bethlehem
Bethlehem Revisited
What it is: A walk-through experience recreating first-century Bethlehem, held behind Central Presbyterian Church with costumed volunteers, live animals, marketplace scenes, and the Nativity story unfolding in real time.
Why it matters: This is one of the most volunteer-intensive events Waxahachie hosts, hundreds of people from churches, schools, and civic groups across the city come to together to create something completely free for the community.
The experience: You walk through scenes with Roman soldiers, marketplace vendors, shepherds, and culminate at the manger scene. It’s theatrical, educational, and moving regardless of your religious background. Donations welcome but not required.
Mid-December: Holiday Home Tours and Downtown Celebration
Historic Waxahachie Christmas Tour of Homes
What it is: A ticketed tour of historic homes decorated for Christmas, with proceeds supporting Historic Waxahachie, Inc.’s preservation work, helping preserve the living history that’s still very much alive because if them.
Why it matters: See how historic homeowners decorate for holidays, understand restoration approaches, and support the organizations that keep Waxahachie’s architectural heritage alive.
Santa’s Sip & Stroll
What it is: Holiday-themed sip-and-stroll event with downtown merchants, craft beverages, holiday shopping, and festive atmosphere.
Why it matters: One more example of how Waxahachie keeps downtown active and social year-round, not just during business hours.
Year-Round: Markets and Music
Waxahachie Downtown Farmers Market
What runs: Seasonal schedules covering much of the year, featuring local growers, artisans, bakers, and makers.
Why it matters: You’re not dependent on chain grocery stores for everything. Fresh produce, local honey, handmade goods, and the chance to know who grew your food—that’s available here.
Railyard Park Programming
What happens: Free concerts, movie nights, festivals, and community events throughout the year at Waxahachie’s modern central gathering space.
Why it matters: New construction and historic preservation coexist in Waxahachie. Railyard Park represents the city’s investment in modern amenities while the courthouse square maintains historic character.
What This All Means for Your Decision
Here’s what these events tell you that MLS listings and census data can’t:
Waxahachie is active. This isn’t a town where everyone drives to Dallas for entertainment. There’s something happening nearly every weekend, across multiple age groups and interests.
The community invests in itself. Volunteers power most of these events. Nonprofits benefit. Local businesses participate. This is a place where people show up. For their neighbors, their kids’ schools, their downtown merchants and each other.
There’s room for you here. Whether you’re raising a family, retiring, working remotely, or building a business, these events show a community with space for different lifestyles and life stages.
Quality of life is prioritized. Cities don’t accidentally create this event density. This is intentional programming designed to make residents want to stay.
Questions About Waxahachie Events and Living Here?
I’m Bobby Franklin, and I’ve built my real estate practice around being the definitive source for Ellis County market intelligence. That means I don’t just know property values, I know why people move here, what makes neighborhoods thrive, and how to find the right fit for your lifestyle.
If you’re wondering whether Waxahachie is right for you, let’s talk about more than just square footage and school ratings. Let’s talk about whether you’ll actually enjoy living here.
Bobby Franklin, REALTOR®
Legacy Realty Group – Leslie Majors Team
📲 214-228-0003 | northtexasmarketinsider.com
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