This is a big stop on any trip to Round Top. It’s the current iteration of the first antiques show that launched the Round Top fall and spring show tradition more than 50 years ago. Inside the Big Red Barn you’ll find fine antiques, such as museum-quality antique American flags and rare ceramics from all over the world. The Continental Tent will be filled with European imports and the Annex is a mix of both.

Hours: Oct 14, 9am–6pm; Oct 15–18, 9am–5pm; Oct 19, 9am–4pm
^Address: 475 Texas 237, Carmine

Regular Blue Hills shoppers should clear out extra time in their schedules since this venue’s square footage has grown by 50 percent over last year. The Layne family bought 18 adjacent acres, built seven new barns, expanded parking and added a covered lounge area for shoppers stopping for food and beverages. Janet Wiebe and her highly sought-after Italian Murano glass will be in one of the new spaces. New dealers include Sacred Heart Antiques, Maison Miral, and Sodium Bulb Antiques.

Hours: Oct 5, 9am–8pm; Oct 6–18, 9am–6pm; Oct 19, 9am–4pm (a limited number of dealers will remain open Oct 20–26)
Address: 1701 Texas 237, Carmine

Marburger is known for an eclectic mix of antiques, art, lighting, and home décor with a heavy emphasis on European antiques. New dealers to Marburger include antique restoration experts Chris and Juliane Kokinakis, and East Coast–based Victor Gallery, which will bring its antique and midcentury rugs and textiles. Special events include a panel discussion with a Sophia Coppola Wines tasting 1–2pm on October 16, then live music 1–3pm on October 17 and 18.

Hours: Oct 15, 9am–6pm; Oct 16–18, 9am–5pm; Oct 19, 9am–4pm
Address: 2248 Texas 237, Round Top
Pro tip: A $175 premium ticket includes early admission, special parking, and other goodies; $40 early admission gets you in the morning of October 15; and general admission is $15 per person.

Mark Massey’s longtime event venue has become a staple of Round Top antique shopping, and this fall he’ll have five new vendors, including Caroliniana Rare Books, which will set up a small bookstore in the farmstead store at the back of the property behind the gazebo. A preview night tablescapes event on October 9 ($150 per person) will raise money for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Participating Houston-area interior designers include Julie Dodson, Renea Abbott, Mary Patton, Suzanne Duin, Sandy Lucas, Sarah Eilers, and Alexandra Killion.

Hours: 9:30am–6pm daily
Address: 2550 Texas 237, Round Top

Henkel Square—the town square of Round Top proper—has 17 permanent structures operating year-round and selling everything from baked goods and cheese to cowboy boots and antiques. You can browse here while waiting for your lunch reservation at Royers Round Top Café or Mandito’s during the busy month. The square’s centerpiece is the Round Top Antiques and Design Center (RTAD), which houses the wares of 14 antiques vendors.

Hours: 10am–5pm for most shops; the RTAD will be open Oct 2–27, 9am–6pm
Address: 199 Henkel Circle, Round Top

A short drive south of the town square is Bader Ranch, a 10,000-square-foot barn filled with midcentury and European antique furnishings. This fall, luxury fashion brands Hunter Bell (clothing), Mignonne Gavigan (jewelry), Krewe (sunglasses), and Miron Crosby (boots) will join the mix. Lady Elaine will dispense food and beverages from her Airstream trailer and Y Comida will prepare a four-course dinner each night (reservations required).

Hours: 8am–8pm daily
Address: 470 S Washington, Round Top

This year-round business is a great place to shop any time, featuring goods from several vendors, including Houston-based M. Naeve, Moxie Interiors, Stacy Graubart Designs, and Susan Horne Antiques. You’ll find antiques, architectural salvage, rugs, art, and a variety of home décor.

Hours: 10am–5pm daily
Address: 1542 Texas 237, Round Top

This 120-dealer site across the street from Market Hill includes everything from A-Z, and will feature custom denim jackets, clothing, jewelry, and accessories by Debbie Clemens, the wife of MLB retired pitcher Roger Clemens, who spent his high school years here and played three seasons for the Houston Astros. A complimentary happy hour with wine and snacks will be held 3–6pm daily with the location rotating among vendors.

Hours: 9am–6pm daily
Address: 1503 Texas 237, Round Top

Jolie and Amie Sikes’s love of junk and bohemian style evolved into a business, the Junk Gypsy, a shop devoted to home goods and fashion for like-minded women. The store will host its third annual prom for women of all ages (tickets are $40 each) at 6pm October 19. It was originally inspired by the movie Practical Magic, so try to dress as the most enchanting witch ever.

Hours: 10am–6pm daily
Address: 1215 Texas 237 South, Round Top

Henrik and Mary Follin have shipped in extra inventory for the fall antiques shows at their Round Top Ranch Antiques. Expect a greeting from their lovable black Lab, Rosie, as you wander the 40,000 square feet spread across three barns. Henrik was born in Sweden and raised in Denmark, so his taste and inventory tends to run Swedish-Gustavian.

Hours: 10am–4pm daily
Address: 2545 Texas 237, Round Top

A giant cast-iron bull and a totem featuring the faces of owners-brothers Caspar and Gerard Deridder will greet you at this sprawling venue, which is open year-round. Inventory changes as shipments from all over the world come in. You’ll find furnishings, statuary, and outdoor materials. If you ever wondered where designers get all of their old wooden bowls and bread boards, this is the place.

Hours: 8am–8pm daily
Address: 3570 Texas 237, Round Top

You’ll find plenty of antiques and vintage items here, but vendors also gather salvaged and repurposed materials, so be prepared for a vast assortment of items from its 25 or so vendors. Most are under a roof, but some will have their goods in tents or open air.

Hours: 9am–dark daily
Address: Excess I, 3907 Texas 237; Excess II, 145 Rohde Rd, Round Top

Cole’s is the place for shoppers who love the thrill of the hunt. You’ll find antiques and collectibles from more than 250 vendors in air-conditioned buildings and outdoors. Indoor vendors will be set up October 1–19, overlapping with the outdoor vendors who set up shop October 10–26.

Hours: Oct 1–19, 9am–6pm for covered buildings; Oct 10–26, 9am–6pm for outdoor vendors
Address: 3637 Texas 237, Round Top

These are two separate venues, but we’ll talk about them together since they’re what shoppers call “the fields.” They open early and are often shopped by dealers who find diamonds in the rough, clean them up, and sell them later at other venues. You can find your own bargains among antiques, collectibles, and a bit of junk. Don’t forget to wear boots and pack your bug spray; it’s messy out in the fields. Note to drivers: These are in Warrenton, but GPS will show them as Round Top addresses.

Hours: vendors set their own hours Oct 10–27 (early shopping starts Oct 3)
Address: Bar W, 4001 Texas 237; Northgate, 3955 Texas 237

The La Bahia Turn Verein Hall, a more than 100-year-old dance hall, is the site of family reunions, wedding receptions, and other parties, but twice a year it’s home to the La Bahia Antique Show. If you’re driving in on 290, it’s the first stop you’ll see when you turn onto Texas 237. Vendors fill the hall as well as tents outside of it, and you’ll find antiques, vintage, and collectibles among it all.

Hours: Oct 11–18, 8am–6pm; Oct 19, 8am–4pm
Address: 550 Texas 237, Burton

This smaller venue that’s a former gas station calls itself a “Vin-tique” market since it’s a combination of antiques, vintage, and new stuff. Some 20 vendors sell everything from nicer antiques to Christmas yard decorations. Roadside Café offers comfort food daily specials; pray they’re serving deep-fried ribs the day you’re there.

Hours: 9am–6pm daily (some dealers will set up for early shoppers starting Oct 5)
Address: 212 Texas 237, Round Top

Comfortable shoes: A pair of sneakers are your best bet, since the festival requires quite a bit of walking. Have rain boots readily available in case of wet weather—much of the grounds are in fields.

Sunscreen and a hat: Most of the festival occurs outside, so these are key—yes, even for the October fair, it’s Texas after all.

Tape measure: Make all your measurements before heading out to the festival to ensure that the treasures you bring home will fit in your space.

A collapsible wagon or cart: If you’re planning on a big haul, we recommend bringing a cart or something that will allow you to transport everything. The last thing you want to do is be forced to lug something bulky around by hand all day.

Cash: Although you can find some ATMs at the festival, and a lot of the vendors accept cards, cell service issues are quite common. It’s better to play it safe and have cash on hand.

Ellis Motel: Created by the late Lee Ellis, this “motel” is actually a dive bar where you can also purchase art and furniture.

Lulu’s: Owned by Houston restaurateurs Cinda and Armando Palacios of Armandos in River Oaks, this refined restaurant offers Italian cuisine and a stellar wine program.

Mandito’s: Also owned by the Palacios family, this colorful Tex-Mex spot serves outstanding fajitas, fish tacos, and enchiladas.

Prost on Block 29: Step inside the tiny stone historic building to order at the bar, then take it outside where there’s plenty of seating under a large oak tree. Hungry? There’s an outdoor pizza parlor, too.

Round Top Brewing: This taproom features plenty of beer and wine, as well as a surprisingly sophisticated food menu. Enjoy live music outside on the dog-friendly patio on the weekends.

Royers Round Top Café: Open since 1946 and owned by the same family since 1987, the funky dining spot serves dishes like grilled shrimp, rack of lamb, and pies.

The Garden Co. Feed & Firewater: This farm-to-table concept, open for brunch, lunch, and dinner, has an expansive menu that includes steaks, pastas, salads, pancakes, and sandwiches.

If you’re planning on your trip to the festival being an overnight affair, it’s important to book your accommodations early since the area only has a handful of options. (If you’re reading this the week of the fair, oops—you’ll know for next year.)

Flophouze: The property features six shipping containers, each complete with a hammock, firepit, and lounge chairs. Plus, there are two ranch houses, one farmhouse, and a beach house to rent out for larger groups.

Hotel Bebe: Opened in fall 2022 by Truth BBQ co-owner Abbie Byrom-Botello, this hotel includes four well-sized bungalows and a main house with access to a pool.

Hotel Lulu: This luxury boutique hotel offers 14 rooms spread out between six bungalows on a property that includes a restaurant, bar, pool, and garden.

Rancho Pillow: A funky artist compound owned by designer Sheila Youngblood, this eclectic place features multiple art-filled buildings, perfect for people who enjoy their hotel accommodations on the boho side.

Round Top Inn: This one-acre property features a total of 13 vintage farmhouses and cottages that have been decked out in antiques and heaps of country charm.

The Wander Inn: The duo of two-story houses have been completely renovated by Amie and Jolie Sikes of HGTV fame. Guests can rent individual rooms, a whole house, or even the entire property.