Your Guide to September in Dripping Springs: Football, Festivals, New Businesses & More

September in Dripping Springs is when the Hill Country exhales — school's back in session, Friday night lights are on at Tiger Stadium, and the first hints of fall roll into the beer gardens and dance halls. This month's calendar is genuinely packed, so here's your guide to the highlights, from marquee weekend events to two brand-new businesses joining the community.

Key Takeaways

• Friday night football returns to Tiger Stadium, kicking off with San Antonio Harlan on September 4.

• The Annual Back to School Rotary Rodeo brings the whole community to Ranch Park on September 5.

• Two new businesses celebrate ribbon-cuttings this month: Texas Hill Country Diesel & Auto and Waypoint Academy.

• Fall festival season arrives with a Labor Day Luau, Oktoberfest kickoff, and the Star Awards honoring the best of Dripping Springs.

• The Dripping Springs Farmers Market and a full slate of live music run all month long.

Table of Contents

1. Big Community Events This Month

2. New Businesses & Ribbon-Cuttings

3. Live Music & Nightlife

4. Family & Library Fun

5. Weekly Staples You Can Count On

Big Community Events This Month

September brings some of the most anticipated gatherings of the season.

Annual Back to School Rotary Rodeo — Saturday, Sept. 5, Dripping Springs Ranch Park. Hosted by the Rotary Club of Dripping Springs, this beloved community rodeo is a perfect way to celebrate the start of the school year, Hill Country style.

Labor Day Weekend Luau — Sunday, Sept. 6, Vista Brewing (Driftwood). Send summer off with kalua pork, island-inspired beers and cocktails, and live music from 2–7 p.m.

Pound House Farmstead's Benefit Concert — Friday, Sept. 12, Ranch Park. Celebrate America's 250th with Desert Highway, a premier EAGLES tribute band, with an opening set from The Kyle Sisters. Part of the Friends of the Pound House's "Evening Celebrating America."

Oktoberfest 2026 Kickoff — Saturday, Sept. 19, Fitzhugh Brewing. The area's Oktoberfest season opens with live music, food specials, and exclusive beer releases. Free to attend.

Star Awards: Best of Dripping Springs — Saturday, Sept. 26, Ranch Park. The Dripping Springs Chamber's annual celebration of the businesses and community members who make our town shine, hosted by the Dripping Springs Chamber of Commerce. (Time TBA)

New Businesses & Ribbon-Cuttings

Two new additions to the local business community are cutting their ribbons this month — a great chance to welcome a neighbor.

Texas Hill Country Diesel & Auto — Ribbon-Cutting Friday, Sept. 4. The area welcomes a new home for diesel and automotive service. Stop by to meet the team and celebrate their grand opening.

Waypoint Academy — Ribbon-Cutting Wednesday, Sept. 17, 24905 Ranch Rd 12. A new academy joins the Dripping Springs education landscape with a morning ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Know a new business we should feature? Let us know , and if you're the owner, claiming your free DS Tiger Guide listing is the fastest way to get found by new neighbors.

Live Music & Nightlife

The Hill Country's live music scene is in full swing all month. A few standouts:

• Jimmy Buffett Day at The Barber Shop — Fri, Sept. 4. Margaritaville comes to Mercer Street with Jimmy Buffett music by Janky & Co. and Burgers in Paradise from White Hart. Doors at 3 p.m.

• Buhurt Texas Armored Combat at 12 Fox — Sat, Sept. 5. Full-contact medieval combat in authentic steel armor. Yes, really — and it's as epic as it sounds.

• Dripping Springs Distilling hosts free, all-ages live music most weekends, including Keith Hickle (Sept. 4), Jake Lane (Sept. 5), and Nathan Harlan (Sept. 12).

• Mercer Dancehall in Driftwood keeps the two-steppin' going, including The Merles/Bob Appel Ray Price Show (Sept. 12).

You'll also find live sets all month at Ghost Note Brewing, Jester King, Bell Springs Winery & Brewery, and Hudson's on Mercer.

Family & Library Fun

The Dripping Springs Community Library is a hub of activity all month, with something for every age.

• Innovation Treehouse STEAM Day — Sat, Sept. 12. A morning packed with 3D printing, LEGO Spike, coding, and a big robot demonstration.

• Read with Ruby the Therapy Dog — Sept. 12 & 26. Young readers practice with a gentle, patient audience.

• Star Party at Westcave Preserve — Sat, Sept. 12. Fitting for the world's sixth International Dark Sky Community — experience the Hill Country night sky at its best.

• Family Nerf Night — Fri, Sept. 4, Ranch Park, plus Nature Rangers and Homeschool Discovery Days throughout the month.

Weekly Staples You Can Count On

Some things you can set your calendar by:

• Dripping Springs Farmers Market — every Wednesday, 3–6 p.m., Dripping Springs Ranch Park.

• Friday Night Football at Tiger Stadium and Tiger Volleyball at the high school gym.

• Trivia Tuesday at Suds Monkey Brewing and Trivia at Acopon — test your knowledge over a cold one.

• Olive Oil & Balsamic Tastings at Texas Hill Country Olive Co., multiple days weekly.

• Guided Goat Walks at Jester King — yes, you can stroll with a herd of Nigerian Dwarf goats.

Make the Most of September

However you like to spend a Hill Country September — under the Friday night lights, in a beer garden, or at a library story time — there's a place for you on this month's calendar. For the complete, always-updated event listings, visit the events calendar on DS Tiger Guide.

Hosting an event or opening a business in Dripping Springs, Driftwood, Fitzhugh, or Belterra? Add it to our directory and reach the neighbors looking for exactly what you offer.