Hill Country Farmers Markets, Farm Stands & Agritourism Guide

The Texas Hill Country is one of the best parts of the state for buying food directly from the people who grow it. The question is knowing which market runs which day and what is in season when. This guide is designed to make that practical rather than overwhelming.

Whether you are a recent transplant still learning the weekly rhythms of Hill Country food, a longtime local looking to fill out your Saturday morning rotation, or a family wanting to turn a peach-picking trip into a yearly tradition, this guide has you covered. I have organized every venue by area with realistic drive times from Boerne, listed recurring market days and hours where those are stable, and included a seasonal harvest calendar so you know what to look for each month.

A quick note on terms before we get into it. Farmers markets are recurring, multi-vendor events where farmers, ranchers, food producers, prepared-food vendors, and artisans may sell directly to the public. Vendor standards vary: some markets are producer-only, while others include resellers, craftspeople, and general merchandise. Farm stands are smaller roadside operations, often family-operated and seasonal, and may be staffed or run on the honor system. U-pick, or “pick-your-own,” means visitors enter designated growing areas and harvest an available crop themselves. It provides a more hands-on way to learn how food is grown, but availability, age restrictions, reservations, accessibility, and field conditions vary by farm. Agritourism covers the broader category of farm-based experiences: festivals, orchards with hayrides, lavender fields where you cut your own bundles, pumpkin patches with corn mazes and farm animals.

The common thread across all of them is freshness, supporting local farm families, and — if you have kids — connecting them to where their food actually comes from. There is something genuinely valuable about a child who knows that peaches grow on trees and not inside a grocery store.

If you are new to the area and considering a move, these markets and farms are also a great way to experience what makes the Hill Country different from anywhere else in Texas. Our full Living section covers dining, wineries, day trips, and more of what makes this region worth knowing — including our dining guide, the wineries guide, and community profiles for the towns these markets call home.

How to Use This Guide

This guide is organized geographically, beginning with Boerne and then moving through the surrounding Hill Country communities. All approximate drive times begin at Boerne Main Plaza. Market days and hours are listed as they were confirmed at the time of publication, but they can change with the season, weather, crop availability, holidays, and the operator’s staffing or event schedule. Confirm before you drive. A quick check of a venue’s Facebook page or website saves a round trip.

Here is the big picture at a glance:

Boerne Area

Boerne has two weekly farmers markets, along with the monthly Boerne Market Days shopping event. If you live in Boerne or Fair Oaks Ranch, these are your weekly and monthly go-to options.

Boerne Farmers Market

Located at 157 S. Main Street (parking lot next to The Boerne Bookshop). The market operates Tuesdays from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. It is a key midweek, food-focused market offering local produce, farm-fresh eggs, prepared foods, and artisanal goods in a convenient downtown location. Season: year-round. City of Boerne — Boerne Farmers Market

Cibolo Farmers Market at Herff Farm

The market operates Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at historic Herff Farm, which is owned and managed by the Cibolo Center for Conservation. This is probably the best Saturday market in the immediate Boerne area. Fresh local produce, handmade goods, community gardens, and the setting alone is worth the trip. The Cibolo currently lists closures on July 4, October 3, November 28, December 20 and 27, 2026, and January 3 and 10, 2027. Because closure dates change annually, check the official market page before visiting.

Herff Farm traces its roots to 1854, when German immigrant and physician Ferdinand Herff established one of Boerne’s earliest European farmsteads. The preserved property now encompasses approximately 60 acres and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Note that the Cibolo Nature Center and Herff Farm have separate public entrances. Visitors can also make a separate stop at the Cibolo Nature Center’s main campus at 140 City Park Road.

Related Market Days and Community Shopping Events

Boerne Market Days at Main Plaza

Boerne Market Days is a monthly outdoor shopping event rather than a conventional producer-focused farmers market. Artists, craftspeople, antique and collectible sellers, plant vendors, food vendors, and other merchants gather at Main Plaza. Agricultural vendors may participate, but shoppers should not assume that locally grown produce will be available every month. Second weekend of each month, with two events in December; Saturday 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. and Sunday 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Free admission. City of Boerne — Boerne Market Days, Events Off Main — Boerne Market Days

Bandera / Pipe Creek

Bandera Farmers Market

Thursdays, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at 415 Main Street / Heritage Park in Bandera. This market generally operates year-round, although holiday closures and seasonal hour changes may occur. It remains one of the more reliable options for fresh produce, eggs, baked goods, and local crafts throughout the year. Bandera is approximately 30 minutes southwest of central Boerne under normal traffic conditions. Bandera Farmers Market — Official Facebook Page

Pipe Creek Pumpkin Patch

Located at Pipe Creek Christmas Tree Farm, 805 Phil’s Road, Pipe Creek — approximately 20 minutes from Boerne and about 9 miles south of Bandera. Pipe Creek Pumpkin Patch traditionally operates on selected October weekends. The 2026 dates had not yet been posted on the official website when this guide was last verified, so confirm the current schedule before visiting. Hayrides, visiting farm animals, pumpkin displays, play activities, and optional pumpkin painting make this a solid family outing for the fall season, with activities primarily designed for children age 10 and younger. Pumpkin painting and the kiddie barrel train cost extra beyond general admission.

Sovereignty Ranch Harvest Festival + Pumpkin Patch

165 Wyatt Ranch Road East, Bandera. The 2026 event is scheduled from October 1 through November 1. General entry is free, while an activity wristband is listed at $15; food and certain craft activities cost extra. Published hours vary by day, so consult the event page before visiting. Sovereignty Ranch — Harvest Festival and Pumpkin Patch

New Braunfels (about 45–55 minutes from Boerne)

New Braunfels Farmers Market

Open year-round every Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., rain or shine, at 186 S. Castell Avenue next to Krause’s Cafe. The market typically includes locally grown produce, pasture-raised meats, eggs, cheese, baked goods, preserves, prepared foods, and handcrafted products. With dozens of vendors and a consistent weekly schedule, it is one of the region’s larger and more dependable farmers markets. Holiday schedules may vary. New Braunfels Farmers Market

Blanco Area & Lavender Agritourism

The Hill Country has become a legitimate destination for lavender, and Blanco is the hub. Unlike grocery-oriented farmers markets, lavender agritourism is primarily a destination experience: visitors come to see a working farm, walk the permitted areas, shop farm-made products, and observe the bloom. In years when the crop is sufficiently abundant, the farm may offer cut-your-own lavender, but that activity is never guaranteed.

Hill Country Lavender Farm

8241 FM 165, Blanco. Texas’s first commercial lavender farm published a 2026 season running from mid-April through November 28, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with Saturdays-only operation during August and closures on July 4 and Thanksgiving. Admission is free and reservations are not ordinarily required, but hours should be checked before visiting. Hill Country Lavender Farm, Blanco Lavender Festival — FAQ

The Blanco Lavender Festival reports that the area’s lavender bloom generally occurs during June. Cut-your-own availability depends on the actual bloom and crop condition and should never be presented as guaranteed. When the farm is closed, its products remain available through its online store and at Brieger Pottery on the Blanco town square. Hill Country Lavender Farm, Blanco Lavender Festival — FAQ

Blanco Lavender Festival

The 2026 Blanco Lavender Festival was held June 5–7. The festival traditionally occurs during the first full weekend of June, but dates and farm hours should be updated annually. The announced 2027 dates are June 4–6. Blanco Lavender Festival — Festival Info

Seasonal Harvest Calendar: What to Look for Each Month

One of the most common questions I get from relocating families is when to visit certain farms and markets. The Hill Country has distinct growing seasons, and knowing what is in season when makes the difference between a trip to a farm stand with a loaded table and a trip to a farm stand with a table of a few onions and some hope.

Here is a practical, season-by-season breakdown:

Seasonal produce guidance is approximate and adapted for Central Texas. Texas is agriculturally diverse, and individual Hill Country farms may harvest earlier or later.

Our Insights section covers property and gardening topics that pair naturally with this harvest calendar. The Living hub also includes community events and seasonal guides worth bookmarking alongside this one, and our Boerne events and things-to-do guide rounds out the weekend-planner picture. If you are shopping for a home and want the full Hill Country picture — markets, schools, infrastructure, and community fit — start with the Boerne relocation guide or Move to Texas for the coast-to-coast view.

Practical Tips for Making the Most of Market Day

A few things I have learned from years of sending clients and friends to these markets:

• Bring cash plus a card. Payment methods vary by vendor. Bring cash in small bills as well as a card, and do not assume that an ATM will be available.
• Bring a tote and a cooler. Especially in summer. Summer heat can quickly reduce produce quality and can create food-safety concerns for eggs, dairy products, meats, and other perishable purchases. Bring an insulated bag or cooler with ice packs.
• Come early for the broadest selection. Some vendors may reduce prices near closing, but discounts are not guaranteed; ask respectfully rather than expecting them.
• Ask the farmer how the food was grown and what is freshest today. Farmers market vendors are almost always happy to talk about their growing practices. Ask what was picked this morning versus yesterday. Ask about varieties — that heirloom tomato variety you have never heard of might be the best thing you eat all week.
• Be mindful of seasonal and weather-driven crop shifts. A late freeze pushes peach season later. Heavy spring rains can delay planting. The vendors know this — flexibility on your part makes the experience better for everyone.
• Check hours before driving. Market hours change by season. A market that ran 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. in June might shift to 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. in August when the heat hits. A quick check of the venue’s Facebook page or website saves a wasted round trip.
• Support local farms year-round. Some farms offer year-round retail locations, scheduled pickup, or online ordering even when their seasonal markets or farm stands are closed. Building a relationship with a few reliable growers means you have access to quality produce even in the off months.