Fall in South Texas: From Tamales to Touchdowns and Family Traditions

Fall in South Texas isn’t just a season. It’s a sigh of relief. After months of triple-digit heat and humidity that clings to you like a wet steaming blanket, that first crisp Fall breeze feels like a miracle. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what it is I love about Fall. There’s a lot there to love. Growing up in South Texas, summers are brutal. The heat is relentless. The humidity is stifling.

Escaping the Summer Soup

Still, I love being outside. I enjoy barbecuing and gardening. I like going to the park and riding my bike. I love fishing. But in the summer, unless you’re near water, it’s rough. That’s when we escape to my friend’s house with the big pool. Sometimes we take a drive down to the coast to spend the day on the beach. We jump in and out of the brisk water to stay cool. Outside of those water escapes, stepping outdoors in the summer feels like sloshing through a bowl of hot soup.

That First Fall Breeze

But then mid-September comes around, and you start to feel it. That subtle drop in temperature. What hits you first is the crisp breeze. It’s a beautiful sensation. The shift from upper 90s and 100° down to the high 80s feels miraculous. I know that folks up north might laugh, but here in South Texas, it’s a game-changer. Visiting Maine and Massachusetts one summer is still fresh in my mind. The mornings were chilly, and the North Atlantic coastal waters were freezing. Still, we took off our shoes and dipped our toes in, just to say we did. That water had to be in the 50s, maybe even the 40s. I could hardly believe it was mid-July. It was over 100 degrees back in Texas.

Life Outside Again

So, yeah, a high of 88° is literally a breath of fresh air. Suddenly, that yard work doesn’t seem so daunting. Now you’re ready for that bike ride. That trip to the lake or drive to the beach doesn’t feel like a hot chore. Those outdoor home projects aren’t a death sentence. It’s like waking up from a long hibernation. And you’re no longer confined to the protection of indoor air conditioning. You have a life outside again.

Fall Is a Vibe

But look, the arrival of Fall isn’t just about the weather. It’s everything that comes with it. Fall is a vibe. Spring is lovely too, of course. It has its charms with its green life and blue skies after a gray winter. But Fall? Fall is a burst of deep purple and orange. It’s bold, electric lights. Whether they’re shining overhead at football games or gently decorating trees and homes.

Sports Season Magic

September kicks off as MLB baseball is winding down. I’ve been following my Red Sox since April, and if they’re doing well, October gets exciting. The playoffs, the October Classic is pure magic. And then football kicks off. Pun, fully intended. It’s high school games under the lights, college rivalries and NFL Sundays. In my house, football IS Fall. It’s booming drumlines and marching bands. It’s the cheerleaders and the crack of helmets and shoulder pads. It’s barbeque tailgating and ice-cold beer. It’s pure joy. That atmosphere lifts you.

Before you know it October hits, and NBA basketball tips off. There’s this perfect little sweet spot where baseball playoffs are heating up, football is in full swing, and basketball is just getting started. If you like sports, even a little, it’s paradise in motion.

Back-to-School Energy

But even if you don’t follow sports, Fall has so much more to offer. All my favorite holidays live here. Labor Day is the unofficial start of the season. As back-to-school season kicks off, there is the buzz of high school football. And shifting family routines signal the start of something familiar. Parents post first-day of school photos, and there’s excitement in the air. Even though we’re two thirds into the calendar, it feels like we’re all getting a new year; a clean slate. It’s forward motion. I love seeing kids walk or bike to school with their packs strapped to their backs. Makes me want to buy school supplies!

Halloween Traditions

October and by default Halloween are my absolute favorite. At our house we go all out with the decorating—inside and out. From cute pumpkins to scary skeletons. It’s lights on the house, spiderwebs and the whole deal. Most years, we’re the only ones on the block doing it, and I don’t mind one bit. People stop and compliment the festive displays. They take selfies standing out front and it makes it totally worth it.

November Feasts & Tamaladas

Just as the Halloween lights begin to dim, November glides in with its blow-up turkey decorations, fake pumpkins, hay bales, and scarecrows. Simple, festive, and fun. At least for me, it’s the month when I have to make a conscious effort not to put on too much weight. What, with all the Halloween candy still laying around. Not to mention the football barbeques and tamaladas. Making tamales is a whole mess of work. Typically, around this time of year Hispanic families gather in tamale making parties called tamaladas. Kids and grown ups alike gather around a table or counter to spread corn masa on dried corn husks. Then they are filled with yummy meats, rolled, stacked in a huge pot and steamed. The delicious treats are then sorted by the dozen and distributed out to all. Meanwhile food and drinks flow freely while festive music fills the air. But it’s not just about the food. It’s about passing down tradition, laughter, and love.

December’s Own Magic

The smell of tamales is still hanging in the air when December finally makes its entrance. And everything is different. December has a life all to its own. The month has its own music. It has its own movies. As far as the decorating goes, we go even bigger—more decorations, more lights, more music. I’ve got my own Christmas playlist now, but I still remember when the radio stations would flip to all Christmas music after Thanksgiving. On some level, that was the unofficial start of the Christmas season. That was a whole giddy vibe on its own.

We have traditions. We try to catch a show every December—The Nutcracker, Wicked, something magical. Christmas is always celebrated at my house. For the past 7–8 years, I’ve made a big Italian feast. Everyone loves it. I’ve tried switching it up. I’ve thought about making something different but every year when I ask the same thing is requested: Italian.

Writing the Next Chapter

Growing up, Fall had its charms. As a kid, in elementary school, we made homemade decorations and exchanged little gifts, and those memories stuck. I try to carry those traditions forward with our kids. Some translate, some don’t. Some feel old-fashioned. But they’ll make their own traditions, I’m sure.

Fall reminds me that traditions aren’t just decorations or dinners. They’re the stories we pass down. It’s the memories we make. I hope this Fall brings new memories, and maybe a few old ones too. My only hope is that this season is as beautiful as the ones before.

For me Fall isn’t just a season. It’s a living story we write with our loved ones. And we get to write a new chapter every year. So, tell me, what’s your tamalada? What lights, sounds, or flavors make Fall memorable in your home? What do you look forward to doing with your family every Fall? What new chapters will you be adding to your continuing Fall story?