The Texas Mushroom Festival: Small-Town Charm Meets Fungi Fascination

Not every Texas festival is about deep-fried everything or blue ribbons for cattle. In Madisonville—just off I-45 between Houston and Dallas—you’ll find a different kind of celebration each October: one dedicated entirely to mushrooms.

This isn’t just a quirky food fair. It’s a celebration of fungi in all their weird, wonderful forms—part culinary showcase, part educational event, and all-around small-town fun. Welcome to the Texas Mushroom Festival, held annually in what the state officially declared the “Mushroom Capital of Texas.”

🍄 A Bit of History

The festival traces its roots back to mushroom production in Madisonville: in the 1970s, a Ralston Purina processing plant was established locally, later acquired by Monterey Mushrooms in the early 1980s—a key development that helped the area become a mushroom production hub.

Over time, locals built an October mushroom celebration that draws attendees from across the state each year. In 1993, the Texas Legislature officially named Madisonville the “Mushroom Capital of Texas”.

Since then, the festival has grown from a local event into a regional draw, bringing together food lovers, farmers, families, and the fungi-curious each fall.

🍽️ What You’ll Find at the Festival

The Texas Mushroom Festival is a lively, family-friendly event spread across Madisonville’s historic downtown square. It’s the kind of place where you can wander for hours, snack on something savory, and maybe even learn a little science along the way.

Here’s what visitors can expect:

1. Mushroom Dishes Galore: Fried mushrooms, mushroom tamales, gourmet samples, and more
2. Cooking Demonstrations: Learn how chefs and food educators cook with local and specialty mushrooms
3. Local Vendors & Artisans: From handmade mushroom decor to Texas-grown products
4. Car Show: A big draw for vintage and custom vehicle fans
5. Kids Zone: Family-friendly games and activities
6. Live Music: Often featuring country, folk, and Texas roots bands
7. Educational Booths: Mushroom science, growing tips, and industry info

Some years also include health-focused booths or information on functional mushrooms like lion’s mane and reishi—though these vary by year.

🍄 Why Mushroom Lovers Flock to Madisonville

Whether you’re obsessed with fungi or just looking for a different kind of fall festival, the Texas Mushroom Festival delivers. It’s a celebration of everything mushrooms touch—from local agriculture to culinary creativity to sustainable farming.

If you’ve started experimenting with mushrooms in your kitchen or garden—or if your kids can’t stop talking about decomposers—you’ll find kindred spirits here.

🧠 Also read: Mushroom Growing 101: Your DIY Journey Starts Here

🧠 Explore: Cooking with Mushrooms: From Grocery Store to Gourmet

📅 When & Where

1. 📍 Location: Downtown Madisonville, Texas (between Houston and Dallas)
2. 🗓️ Time: Typically mid-October — check the Texas Mushroom Festival’s official website for current year dates and details.
3. 🎟️ Cost: Most events are free, with food and goods available for purchase

Pro tip: Book your lodging early. Madisonville is a small town, and rooms fill up fast during festival weekend.

🌱 Can You Actually Grow Mushrooms in Texas?

Yes—especially indoors. The Texas Mushroom Festival isn’t just a celebration of one crop in one town. It’s a window into a growing movement: mushrooms as a gateway to DIY food, science education, and sustainable agriculture.

You don’t need a commercial farm to get started. Indoor kits, grow bags, and educational classes are making mushrooms more accessible than ever.

🧠 Read next: Beginner’s Guide to Growing Mushrooms Indoors in Texas

🧠 Explore: What You’ll Learn in a Mushroom Growing Class (and Why It’s Worth It)

✅ Good to Know Before You Go

1. Most of the event is outdoors and walkable
2. Free parking is available in nearby lots
3. Expect a mix of food booths, music stages, and community tents
4. Bathrooms and handwashing stations are available
5. It’s a stroller- and family-friendly event

🔍 Why Delve Is Watching This Festival

At Delve, we work with mushroom growers across Texas—people who are passionate about food, fungi, and education. The Texas Mushroom Festival is a reminder that small-town ag is still thriving, and that curiosity is one of our state’s best crops.

If this festival sparks your interest, check out some of the real-world mushroom experiences we offer across Texas—from 

Classes & Workshops

Private Indoor Mushroom Growing Workshop

Dallas, Texas

From $360.00 Request

Tastings

Private Cooking Demonstration: Gourmet Mushrooms on the Menu

Arlington, Texas

From $750.00 Request

👉 Browse All Mushroom Experiences in Texas

📚 Also Read:

1. Poteet Strawberry Festival: Sweet Traditions in the Strawberry Capital of Texas
2. Texas Olive Festival: A Taste of the Mediterranean in the Lone Star State