Round Top Antiques Week: Venues, Dates and Day-Trip Guide

At a glance

• Where: Round Top, TX (Hwy 237 corridor through Round Top, Warrenton, and Carmine), 90 miles west of Houston
• When: Spring (late March/early April) and Fall (mid-to-late October); Fall 2026 core window: Oct 17–31. Check roundtop.com for each year’s dates.
• Cost: Free to $25 depending on venue; most major shows charge $10–$15 general admission
• Parking: Typically $5 cash at most venues along Hwy 237; lots fill early on weekends and on Marburger’s opening day
• Time needed: One full day minimum for a single venue cluster; 2–3 days to cover all 47 venues comfortably

Round Top, Texas has roughly 90 permanent residents. During Antiques Week, more than 100,000 shoppers arrive from across the country, turning a quiet stretch of Highway 237 into one of the most unusual retail corridors in the South. The original show was started in 1968 when the founder says she rented a pasture and invited a handful of dealers. Today that tradition has grown to 47 independently owned venues spread across 11 miles of Texas highway.

This guide covers how the spring and fall shows work, which venues to prioritize, what to pack, where to eat when your energy runs out, and how to drive there from Houston without spending half your day on 290.

How the shows work

Two shows run each year: one in spring (typically late March or early April) and one in fall (the last two weeks of October). The fall core window typically runs October 17–31, with some venues opening as early as October 10 and a few running through November 1. Dates shift by a week or two from year to year; check roundtop.com before you plan.

The shows are not a single event. Round Top Antiques Week is approximately 47 independently owned venues that share a two-week window, each setting its own opening day, hours, and admission. Some charge nothing; others charge $10–$25 or more for early access. The corridor runs through Round Top, Warrenton, and Carmine along Hwy 237, with Warrenton’s field shows at the south end and Round Top proper at the north.

Timing tip: for the most inventory with lighter crowds, arrive the first few days of the main window (around October 17–20 in fall). The full 47-venue lineup does not operate simultaneously — late-opening shows like Marburger Farm launch the final week. End-of-show discounts often appear on the last two days.

The main venues

Marburger Farm Antique Show

2248 S Highway 237, Round Top · marburgerfarm.com · Fall 2026: Oct 27–31

The best-known show on the corridor: 43 acres of farmland with hundreds of dealers selling furniture, art, lighting, jewelry, and vintage fashion. Marburger opens the latest of the major shows (Tuesday of the final week) and draws the largest crowds. Opening day runs until 6 pm; later days end at 5–6 pm depending on the day. Tickets are sold through the Marburger website with options for general admission, early entry, and parking upgrades.

Best for: serious decorators and designers, or anyone who wants the highest concentration of established dealers in a single venue.

The Original Round Top Antiques Fair (Big Red Barn)

475 Texas Hwy 237 South, Carmine · roundtoptexasantiques.com · Fall 2026: Oct 25–31

This is the show that started it all in 1968, and it remains the sentimental heart of the corridor. The Big Red Barn is the original structure; a Continental Barn opened alongside it for fall 2026. General admission is typically $10 for all six days; VIP early-access on opening day is typically $25. Check roundtoptexasantiques.com for current pricing; tickets are available online and at the gate.

Best for: first-timers who want to visit the show that started the tradition, and anyone interested in the history of the event.

Blue Hills at Round Top

1701 TX-237, Carmine · bluehillsatroundtop.com · Fall 2026: Oct 17–31

Fifty-two acres with more than 100 curated vendors and roughly 150,000 square feet under pole barns and showrooms — the largest covered footprint on the corridor. Blue Hills runs the full two-week window, which makes it the best option if you arrive early before the smaller shows open. Hours are 9 am–6 pm daily, with early closure at 4 pm on the final day.

Best for: anyone who wants antiques, art, home décor, fashion, and lighting under a single roof without hiking between tents.

The Arbors

2120 N Hwy 237, Round Top · thearborsroundtop.com · Fall 2026: Oct 16–31

The Arbors’ signature white tents are the image most photographed from Round Top. Over 120 dealers offer a strong selection of European and American furniture, rugs, linens, and fashion. Admission and parking are free. There is an on-site café for when your energy runs down mid-morning. The Arbors also opens earlier than most shows, making it a good first stop on a short trip.

Best for: first-timers; anyone who wants the classic tent experience without paying an entry fee.

Zapp Hall

4217 TX-237, Round Top · zapphall.com · Fall 2026: Oct 16–31

Zapp Hall has been the social center of Warrenton since 1987: antiques and art during the day, live music and themed evenings after hours. The fall show typically includes trivia nights, music events, and a prom-style party alongside regular shopping hours (10 am–6 pm daily). Food and drinks are served on-site through Royer’s Café and the Bubble Lounge, which makes this the most self-contained stop on the circuit.

Best for: shoppers who want to combine the show with dinner and a band, and anyone arriving early in the week before the bigger shows open.

How we chose

Five venues with an official website confirming fall 2026 show dates and hours. We prioritized shows with the longest histories, the largest footprints, or a distinct reason to visit beyond inventory alone. The dozens of smaller field shows in Warrenton and along the corridor are worth exploring once you are on-site but are impossible to verify from Houston in advance.

Where to eat

Dining inside the shows is limited to food trucks and on-site concessions. The best restaurants are in Round Top proper, a short drive from most venues.

Royers Round Top Café (105 Main St, Round Top · royerscafe.com) has been serving gourmet comfort food for more than 35 years. The pies — Junkberry, pecan, buttermilk, chocolate chip — are the main draw, but the dinner menu and wine list are serious too. Open Thursday–Sunday; closed Monday–Wednesday. Reservations are strongly recommended during show week.

Lulu’s (Hotel Lulu, 204 E Mill St, Round Top · lulustx.com) serves simple Italian fare: fresh pasta, chicken marsala, Wagyu burgers, classic cocktails, and wine. Open daily; check current hours at lulustx.com before you go. Breakfast service is offered, making this the right choice if you want to eat before the first venue opens.

Mandito’s (102 S Washington St, Round Top) is a Tex-Mex cantina run by the family behind Armandos in Houston, which operated for 40 years before the family opened this outpost. Known for fresh-squeezed lime margaritas, enchiladas, fajitas, and twice-refried beans. Check hours for the week you visit; they vary outside show season.

Where to stay

There are no chain hotels in Round Top itself. Everything in town fills up months in advance for fall show week.

Hotel Lulu (204 E Mill St, Round Top · hotellulutx.com) is the only purpose-built boutique hotel in town: 17 rooms decorated with local antiques and vintage furnishings, an on-site restaurant, a bar, and a pool. The central location puts you within walking distance of Round Top’s restaurants and the northern end of the corridor. Book six months out for October.

Brenham (24 miles north) is the closest town with chain hotels and a larger lodging inventory — about 30 minutes from the main venues. The practical base for anyone who did not plan months ahead.

La Grange (18 miles east) has a smaller lodging selection but sits slightly closer to the Carmine end of the corridor, where Blue Hills and the Big Red Barn are located.

Vacation rentals: the countryside around Round Top has a large inventory of farmhouse cottages and guest ranches on Airbnb and VRBO. They range from a single-room guesthouse to full working ranches and book as fast as Hotel Lulu. Start looking 3–4 months before the fall show.

Getting there from Houston

Round Top is about 90 miles west of Houston, roughly 1.5 to 2 hours depending on traffic.

Standard route: Take US-290 West from Houston to Brenham (75 miles), then turn south on TX-237 (15 miles). Venues begin appearing almost immediately on 237. The stretch of 290 between I-610 and Hwy 6 is the slowest section on weekday mornings; leave before 8 am or after 9 am to avoid it. Check Houston TranStar before you leave — 290 West has had recurring construction that can add 30–45 minutes.

Alternate route: I-10 West to Sealy or Columbus, then FM roads north to La Grange, then TX-237 north to Round Top. Adds a few miles but avoids 290 congestion entirely.

Parking: Most venues charge $5 at the lot, cash preferred. Lots fill quickly on weekends and on Marburger’s opening day. Arriving by 9 am is the reliable way to get a close spot. The five-dollar fee at many lots benefits local organizations.

Day-trip feasibility: Yes, but tight. The corridor is 11 miles with 47 venues. Even a brisk pass takes two full days. For a single-day trip from Houston, pick one cluster: either the Warrenton end (Blue Hills, Big Red Barn, Zapp Hall) or Round Top proper (The Arbors, Marburger Farm). Plan dinner at Royers or Lulu’s before the drive back.

If you are combining Round Top with the wider day trips from Houston circuit, it pairs well with Brenham (Blue Bell Creameries is 24 miles north) or a stop through Richmond on the way home.

Save this: show-week checklist

• Confirm each venue’s dates and hours at its official site the week before — schedules shift during show week
• Book restaurant reservations well in advance (Lulu’s and Royers fill weeks out for show week)
• Download a venue map from roundtop.com before you leave; cell signal along Hwy 237 is unreliable
• Bring a tape measure if you are buying furniture
• Bring cash for parking ($5 at most lots) and small vendors
• Wear closed-toe walking shoes; most venues are on grass or gravel
• Layer in fall: mornings on the corridor can be cold by Houston standards, afternoons warm up quickly
• Leave Houston before 8 am or after 9 am to avoid 290 West congestion
• Ask dealers about shipping for large pieces — many can arrange freight

Last verified: October 2026.

Frequently asked questions

When does Round Top Antiques Week happen each year?

Twice a year: once in spring (typically late March or early April) and once in fall (typically the last two weeks of October, with a core window around October 17–31). Exact dates shift by a week or two each year; check roundtop.com for the current calendar.

Is there an admission fee at Round Top antiques shows?

It depends on the venue. The Arbors is free. The Original Round Top Antiques Fair (Big Red Barn) typically charges around $10 for general admission or $25 for VIP early access; check roundtoptexasantiques.com for current pricing. Marburger Farm sells tiered tickets through its website. Some smaller field shows are free. Each of the 47 venues sets its own pricing.

How far is Round Top from Houston?

About 90 miles, roughly 1.5 to 2 hours via US-290 West to Brenham, then TX-237 south. Traffic on 290 between I-610 and Hwy 6 is the slowest section; leave before 8 am or after 9 am on weekdays.

What should I bring to Round Top Antiques Week?

Closed-toe walking shoes (most venues are on grass or gravel), a tape measure for furniture, cash for parking (typically $5) and small vendors, layers in fall, and a downloaded venue map — cell signal along Highway 237 is unreliable.

Where do I park at Round Top Antiques Week?

Most venues have on-site parking lots that charge $5, cash preferred. Lots fill quickly on weekends and on Marburger Farm’s opening day. Arriving by 9 am is the most reliable way to get a convenient spot.

Can I ship furniture home from Round Top?

Yes. Many dealers at the major shows can arrange freight shipping for large pieces. Ask the dealer directly; some work with specific shipping companies and can provide a quote on the spot. Bring measurements of doorways and rooms before you buy.