This Is Abilene

09/25/2026

Another BIG development is coming to Abilene.

A new $36.5 MILLION residential community is planned for Rebecca Lane in south Abilene.

The project will include:

272 new luxury apartments
52 single story residential buildings
One, two and three bedroom options
Attached garages
Private entrances
Green space and other amenities

With all of the new neighborhoods, apartments, restaurants and retail being announced lately, this part of Abilene is going to look VERY different over the next few years.

What do you think Abilene needs most as we continue to grow more housing, restaurants, shopping or entertainment? 👇

09/24/2026

Looking for something to do? There’s a LOT happening around Abilene over the next few days! Save this post and send it to someone who’s always asking, “What are we doing this weekend?” 😂

🍺 ABILENE B**R SUMMIT
Sat 9/26, 2-6PM (VIP entry 1PM) | Frontier Texas, 625 N 1st St
$75 general, $150 deluxe, $250 VIP
45 breweries and 125+ b**rs, with live music from Roger Creager and The Huser Brothers. Food trucks, local vendors, yard games. Bring a lawn chair. Kids and dogs welcome. Proceeds benefit New Horizons. Tickets at abileneb**rsummit.com

🥬 ABILENE FARMERS MARKET
Sat 9/26, 8AM-12PM | 626 N 1st St | FREE
Fresh local produce downtown, across from Frontier Texas.

💜 WALK TO END ALZHEIMER'S
Sat 9/26, 9AM | Grover Nelson Park, 2070 Zoo Lane | FREE
Booths at 9, ceremony and walk at 9:30. Register at act.alz.org/abilene

✈️ EXPLORATION AVIATION
Sat 9/26, 10AM-2PM | Spark Science Center, 1620 S 3rd St | FREE
Pilot station, hands-on STEM, aviation history, drone demos, and how kids can take a free flight. With the National WASP WWII Museum and Abilene Public Library.

🐎 TEXAS BUFFALO SOLDIER HERITAGE TRAIL CELEBRATION
Sat 9/26, 10AM-2PM | Abilene State Park | Park admission
Launch of a statewide initiative honoring the African American soldiers of the Texas frontier. Encampment, living history demos, guided hike, and interactive booths. Meet at the CCC Concession Building.

🦎 HERPS EXOTIC REPTILE AND PET EXPO
Sat 9/26 10AM-5PM and Sun 9/27 10AM-4PM | Taylor County Expo Center, 1700 TX-36
$10 adults 1 day; $15 for both. Kids 5-12 are $5 and $8. Under 4 free.
Thousands of reptiles, amphibians, small mammals and supplies, plus an educational section.

🎃 PUMPKIN PATCH AT REFUGE RANCH
Saturday 11-7 and Sunday 1-5 | 364 CR 154, Tuscola
$10 tickets. Kids under 2 are free
Pumpkin patch, hay ride, fall photos ops, pumpkin launching, painting, axe throwing and bowling. Get your tickets today at www.myrefugeranch.org/calendar!

🏈 ACU FOOTBALL VS MERCER
Sat 9/26, 7PM | Wildcat Stadium | ESPN+
The Wildcats are back home after a 41-39 win at Idaho.

Save this so you have it all weekend, and tag someone you want to go with 👇

What did we miss? Comment below.

09/23/2026

🍺 Looking for something fun to do in Abilene this Saturday?

The Abilene B**r Summit is back at Frontier Texas!

This year’s event will feature:

More than 45 breweries
Over 135 b**rs to sample
Live music from Roger Creager and The Huser Brothers
Food vendors
Local vendors
Yard games

Saturday, September 26
2–6 PM
Frontier Texas | 625 N. 1st

And something I didn’t realize — you don’t have to be a b**r drinker to enjoy the event. You can bring the kids, and even your dog! B**r is only served to guests 21+ with a verified ID and wristband.

Even better, proceeds from the Abilene B**r Summit benefit New Horizons, which helps children and families throughout Texas. ❤️

If you’re looking for something different to do this weekend, this might be one to add to your list!

Who has been to the Abilene B**r Summit before? Is there a b**r we HAVE to try? 👇

**rSummit

09/21/2026

Looking for something fun to do with the family this fall?

We went to Pumpkin Days at Refuge Ranch yesterday and it was SO much fun!

There was so much for the kids to do:

Pumpkin tic-tac-toe
Corn hole
A cow trough filled with deer corn where the kids could dig for pumpkins and prizes
Face painting
Pumpkin painting
Hay rides
Feed the Longhorns
Lots of great fall photo spots

And of course… PUMPKINS! You can pick out and buy your pumpkins while you’re there.

It was such a fun, relaxed way to spend the day outside with the family.

And if you missed opening weekend, you still have time! Pumpkin Days is open on weekends through October 4.

If you’re looking for something fun to do around Abilene over the next couple of weekends, add Refuge Ranch to your list!

Have you been yet? And what was your kids’ favorite part? 👇

09/20/2026

Some of the top police K-9 teams in the COUNTRY are in Abilene this week!

Starting TODAY, some of the top police K-9 teams from across the country are coming to Abilene for the 2026 United States Police Canine Association National Field Trials!

Teams will compete in obedience, evidence detection, suspect searches and apprehension throughout the week.

And here's the part you'll want to put on your calendar:

🐕‍🦺 PUBLIC K-9 DEMONSTRATION
📅 Thursday, September 24
⏰ 6:30 PM
📍 Shelton Stadium at Hardin-Simmons University

How cool is it that a NATIONAL event like this is happening right here in Abilene?

Tag someone whose kids would LOVE to see these K-9s in action!

United States Police Canine Association

09/19/2026

Looking for something fun to do with the kids today?

The new Main Library at Heritage Square is celebrating Talk Like a Pirate Day today with pirate-themed fun!

Stories
Crafts
Movies
Pirate activities

If you haven’t been inside the new library at Heritage Square yet, this might be a fun excuse to check it out!

One of my favorite things about the new Heritage Square is seeing this historic Abilene building being used by families again.

Who has already visited the new library? What did you think?



For more info....

Ahoy, mateys! Families are invited to set sail for a day of pirate-themed fun as the Main Library at Abilene Heritage Square celebrates Talk Like a Pirate Day on Saturday, September 19. From stories a

09/19/2026

This is going on this weekend at Refuge Ranch in Tuscola! You can get your fall pictures now!

09/18/2026

What’s next for Abilene?

We sat down with local developer Kyle Paul for the latest episode of the This Is Abilene podcast to talk about some of the growth happening across our city and there is A LOT coming.

We talked about:

A new 475 acre master planned community across from Highland Farms with plans for close to 1,000 homes, pools, a fitness center and other amenities.

New neighborhoods including Meadow Crest near Dyess AFB and the next phase of The Harvest.

New retail and restaurants planned for South Clack, including what’s coming next to that growing area.

280 acres along Southwest Drive and why this could become one of Abilene’s next major areas of development.

Abilene’s growth and where Kyle sees our community heading and what all of this development could mean for the future of our city.

If you’ve driven around Abilene lately and thought, “What are they building over there?” you’ll want to hear this conversation.

Link in comments for video!

What area of Abilene would YOU like us to ask about next? 👇

09/18/2026

LAST CALL — the West Texas Fair & Rodeo closes tomorrow night.
Ten days, gone just like that. If you’ve been saying “we’ll go this weekend” this IS the weekend.
A few things before you head out to the Expo Center:
The admission gate is CASH ONLY this year. Hit the ATM first.
Weekend admission is $15 for adults, $5 for students.
Gate admission does NOT get you into the rodeo. That’s separate.
Now the important question
What is the ONE fair food you refuse to leave without? Turkey leg? Aggie Fries? Funnel cake? Roasted corn? Something fried that shouldn’t be?
Drop it in the comments. I’m taking notes before I go. 🤠

09/17/2026

Looking for something to do? There’s a LOT happening around Abilene over the next few days! Save this post and send it to someone who’s always asking, “What are we doing this weekend?” 😂

🎡 WEST TEXAS FAIR & RODEO
The fair continues through Saturday! Rides, fair food, live music, pig races, shows, animals and plenty to do with the family.

💃 THURSDAY — LATIN DANCE NIGHT
The Grace Museum | 6:30–10 PM
Kick off Hispanic Heritage Month with Latin music, dancing, food and more. Admission is FREE!

🏐 THURSDAY — ACU VOLLEYBALL
ACU takes on Louisiana Tech at Moody Coliseum.

🪐 THURSDAY — PLANETARIUM SHOW
“One Sky Project” at the Morgan Jones Planetarium | 6 PM

🎭 THURSDAY–SATURDAY — MEDEA
McMurry University Theatre is presenting the Greek tragedy “Medea” at Ryan Little Theatre.

🎨 FRIDAY & SATURDAY — SCULPTOUR
Downtown Abilene welcomes the 38th Biennial Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition with new outdoor sculptures along North 1st and art events happening around downtown.

🎃 SATURDAY — PUMPKIN DAYS OPENING WEEKEND
Fall is starting early! Pumpkin Days opens at Refuge Ranch with hay rides, photo opportunities, pumpkin painting, pumpkin axe throwing and more.

📚 SATURDAY — FAMILY FUN SATURDAY
The NCCIL | 10 AM–3 PM
Free family fun with gallery activities, book readings and a special art project for the kids.

🪨 SATURDAY — STEAM & GO!
Spark Science Center | 2–4 PM
Celebrate National Collect Rocks Day with a story and glow-in-the-dark rock painting.

🥕 SATURDAY MORNING — ABILENE FARMERS MARKET
Start Saturday morning shopping local at the Farmers Market downtown.

There is definitely no shortage of things to do in Abilene this weekend! ❤️

👇 Did we miss something?

If your church, school, business or organization has something happening this weekend, DROP IT IN THE COMMENTS so everyone can see it!

And SHARE this with someone looking for weekend plans!