Old Town Keller Events Fall 2026: From Bates to Holly Days

Between two old houses on Bates Street stands a railroad ticket booth with "Interurban Lines" painted on its sign. It is on loan from the Keller History Museum. The electric line it served once linked Fort Worth to Dallas, and also to Cleburne, Denison, Corsicana and Waco, according to the Texas State Historical Association. The booth sits where Old Town Keller's newest gathering spot is taking shape. That spot is one block off Main Street, and it keeps earlier hours than Main does.

For years, a night out in Old Town meant Main Street. That is still true after 9 p.m. But a park, a new night market and two century-old houses are turning Bates Street into a second center. It is aimed at families, small vendors and anyone who wants coffee and dessert more than a cover band.

The two houses that sat empty for three years

The buildings at 128 and 136 Bates St. used to be the Keller Station House & History Museum and Catherine Anne's Books. Each had been vacant for more than three years before Ashley Stone Hernandez and Jamie Hurley bought them, Community Impact reported on Oct. 1. Hernandez told the outlet that each house dates back at least 100 years. Under the project name The Keller Depot, 128 Bates will become The Station House, a nod to the old train museum. The former bookstore at 136 Bates will become The Jackson Cottage.

The owners plan a coffee shop concept in one building and a dessert business in the other. The Keller Depot's own site says Stephens Sweet Shoppe is expected to settle into the Jackson Cottage. No opening date has been posted.

The city has a stake in the project too. At its Sept. 15 meeting, the Keller City Council approved facade grants for both buildings to The Hive & Holding Co., the business Hernandez and Hurley co-own. Keller Economic Developer Ana Erwin said the project could qualify for up to $30,000 in reimbursement through city grants. Renovation was set to start after National Night Out on Oct. 6. The goal is to have both buildings ready to lease by December.

A park built in 2024 finally has a regular crowd

Across the street, Bates Street Park at 133 Bates St. opened on Oct. 5, 2024. Its ribbon cutting was timed to the Date Night in the Park event. It has a stage pavilion, an open lawn, outdoor seating and a climbing feature for young children, Community Impact reported at the time.

Until this fall, that stage had no recurring event built around the houses next to it. Hernandez and Hurley held the first Nights on Bates on Sept. 25, with music, food and local vendors. In their recap, the organizers said they met families from Keller, Trophy Club, Roanoke, Argyle and even Farmers Branch. The second night, on Oct. 23, had Brandon McLaughlin playing live music from 7 p.m.

The next one is Friday, Nov. 27, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Bates Street Park. It is billed as "Shop Small, Stay Awhile," and it falls on Thanksgiving weekend. That makes it an easy outing if family is in town. You can RSVP or apply to be a vendor through The Keller Depot.

Hernandez sees the park as part of a larger plan. She told Community Impact that being so close to Bates Street Park could turn the block into a festival street. She also described the project in broader terms, as quoted by Community Impact:

"This will truly become a destination for gathering, connection, small business and unforgettable experiences."

The back fence connects to Olive Street

The Depot's back yards are where the Bates Street idea grows into a full block. Both properties share a fence line with 139 Olive, the event center Hernandez also owns. She plans to lay turf in both back yards to match 139 Olive and wants them to connect to the event center.

Olive Street already brings in people for daytime, hands-on events, and that crowd is a natural fit for coffee and dessert. On Oct. 29, from 6 to 9 p.m., 139 Olive hosts Muse & Make's beginner 3D LED Moon Wall Art Workshop. It costs $95 per person, materials included. A few doors down, Salt & Light Collective at 138 Olive St. has seasonal classes almost every week:

• Oct. 29, 7 to 8:30 p.m.: Fall Wreath Sash Sewing, for adults with some sewing-machine experience
• Oct. 30, 7 to 8:30 p.m.: Sugar Skull Pumpkin Craft, for teens and adults
• Oct. 31, 10:30 a.m. to noon, or Nov. 1, 4 to 5:30 p.m.: Succulent Pumpkin Harvest Workshop, ages 8 and up
• Nov. 2, 9 and 16, 5 to 6:30 p.m.: Supper Club, a three-session cooking course for ages 10 and up
• Nov. 3 or Nov. 14: Intro to Stained Glass, ages 16 and up
• Nov. 7, 10:30 a.m. to noon: Autumn Canopy Watercolor, ages 8 and up
• Nov. 20 and Nov. 22: Cookie classes, one for teens and adults and one for families with kids 5 and up

Registration is required, and some family classes require a paid adult to attend with younger children. Also coming to Bates: Communion Coffee has a worship night planned on Bates Street on Nov. 20. Check with Communion Coffee for the time.

Main Street keeps the late shift

Main runs on different hours. Bates and Olive mostly wrap up by 9 p.m., and most of Main's fall calendar starts after 7. Here is what's on Main from late October through Nov. 21:

The Hush tastings are ticketed, so check the Hush event calendar before you go. The Pour Shack party has its own reservations and age rules.

Main Street has new businesses too, and their pattern matches what Bates is aiming for. Luna Loco, the Mexican restaurant at 228 S. Main St., soft-opened Aug. 21 and officially opened Aug. 27. In September it said its full menu would expand on Oct. 20, Community Impact reported. Southern Soul & Co. shares the building at 228 S. Main St., Suite 100. It's a western-inspired boutique with clothing, turquoise jewelry and gifts. It opened Aug. 7 and held its grand opening Sept. 12, according to Community Impact. Earlier in the year, Especially Sweet opened its gourmet chocolate boutique at 241 S. Main St. on Jan. 17, 2026. A chocolate shop, a boutique and a family restaurant on Main, plus a planned coffee shop and dessert spot on Bates, add up to an Old Town that works for an afternoon as well as a night out.

The rest of the fall calendar

A few more dates to save, around Old Town and citywide:

1. Nov. 2, 7 to 9 p.m.: A Día de Los Muertos Reiki Sound Bath Ceremony at Nopalita Café, 139 S. Elm St., with sound bowls, guided meditation and an ofrenda. The ticket includes a café drink.
2. Nov. 7, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.: Flannel Fest, which the city describes as a family fall festival. More details are still to come on the City of Keller calendar.
3. Nov. 12, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: The Keller Chamber's 2026 Nonprofit Luncheon at Kalla Events, 121 S. Elm St. Registration is required.
4. Nov. 27, 6 to 9 p.m.: Depot Nights on Bates at Bates Street Park.
5. Dec. 4, 5 to 9 p.m.: Holly Days, with the Very Merry Light Parade, Santa and the Christmas tree lighting, per the City of Keller.

The city's 2026 Holiday Yard Decorating Contest theme is "A Few of My Favorite Things." The Parks and Recreation special events page is where entry details should appear.

What is still in the planning stage

Two projects will decide how far the Bates Street block reaches. The first is The Keller Depot itself. The December leasing goal and the coffee and dessert tenants are still plans, and neither building is open yet. The second is HOPS Kitchen + Bar. It's a 7,200-square-foot restaurant combining elevated Chinese food with a steakhouse, planned for 200 Keller Parkway. Community Impact reported a projected opening in summer or fall 2027. The City Council approved an economic development agreement for HOPS on Aug. 18.

Until then, Bates Street Park's stage and lawn host Depot Nights, and the next one is Nov. 27.

If your home is within walking distance of Bates Street Park and you're curious how Old Town's growth shows up when a home is presented to buyers, The Pistana Group is glad to talk it through. Our in-house video team shoots neighborhood life like this alongside every listing. Request a Premium Listing Consultation and we'll show you what that looks like for your street.