As the summer months round to a close, we can only sit and hope that the hot weather gets the memo and follows suit. After all, fall is the season for temperate days, chilly evenings, and festive celebrations. New and old, iconic and fresh, we hope this year’s list of fall events will bring you somewhere new.
UT Football Season
Kickoff Sept 5, DKR Texas Memorial Stadium
Lasting through late November, the University of Texas Football Season will kick off on the 5th of September with a match against the Texas State Bobcats. Students have the opportunity to purchase seasonal sport passes that grant them access to all home games, so if you have a Longhorn at home, they might be your key to skipping out on ticket prices this fall.
Austin City Limits
Weekend 1: Oct 2-4, Weekend 2: Oct 9-11, Zilker Park
Standing as one of Austin’s most iconic events, ACL will be celebrating its 25th anniversary this fall with a stacked lineup of big names like Charli XCX, Skrillex, Lorde, and Twenty One Pilots that’ll definitely leave you torn between weekend 1 and 2. The combination of unmatched live talent, Austin-favorite eats, and large-scale festivities makes ACL an enduring tradition that’s always worth a ticket.
Austin Zoo’s “Boo at the Zoo”
Weekends of Oct 2-24, Austin Zoo
Welcoming a crowd dressed in their Halloween best, the Austin Zoo is hosting weekend “Boo at the Zoo” nights throughout the month of October. With a “Spooky Train,” haunted house, and plenty of room to spread out and relax if you brought along a picnic, it provides the perfect blend of seasonal fall fun and zoological learning that the Austin Zoo prides itself on.
Austoberfest
Oct 3, Scholz Garten
For an opportunity to immerse yourself in historic German culture, look no further than Austoberfest. Hosted by Austin Saengerrunde, the event offers many fun things to do such as a stein holding contest, yodeling, tracht, and a hosted bratwurst competition. In between activities, visitors may also enjoy live music, local beer, and even bowling.
Austin Oktoberfest
Oct 10, German Free School
Held out of the headquarters of the German-Texan Heritage Society, Austin Oktoberfest is the city’s premiere German culture celebration. Touted as the “most authentic Oktoberfest game in town,” join in on the Gemütlichkeit and enjoy some delicious wurst, pretzels, live performances, and tons of activities for children such as pumpkin painting.
Hot Luck Festival
Oct 16-17, Downtown Austin
Close your eyes and imagine a city-wide potluck run by some of Austin’s finest chefs, accompanied by live music and the sights of downtown. If that sounds fun, (and we know it does,) look no further than Hot Luck food festival. Started in Austin by James Beard Award-winning chef Aaron Franklin and landed in spots all around the US, this year it’s back home and better than ever. For a diverse and unique large-scale food experience, it’ll make for a great addition to your fall fun list.
Austin Symphony Orchestra’s Halloween Children’s Concert
Oct 18, Long Center’s Dell Hall
If you have a child who is interested in learning about the orchestra or who may simply enjoy a fun night of musical storytelling, Austin Symphony Orchestra will be performing “Peter and the Wolf” for their Halloween Children's concert this year. Throw on your costumes, arrive early for pre-concert activities, and strap in for a night of festive entertainment.
Formula 1 United States Grand Prix
Oct 23-25, Circuit of the Americas
Austin has been the home of the Formula 1 Grand Prix since 2012, where it brought F1 out of a five-year hiatus with the installment of the Circuit of the Americas. This year is no exception, and this fall promises a race just as exciting as its predecessors. For those that love high-energy sports and crowds, the celebration put on around the event isn’t one to miss.
Austin Film Festival
Oct 29-Nov 5, Various Austin Theaters
Celebrating the television writers, artists, and filmmakers whose work continues to inspire and motivate creatives, Austin Film Festival is an all-encompassing victory lap for viewers, producers, and students alike. With eight days dedicated to screenings and four days for the conference featuring revered panelists, it’s a cornerstone of inspiration and discovery for every kind of film-lover.
Austin Celtic Festival
Nov 7-8, Jordan-Bachman Pioneer Farms
Every year, the Austin Celtic Foundation and Celtic Cultural Center of Texas host the Austin Celtic Festival, a two-day celebration filled with live performances from Celtic bands and artists, highland games, celtic arts workshops, and even an animal parade featuring celtic dog and horse breeds. If you’ve ever been interested in learning about Celtic culture, it would certainly make for a great weekend outing.
Austin Food and Wine Festival
Nov 7-9, Auditorium Shores
For a weekend dedicated to stylish sips and perfectly paired bites, Austin Food and Wine festival is a must-go for any Austin foodie. Guests will be able to enjoy bites from all across the country alongside activities like guided tasting and hands-on grilling, experiencing the best of both worlds underneath the city skyline.
Blue Genie Art Bazaar
Nov 13-Dec 24, 6100 Airport Blvd.
Featuring the handmade work of hundreds of talented applicants each year, the Blue Genie Art Bazaar is a market founded on uplifting local artists and craftsmen. Although they’ve grown to host an online store, the fun really lies in the act of browsing in person and checking out their activities like kid-friendly scavenger hunts and Saturday card painting – you’re sure to leave with something new to love.
Austin Studio Tour
Weekend 1: Nov 14-15, Weekend 2: Nov 21-22, Various Studios & Galleries in ATX
Keeping the art-lovers on speed-dial, the Austin Studio Tour is a free, citywide event that invites participants to explore the galleries and studio spaces of hundreds of artists from all over Austin. Providing visitors with the opportunity to browse and purchase locally made work and artists with the chance to offer insights into their process and build lasting support networks, the Austin Studio Tour is cementing itself as an essential part of Austin’s culture.
Cornhole Tournament
Sept 26, City Park Lower Level
Offering a thrilling viewing experience, Lakeway City Park will host a single-elimination doubles cornhole tournament this fall. With free admission and refreshments, and an authentic playing experience sanctioned by the American Cornhole Association, it’s a great idea for some seasonally-appropriate fun.
Fall Concert Series
Oct 4, Lakeway Activity Center
On select Sundays, the Lakeway Activity Center is host to free, live concert performances from local musicians. This fall, they’ll be featuring a piano program with a trio and a quintet, as well as violin and cello duos and soloists. If you enjoy live instrumentals and would like to show up for local musicians, it’s definitely an event to check out.
Witches Ride
Oct 17, Lakeway Dr. & Lakeway Activity Center
Join up with your local community for a night of costumed Halloween fun. Dress up (or come as your scary self,) grab your scooter, bike, or walking shoes, and prepare for a “flight” down Lakeway Drive towards the activity center, where a festive carnival will be waiting. Free and perfect for kiddos, enjoy a bite from one of the food stands, participate in games and spookily-fun activities, or sit down and take a load off at the movie screening. Don’t forget to bring some sweets to hand out to parade-watchers 🍬
ArtWALK
Nov 6-8, Touring Locations
For art-loving folks in Lakeway, ArtWALK is a local studio and gallery tour presented by the City of Lakeway and Lakeway Arts Committee. Celebrate local cultural arts of the Lakeway region and uplift talented artists, musicians, and craftsmen of all kinds with touring home galleries and featured arts centers.
Westcave Star Party
Sept 12, Oct 9, Nov 7, Westcave Preserve
Located 40 miles west of Austin, Westcave Preserve hosts monthly star parties, taking advantage of their 76 acres of undisturbed parkspace – and total darkness. With a mission to promote support of wilderness conservation, you won’t want to miss this opportunity to view and learn about our night sky.
Uhland Fall Festival
Sept 26 - Nov 1, 39 Dairy Rd. Uhland, TX
Offering a large-scale fall festival experience like no other, Uhland Fall Festival is host to over fifty games and activities for visitors to entertain themselves with. With something for animal-lovers, pumpkin patch-goers, live music enthusiasts, foodies, and everyone in-between, UFF is shaping up to be a must-go for folks from all over.
Dripping Springs Farmers Market
Every Wednesday, Dripping Springs Ranch Park
Although it’s not a uniquely fall event, the Dripping Springs Farmers Market is sure to have some lovely, fresh fall produce available in the coming months. Hosted every Wednesday at the Dripping Springs Ranch Park, it’s definitely worth a visit as the season begins for squashes, pumpkins, apples, and pears.
At Moreland, we know that between holiday prep and a ramping up workload, fall can be a busy season. Whether your favorite fall activities include shopping, celebration, or tasting fun foods, we hope this list supplies more than a few options for you to destress, explore, and have fun.
