Austin Highlights: October 5 To October 8

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The best free and fun events in Austin, October 5 – October 8, include UMLAUF After Dark, Sara Bareilles in Concert, and more!

Austin turns up the energy long before the weekend hits, and this list rounds up the can’t-miss events keeping the city buzzing all week long. Explore what’s happening from September 28 to October 1, and keep your weekdays packed with Austin’s signature spirit and creativity!

Editor’s Note: We work hard to provide you with accurate and up-to-date information. However, all details are subject to change. Please verify information before heading out.

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Check out our recent updates to our guides: Date Ideas in Austin, Things To Do with Teens in Austin, and Things To Do this Summer in Austin.

Free and Fun Events in Austin this Monday, October 5, 2026

National Geographic Live – An Evening with Jaime Rojo

Fifty years after the discovery that monarch butterflies spend their winters in Mexican forests, photographer and National Geographic Explorer Jaime Rojo reveals this winged wonder through stunning, never-before-seen visuals.

Join conservationists and citizen scientists as they fight to protect this incredible species from catastrophic threats.

Where: The Long Center for the Performing Arts, 701 W Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78704
When: Monday, October 5, 2026 | 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM
How Much: Starts at $40

Fall Festival

Explore a massive 4.5-acre themed corn maze and a Texas-sized pumpkin patch boasting over 40 unique varieties of pumpkins.

Your ticket includes daily pig races, a petting zoo, pony rides, wagon rides, apple cannons, and over 30 exciting farm-themed activities, alongside thrilling fireworks displays every Friday and Saturday night in October.

There will also be weekend shows like Ember Fire Show, Sky Kings Falconry, and Zoofari.

Where: Sweet Eats Adventure Farm, 14400 E State Hwy 29, Georgetown, TX 78626
When: Monday, October 5 – November 8, 2026
How Much: Starts at $16

Esquina’s Fall Youth Dance Classes

Ignite your child’s passion for movement with Esquina’s Fall Youth Dance Classes, titled “La Juventud”!

Designed for ages 7 to 11, these vibrant sessions feature exciting weekly rhythms including Ritmos Latinos on Mondays, Samba on Wednesdays, and Tango on Thursdays, leading up to a special performance opportunity on Saturday, October 17.

Snacks are provided, so remember to bring water and secure your spot by adding your child as a family member through your Wellness Living account.

Where: Esquina Tango, 209 Pedernales Street, Austin, TX 78702
When: Monday, October 5 – 15, 2026 | 5:30 PM to 6:15 PM
How Much: Free

Yoga & Sound

Re-center your mind and body amidst the natural beauty of Waterloo Park with a revolving series of energizing vinyasa flows, gentle yoga, mindful movement, and restorative sound experiences!

Open to all ages and abilities, with beginners and experts welcome, modifications are offered throughout each class to help every participant move, breathe, connect, and unwind.

Bring a yoga mat, water, and friends to enjoy this community-supported wellness program presented at no cost.

Where: Waterloo Park, 500 E 12th St, Austin, TX 78701
When: Every Monday from October 5 – November 2, 2026 | 6 pm
How Much: Free

Austin Psycho

Suit up in blood-splattered gear and release your inner action star by smashing your way through a late-night thriller homage at Rage Room Austin.

Grab your friends and dive right into the heart-pounding scene for an unforgettable adrenaline rush!

Where: Rage Room Austin, 1716 E Slaughter Ln, Austin, TX 78747
When: Monday, October 8 – 31, 2026 | 7:00 PM
How Much: $40

Free and Fun Events in Austin this Tuesday, October 6, 2026

Sara Bareilles: The Good Grief Tour

Experience a triumphant new chapter of storytelling as the acclaimed GRAMMY-winning singer-songwriter makes her long-awaited return to the stage! This deeply personal concert blends raw, vulnerable tracks from her latest album with the beloved hits that defined her career.

Where: Bass Concert Hall, 2350 Robert Dedman Dr, Austin, TX 78712
When: Tuesday, October 6, 2026 | 8:00 PM
How Much: Starts at $121

Flavors of West Austin

Image credit: West Austin Chamber

Sample delicious small bites from twenty local restaurants, sip on a refreshing local brew, and browse over twenty artisan vendors on a gorgeous university campus!

Get a custom caricature drawn with friends, enjoy live entertainment, and cast your vote for the favorite dish of the night while supporting a fantastic local food pantry.

Where: Concordia University Texas, 11400 Concordia University Dr, Austin, TX 78726
When: Tuesday, October 6, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
How Much: $50

UMLAUF After Dark

Image credit: UMLAUF Sculpture Garden and Museum

Immerse yourself in a vibrant outdoor evening where live music, art, and community come together in a gorgeous garden setting!

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with the lively Latin Jazz Fusion sounds of Groove Mosaic, followed by breathtaking landscape projections and musical experiences by The VHU Project.

Where: Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum, 605 Azie Morton Rd, Austin, TX 78704
When: Tuesday, October 6, 2026 | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
How Much: $12

2nd annual: A Night in Stars Hollow: The ULTIMATE Gilmore Girls Party

Test your knowledge with trivia on the patio, grab a burger from the pop-up, enter the Luke Danes look-alike contest, and shop local vendor booths at Doose’s Market. There will also be themed cocktails and live music all evening long.

Where: Hotel Vegas, 1502 E. Sixth St., Austin, TX 78702
When: Tuesday, October 6, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 12:00 AM
How Much: Free

Tuesday Twilights feat. Anna La Mare

Spend a peaceful evening surrounded by stunning blooms as the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center stays open late every Tuesday this fall. Make it a charming date night, pack a relaxing picnic with friends, or enjoy some quiet solo time soaking in the beauty of nature.

Every single visit features delightful live music from local artists to serenade your stroll through the gardens.

Where: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Ave, Austin, TX 78739
When: Tuesday, October 6, 2026 – November 10, 2026 | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
How Much: $15 for adults | $12 for seniors | $9 for kids 3 – 17 | Free for kids 2 and under

Pumpkin Nights

Skip the traditional scares and step into a stunning Halloween art experience as you follow a half-mile path through nine immersive pumpkin lands, ranging from the fiery Forbidden City to the electric underwater world of Neon Reef.

They all feature larger-than-life installations built from over 10,000 hand-carved and custom-designed pumpkins. The journey continues in Pumpkin Village with festive food, a live fire show, and games for the whole family to enjoy.

Where: Pioneer Farms, 10621 Pioneer Farms Dr, Austin, TX 78754
When: Tuesday, October 6 – 31, 2026 | 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM
How Much: Starts at $12

Free and Fun Events in Austin this Wednesday, October 7, 2026

Haunted Shores: Family Halloween Walk-Through

Explore a spooky water park transformed into a thrilling Halloween walk-through filled with haunted scenes, creepy characters, and ghostly encounters!

You can come early for delicious dinner options, spooky cocktails, and themed snacks by the water before embarking on a family-friendly adventure designed for all ages. Stick around after your walk for even more seasonal fun and thrills.

Where: Volente Beach Waterpark, 16107 Farm to Market Rd 2769 Suite D, Leander, TX 78641
When: Wednesday, October 7 – 31, 2026 | 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
How Much: Starts at $10

Kacey Musgraves in concert

Image credit: Kacey Musgraves

Catch the sensational Texas native live on stage as she performs in support of her brand-new album, Middle of Nowhere!

Where: Moody Center, 2001 Robert Dedman Dr, Austin, TX 78712
When: Wednesday, October 7 – 8, 2026 | 7:30 PM
How Much: Starts at $114

Terrazas Plant Swap

Bring your extra plant cuttings, pups, or whole potted plants to trade and meet fellow gardening enthusiasts in your neighborhood!

Where: Terrazas Branch, Austin Public Library, 1105 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702
When: Wednesday, October 7, 2026 | 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
How Much: Free

Music on the Trail Series

Every week, the Rainey Street Trailhead lawn transforms into Austin’s coolest outdoor concert spot featuring a new local musician. Grab a blanket, bring some friends, and let’s make Wednesdays the best night of the week!

This September 9 will feature Jennifer Foster & The Audacity.

Where: Rainey Street Trailhead, Cummings St, Austin, TX 78701
When: Wednesday, October 7 – 14, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
How Much: Free

Two-Step Lessons at Sagebrush: Beginner + Intermediate

Step onto the dance floor and learn Austin’s signature honky-tonk two-step style with drop-in classes hosted by Double or Nothing Two-Step.

Whether arriving solo, as a couple, or with a group, no partner or prior experience is required to join the beginner lesson at six in the evening or the intermediate class at seven.

Your partners will rotate throughout the session, and your admission covers both the instruction and the live country music that follows.

Where: Sagebrush, 5500 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78745
When: Wednesday, October 7 – November 24, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
How Much: $10

Free and Fun Events in Austin this Thursday, October 8, 2026

Cap City Comedy Club presents Nico Carney

Spend an evening laughing out loud with Brooklyn-based stand-up comedian, writer, and actor Nico Carney! Hear hilarious stories covering his experiences growing up as a trans man in Georgia alongside plenty of other wonderfully silly observations.

Where: Cap City Comedy Club, 11506 Century Oaks Terrace Unit 100, Austin, TX 78758
When: Thursday, October 8 – 10, 2026
How Much: Please check the website for tickets

Dance Carousel

Image credit: Dance Carousel

Enjoy a wonderfully inventive showcase featuring works by 24 brilliant choreographers presenting fast-paced, one-minute dances in a round!

Over the course of forty-eight minutes, experience a diverse mix of humorous, poignant, virtuosic, and deliciously subversive performances across two unique programs. Come support local contemporary dance and let yourself be surprised by boundary-pushing movement.

Where: Ground Floor Theater, 979 Springdale Rd #122, Austin, TX 78702
When: Thursday, October 8 – 10, 2026 | 8:00 PM
How Much: Please check the website for tickets

The Baron’s Men presents The Taming of the Shrew

Step back into the hustle, bargaining, and vibrant romance of the Italian Renaissance with Shakespeare’s classic comedy!

Follow the fiery, headstrong Katerina and the witty suitors desperate to win her hand or unlock the path to her sister Bianca.

Where: Austin Scottish Rite Theater, 207 W 18th St., Austin, TX 78701
When: Thursday, October 8 – 11, 2026
How Much: Please check the website for tickets

Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End

Step into a heartfelt and humorous world as legendary columnist Erma Bombeck takes center stage in this delightful one-woman show at Austin Playhouse.

Follow her frank and witty journey of self-discovery as she looks beyond the roles of wife and mother, proving that everyday family life brings its own wonderful brand of joy.

Where: Austin Playhouse, 405 W 22nd St, Austin, TX 78705
When: Thursday, October 8 – 11, 2026 | Thursday – Saturday at 7:30 PM and Sunday at 7:30 PM
How Much: Starts at $25

Ofrenda

Immerse yourself in a moving story of family, heritage, and sacrifice as Día de los Muertos approaches.

Join immigrant mother Macaria and her skeptical daughter Pina in a powerful theatrical journey filled with love, magic, and a fateful encounter with death itself. This touching opera reflects the deep hopes parents hold for their children and the beauty of honoring those who came before you.

Where: Austin Opera’s Butler Performance Center, 5811 Trade Center Drive Austin, TX 78744
When: Thursday, October 8 – 11, 2026
How Much: $65

Driftwood Fall Festival

Celebrate the crisp autumn season by joining a wonderful new family tradition nestled across a gorgeous 21-acre ranch.

Wander through a charming boutique pumpkin patch, lose yourself in the haze maze, conquer the hay mountain, and enjoy delightful outdoor games and farm animal petting zoo experiences. You can also grab some local food and drinks while soaking in the festive fall atmosphere with your favorite people!

Where: Vista Brewing, 13551 Ranch to Market Rd 150, Driftwood, TX 78619
When: Thursday, October 8 – November 1, 2026
How Much: $5 – $15 | Free for babies and kids 3 and under

Already planning for the weekend? Browse our latest picks for Friday through Sunday in Austin — concerts, food festivals, date ideas, and more await!