Fun Things To Do This Fall In Austin (2026 Guide)

The moment the Texas heat finally takes a step back, Austin comes alive in a whole new way. Fall here means festival season in full swing, patios packed with local brews, cultural celebrations, and streets buzzing with live music.

If you’re looking for the most unforgettable things to do this fall in Austin, this roundup will take you straight to the heart of what makes autumn here so legendary (and just a little weird, in the best way).

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

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Also check out these articles: Pumpkin Patches – Austin, Corn Mazes – Austin, and Haunted Places in Austin!

Austin Fall Festivals: Top Things to Do This Fall in Austin

Uhland Fall Fest

Image Credit: uhlandfallfest.com

Head over to the Uhland Fall Fest for an array of fall-themed activities for all ages. The festivities offer distinct weekly themes, including Bubble Extravaganza, Pumpkin Jamboree, Indigenous Traditions, Pioneer Palooza, and Butterfly Jubilee.

Where: 2400 Cotton Gin Rd, Uhland, TX 78640
When: Late September – Early November
How Much: Starts at $20

Austin City Limits Music Festival

Party at the legendary Austin City Limits (ACL) Music Festival taking over Zilker Metropolitan Park! Catch world-class performances across nine stages alongside delicious local eats at ACL Eats, an Art Market, and the Austin Kiddie Limits zone.

Where: Zilker Metropolitan Park, 2207 Lou Neff Rd, Austin, TX 78746
When: October 2-4 & 9-11, 2026
How Much: Starts at $170

Austin Horror Film Festival

For those seeking thrilling cinematic experiences this autumn, the Austin Horror Film Festival showcases classic short and feature-length horror films from around the globe, all showing across curated film blocks.

Where: 29th Street Ballroom, 2906 Fruth St, Austin, TX 78705
When: October 15-17, 2026
How Much: Starts at $16.24

Austin Film Festival

Known as “The Writers’ Festival,” this premier film festival features an extensive writers’ conference with over 150 sessions, alongside world-premiere film screenings and panels with leading industry storytellers.

Where: Multiple locations throughout Austin
When: October 29 – November 5, 2026
How Much: Not Stated

Viva la Vida Fest

Image Credit: mexic-artemuseum.org

Presented by Mexic-Arte Museum, Austin’s largest Día de los Muertos event kicks off with a Grand Procession down historic Sixth Street, followed by an open-air festival with art vendors, live music, and low-rider exhibits.

Where: Mexic-Arte Museum, 419 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701
When: Saturday, October 24, 2026
How Much: Free

Austin Celtic Festival

Celebrate Celtic traditions at Pioneer Farms with authentic bagpipe music, Irish dancing, traditional craft workshops, and full-day Highland Games competitions, including the caber toss.

Where: Pioneer Farms, 10621 Pioneer Farms Dr, Austin, TX 78754
When: November 7-8, 2026
How Much: $25 per day | $12 for kids (5–16) | Free for kids under 5

Texas Book Festival

Celebrate literature at the Texas State Capitol grounds during this massive book festival. This year’s lineup features over 300 authors, engaging panel discussions, cooking demonstrations, and book signings.

Where: Texas Capitol, 1100 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701
When: November 14-15, 2026
How Much: Free

Austin Powwow

Recognized as one of the largest single-day powwows in the nation, this event honors Native American heritage with grand entry processions, gourd dances, traditional food stalls, and an indigenous artisan market.

Where: Travis County Exposition Center, 7311 Decker Lane, Austin, TX 78724
When: Saturday, November 21, 2026
How Much: $10 – $12 | Free for kids under 12

Pumpkin Patches & Corn Mazes Around Austin

Sweet Eats Fruit Farm Fall Festival

Things To Do This Fall in Austin - Sweet Eats Fruit Farm

Image Credit: Sweet Eats Fruit Farm FB Page

Navigate a massive 4.5-acre corn maze and pick from over 40 varieties of pumpkins. Admission includes access to petting zoos, pig races, wagon rides, and weekend evening fireworks displays.

Where: 14400 E State Hwy 29, Georgetown, TX 78626
When: September 19, 2026 – November 8, 2026
How Much: Not Stated

Texas Pumpkin Fest

A premier family pumpkin destination featuring train rides, super slides, petting zoos, magic shows, pumpkin pie-eating contests, axe throwing, and a Hall of Monsters scare zone.

Where: 8760 FM 2243, Leander, TX 78641
When: October – Early November
How Much: $15 | Free for veterans & first responders on Fridays

Indian Springs Ranch Fall Fest

Explore a picture-perfect fall festival in South Austin featuring exotic animal feedings (camels, zebras), low ropes courses, corn pits, photo setups, and authentic Native American tipis.

Where: 403 Elm View Way, Manchaca, TX 78652
When: Late September – Late October
How Much: Not Stated

Halloween Events for Kids & Families

Pumpkin Nights at Pioneer Farms

Things To Do This Fall in Austin - Pumpkin Nights

Image Credit: Pumpkin Nights FB Page

Walk through a magical half-mile trail illuminated by over 5,000 hand-carved real and artificial pumpkins, spanning themed lands like Forbidden City and Pirate’s Cove.

Where: Pioneer Farms, 10621 Pioneer Farms Dr, Austin, TX 78754
When: September 17, 2026 – October 31, 2026
How Much: Starts at $20

Boo at the Zoo

Wear your favorite family costumes for a night at the Austin Zoo, featuring illuminated animal walkways, an eerie haunted train ride, and trick-or-treat stations.

Where: Austin Zoo, 10808 Rawhide Trail, Austin, TX 78736
When: October weekends | 5:45 PM – 9:00 PM
How Much: $25

Halloween Carnival at Neill-Cochran House Museum

Enjoy a historic afternoon filled with trunk-or-treating, scavenger hunts, outdoor carnival games, and interactive tours of one of Austin’s oldest original estates.

Where: 2310 San Gabriel St, Austin, TX 78705
When: Sunday, October 25, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
How Much: Free Event – Free Parking

Spooky Nightlife & Adult Halloween Events

Scream Hollow Wicked Halloween Park

Things To Do This Fall in Austin - Scream Hallow Wicked Halloween Park

Image Credit: feverup.com

Venture just east of Austin to a full-scale haunt park featuring five terrifying haunted houses (including Mansion of Terror and Lost Pines Asylum) alongside live music and open fire pits.

Where: 149 Split Rail Ln, Smithville, TX 78957
When: Late September – Early November
How Much: Starts at $32.48

House of Torment

Austin’s legendary premier haunted attraction features three movie-grade haunted houses, mini escape rooms, axe-throwing, and an exclusive 21+ secret cocktail lounge.

Where: 2632 Ridgepoint Dr, Austin, TX 78754
When: September 12, 2026 – November 8, 2026
How Much: Starts at $19.99

Bat City Scare Grounds

A massive 15-acre horror entertainment complex offering three distinct haunted houses, side-show acts, aerialists, and live music stages every weekend.

Where: 14101 S Turnersville Rd, Buda, TX 78610
When: September 26, 2026 – October 31, 2026
How Much: Starts at $27.81

Fall Food, Drink & Seasonal Flavors

Austin Oktoberfest

Image Credit: germantexans.org

Hosted by the German-Texan Heritage Society, this authentic festival offers traditional German beers, bratwurst, yodeling, and polka performances in the heart of downtown Austin.

Where: German-Texan Heritage Society, 507 E 10th St, Austin, TX 78701
When: Saturday, October 10, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
How Much: $17.85

Austin Coffee Festival

Sip unlimited tastings from the top specialty roasters across Texas while enjoying live indie music and watching high-stakes latte art competitions.

Where: Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704
When: October 17 + 18, 2026
How Much: Starts at $25.27

Art & Beer Night Market Austin

Browse handmade creations from over 70 local artisans and craftspeople while enjoying fresh craft beers on tap and local food trucks.

Where: The Brewtorium, 6015 Dillard Cir A, Austin, TX 78752
When: Saturday, November 7, 2026 | 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM
How Much: Free admission

Free Things to Do This Fall in Austin

Catch Free Outdoor Concerts and Park Movies

Enjoy free outdoor acoustic concerts and twilight movie screenings under the stars across Austin’s neighborhood parks, including Pan Am Park and Metz Park.

Where: Various parks across Austin
When: September – November
How Much: Free

Hike, Bike, or Explore Austin’s Greenbelts

Take advantage of cool autumn weather on the 10-mile Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail around Lady Bird Lake or hike limestone bluffs along the Barton Creek Greenbelt.

Where: Ann and Roy Butler Trail & Barton Creek Greenbelt
When: Daily, sunrise to sunset
How Much: Free

Take a Self-Guided Cultural Walking Tour

Discover historical landmarks and public art at your own pace along the 4.9-mile Tejano Walking Trail in East Austin or downtown historical routes.

Where: East Austin & Downtown Austin
When: Anytime
How Much: Free

Know Before You Go: Exploring Fall in Metro Austin

While many of these fall activities take place near Central Austin, they are quickly accessible for residents across the Greater Austin area. Whether you are commuting in from Round Rock, Cedar Park, Buda, or Lakeway, major corridors like I-35, Loop 1 (MoPac), and Hwy 183 keep driving times under 30 minutes for most festival destinations.

Common Questions About Fall in Austin

What are the best fall events for families with young children in Austin?

Events like Pumpkin Nights at Pioneer Farms, Sweet Eats Fruit Farm in Georgetown, and Boo at the Zoo offer great family-friendly daytime activities with minimal spooks.

When does fall weather usually start in Austin?

Mild autumn weather typically arrives by mid-to-late October, with temperatures dropping into the comfortable 70s—perfect for outdoor beer gardens, hiking, and music festivals.

Are there free fall activities in Austin?

Yes! Events like the Texas Book Festival, Viva la Vida Fest, and hiking the Butler Trail or Barton Creek Greenbelt are completely free to the public.

Looking for more fun in the city? See the upcoming Weekend Events in Austin.

Author
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Lacey Morris

Lacey is a freelancer and Austin local who’s always on the hunt for new restaurants to try, fun activities to do, and local events to attend. She loves sharing her discoveries with others through her writing and hopes her work encourages both visitors and locals to be active in the community. When she’s not writing, you can find her exploring one of the city’s many hiking trails with her Blue Heeler, Oreo, getting lost in a good book, or dancing the night away to some house or techno beats at one of her favorite rave spots.