Alright friends, it’s time to get out those calendars and start planning your fall weekends because there is so much coming up that sounds incredibly fun. Whether you’re looking for music, food, culture, arts, or seasonal festivities, there’s a whole lot happening in and around Austin this fall.

Of course, health and safety are a top priority for our entire community right now. While all of the following events are outdoors, please take the time to check each event’s website to review the entry policies before you go.

2021 Fall Festivals:

— Barton Hill Farms Fall Festival, Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch (Bastrop, TX)
Weekends from September 25 – November 7
Barton Hill Farms is the perfect setting to let your kids enjoy true outdoor fall entertainment, including games, a corn maze, pumpkin patch, local vendors, live music, barrel train rides and more.
bartonhillfarms.com
*See our Pumpkin Patch round-up for even more of this type of fall festival!

Photo by Roger Ho from Barton Hill Farms

-– Chalk Walk (Round Rock, TX)
October 1 & 2
Chalk Walk is Round Rock’s version of an Italian street painting festival. Artists are free to create, with chalk pastels, a picture on the pavement. Chalk Walk is a free event at Dell Diamond with numerous vendors, sponsors, and artists, including chalk artists, musicians vocal groups, theatrical performances, food and drinks, and children’s performances.
ChalkWalk.org

photo from the Round Rock Area Arts Council Facebook page

— POPPtoberfest (Georgetown, TX)
October 1 – 3
For the past 20 years, Georgetown, Texas has hosted its popular Red Poppy Festival, and this year the festival has a new twist and a new name — titled POPPtoberfest. This festival is a free, three-day event with live music, artisan booths, food vendors, a Kid’s Fun Zone and more on “The Most Beautiful Town Square in Texas.”

— Austin City Limits Music Festival
Weekend One: October 1-3
Weekend Two: October 8-10
Held in Zilker Park, this is one of the country’s largest celebrations of music. ACL Festival features a diverse lineup of acts every year over two weekends with 8 stages, more than 100 bands.
www.aclfestival.com

ACL 2019 photo by Robert Hein

— Bluegrass Festival (Leander, TX)
October 1 & 2
The 2021 Honda Leander Bluegrass Festival marks its 16th year featuring live music, food trucks, Fun Zone, beer vendors, and craft vendors.
www.leandertx.gov

— Oktoberfest (Fredericksburg, TX)
October 1-3
Oktoberfest is an annual event held in downtown, Fredericksburg, Texas on MarktPlatz. This Fest celebrates its German heritage with music, food and drink, artisans, children’s area and family fun. Oompah at its best.
oktoberfestinfbg.com

photo from the Oktoberfest in Fredericksburg Facebook page

— Austin German-Texan Oktoberfest
October 9
The German-Texan Heritage Society holds this annual festival, featuring live music, food, a biergarten, kid’s activities and more. This year, kids events will be held during the day at the German Free School, and evening events (for grown-ups) will be held at Mowhawk.
www.germantexans.org

— UTOPiAfest (Burnet, TX)
October 14 – 16
UTOPiAfest takes places at Reveille Peak Ranch with music, camping, food, and family-friendly activities in an outdoor setting.
www.utopiafest.com

Photo from the UTOPiAfest Facebook page

— Deutschen Pfest (Pflugerville, TX)
October 15-17
Pflugerville’s most popular pfestival, the Deutschen Pfest is scheduled once again to take place in Pfluger Park. This year’s event includes vendors and live music; Deutschen Pfest 5K and Hanz Health Pfair.
deutschenpfest.com

-– Austin Film Festival
October 21 – 28
Recognized as one of the top film festivals in the country where you can see top-billed & independent films, this year’s fest is offering a mix of in-person and virtual programming.
www.austinfilmfestival.com

Photo from the Austin Film Festival Facebook page

— Diwali Festival (Round Rock, TX)
October 23
The festival of Diwali is a ‘celebration of light’ and all that it encompasses. Enjoy beautiful street lights, savory food, music, cultural dance, beautiful Rangoli (Sand Art) and a fashion show. Kids can learn various arts and crafts while others can partake in free Bollywood dance lessons. Vendors will display colorful arts and crafts, Indian clothing, jewelry and artists will offer Henna temporary tattoos.
www.rrdiwalifest.com

-– Texas Book Festival
October 23 – 31
The Texas Book Festival is one of the largest and most prestigious literary festivals in the country, the annual Texas Book Festival features hundreds of nationally and critically recognized adult and children’s authors, exhibitors, activities, and countless opportunities to meet authors and fellow book lovers. Note that this year’s fest will be a mix of virtual and in-person events.
www.texasbookfestival.org

Photo from a previous year’s Texas Book Festival

— Round Top Antiques Fair (Round Top, TX)
October 25 – 30
The Original Round Top Antiques Fair is celebrated as one of the best antique shows in the nation where you’ll find vintage & antique items.
www.roundtoptexasantiques.com

-– Viva la Vida Festival & Parade
Oct. 30
Viva la Vida is Austin’s largest and longest-standing celebration of the Day of the Dead every year at the Mexic-Arte Museum and includes a big parade through East Austin and downtown Congress Ave. Details of the 2021 event have yet to be released. Stay tuned via Mexic-Arte Museum’s social media posts for info.
mexic-artemuseum.org

Do512 Family team marching in the Viva la Vida parade

— Austin Food & Wine Festival
November 5-7
Austin Food + Wine Festival’s is celebrating their 10th anniversary and will feature cooking demos and food samples from renowned chefs and top-rated restaurants as well as sips from an array of wine, beer and spirits exhibitors. Please note that this one is for ages 21+(but a great day-date for parents and caregivers.)
www.austinfoodandwinefestival.com

-– Wurstfest (New Braunfels)
November 5-14
Held in New Braunfels, you’ll get your fix of German food & beer, music, carnival rides and games and lots of Alpine and Bavarian style entertainment.
www.wurstfest.com


There sure is a lot happening around Austin this fall! For more, check out:

Happy fall, y’all!

*Cover image courtesy of Texas Book Festival