As we say goodbye to summer (at least in spirit if not with a change of weather), we can look forward to many awesome upcoming events this fall. It’s time to pull out your calendars and save the date for some exciting family fun.
—Austin Museum Day
September 17
Organized by the Austin Museum Partnership, this special day features free exhibitions and activities at participating Austin-area museums and cultural institutions across the city. Austin Museum Day is held on the penultimate (second to last) Sunday of September and this year, it falls on September 17.
www.austinmuseums.org
— CASA Superhero Run
September 17
Put on your best costume and participate in this 5K and Kids 1K where you can be a superhero for children who’ve been abused or neglected. This annual event includes a superhero costume contest, special superhero guest appearances, and lots of special family activities!
www.casasuperherorun.com
photo courtesy of CASA Superhero Run
—Fall 2023 Pecan Street Festival
September 16-17
The Pecan Street Festival is a free, bi-annual street festival held on historic Sixth Street, featuring music, arts, and crafts with over 300 artisan vendors from all over the world.
www.pecanstreetfestival.org
—¡VIVA Mexico!
September 16
The Emma S. Barrientos Mexican-American Cultural Center will host its annual Viva México celebration at the Oswaldo A.B. Cantu/Pan American Recreation Center on Saturday, September 16th from 5:00-9:00 pm. The celebration will showcase visual art, dance, and musical performances that explore Mexico’s history through cultural art traditions.
maccaustin.org
— Pumpkin Patches, Fall Carnivals & Halloween Events!
You can count on dozens and dozens of fun seasonal events for kids in October. Each year Do512 Family creates epic lists of all the area pumpkin patches and Halloween events. Please check back with us in late September for this info. We won’t leave you hanging without at least a little sneak peek, though: Dripping Springs Pumpkin Festival begins September 23 and runs through October 29.
Pumpkin Nights 2021, Photo credit: Amber Martinez Vasquez
—Round Rock Chalk Walk
October 6 and 7
Chalk Walk is Round Rock Arts’ version of an Italian street painting festival. Artists are free to create, with chalk pastels, a picture on the pavement. Chalk Walk and Arts Festival is a free event with numerous vendors, sponsors, and artists, including chalk artists, musicians vocal groups, theatrical performances, food and drinks, and children’s performances.
— Austin City Limits Music Festival
Weekend One: October 6-8
Weekend Two: October 13-15
Held in Zilker Park, this is one of the country’s largest celebrations of music. The six-day festival features more than 130 musical acts on eight stages over two weekends.
www.aclfestival.com
ACL Fest can be fun for the whole family. Photo by Roger Ho.
— Boo at the Zoo
Friday and Saturday nights in October
Bring the kids in full costume to Boo at the Zoo (Friday and Saturday nights in October), where they can experience the Austin Zoo in a whole new way: in the dark. Train rides, musical entertainment, and unlimited Haunted House visits are also included in the fun.
austinzoo.org
— UTOPiAfest
October 13 and 14 | Burnet, TX
What began as a gathering of music lovers on a ranch, has evolved into a weekend of camping and live music featuring 35+ bands. Festival-goers will enjoy a curated culinary experience, a wine grove, a Texas craft beer garden, workshops, art installations, and a kid zone for the little ones.
utopiafest.com
— Austin’s 27th Annual Oktoberfest
October 14
This family-friendly event offers a lot of kids’ activities and children 12 and under are free! And of course German food and drinks.
— 43rd Annual Oktoberfest in Fredricksburg
October 6 – 8
A true celebration of German heritage in the Polka Capital of Texas. Oompah at its Best! Music! Dancing! Food and drink GALORE! Artisans, children’s area, and family fun.
— FORMULA 1 United States Grand Prix
October 20 – 22
Check out the International event as drivers compete in the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of The Americas track. This year includes headlining performances by The Killers and Queen + Adam Lambert
http://circuitoftheamericas.com/f1/tickets
—Viva la Vida Festival & Parade
October 28
Viva la Vida is Austin’s largest and longest-standing celebration of the Day of the Dead, co-hosted by the Mexic-Arte Museum and Austin Convention Center. The event includes a big parade and festival commencing at 4th Street and Congress Avenue.
mexic-artemuseum.org
—Wurstfest
November 3 – 12
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
— Texas Book Festival
November 11 and 12
The Texas Book Festival has one of the premier literary events in the country and hosts about 250 authors each year, held at the Texas State Capitol. More than 40,000 book lovers of all ages attend the Festival annually, enjoying readings, panel discussions, signings, cooking demonstrations, live music, local food, YA authors, children’s activities, and exhibiting vendors from across the state.
www.texasbookfestival.org
Photo courtesy of Texas Book Festival
— Austin Celtic Festival
November 4 and 5
This annual festival held at Fiesta Gardens is also the largest gathering of Celts in Central Texas. The event is home to four stages of Irish, Scottish, and Breton music, dance, sports, storytelling, workshops, and more.
www.austincelticfestival.com
— Fossil Fest
November 4 and 5
Kids of all ages can attend the 27th annual Fossil Fest at Old Settlers Heritage Association in Round Rock to meet scientists, dig for fossils, check out specimens from around the world, and participate in family-friendly workshops
www.austinpaleo.org
— Creek Show 2023 @ Waterloo Park
November 10 – 18
Throughout the free event, visitors of all ages will enjoy immersive displays of light-based art, live music by 25 local performers, and a variety of family-friendly activities along Waller Creek.
— Thundercloud Subs Turkey Trot
November 23
ThunderCloud Subs’ annual 5-mile run/1-mile walk that starts at the Long Center is a great way to work up a Thanksgiving-sized appetite. Bring the kids for a family Thanksgiving tradition.
www.thundercloud.com
Photo courtesy of Thundercloud Subs Turkey Trot
Looks like we’re all going to keep busy this fall, y’all! We’ll keep you updated on even more festivals, children’s theatre, craft shows, and other special events soon.
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