There are also lots of festivals and events in Austin during this time. I haven't made it to all of them, but if you're looking for something special to do, here is a good list of what is going on!
●●● Austin Museum Day
September 22
Since 1998, the Austin Museum Partnership has hosted Austin Museum Day – a free, city-wide rediscovery of Austin museums.
The day provides families with a unique opportunity to access the dynamic museum community including local exhibits and activities at over 40 participating institutions at no charge!
Admission: Free!
●●● Trailer Food Tuesday
September 24th, October 29th and November 26th
5 to 9pm
While this event goes on all year long on the last Tuesday of the month, autumn is the perfect weather to get out and enjoy it!
"Sample the delicious food trucks of Austin in one easy location. Try popular local favorites and enjoy something new every last Tuesday of the month."
Admission: Free!
●●● Old Pecan Street Festival
September 28th and 29th
"The Pecan Street Festival is a FREE, bi-annual arts and crafts festival held on historic 6th Street every first weekend in May and every last weekend in September.
The show proudly features over 275 artisan vendors from all over the world who display and sell homemade art and craft work."
Admission: Free!
●●● Fall Fun Harvest at Sweet Berry Farms
September 28th - November 8th - Closed Wednesdays
M - F 8:30am - 5:30pm, Sundays 1pm - 5pm
No pets allowed only cash or checks accepted
This is one of our all time favorite fall activities. We have been doing it since the boys were very small. There is something for everyone at this event. Paint your pumpkins, stuff a scarecrow, go on a tractor ride, feed the goats or pick flowers
Our favorite is the Texas Corn Maze. This is a huge maze, and you must find all the cities within the maze. It can take up to 45 minutes to finish. Split into groups and see who is fastest!
Don't miss the freshly made pumpkin ice cream!!
Admission is free, however activities cost between $2.50 and $7 plus the cost of a pumpkin. To participate in all events would be $40 per child... but we've never done that! Pick and choose and you'll spend around $20 per kid..
●●● Austin City Limits
October 4th - 6th and 11 - 13th
"ACL Festival takes place on 46-acres in Zilker Park, the crown jewel of Austin’s public green spaces.
It plays host not only to 130+ artists from across the globe, but amazing local eats and wares, free fun for the kiddos, green goings-on, and other cool activities to entertain you between sets! Scroll down to see the Austin Eats Food Court, ACL Art Market, ACL Cares and Austin Kiddie Limits partners appearing at Zilker Park during both weekends of ACL Festival 2013!"
$200 for a three day pass
●●● Boo at the Zoo
Fridays and Saturdays: October 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, and 26
6:30pm - 9pm
This fun event allows kids to view animals after regular Zoo hours. Pack a picnic and put your little ones in their costumes for a fun-filled train ride full of animals and ghosts( who pass out candy)!
Younger children can take the earlier train rides, when it is still light outside. Bring a flashlight to better see the animals.
Boo at the Zoo is the Austin Zoo's annual fall fundraiser benefiting rescued animals.
Admission: $15
●●● Haunted Halloween: The Quest: Pioneer Farms
Friday, October 18th, Saturday, October 19th, Friday, October 26th, Saturday, October 27th 7 - 10pm
"When the veil between the worlds grows thin at the time of harvest, the powers of Darkness try to rip open a gateway that would permit evil to gain foothold in the mortal world....The Brotherhood wisely concealed magical symbols throughout the farmlands... Your quest is to locate and combine each of these symbols onto a single manuscript page and save our village."
Admission: $12
●●● Les Miserables at Zachary Scott Theater
September 25-November 3, 2013
I Dreamed A Dream...experience the international musical phenomenon LES MISÉRABLES, up-close and personal, in the intimate Topfer Theatre! Soaring anthems, unbridled patriotism and the quest for redemption reveal the heart of a man who must leave his past behind to fight for life, love and liberty.
Admission: Tickets start at $25
●●● Cedar Park Kid Fish
October 12th
8am - 1pm
This free community event includes fishing in Brushy Creek Lake, as well as an artificial pond stocked with hungry fish for beginner anglers.
Smaller children can try a “backyard bass” activity consisting of rubber fish spread across a tarp “lake” that teaches children casting and how to identify legal game fish.
Participants must complete a scavenger hunt in order to earn the chance for great prizes!
Admission: Free
●●● The Boy who Loved Monsters and the Girl who loved Peas at the Long Center
October 12th and 13th and 19th and 20th
The Polyanna Theater Company presents a play about "Evan, like many 7 year olds, does not like to clean his plate, especially a plate filled with peas. And to make matters worse, baby sister Sue loves them. "
Admission: $11 adults, $9 children
●●● Texas Renaissance Festival
Weekends - October 12 - December 1st
Another long drive from Austin (about 2 and a half hours). But this is a fun event that every family should try at least once!
"The enchanted 55-acre village comes to life as all of Europe comes to pay homage to the King and Queen with Eight Themed Weekends. Hundreds of costumed performers are showcased in over 200 daily performances. Visitors meander along shaded cobblestone walkways visiting almost 400 shoppes overflowing with unique arts and crafts of offering delicious foods and beverages. "
Admission: $26 for adults and $13 for children
●●● Art Outside
October 18 - 21
Art Outside is a unique three day festival combining visual and interactive art, performance, film, as well as a wide range of music bridging genres, from bluegrass to experimental, hip-hop to dance music. Art Outside started with the idea to bring art out of the gallery and into a unique setting where different forms of art can connect and be enjoyed by all.
Art Outside - Folk it Up StageThe festival takes place at Apache Pass. This site features hundreds of acres of grassy camping areas and lush pecan trees scattered throughout.
Admission: Single Day passes range from $30 - $50, a full pass is $90
●●● Movies in the Park: Ghostbusters in Republic Square Park
Thursday, October 24 at 7:30pm
What better way to get in the mood for Halloween than watching Ghostbusters with your family!
Movies in the Park is a series of free films brought to you by the Austin Parks Foundation, and presented by the #1 movie theater in America, the Alamo Drafthouse.
Dogs, picnics, and lawn chairs are welcome. Alcoholic beverages, glass and styrofoam are not permitted in the park.
Admission: Free
●●● Goblins in the Garden at the Wildflower Center
Sunday, October 27th, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
"Families can dress up in their Halloween finest and bring a camera to take memorable snap shots. Come dressed as a character from nature and join the costume parade through the courtyard at 6:00 p.m. Think butterfly, moth, spider, and ladybug costumes.
Be sure to stop by the Wildflower Center Café for hot chocolate and other seasonal beverages and food."
Admission: $9 for adults, $7 for seniors and students, $3 for children 5 through 12, and free for Center members and children under 5.
●●● Pumpkin Sculpting Competition at Umlauf Garden
October 27 12pm - 4pm
"Bring your own pumpkin and carving tools to the gardens today for a workshop on pumpkin sculpting followed by an intense round of judging for their annual competition!
Workshop led by Texas Society of Sculptors’ Marla Riperda.
Categories include: Best Effort by an Adult, Most Likely to Disintegrate Today, Most Likely to Make it to 2013, Classiest Display, and of course Spookiest Sculpture!
Admission: Free when you bring your own pumpkin!
●●● Lost Maples Campground in Vanderpool Texas
Late October - Early November
This is a bit for from Austin - a little under a 3 hour drive. But I've heard that some of the prettiest fall foliage around can be found in Lost Maples Campground.
The park can receive over 1,800 visitors in a weekend. So pack your hiking shoes for a day, or put your tent in the car and enjoy an overnight visit!
●●● House of Torment
Weekends in September and everyday from October 10 - October 31st
"House of Torment is a premiere haunted attraction at a multi-level, 20,000 square-foot facility at Highland Mall featuring elaborate Hollywood-quality sets, iconic characters portrayed by talented actors, towering animatronic monsters and terrifying scenarios."
Admission: $25
●●● Wurstfest in New Braunfels
November 1st - November 10th
Here you’ll enjoy good food, music, dancing, exciting carnival rides and games, German, Texan and domestic beer, special events and the finest in Alpine and Bavarian Style Entertainment.
It all happens at Wurstfest! The best ten days in sausage history."
Admission: $10
●●● Austin Symphony's Halloween Children's Concert
Sunday, October 22nd at 2pm
"This year’s spook-tacular show is sure to have you shakin’ in your boots! Your little ghost or goblin will help haunt Long Center’s Dell Hall as the Austin Symphony Orchestra presents its annual Halloween Children’s Concert, featuring mindchilling songs that are entertaining for all ages! The entire family is encouraged to join in on the fun and dress to impress in their favorite costumes while attending a concert full of “boo-tiful” music."
Admission: $12 adults, $8 children
●●● Barton Hills Farm Fall Festival and Corn Maze in Bastrop
Saturdays and Sundays, September 28th - November 10th
"Barton Hill Farms is set among 100-year-old cottonwood trees, rolling grassy hills and the picturesque Colorado River. Our Fall Festival & Corn Maze is the perfect setting to let your kids enjoy true outdoor entertainment, including rides, games, a corn maze, pumpkin patch, local vendors and farm animals."
Admission: $10 (11 and up), children (3 to 10): $7 plus $5 for an all access pass
●●● Bob Bullock Spooktacular
Friday, October 25th at 6pm
When darkness falls at the Bullock Museum, history's spookiest stories are brought to light. Discover terror-ific tales of Texas through games, storytelling, costumes and more!
●●● Texas Clay Festival in New Braunfels
October 26 & 27th
Featuring the work of over 60 Texas potters and clay artists, the festival offers the opportunity to view and purchase a wide variety of pottery, from traditional to sculptural by the top clay artist in the state.
Take this unique opportunity to watch and learn as demonstrations are held in four tents throughout both days. From forming on the potters wheel to hand-building to raku firing, there is something for everyone.
Admission: Free
●●● Texas Book Festival
October 26th and 27th
The Texas Book Festival celebrates authors and their contributions to the culture of literacy, ideas, and imagination.
The signature event has evolved into one of the premier literary events in the country and takes place in and around the State Capitol in Austin, hosting more than 250 authors each year. More than 40,000 book lovers of all ages attend the Festival annually, enjoying author readings and presentations, panel discussions, book signings, cooking demonstrations, live music, local food, vendors from across the state, children's activities, YA authors, and purchasing books in the Festival's tents.
Admission: Free
●●● Austin Celtic Festival
November 2nd and 3rd
12pm - 7:30pm
Join the Austin Celtic Festival as they present world class music, dance and fun for the whole family.
Admission: $15
●●● Dia de Los Muertos
Saturday, November 2nd
This unique festival features a full day Dia los Muertos cultural experience with live music, performances, art, costume contest, food and drink. The festival brings together a dynamic blend of the Austin musical landscape with vibrant Dia de los Muertos traditions.
Proceeds will benefit Easter Seals Central Texas’ mission of providing exceptional services to people with disabilities."
●●● Fun Fun Fun Fest
November 8th, 9th and 10th
In 2006, Fun Fun Fun Fest booked its first set of acts in downtown Austin and it didn't take long for it to become the darling of independent festivals for music lovers and music makers in the United States. Throughout the years, Fun Fun Fun Fest has become renowned for its musical lineup, as well as its collection of comedy, food, action sports, and poster art experiences.
Now in it's eighth year and recognized as one of the most relaxed, creative, and pioneering festivals in music today, Fun Fun Fun Fest is custom booked for the most passionate, underground, and progressive musicians, comedians and fans around the world.
●●● Turkey Trot
Thanksgiving Day - November 28th
9:30am
An awesome Austin tradition! Join with a gaggle of other Austinites in this 5 mile run. Nothing quite makes Thanksgiving dinner taste better than a nice run in the morning.
Whether you are a marathoner, or a mom with young children, this race is perfect for everyone. Walk or run, it is always fun! And that late start time (as compared a traditional start of 7am) makes this race perfect for first timers!
Thanksgiving Day - November 28th
9:30am
An awesome Austin tradition! Join with a gaggle of other Austinites in this 5 mile run. Nothing quite makes Thanksgiving dinner taste better than a nice run in the morning.
Whether you are a marathoner, or a mom with young children, this race is perfect for everyone. Walk or run, it is always fun! And that late start time (as compared a traditional start of 7am) makes this race perfect for first timers!
