Festive Fall Activities in Austin, Texas
School is in session and pumpkin spice is back on the menu. This can only mean one thing—fall is finally here! If you’re the type that loves celebrating the seasonal festivities, then you should consider moving to Austin, Texas.
Austin, Texas?
Yep! While Texas isn’t known for the changing trees or sweater weather, you can still experience the best fall has to offer. With all the sensational fall festivals, vibrant pumpkin patches, and downright terrifying haunted houses, you’ll be able to cross everything off of your fall to-do list.
Don’t worry about trying to figure out where to go, we did the hard part for you! Here are 10 things you need to see in Austin this fall:
Fall Festivals
Everything is bigger in Texas, especially their fall festivals! There is no shortage of local festivals to attend, but we picked two of the most action-packed ones to top our list.
The Dripping Springs Pumpkin Festival
Every weekend between September 23 and October 29, the Dr. Pound Historical Farmstead hosts the Dripping Springs Pumpkin Festival. Each weekend has a unique theme that comes along with some exclusive games, events, and merchandise. With over 50 attractions, activities, and games to try, you can easily spend an entire day on this five-acre farmstead. For only $15 a ticket, you can’t beat a deal like that!
Central Texas Fall Festival
If you’re looking for the perfect pumpkin patch, then you should consider visiting Sweet Eats farm for the Central Texas Fall Festival. Every Friday and Saturday in October, the festival has a free-entry pumpkin patch with over 40 varieties of pumpkin. But if you’re willing to pay around $20 for entry, there is a whole lot more to explore! A corn maze, petting zoo, and plenty of family-friendly activities for everyone. Prices can vary depending on the day, so try to buy your tickets beforehand.
Cultural Festivities
The autumn time is also full of cultural events. From Oktoberfest to the Day of the Dead, you can immerse yourself in new cultures with a Texas twist!
Viva la Vida Festival and Parade
For the past 40 years, the Mexic-Arte Museum has held the Viva la Vida Festival and Parade. This is the longest running Dia de los Muertos (or Day of the Dead) event in Austin. This event is free to attend and is a vibrant mixture of culture and fun!
There’s typically local food, art, and retail booths, along with activities and performances throughout the day. You get the opportunity to learn about the Mexican culture while also having the time of your life!
Austin Oktoberfest
If there is one thing Austin has, it’s delicious local beer! And during Oktoberfest season, local breweries are whipping out exclusive seasonal flavors. From late September through October, almost every brewery is going to offer some sort of Oktoberfest celebration. That includes the German Texas Heritage Society’s Oktoberfest celebration – a must-go.
As the most authentic Oktoberfest in town, you’ll really get to immerse yourself in the unique culture of German Texans. With live performances and plenty of kid-friendly activities, your entire family can have a fun-filled day of learning, eating, and gemütlichkeit!
Wondering what the heck gemütlichkeit is? It’s the German word for the feeling of friendship, belonging, and warmth. It’s the type of hospitality you won’t want to miss!
Halloween Events
Looking for some thrills and chills? Well, Austin has plenty of creepy attractions that range from intense haunted houses to historical ghost tours, to family-friendly fright fests. No matter if you’re a thrill seeker or a ‘fraidy-cat , there’s something for everyone!
House of Torment
The Travel Channel has voted the House of Torment as the scariest haunted house in the United States. The costumes and decorations are super detailed and artfully put together. Despite it being terrifying, it really is a labor of love. If you’re a fan of haunted houses, this is a must see!
This attraction is not suitable for children under 12, as it can be a very intense experience. But if you’re the type that loves the adrenaline rush, make sure to stop by! Entry fees can range between $20-$30 per person, so plan ahead for the best deals.
Boo at the Zoo
If you have kids but still want some slightly spooky vibes, then take them to the Austin Zoo for their annual Boo at the Zoo event! This Halloween-themed evening takes place every Friday and Saturday night in October.
You’re encouraged to wear a costume as you take a ride on the haunted train, explore the haunted mansion, and even catch a special animal show! This event can be a little more expensive, with a $22 entry fee. But if you have a family joining you, this is the best place to go for a child-friendly spooktacular!
Haunted ATX
If you’re the historian type, you may be more interested in real ghost stories. Luckily, there is no shortage of that in Austin! If you are looking to get a full picture of the city’s paranormal activity, then you may be interested in Haunted ATX, the only mobile haunted tour in Austin.
With public and private tours available, you can explore the city under a new lens. Depending on your appointment, you could even travel in a real hearse. You’re not just cooped up in the vehicle either, you get a chance to get out and explore the haunted locations. It’s a tour that’s as engaging as it is creepy!
You can expect to pay around $40-$60 dollars for a public tour, with private tours going for around $100 and up. So, keep that in mind while you’re booking a tour.
Events Unique to Austin
Even outside of all the fall celebrations, there is still so much happening in Austin this autumn! This city is known for film, music, and football. So, if you really want to see the best Austin has to offer, try visiting these events!
Austin Film Festival
The Austin Film Festival is an eight-day event dedicated to celebrating all things art and film. You can see exclusive screenings of up-and-coming movies. You can either purchase individual tickets for a specific movie or buy a complete film pass. This allows you to see over 30 films, access to over 80 short films, and Q&As from the filmmakers.
Austin City Limits
Are you a music lover? Then you’ll be right at home in Austin! And in October, one of the biggest music festivals in the city will be waiting for you. Austin City Limits has been going for over 20 years and has platformed artists across many genres. From Guns-N-Roses to Kendrick Lamar, there is really something there for everyone!
General Admission prices start at $170, but with the extensive list of artists performing, it is definitely worth every penny. It takes place the first two weekends of October, so you have two chances to join in on the fun.
Longhorn Tailgating
We have to end the list with a big bang, and there is nothing bigger in Texas than Longhorn football! University of Texas, Austin is the heart and soul of the community, and they rally around their team unlike anyone else. If you really want to see real Texas culture, you need to go to Longhorn Tailgates. Starting in September, college football begins. So, if you’re spending time in Austin this fall, try to catch a home game and enjoy the festivities beforehand!
Needless to say, Austin is an awesome place. And we didn’t even mention the beautiful landscapes you can visit, restaurants to try, and all the activities you can do all year round. As a big city with good old fashioned southern hospitality, Austin really is an amazing place to visit, and an even better place to live!
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