Take advantage of the (slightly) cooler fall weather in Austin by visiting pumpkin patches, haunted houses, and festivals galore! This list of fall festivals is so gigantic that we had to break it into two, just to make sure you didn’t miss all of the fun that Central Texas has to offer. Check back on Part 1 for month-long events that you just can’t miss!
Featured photo via United States Airforce.
October 21 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Austin Nature & Science Center, 2389 Stratford Dr
Join the City of Austin and partners for a family-friendly interactive and educational event located at the Austin Nature & Science Center. On-site Arbor Day activities include tree trail tours – be one of the first to walk the new tree trail at Austin Nature & Science Center, a kids climb – have fun climbing trees in harness with climbing experts! (register to climb here), nature craft table, ask an arborist booth, and so much more! Learn more and confirm event details here.
Touch A Truck (Round Rock)
October 21 from 9 a.m. – noon | Old Settlers Park, 3300 E Palm Valley Blvd, Round Rock
Touch a Truck provides a unique opportunity for children to explore vehicles of all types – public service, emergency, utility, construction, transportation, delivery, and just plain cool – all in one place. Those young and young at heart will be allowed to touch, climb on, and ask questions about their favorite trucks in a safe, supervised environment. There will be a “no horn hour” for those with sensitive ears or who do not respond well to loud noises from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. There will also be a Kid Fun Zone! The event is FREE and no registration is required, but guests are encouraged to bring a canned food item donation to donate to the Round Rock Serving Center. Learn more and confirm event details here.
October 28 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Austin State Supported Living Center, 2203 W 35th St, Austin
This family-friendly event includes a mobile arcade, giant hamster ball, a petting zoo, food trucks, face painting, a moonwalk, photo booth, and more. Tickets will be available to purchase at the event for $1 each and $20 wristbands will be sold for unlimited access to the fall festival activities (excluding food and drink). Access to music will be free and costumes are encouraged! The Spooktober 5K & Fall Fest will kick off at 9 a.m. with the 5K run/walk, followed by the Kids K at 10:30 a.m.. The Fall Festival will run from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Find registration information for the races here. Proceeds from the event will directly benefit the 184 residents of Austin State Supported Living Center who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. Learn more and confirm event details here.
Hogeye Festival (Elgin)
October 28 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. | Veterans’ Memorial Park, 109 Depot Street, Elgin
The FREE festival features live music and entertainment on three stages , handmade arts and crafts, children’s activities, a children’s costume pet parade, a carnival, Road Hog Car Show, BBQ Pork Cook-Off, In a Pig’s Eye Corn Hole Contest, Hogalicious Dessert Contest, Cow Patty Bingo, the Pearls Before Swine Art Show and great festive food! Free Festival Shuttle available at the Hwy 95 North Park and Ride.
Hairy Man Festival (Round Rock)
October 21 from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. | Cat Hollow Park, 8600 O’Connor Dr, Round Rock
Join us for the 23rd Annual Hairy Man Festival at Cat Hollow Park for a fun filled day of food, arts and crafts fair, children’s activities, special performances, and live music! Participate in our costume contest, trick or treating in the park scavenger hunt, pumpkin decorating, train rides, Halloween themed crafts, scary snacks station, and the Haunted House! There will be several local non-profit organizations raising
money for a good cause by providing activities and delicious food! Admission to the festival is FREE with two non-perishable food items (or $2 per person) to benefit local food banks.
Fall Fest (Manchaca)
October 21 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. | 1011 FM 1626 at Manchaca Rd, Manchaca
The MUMC Fall Festival will be held on October 21 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Bring your family, friends, and neighbors for a day of fun! The FREE festival will include family fun, a hay ride, children’s games, a moon jump, food trucks, a cakewalk, crafts, prizes, clowns, music and more!
October 21 from 3-6 p.m. | Summitt Elementary School, 12207 Brigadoon Ln, Austin
All proceeds from this family-friendly festival benefit programs at Summitt Elementary. Families can enjoy carnival games, prizes, and food at this event. You can purchase tickets here. For more information on ticketing and festival details, check out their website here.
Trunk or Treat for Kids with Special Needs (Round Rock)
October 21 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Seton Medical Center Williamson, 201 Seton Pkwy, Round Rock
Join Round Rock Parks and Recreation Department and Williamson Pediatric Rehab for this FREE trick-or-treating event. A family-centered event, it encourages active participation for children with various disabilities or limitations. Trick or Treat from car to car, trunk to trunk. Costumes encouraged. Bring your trick or treat bags. Learn more and confirm event details here.
Halloween Party (Round Rock) (RSVP)
October 25, 26, 30 | Round Rock Public Library, 216 E Main Street, Round Rock
Hop into your costumes and bring 24 wrapped treats to share – the Round Rock Public Library is throwing a Halloween bash! Children ages 18 months and older may attend with their parent/guardian for stories, songs, treats, and Halloween fun. RSVP for this FREE event.
Babytime Halloween Party (Round Rock) (RSVP)
October 27 9:30-10:30 a.m. | Round Rock Public Library, 216 E Main Street, Round Rock
Get your cameras ready for the Round Rock Public Library‘s cutest event–the Babytime Halloween Party! Join us for books, songs, rhymes, and playtime. Costumes are welcome. FREE!
Georgetown Halloween Festival and Hayride (Georgetown)
October 26 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. | San Gabriel Park, 445 E. Morrow Street, Georgetown
The City of Georgetown Parks and Recreation Department invites you to the 23rd Annual Halloween Festival on October 26, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the Georgetown Community Center in San Gabriel Park. This fun-filled family event will definitely get you into the spirit of Halloween, so get dressed up and come on out! Trick or treat village is FREE, while the hayride, pumpkin painting, and carnival games have a small cost.
October 27 from 5-8 p.m. | Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 N Congress Ave, Austin
Calling all gamers to the annual family-friendly Halloween celebration. Morph into your favorite video game character and join the gaming fun with activities and demonstrations inspired by the exhibit Pong to Pokémon: The Evolution of Electronic Gaming. Plus, explore the Museum’s exhibits after hours at this FREE event. Learn more and confirm event details here.
Bannockburn Christian Academy Fall Festival
October 27 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. | Bannockburn Christian Academy, 7100 Brodie Ln, Austin
The Fall Festival is a great time for families and friends of all ages to celebrate the onset of the season in a safe and family friendly environment. BCA will be hosting a plethora of games and attractions. Tickets will be sold for $1 each and will be sold that night, and we will have wristbands available for pre-purchase. Feel free to bring your entire family. Costumes are welcome! Please keep them child friendly – no scary costumes, no masks.
Pumpkin Patch and Fall Festival (Leander)
October 28 | Leander United Methodist Church, 107 S. West Drive Leander
The pumpkin patch is open October 16-30, 2017. Hours found on the website. The church will also have a FREE Fall Fest on October 28 with food, prizes, face painting and family portraits!
October 28 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 4622 S Lamar Blvd, Austin
Join Holy Cross Lutheran Church on the back lawn for a day of FREE family fun. There will be a petting zoo, bounce house, games with prizes, raffle prizes, silent auction, and more. Wear your costumes. Food will be available for purchase. Everyone is welcome. Learn more and confirm event details here.
Fable Fest (Cedar Park)
October 28 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Elizabeth Milburn Park, 1901 Sun Chase Blvd, Cedar Park
This year Fable Fest is continuing their new tradition of including a Fable Fest 5K and kids Pied Piper 1K race before the festival. Funds raised from the race and the sponsors, vendors and activities at the event will benefit the Cedar Park Public Library! The King’s Carnival allows kids of all ages to play games, participate in arts and crafts, hop on inflatables, and enjoy a petting zoo and pony rides (requires tickets purchased at event). The Cobblestone Market provides the opportunity to shop with a variety of Arts and Craft vendors and other area merchants. The Pig’s Pub provides an opportunity to eat your fill on food & drink of all kinds. The Royal Academy is home to fearless demonstrations of Jousting, Archery, Fencing and other Kingdom sports. Admission to the Carnival is FREE but activities require tickets which can be purchased at the event. Learn more and confirm event details here.
October 28 from 12-4 p.m. | Zilker Lodge, 2225 Andrew Zilker Road, Austin
Austin Sunshine Camp’s Zilker Park Lodge will be open to the community for their third annual Fall Festival. The event will be FREE to the public, with a suggested donation to the Austin Sunshine Camps. Tickets are available to purchase to play carnival games and bid on silent auction items. Fun attractions include face painting, playground equipment, and a bounce house to name a few. Food trucks will be available, all purchases of which will support ASC. Learn more and confirm event details here.
Halloweenfest (Lockhart)
October 28 from 1-3 p.m. | Lockhart State Park, 2012 State Park Rd, Lockhart
Don your costume and head on down to Lockhart State Park. There will be several Halloween-themed crafts for your enjoyment, along with a “spooky” storytime. This program is open to humans of all ages and their canine friends (on a leash). All participants are encouraged to wear a costume — there will be a costume contest with prizes for the winners. Remember to bring water and wear sunscreen or bug repellent, as needed. No registration required. If driving from park HQ, pass the pool, take your first right-hand turn, and park in the parking lot near the playground. Fees: Regular park entrance fees apply ($3 per adult; FREE for children 12 & under). View the schedule and confirm event details here.
Fall Family Fun Fest/Intergenerational Day
October 28 from 1-5 p.m. | Pavilion at Great Hills, 11819 Pavilion Blvd, Austin
Youth2Seniors invites you and your family to a unique event filled with all sorts of fun. 2017’s Intergenerational Day will have a new twist – it is all about volunteering! This year all activities will focus on benefiting a group in the Austin area! Join us and participate in seven different on-the-spot volunteer projects! Giving: projects include: bear building, decorating placemats, making bags for the homeless, painting a bowl for Austin’s hungry, write a letter to a child in Africa, support Youth2Seniors by purchasing an item in the auction. Giveaways: Each hour we are giving away different give-aways to show our volunteers how much we appreciate their help! Spin the Wheel: After you finish volunteering – come spin the wheel for a change at even more prizes!
Viva la Vida Festival and Parade
October 28 from 12-6 p.m. | 419 Congress Ave, Austin
Viva la Vida is Austin’s largest and longest-running Day of the Dead festival featuring Latino artists and entertainment, an exhibition, and educational programs in the heart of downtown. Attendees will be able to enjoy wall murals, education programs, a grand procession with costumes and props, and a street celebration with traditional foods, hands-on art activities, artist demos, local retail booths, live music and performances. Find out much more about this FREE event here.
The Great Pumpkin Festival (Round Rock)
October 29 from 2-6 p.m. | Dell Diamond, 3400 E Palm Valley Blvd, Round Rock
Join the St. Richard’s community as we celebrate our 19th Great Pumpkin Festival! This event will be held at St. Richard’s Episcopal Church and kicks off at 2 p.m. and closes with Trunk or Treat at 5:30 p.m. We’ll enjoy live music, food trucks, pony rides and a petting zoo, bouncy houses, and so much more. This is a FREE event open to the entire community. Everyone welcome! We ask that you bring two cans of food benefiting Round Rock Serving Center as admittance to the event. We hope to see you there!
Fall Festival at Bethany Lutheran Church
October 30 from 3-6 p.m. | 3701 W. Slaughter Ln, Austin
It is time for a taste of fall! Come have fun with Trunk or treat, games, rides, food trucks, and our pumpkin patch! All the rides, games, and activities are included with a $5 wrist band. Children under 3 are free! You can learn more about this event and confirm details here.
Boo Bash (Georgetown)
October 29 from 12-4 p.m. | Downtown Georgetown
On October 29 from noon till 4 p.m., come down to the Georgetown Square in costume, bring your candy bags and enjoy trunk or treating on the Square! Boo Bash is a great time for goblins of all ages to take time out to check out specials offered by merchants in the historic shopping district. This is a free event. Boo Bash is sponsored by The Downtown Georgetown Association. Boo Bash is fun for all ages! FREE!
Fall Fun Festival (Round Rock)
October 31 from 9 – 11:30 a.m. | Old Settlers Park, 3300 Palm Valley Blvd, Round Rock
Join Round Rock Parks and Recreation for a Dr. Seuss themed Fall Fun Festival. Don’t puzzle and puzzle till your puzzler is sore; just come to Fall Fun Festival – it won’t be a bore! You’ll want to come, yes indeed! You’ll want to come, that’s guaranteed! This event is the best of the best; it’s an event that tops all the rest! 1 can, 2 cans, 3 cans more; donate them to help stock the local food pantry store. Grab a goodie bag; yes you will; then play fun carnival games up on the hill! Hop on a hayride, swoosh down a slide, munch on a cookie, get a new book-ie! Come one, come all! Let’s have a ball; lots of fun for tall and small! FREE!
Wurstfest (New Braunfels)
November 3-12 | 120 Landa St, New Braunfels
A unique annual celebration rich in German culture and full of Texas fun! Located near the headwaters of the beautiful Comal River in New Braunfels. 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. Cost: $8-10 per person — admission is FREE during certain days and times; children 12 and under get in FREE. Download a coupon here. Check operating hours here.
