This week’s Top 10 list includes many more than 10 events, because with so much rain in the forecast it’s certain that at least a few events will be canceled. Be sure to check the links provided for weather updates and don’t leave home without your umbrella!
Weekend Top 10+
- As You Like It – Friday, October 23, Saturday, October 24, and Sunday, October 25 at 7:30 p.m. En Route Productions and Shakespeare On The Farm present As You Like It. Bring a blanket and enjoy the Bard with an assortment of free beverages. Anyone and everyone is welcome. Shakespeare on The Farm is FREE but donations are appreciated. A percentage of the donations from opening weekend will go to help the victims of the Hidden Pines fire. This event will be canceled in the event of rain, so please check Facebook for updates. Rain Lily Farm, 914 Shady Ln, Austin.
- Free Family Event at Austin Nature & Science Center – Saturday, October 24 from 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Hands on explorations of Nature in Motion. Migration patterns, citizen science, solar cars, wind turbines, watershed play, vermicomposting, irrigation challenge, fish locomotion, robotic animal gait demos, and much more. FREE! Austin Science and Nature Center, 2389 Stratford Dr., Austin.
- Pumpkin Carving Carnival – Saturday, October 24 from 10 a.m. – noon. Rain or shine, the Parque Zaragoza Recreation Center will host it’s Annual Pumpkin Carving Carnival. The first 50 families will get a pumpkin to take home, and games are only $0.25. For more information call 512-472-7142. Parque Zaragoza Recreation Center, 2608 Gonzales St, Austin.
- Pumpkin Carving on the Dock – Saturday, October 24 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. The George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center invites you to join a FREE and funtastic family function! Activities will include face painting, costumes, food, music, games, and prizes. View the pumpkin system (how many pumpkins per child) and let the Museum know how many children you will be brining. Rain or shine (the event will move indoors with rain). George Washington Carver Museum, 1165 Angelina St, Austin.
- Día de los Muertos at the Mexican American Cultural Center – Saturday, October 24 from 2-7 p.m. The Center for Mexican American Cultural Arts Inc. (CMACA), in partnership with the ESB-MACC, will present the Mercado of the Arts Festival as part of the eighth annual Día de los Muertos Celebration. Enjoy a fun day celebrating the loved ones we have lost in Día de los Muertos. There will be live music, food, dance performances, and family activities like sugar skull decorating. Admission is FREE! Check Facebook for weather updates. This event is rain or shine, but may be canceled in the event of severe weather including flooding, lighting, or other extreme weather. Many of the activities will be moved under cover, including the low rider bicycle show, which will be relocated into the Black Box Theater. ESB-MACC, 600 River St, Austin.
- Northwest YMCA Spooktacular – Saturday, October 24 from 5-8 p.m. Don’t let the rain scare you away! All of the festivities have been moved indoors. Northwest YMCA’s safe and family-friendly Halloween Spooktacular event will feature a haunted candy trail, spooky family games, bounce house, face painting, and more. FREE! Guests are asked to please bring three canned goods for the Food Pantry Drive. Northwest YMCA, 5807 McNeil Dr, Austin.
- Rosewood Community Halloween Carnival and Haunted House – Saturday, October 24 from 6-9 p.m. Be sure to wear a costume to this FREE event! Register for the Costume Contest by 7 p.m. – there will be one winner per age group. Delores Duffie Recreation Center, 1182 N. Pleasant Valley, Austin.
- Dittmar’s Halloween Spooktacular – Saturday, October 24. Carnival begins at 6:30 p.m. Movie begins at sundown. Enjoy a carnival, Haunted House, and a Movie in the Park screening of Casper. FREE! Dittmar Recreation Center, 1009 W Dittmar Rd, Austin.
- Streetscapes and Public Art Downtown Walking Tour – Sunday, October 25 from 10-11:30 a.m. This event is FREE to attend, but please register here. Discover how public art enhances the streetscapes of Downtown Austin. The walk starts at City Hall and showcases artworks along Second, Third, and Colorado Streets that have been integrated into Great Streets Program projects to create pedestrian-friendly public realms. The tour will depart promptly at 10:05, rain or shine, bring an umbrella. JW Marriott Austin, 110 E 2nd St, Austin.
- Pumpkin Carving at the UMLAUF Sculpture Garden & Museum – Sunday, October 25 from 12-4 p.m. UMLAUF’s Last Straw Fest will feature pumpkin carving, which is FREE with RSVP. Celebrating its 11th year, the UMLAUF Pumpkin Carving Competition is an afternoon for families to sculpt their holiday pumpkins and participate in the prizes. Overseen by “Professor Pumpkin” from the Texas Society of Sculptors, this event features community judges who will choose the most amusing, spooky, artistic and lovable creations. FREE (please bring non-perishable food item for donation). This event benefits the Capital Area Food Bank along with pumpkins generously donated by Whole Foods Market. RSVP here. Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum, 605 Robert E. Lee Road., Austin.
- Second First Annual POLKAPOCALYPSE! – Sunday, October 25 from 12-5:30 p.m. The pride of Denton Texas, Grammy Award winners Brave Combo is headlining. Also featuring Mazeltov Cocktail, The Fabulous Polkasonics and Conjunto Los Pinkys! Jump and juke to that hat crajy oompa beat done Tejano, Czech, German, Ukranian, Polish, Slavic, and Mexican style! Admission as always is FREE! Call 512-458-2255 for more details. Check Facebook for weather updates.
Elisabet Ney Museum, 304 E 44th St, Austin. Update: This event has moved to the Hancock Recreation Center (811 E 41st St, Austin). Keepin’ It Weird TV Live Concert – Sunday, October 25 from 12-2:30 p.m. Join in a day of live sketch comedy and improv performances by their youth troupe! With live music performances from U Better Sing! Youth Ensemble, Sonic Sprout, and Youth Singer/Songwriters! All Ages Welcome! Claim your FREE tickets here. Check Facebook for weather updates. HOPE Farmers Market, 412 Comal St, Austin.Rescheduled for December 6.- Piñata-Making Workshop – Sunday, October 25 from 1-4 p.m. Mexic-Arte Museum is proud to host local piñata artisans Monica and Sergio Lejarazu for this final Sugar Skull Float Workshop for the general public. Using papier-mâché, Monica Lejarazu and Museum educators will guide the public in the creation of sugar skull piñatas, inspired by the tradition of Calaveras (skulls) in Dia de los Muertos, which have been used in Mexico since the 17th Century. Lejarazu will build a grand sugar skull float to be featured in the Viva la Vida parade. All artwork can be used alongside the sculpture in the Viva la Vida parade, as exhibited in the Piñata Graveyard on festival grounds. Participation is FREE and open to the public. Materials will be provided. Mexic-Arte Museum, 419 Congress Ave, Austin.
Free Fun Beyond Austin
Touch a Truck (Round Rock) – Saturday, October 24 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. 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. There will be a “no horn hour” from 11 a.m. to noon. Bring the entire family to enjoy sitting in these trucks and learning about what they do, how they work, and how they benefit our community. For the safety of all, please leave the family pet at home. This event is FREE, but guests are encouraged to bring a canned food item donation for the Round Rock Serving Center. Rain updates will be posted on Facebook. Old Settlers Park-East Entrance, 700 N. Redbud Lane (TC Oatts and Redbud Lane), Round Rock.This event has been canceled.- Hogeye Festival (Elgin) – Saturday, October 24 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. The festival features live music and entertainment on three stages, handmade arts and crafts, children’s activities, the Austin Steam Train Association, a children’s costume pet parade, a carnival, Road Hog Car Show, BBQ Pork Cook-Off, In a Pig’s Eye Dart Contest, the crowning of King Hog or Queen Sowpreme, Hogalicious Dessert Contest, Cow Patty Bingo, the Pearls Before Swine Art Show and great festive food! All music has been moved indoors due to weather. FREE! Check Facebook for weather updates. 109 Depot Street, Elgin. (Free Festival Shuttle available at the Hwy 95 North Park and Ride.)
Hairy Man Spookyfest (Round Rock) – Saturday, October 24 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Join the fun at the 21st Annual Hairy Man Spookyfest Festival! Admission for the festival is FREE, however there is a suggested donation of two non perishable food items or $2 per person that will go to the local Round Rock Serving Center Food Bank. This family centered event raises money for many local non-profit organizations in Williamson County. Food, Arts & Crafts fair, children’s activities, special performances, and live music provide a fun-filled day for all. The new Spookyfest additions to the event include: Halloween costume contest, trick or treating, scavenger hunt throughout the park, pumpkin decorating, train rides, Halloween themed crafts, Scary Snacks station, and more! Cat Hollow Park, 8600 O’Connor Dr, Round Rock.This event has been canceled.Farmer Fred’s Harvest Fall Carnival (San Marcos) – Saturday, October 24 from 6-9 p.m. All ages welcome. Enjoy FREE carnival games with prizes and candy. Don’t miss the costume contest. FREE! Concessions and some additional attractions will be available for a nominal fee. San Marcos City Park, 170 Charles Austin Drive, San Marcos.Rescheduled for Thursday, October 29 from 6-9 p.m.Haunted Hayride (Buda) – Saturday, October 24 from 6:30-9 p.m. Hays Communities Family YMCA is hosting a FREE Halloween event with face painting, balloon animals, crafts, a bounce house, carnival games, and Halloween snacks. Please note that all advance reservations for the spooky walking trail and haunted hayride have already been reserved. A limited number of walk-ups will be accepted for the hayride. YMCA Camp Cypress, 959 Old San Antonio Rd, Buda. This event has been canceled.Saturday Night Concert Series: Two Tons of Steel (Bee Cave) – Saturday, October 24 from 7-9 p.m. Enjoy Saturday night outdoors with live music, free kids activities, and great shopping. The music begins at 7 p.m. in the Hill Country Galleria’s outdoor amphitheater. FREE! Check Facebook for weather updates. Hill Country Galleria, 12700 Hill Country Blvd, Bee Cave.This event has been canceled.- Trunk or Treat (Round Rock) – Sunday, October 25 from 2-5 p.m. Here’s a chance to put on that Halloween costume before the big day. Bring the entire family out for a spook-tacular time filled with treats, face painting, games, and more. Trick or treat from trunk-to-trunk, collecting candy and prizes. Place your votes for the best decorated patrol car trunk. It’s fun for all ages in a safe place. The event is FREE, but folks are encouraged to bring toy and monetary donations for Operation Blue Santa. Round Rock Police Department, 2701 N Mays St, Round Rock.
- PCC Fall Festival (Pflugerville) – Sunday, October 25 from 3-6 p.m. Enjoy FREE admission to a Fall Festival with a Trunk or Treat, carnival games, and a petting zoo! Fun for the whole family! Pflugerville Community Church, 1214 E. Pfennig Lane, Pflugerville.
Bonus Shopportunity
- Fairytale Threads Consignment Event – Friday, October 23 from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Saturday, October 24 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. This consignment event, held several times each year in the Austin area, allows families to sell their new and gently loved items for babies, toddlers and kids to other families looking for a great deal. At an event, consignors turn their clutter into cash as shoppers find excellent deals on clothes for children of all ages and stages, from newborns to juniors sizes, as well as books, gear and toys for kids, babies and toddlers; maternity clothes for mama, and more. Each and every item for sale has been carefully inspected to ensure that shoppers are choosing from only the highest quality items, including top brands and toys for all ages. Everything is priced to sell! This great community event provides families with a wonderful way to recycle their items and to make the most of their hard-earned dollars. Admission and parking are FREE! Austin Sports Center in South Austin, 425 Woodward St, Austin.
Honorable (not-free) Mention
- Halloween Children’s Concert – Sunday, October 25 at 3 p.m. It’s creepy, crawly and so much fun it’s spooky! Your little ghost or goblin will help haunt Long Center’s Dell Hall for the Austin Symphony’s annual Halloween Children’s Concert. This exciting concert features frightfully fun symphonic music that is stimulating for young eyes and ears (ages 2–10). The entire family is invited to dress up in their favorite costume and enjoy “boo-tiful” music with their Austin Symphony Orchestra! Tickets are $8-12. Dell Hall, 701 W. Riverside Dr., Austin.
