Things To Do In Austin, Texas.

Austin’s Local Guide – October

October is coming up fast and there are plenty of things to do. If you’re ready for the weather to cool down a little, then you are sure to have a great time in Austin come October. The best things to do in Austin always happen in the fall, the city’s designated festival season, so make sure to mark your calendar for these legendary events.

Austin City Limits
October 1-3 & 8-10

The music festival you’ve been waiting for is returning to Austin this October with a legendary lineup. Austin City Limits will showcase the likes of Miley Cyrus, George Strait, Billie Eilish, Tyler, the Creator, Duran Duran, and hundreds more. Discover your new favorite artist or cheer at the top of your lungs for a band you’ve known forever. ACL spans two weekends, features the best bites in town from local food trucks and restaurants, and provides additional entertainment for kids.

MotoGP Red Bull Grand Prix
October 1-3

Witness some of the fastest bikes in the world race the tracks at Circuit of the Americas in Austin. There is nothing quite as heart-pounding as motorcycle racing, as skilled riders take sharp turns toward the finish line to the soundtrack of a screaming crowd. You can cheer in the stands with general admission, or upgrade your experience by purchasing tickets for the Fan Zones.

Austin Oktoberfest
October 9

The return of the annual Oktoberfest to Austin brings sausage, beer, and endless entertainment. Enjoy brats and sausages from local vendors like Black’s BBQ and Shiner Smokehouse before washing it all down with an ice-cold beer from Karbach Brewing and more. Don some lederhosen and celebrate German culture at this all-you-can-eat-and-drink festival, one of the best things to do in October by far.

Pop-Up Beer Garden on the Trail
October 9-10 

Enjoy local beer, live music, and small bites at Sand Beach Park. Your ticket supports the Trail Foundation’s mission to protect, enhance, and connect the Trail for all. 

Austin Film Festival
October 21-28

Enjoy eight nights of independent filmmaking at the Austin Film Festival. One of the best things to do in October, the AFF celebrates upcoming directors, cinematographers, screenwriters, and actors with a plethora of brilliant movies and short films, some of which might end up at the Oscars. Tickets to the film festival will get you access to movies from home or at one of many Austin venues.

Texas Craft Brewers Festival
October 23

Fiesta Gardens is hosting the annual Texas Craft Brewers Festival, the ultimate celebration of all things hops right here in Austin. Tickets will get you a commemorative tasting cup, plus 10 sample tickets for 3-ounce pours from local Texas brewers. While plenty of Austin breweries are honored at the festival, you can enjoy beer from all over Texas, as far and wide as Amarillo. Enjoy a whole day of beer tasting along Lady Bird Lake at the Texas Craft Brewers Festival, one of the best things to do in October.

Texas Book Festival
October 25-31

The Texas Book Festival is coming to Austin at the end of October and bringing with it thousands of books and their authors. Listen to keynote speakers at special exhibitions across 20 different venues and shop for your winter reads right here at the festival. The Texas Teen Book Festival runs alongside this massive fair, celebrating books cast in the young adult genre.

Boo at the Zoo
Dates TBA, typically every weekend in October

Every year, the Austin Zoo puts on a Halloween-themed extravaganza that kids and adults alike will love. Of the best things to do in October, you can’t miss Boo at the Zoo. Don a costume and head to the zoo, which will be all decked out in Halloween decors. Ride the Haunted Train or explore the Haunted House for a bit of a thrill. No adult Halloween masks are allowed, but you can dress your kids up as much as you like.

Murder, Mayhem & Misadventure Walking Tour
October 31

For a spooky end to your October adventures, brave a walk through Oakwood Cemetery. The Murder, Mayhem & Misadventure Walking Tour is notably free and follows the chilling, untimely deaths of the “residents” of Oakwood. Though more historical in nature than scary, this walking tour can certainly make a chill run down your spine as you hear from costumed individuals, dressed like the dead they’re narrating.

As originally published in Austin Local.