Lots of Pumpkin Patches, New Forts at the Wildflower Center and Viva La Vida Parade.

Hi Reader,

Happy October!

Ready to embrace Fall in Austin? First you might want to light a pumpkin candle, sip on an Apple Butter Chai or bowl of soup and layer your seasonal tee with a cozy sweatshirt. Now the vibes have been set.

See below for some fun places to visit, events to attend and classes to sign up for this month.

October spotlight

Check out my blog post: Fall Family Halloween Activity Guide (sorted by Age + Distance) in Austin. It lists Pumpkin Patches, Fright Nights and more Halloween fun to explore.

One bonus spotlight: EARLY VOTING BEGINS Oct. 19th and goes through Oct. 30th, 2026.

October EVENTS

Bring your little kids to Fortlandia at the Wildflower Center starting Oct. 2nd and going until Jan. 31st for 8 new creative forts and outdoor exploring. "Your secret hideout awaits" Their grand opening party is on Oct. 1st.

Make the most of (or avoid the traffic and crowds at) Austin City Limits Music Festival on Oct. 2nd-4th and Oct. 9th-11th. Very limited tickets remain.

Enjoy German food and music at the Austin Oktoberfest on Oct. 10th at the German Free School. Do you have any lederhosen or dirndls to wear?

Attend the Indigenous Peoples Celebration on the UT campus for activities and a shared feast on Oct. 12th.

Check out the Hairy Man Festival in Round Rock on Oct. 17th. There's a $500 cash prize to the first place winner. Do you (and your facial hair) have what it takes?

Want to get messy? Participate in the Bubble Run on Oct. 17th at the Travel County Fairgrounds.

Take a Public Art Walking Tour to learn about some of the pieces located near the Dougherty Arts Center on Oct. 17th. Did you know that the City of Austin has over 400 public artworks on display?

Learn about Mothing at Pease Park on Oct. 23rd. It's free, open to all ages and involves citizen science.

Paint your face! Then watch the Viva La Vida Parade downtown on Oct. 24th. Celebrate Dia de los Muertos early with costumes, performances and art activities. There will also be a low-rider exhibition.

Head to Round Rock for the Diwali Festival of Lights also on Oct. 24th. There will be lots of lights, savory food as well as live music and dance performances. You can even take a free Bollywood dance lesson.

The Formula 1 US Grand Prix is Oct. 23rd-Oct. 25th. Watch the races out at COTA.

October Craft CLASSES

​Paint a pumpkin alongside some goats at Whitestone Brewery in Cedar Park on Oct. 4th.

Oh my gourd! Take a workshop and make a clay pumpkin at Feats of Clay on Oct. 3rd or Oct. 10th.

Get seasonal at this Halloween Edition Pottery Workshop at the Sign Bar on Oct. 7th. You could come home with a ghost tea-light holder or a pumpkin pinch pot.

​Paint some pumpkins with rescue cats at the Purrfecto Cat Lounge on either Oct. 13th or Oct. 20th.

Grab your friends and make a Succulent Pumpkin DIY centerpiece on Oct. 10th out at Vista Brewing.

Boo! Take a spooky taper candle painting workshop on Oct. 17th at 7th Street candle.

October VOLUNTEERING

​Make PB&J sandwiches for the ATX Free Fridges on Oct. 10th at Future Front Texas. Masks required when making food.

​Sort produce at the Hope Food Pantry on Oct. 14th. with Generation Serve.

Work in the Community Butterfly Garden at Zilker Botanical Gardens on Oct. 20th.

Grab a paintbrush for some kintsugi inspired sidewalk repair at the Dougherty Arts Center on Oct. 21st. Help fill the cracks with gold epoxy.

Volunteer to make dog toys at Austin Creative Reuse on Oct. 23rd.

October PHOTO SESSIONS

Ready to go outside and capture some fall memories? If you'd like to book a Senior or Family Photo Session this Fall, reach out and let me know. I only have a handful of dates left in my 2026 calendar.

I'll be back in touch in November for the next monthly list of fun items to do around Austin.

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Have fun and stay cozy,

Stephanie