{"id":416096,"date":"2026-08-25T09:10:20","date_gmt":"2026-08-25T09:10:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/416096\/"},"modified":"2026-08-25T09:10:20","modified_gmt":"2026-08-25T09:10:20","slug":"the-best-festivals-and-events-in-austin-this-fall","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/416096\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best Festivals and Events in Austin This Fall"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\tSept. 5-Nov. 21
UT Football Home Games<\/a><\/p>\n

Put on your finest burnt-orange-and-white ensemble: This fall, star quar\u00adterback Arch Manning and the Texas Longhorns return for another electrifying season as they take on Texas State (Sept. 5), Ohio State (Sept. 12), UTSA (Sept. 19), Florida (Oct. 17), Ole Miss (Oct. 24), and Mississippi State (Oct. 31) at Darrell K Royal\u2013Tex\u00adas Memorial Stadium. 2139 San Jacinto Blvd., various times, texaslonghorns.com<\/p>\n

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\"\"ATLANTA, GEORGIA \u2013 JANUARY 01: Arch Manning #16 and Cole Lourd #19 of the Texas Longhorns celebrate after defeating the Arizona State Sun Devils 39-31 during the second overtime in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 01, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

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Sept. 10
Imagine Muny<\/a><\/p>\n

Soak in all the live music during Lions Municipal Golf Course\u2019s fifth annual fundraiser. The bash will feature performances by Tanya Tucker, Asleep at the Wheel, Jack Ingram, and Wade Bowen, plus a strong possibility for surprise guests. Established in 1924, Muny has pro\u00advided a local and inclusive golf ex\u00adperience for more than 100 years. 310 W. Willie Nelson Blvd., 8:30 p.m., themunyconservancy.com<\/p>\n

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\"\"Tanya Tucker. Photo by Terry Wyatt\/Getty Images.<\/p>\n

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Sept. 10-13
Levitation<\/a><\/p>\n

Dreamed up by members of The Black Angels while in a tour van, Levitation has been a cornerstone of the live music capital for more than 15 years, celebrating the best garage rock, indie, psych, and exper\u00adimental music in the world. Don\u2019t miss acts like Die Spitz, Arlo Parks, Bikini Kill, Angine de Poitrine, and Kylesa during the spirited four-day festival. Various locations and times, levitation.fm<\/p>\n

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\"\"Levitation. Photo by Bryan C. Parker.<\/p>\n

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Sept. 12-Nov. 8
House of Torment<\/a><\/p>\n

Warning: Austin\u2019s longest-running haunted attraction is not for the faint of heart. In fact, the 25-year-old horror hot spot was once named \u201cThe Scariest Haunted House in America\u201d by the Travel Channel. Be prepared to shriek with delight as you brave your way through its multiple terri\u00adfying areas. In addition to all the jump scares, House of Torment features mini escape games, zombie simula\u00adtions, and even a secret bar. 2632 Ridgepoint Drive, various times, houseoftorment.com<\/p>\n

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\"\"Photo courtesy House of Torment.<\/p>\n

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Sept. 17-Oct. 31
Pumpkin Nights<\/a><\/p>\n

Get ready for fire dancers, tarot card readings, a live pumpkin artist, and more at this outdoor festival filled with carved, painted, and all-natu\u00adral pumpkins. Bring walking shoes to traverse the grounds at Pioneer Farms, which has special sections like the Forbidden City and Pirate\u2019s Cove. Through Oct. 31, 10621 Pio\u00adneer Farms Drive, various times, pumpkinnights.com<\/p>\n

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\"\"Pumpkin Nights.<\/p>\n

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Sept. 17-24
Fantastic Fest<\/a><\/p>\n

Now celebrating its 21st anniversary, Fantastic Fest has earned a reputa\u00adtion for blood-splattered world premieres, gonzo parties, and im\u00admersive activations worthy of a di\u00adrector\u2019s cut DVD. Every September, thousands of fans descend upon the Alamo Drafthouse for what\u2019s become the nation\u2019s largest genre film festi\u00adval. Various locations and times, fantasticfest.com\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\"\"Photo courtesy Fantastic Fest.
\n
Sept. 24-26
Texas Tribune Fest<\/a><\/p>\n

Hear from thought leaders and po\u00adlitical luminaries as Texas Tribune brings back its powerful annual festival to downtown Austin. This year, Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, Tommy Vietor, and Dan Pfeiffer of Pod Save America will bring their hit show to the festival. Various locations and times, festival.texastribune.org<\/p>\n

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\"\"Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, Dan Pfeiffer and Tommy Vietor of \u201cPod Save America.\u201d Photo by Randy Holmes\/Disney via Getty Images.<\/p>\n

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Sept. 25-26
WaterWork<\/a><\/p>\n

Watch the beautiful fa\u00e7ade of the Seaholm Intake Facility turn into a gorgeous canvas of art, light, and motion at this art experience co-cre\u00adated by The Trail Conservancy and Design Austin. Using state-of-the-art projection mapping technology, the exterior comes alive with captivating artworks from more than 20 talent\u00aded Central Texas artists. The immer\u00adsive display takes place at dusk, and ideal viewing spots include Audito\u00adrium Shores and the Pfluger Pedes\u00adtrian Bridge. Various locations, 8:30 p.m., designaustin.org<\/p>\n

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\"\"WaterWork.<\/p>\n

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Oct. 2-4, 9-11
ACL Fest<\/a><\/p>\n

Catch your favorite artists (and discover some new ones) at this lively music festival in Zilker Park, which features more than 100 per\u00adformances across three days during two consecutive weekends. The 2026 iteration includes can\u2019t-miss concerts from the likes of Charli XCX, R\u00fcf\u00fcs Du Sol, Kings of Leon, Lorde, Twenty One Pilots, and The XX. 2100 Barton Springs Road, 12 p.m., aclfestival.com<\/p>\n

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\"\"Photo by Bryan C. Parker.<\/p>\n

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Oct. 16-17
Hot Luck\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

It\u2019s back! Formerly a summertime staple in Austin, this foodie meetup has been reimagined as a fall festival. Check out gatherings like Giddy Up, Hot Luck\u2019s signature live-fire feast at Franklin Barbecue, and House Party, the festival\u2019s largest culinary event. Participating local chefs in\u00adclude Edgar Rico (Nixta Taqueria), Evan LeRoy (LeRoy & Lewis Barbe\u00adcue), Tavel Bristol-Joseph (Canje), and Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel (Birdie\u2019s), Various locations and times, hotluckfest.com<\/p>\n

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\"\"<\/p>\n

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Oct. 23-25
Formula 1<\/a><\/p>\n

Get in on all the F1 action at Circuit of The Americas\u2014or just check out some fabulous parties and pop-ups around Austin\u2014as the U.S. Grand Prix rolls back into town. The fest will feature performances by Maroon 5 and Post Malone, and fans can gain access to the concerts by purchasing day or weekend passes to the three-day race. Zoom, zoom! 9201 Circuit of The Americas Blvd., various times, circuitoftheamericas.com<\/p>\n

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\"\"Photo by Alessio Morgese\/NurPhoto via Getty Images.<\/p>\n

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Oct. 24-25
AIA Austin Homes Tour<\/a><\/p>\n

Looking for architectural inspira\u00adtion? Explore some of the most ex\u00adciting properties in the city during this 40th annual self-guided tour around Austin. From historical renovations to eco-friendly new builds, these homes are sure to give you design ideas for your own abode. Various locations, aiaaustin.org<\/p>\n

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\"\"Photo courtesy AIA Austin Homes Tour.<\/p>\n

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Oct. 29-Nov. 5
Austin Film Festival<\/a><\/p>\n

Lights, camera, action! Whether you\u2019re a movie buff or an aspiring auteur, this festival is the perfect opportunity to enjoy new films and hear illuminating panel con\u00adversations with revered actors, directors, and writers. Various locations and times, austinfilmfestival.com<\/p>\n

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\"\"\u2018Little Miss Sunshine.\u2019 Photo courtesy Austin Film Festival.<\/p>\n

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Nov. 6-8
Austin Food & Wine Festival<\/a><\/p>\n

Eat, drink, and be merry at this annual festival\u00a0benefiting the Austin Food & Wine Alliance. The two-day gathering includes cooking demonstrations, tasting stations, and a Made in Texas\u00a0event for VIP ticket holders that highlights the best foods in the Lone Star State.\u00a0Various locations and times, austinfoodandwinefestival.com<\/p>\n

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\"\"Photos by Alison Narro.<\/p>\n

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Nov. 14
Honky Tonk Fest<\/a><\/p>\n

For one unforgettable day, Austin Monthly is transporting the neon glow of the city\u2019s honky-tonks to the idyllic setting of Star Hill Ranch, where a historic Texas main street becomes the backdrop for a celebration of music, dancing, and the simple pleasure of sharing space and time. Honky Tonk Fest will feature 10 artists across two stages, dance lessons, Western fashion, local makers, art, award-winning food, and ice-cold drinks served up all day long. 15000 Hamilton Pool Road, Bee Cave, 11 a.m., austinmonthly.com<\/p>\n

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\"\"Honky Tonk Fest. Photo by Andrea Escobar.<\/p>\n

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Nov. 15
Mac & Cheese Festival<\/a><\/p>\n

The cheesiest event of the year\u00a0returns with delicious samples of mac \u2018n\u2019 cheese and grilled cheese along with refreshing beverages and sweet treats from 20-plus local chefs and eateries. Pro tip? Wear stretchy pants.\u00a015000 Hamilton Pool Road, Bee Cave, 11 a.m., macncheesetour.com<\/p>\n

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\"\"Photo courtesy Mac \u2018n\u2019 Cheese Festival.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Sept. 5-Nov. 21UT Football Home Games Put on your finest burnt-orange-and-white ensemble: This fall, star quar\u00adterback Arch Manning…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":416097,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[132,134,133,69],"class_list":["post-416096","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-austin","tag-austin","tag-austin-headlines","tag-austin-news","tag-things-to-do"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/416096","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=416096"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/416096\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/416097"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=416096"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=416096"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=416096"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}