October 2026 Events Around Austin
Here are some events worth adding to your plans!
THEATRE AND CONCERTS
Sara Bareilles: The Good Grief Tour
October 6, 2026 | Bass Concert Hall, Austin
GRAMMY-winning, Tony and Emmy-nominated singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles returns to the stage with her Good Grief Tour. The show features songs from her new album Good Grief alongside favorites from throughout her career.
Gorillaz
October 15, 2026 | Moody Center - 2001 Robert Dedman Dr., Austin, TX 78712
Gorillaz return to Austin with The Mountain Tour, bringing their distinctive mix of alternative, electronic and hip-hop influences. Little Simz and Deltron 3030 are scheduled as special guests.
Be Like Blippi Tour
October 16, 2026 | Bass Concert Hall, Austin
Blippi and Meekah bring an interactive adventure designed to get kids moving, playing and exploring. The show features music, familiar songs like “The Excavator Song” and “Dino Dance,” plus surprises and activities for the whole family.
Batman in Concert
October 16-17, 2026 | Dell Hall at The Long Center - 701 W. Riverside Dr., Austin, TX 78704
Watch Tim Burton's Batman on the big screen while the Austin Symphony Orchestra performs Danny Elfman's iconic score live. It is a fun way to revisit the 1989 superhero classic with the added drama of a full orchestra.
The Smashing Pumpkins
October 25, 2026 | Moody Center - 2001 Robert Dedman Dr., Austin, TX 78712
The Smashing Pumpkins return to Austin for The Rats in a Cage Tour. The longtime alternative rock band will bring its catalog of hits and deep cuts to Moody Center for an evening of live rock.
Craig Robinson
October 29–31, 2026 | Cap City Comedy Club - 11506 Century Oaks Terrace Unit 100, Austin, TX 78758
Actor, singer, musician and comedian Craig Robinson brings his live show to Austin. Best known for playing Darryl Philbin on The Office and starring in Killing It, Robinson combines stand-up comedy with live music through his performances with his band, The Nasty Delicious.
SHOWS AND FESTIVALS
Austin City Limits Music Festival
October 2-4 & October 9-11, 2026 | Zilker Metropolitan Park - 2100 Barton Springs Rd., Austin, TX 78746
ACL Festival returns for two weekends of live music at Zilker Park. With more than 140 musical acts across eight stages, the festival combines major performances with Austin food, art and plenty of festival energy.
Austoberfest
October 3, 2026 | Scholz Garten - 1607 San Jacinto Blvd., Austin, TX 78701
Austoberfest brings German heritage and Austin tradition together at historic Scholz Garten. Enjoy German food, live music, bowling and a festive atmosphere as Austin Saengerrunde celebrates the season.
Austin Oktoberfest
October 10, 2026 | German Free School - 507 E. 10th St., Austin, TX 78701
The German-Texan Heritage Society's annual Oktoberfest brings traditional German food, live music and activities to the German Free School. It is a laid-back way to enjoy the fall season while celebrating Austin's German-Texan roots.
Austin Horror Film Festival
October 15-17, 2026 | Austin, TX
Horror fans can spend the weekend discovering independent films at the Austin Horror Film Festival. The festival focuses on horror filmmakers and brings screenings and genre-focused programming to Austin.
Hot Luck Live Food & Music Festival
October 16-17, 2026 | Various Locations Around Austin
Hot Luck brings Austin's food and music scenes together for a weekend of chef-driven events, open-fire cooking and live performances. Created by Aaron Franklin, James Moody and Mike Thelin, the festival is all about good food, good music and a very Austin-style atmosphere.
Austin AI Film Festival
October 16-17, 2026 | Topfer at Zach Theatre - 202 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX 78704
The Austin AI Film Festival returns for its second year with films created using generative and hybrid filmmaking techniques. The two-day event includes filmmaker presentations, masterclasses, screenings, Q&As and an awards ceremony.
Austin Symphony Orchestra Halloween Children's Concert
October 18, 2026 | Dell Hall at The Long Center - 701 W. Riverside Dr., Austin, TX 78704
Kids can dress up for an afternoon of Halloween-themed music with the Austin Symphony Orchestra. The family-friendly concert brings spooky fun into the concert hall with music and a festive atmosphere.
UNDEAD: Haunted House of Dances
October 21-31, 2026 | Factory on 5th - 3409 E. 5th St., Austin, TX 78702
Ventana Ballet puts a spooky spin on traditional ballet with UNDEAD: Haunted House of Dances. The adults-only experience combines dance, theatrical elements and Halloween atmosphere for something a little different from the usual haunted house.
Formula 1 United States Grand Prix
October 22-25, 2026 | Circuit of The Americas - 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd., Austin, TX 78617
Formula 1 returns to Circuit of The Americas for four days of racing, entertainment and fan activities. The 2026 weekend begins with the new Grand PrixView Thursday on October 22, followed by racing October 23-25.
Viva la Vida Festival & Parade
October 24, 2026 | 4th Street & Congress Avenue, Downtown Austin
Austin's annual Viva la Vida Festival & Parade celebrates Día de los Muertos with art, food, music, cultural performances and a colorful procession through downtown. Hosted by Mexic-Arte Museum, the event offers a lively way to experience this important cultural tradition.
Boo at the Zoo
October 2-24, 2026 | Austin Zoo - 10808 Rawhide Trail, Austin, TX 78736
Boo at the Zoo brings Halloween fun to Austin Zoo throughout October. Families can enjoy the zoo after dark while taking in seasonal decorations, entertainment and other spooky activities.
Freaky Deaky
October 30-31, 2026 | Travis County Exposition Center - 7311 Decker Ln., Austin, TX 78724
Halloween weekend gets a heavy dose of electronic music at Freaky Deaky. The festival brings DJs, multiple stages and elaborate Halloween vibes to the Travis County Expo Center for two nights.
Austin Film Festival
October 29-November 5, 2026 | Downtown Austin
Austin Film Festival returns for its 33rd annual celebration of film and storytelling. The festival includes film screenings, filmmaker conversations and its Writers Conference, which brings writers and industry professionals together throughout the event.
Pumpkin Nights
September 17-October 31, 2026 | Pioneer Farms - 10621 Pioneer Farms Dr., Austin, TX 78754
Pumpkin Nights turns Pioneer Farms into a glowing fall attraction filled with elaborate pumpkin displays. The evening walking experience is a fun way to enjoy Halloween season without making the whole night about haunted houses.
SPORTS
Texas Longhorns Football
October 17, 24 & 31, 2026 | DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium - 2139 San Jacinto Blvd., Austin, TX 78712
October brings three home games for the Longhorns. Texas hosts Florida on October 17, Ole Miss on October 24 and Mississippi State on October 31.
Austin FC vs. Nashville SC
October 10, 2026 | Q2 Stadium - 10414 McKalla Pl., Austin, TX 78758
Austin FC takes on Nashville SC at Q2 Stadium on October 10. It is another chance to catch the Verde & Black at home as the MLS regular season heads toward its final stretch.
Austin FC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC
October 17, 2026 | Q2 Stadium - 10414 McKalla Pl., Austin, TX 78758
Austin FC continues its October home schedule with a match against Vancouver. The evening game gives soccer fans another chance to experience a match at Q2 Stadium during one of the busiest months on Austin's calendar.
Austin FC vs. Real Salt Lake
October 28, 2026 | Q2 Stadium - 10414 McKalla Pl., Austin, TX 78758
The final Austin FC home match of October brings Real Salt Lake to Q2 Stadium. A Wednesday night match makes this a midweek option for soccer fans looking to catch a game before Halloween weekend.
2026 U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game
October 31, 2026 | H-E-B Center at Cedar Park - 2100 Avenue of the Stars, Cedar Park, TX 78613
Halloween gets a different kind of action when Michigan State faces the University of North Dakota in the 2026 U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game. The college hockey matchup is scheduled for October 31 at H-E-B Center.
October has a way of making Austin's calendar feel especially busy without needing a reason to stay indoors. Pick a concert, catch a football game, wander through a fall festival or save the last weekend for Halloween. Just remember to leave a little extra time for traffic when ACL or Formula 1 rolls into town!
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