Things to do in Austin this weekend.
A short, curated set for October 23 to 25: what is actually worth leaving the house for, picked and verified. Not a scraped calendar.
Updated weekly. How these are picked
Next weekend’s list lands Thursday morning, before you have to go looking. Free, from Carissa.
Friday · October 23
- 01
Fortlandia
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center · 9:00 AM
Fortlandia at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is the one I’d catch for a Friday with kids, running 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a fresh lineup of locally designed forts to climb and crawl through. I’d get there early to wander the grounds before the midday heat, and keep an eye out for the giant cicada and the scalable armadillo.
Details & tickets → - 02
Siren Sessions: Live Music & Witches Market
Fortune Teller ATX · 6:00 PM
If you want something darkly festive before Halloween, this is the one I’d catch at Fortune Teller ATX, with a witches market bazaar plus sets from Weird Wolves, e.lissa faden, and Damascan Daydreams. It kicks off Friday at 6 p.m., and since it’s free and all-ages, I’d get there early to browse the vendors before the music starts.
Details & tickets → - 03
Del Castillo Trio Live at The Cactus Cafe!
Cactus Cafe · 7:30 PM
The Del Castillo Trio at the Cactus Cafe is the show I’d catch Friday at 7:30 p.m., when brothers Mark and Rick del Castillo strip their electrifying sound down to two guitarists trading synchronized flamenco runs. The intimate room rewards close listening, so I’d grab tickets ahead and settle in.
Details & tickets → - 04
AFTERLIFE ATX
Lustre Pearl 114 Linden St Austin · 8:00 PM
The one I’d catch for a Halloween night out is Afterlife ATX at Lustre Pearl on Friday, October 23 from 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Presented by Tres Leches and Barrio Club de Fútbol, it pulls together local live music, Austin DJs, and costumes, so I’d come dressed up and ready to dance.
Details & tickets →
Saturday · October 24
- 05
Let's Go Birding Together (LGBT) Bird Walk with Travis Audubon
Unity Underpass · 9:00 AM
This LGBT bird walk with Travis Audubon is the Saturday morning outing I’d catch if you want company while scanning the Butler Trail. It starts at 9 a.m. at the Unity Underpass, so I’d show up a few minutes early to meet the group and borrow a pair of eyes that knows what’s flitting through the parkland.
Details & tickets → - 06
The Austin Used Book Collective's Two-Year Anniversary Used Book Sale
The Cherrywood Center · 10:00 AM
For curious browsers, the Austin Used Book Collective’s two-year anniversary sale is the one I’d catch Saturday, October 24, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Cherrywood Center, where local booksellers bring vintage and hard-to-find titles. I’d get there early for the best picks, then grab coffee from Lamore and a baked good from Feliza’s Bakery.
Details & tickets → - 07
Supporting Every Step: Children's Developmental Screening and Resource Fair
10:00 AM
If you have little ones, this is the resource fair I’d point families toward, with free developmental, autism, gross motor, and vision and hearing screenings all under one roof. It runs Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Read Granberry Trail, and I’d get there early to catch the screenings and community activities before the afternoon.
Details & tickets → - 08
Voter Fest: Austin's Early Voting Party
Central Machine Works · 11:00 AM
Voter Fest at Central Machine Works is the one I’d catch on Saturday, October 24, when early voting lands on its only Saturday of the stretch. It runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is free, with a 2-mile run, a group workout and a line dancing lesson on the indoor stage. I’d get there early if the morning run is your thing.
Details & tickets → - 09
Nature Festival & Spooktacular
North Austin Community Garden & YMCA Pedestrian Pathway · 3:00 PM
The Nature Festival and Spooktacular at the North Austin Community Garden runs Saturday, October 24 from 3 to 7 p.m., with tree climbs from Austin Forestry, a live butterfly release, and interactive drumming. If you’ve got kids, this is the one I’d catch, and I’d get there early enough for the sapling and pollinator adoptions before they run low.
Details & tickets → - 10
Stall-or-Treat! Halloween at the Polo Club Equine
Polo Club Equine / Barn A · 6:00 PM
For a Halloween twist on trick or treating, this is the one I’d catch Saturday evening from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Polo Club Equine’s Barn A, where the stalls become candy stops. I’d bring the kids in costume for pumpkin painting, pony photos, and a chance to meet the horses up close.
Details & tickets →
Sunday · October 25
- 11
Jo’s 9th Annual Ugly Dog Contest
Jo’s Coffee Red River · 11:00 AM
The Ugly Dog Contest at Jo’s Coffee Red River is the Sunday pick I’d point you toward, running 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with live music, dog tarot readings and an adoption event. Cast your vote at the coffee shop before the big day, since entries benefit Emancipet.
Details & tickets → - 12
StrawFest
UMLAUF Sculpture Garden + Museum · 11:00 AM
StrawFest at the UMLAUF Sculpture Garden + Museum is the Sunday outing I’d steer families toward, running 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with free admission for everyone. Between pumpkin painting, the costume parade, and live conservation demos, there’s plenty to fill the day, so I’d get there early to catch it all.
Details & tickets → - 13
The Gallery ATX Presents Art In ATX: Halloween Market
Central Machine Works · 11:00 AM
The Gallery ATX Halloween Market at Central Machine Works is the one I’d catch Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with local artists, makers, and small businesses all under one roof. It’s free and all ages, so I’d get there early to shop the unique finds before the best vendor tables thin out.
Details & tickets → - 14
Persian Fall Festival Mehregan
American Asian Resource Center (AARC) · 1:00 PM
Mehregan at the Asian American Resource Center is the Sunday pick I’d point you toward, an ancient Persian celebration of friendship and gratitude running from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Expect live music, traditional and modern performances, Persian food and sweets, and local vendors, with plenty for all ages. I’d come hungry and plan to stay a while.
Details & tickets → - 15
H-E-B Free Fourth Sunday
Texas Science & Natural History Museum · 1:00 PM
The one I’d catch for a low-key Sunday is H-E-B Free Fourth Sunday at the Texas Science and Natural History Museum, where admission is free from 1 to 5 p.m. I’d walk beneath the 33-foot wingspan of the pterosaur and touch the real meteorites, then let the fossils trace the story of Texas life from the dinosaurs forward.
Details & tickets → - 16
Full Moon Moonlight Paddle
Rowing Dock 2418 Stratford Dr. · 5:00 PM
This self-guided paddle from Rowing Dock on Sunday, October 25 runs 5 to 7 p.m., with the full moon expected to rise around 6:21 p.m. if the clouds cooperate. I’d aim for a boat well before the 6 p.m. last-out cutoff so I could catch sunset on the water and the moonrise after. Walk-up rentals cover kayaks, canoes, and SUPs, so no ticket needed.
Details & tickets →
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