October 2022 Events and Happenings

10/7/22 - 10/9/22 and 10/14/22 - 10/16/22
Austin City Limits Music Festival
Zilker Park
One of the country's largest celebrations of music, this six-day festival brings the magic of the famed public TV series Austin City Limits outside the studio and into Austin's most beloved park with more than 140 musical acts on eight stages over two weekends.
aclfestival.com

10/8/22
O. Henry Pun-Off World Championships
Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center
The 45th annual O. Henry Museum Pun-Off World Championships consists of two competitions, Punsligners and Punniest of Show, voted upon by the public.
punoff.com

10/8/22
Oktoberfest
German Free School
The German-Texan Heritage Society holds this annual festival, featuring kid-friendly activities during the day along with live music and authentic German food. This is a limited attendance, outdoor event. It'll be the biggest little Oktoberfest around!
germantexans.org

10/8/22
Quesoff
Mohawk
The annual festival and competition celebrating all things melted cheese is not to be missed. Home-cooks, top chefs, friends, siblings and pets all compete in four delicious categories of queso dishes. Attendees have the opportunity to sample award-winning recipes from local chefs, restaurants and Austinites. 
facebook.com/quesoff

10/14/22 - 10/15/22
UTOPiAfest Down in the Oaks
Burnet, TX
What began as gathering of music lovers on a ranch, has evolved into a weekend of camping and live music featuring 35+ bands. Festival-goers will enjoy a curated culinary experience, a wine grove, a Texas craft beer garden, workshops, art installations and a kid zone for the little ones.
utopiafest.com

10/14/22 - 10/29/22 (select dates)
Boo at the Zoo
Austin Zoo
Bring the kids in full costume to Boo at the Zoo (Friday and Saturday nights in October), where they can experience the Austin Zoo in a whole new way: in the dark. Train rides, musical entertainment and unlimited Haunted House visits are also included in the fun.
austinzoo.org

10/16/22 - 10/18/22
Local & Live: Free Austin Music Showcase
Austin Visitor Center
The Austin Visitor Center and Visit Austin Foundation invite you to experience Local & Live, October 16-18. Drop in daily to enjoy free live music performances from Austin musicians and shop a curated selection of Austin-themed art, apparel, home goods, accessories and more.

10/21/22 - 10/23/22
Formula 1 Aramco United States Grand Prix
Circuit of The Americas
The pinnacle of motorsports is returning to Texas for a three-day celebration of speed and sound! The Formula 1 USGP provides an action-packed experience that fuses world-class racing with major championship implications. There's no shortage of star power off-track as superstars headliners hit the Super Stage on with post-race performances each night.
circuitoftheamericas.com/f1

10/23/22
Austin Symphony Orchestra Presents: Halloween Children's Concert
Long Center
This concert is a wonderful chance for you to introduce your children to the wonders of live orchestral music and also a great opportunity to wear costumes and have tons of fun. The concert hall will be decorated top to bottom to enhance your little one's concert experience.
austinsymphony.org

10/28/22 - 10/29/22
Ventana Ballet's "UNDEAD"
The Ballroom at Spider House
Horrifying hipsters, exiled ex-wives, and slapstick sidekicks are just a few of the spooky characters you'll find at Ventana Ballet's immersive "UNDEAD," a re-imagining of the classic ballet "Dracula." This year, the immersive dance performance. So, come experience a night of classic Halloween creatures, suspense, comedy and, of course, ballet.
ventanaballet.com

10/27/22 - 10/30/22
LEVITATION
Various Venues across Austin
This independent psychedelic music and art festival has grown from a small word-of-mouth event to an internationally acclaimed, full weekend that attracts bands and attendees from all over the world. This four-day event comes to many diverse venues and art spaces across the Red River Cultural District and east side venues.
levitation-austin.com

10/27/2/22 - 11/3/22
Austin Film Festival
Downtown Austin
Recognized as one of the top film festivals in the country, this cinematic event shines the spotlight on both top-billed films and indies alike. 
austinfilmfestival.com

10/30/22
Polkapocalypse!
Elisabet Ney Museum
The Elisabet Ney Museum's annual POLKAPOCALYPSE! is a joint celebration of Oktoberfest, Dia de los Muertos and Halloweeen the Elisabet Ney way. Expect incredible Polka bands, family-friendly games and activities and much more.
texasfolklife.org

Annual Dia de los Muertos Exhibition
Mexic-Arte Museum
Hosted by the Mexic-Arte Museum, the long-running annual Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) exhibition pays tribute to the tradition that celebrates the return of the dead by their families and friends.
mexic-artemuseumevents.org

Texas Teen Book Festival
TBA
This free annual festival celebrates the teen reading experience by inviting fans to engage with some of the most popular and critically acclaimed young adult authors in the country. Check out the schedule which is full of panels and readings from some of the best YA authors in the world.
texasteenbookfestival.org

Austin Oktoberfest
Scholz Garten
This year, the Austin Saengerrunde will celebrate the annual Austin Oktoberfest at Scholz Garten, the oldest continuously operating tavern in the state. This festival celebrates German heritage in Texas with beer, sausage, live music and bowling!
austoberfest.com