Activities
10 Fun Fall Festivals Near Austin, TX This Autumn
Published on Sep 26
Fall festivals near Austin, TX are a fun way to enjoy autumn. You can pick pumpkins, ride a tractor, or explore a corn maze. At Playcation Homes, we love welcoming guests for these events. Our homes by the water make every visit special. We celebrate the simple joys in life. In fall, the air is filled with the sweet smells of cider and pine. You can watch fire dancers or take a ghost tour.
When you stay at Misty Waters or The Cove Lakehouse, you get a private pool and a fully stocked kitchen. Cook a hearty meal, bake pumpkin pie, or make pumpkin ravioli before you go. After a day of hay rides or finding artisan vendors, you can relax by a crackling fire under the stars.
We are just a short drive from big events like ACL, Oktoberfest, film festival fun, and wine trail tours.
Fall Festivals Near Austin, TX
1. Austin Texas Fall Festival
This big farm fest is just north of Austin. It has a giant corn maze and a huge pumpkin patch. You can watch daily pig races and ride ponies. After a day of fun, drive back to your lakehouse at Misty Waters.
⭐ Ratings: 4.5/5
💵 Price Level: Budget-friendly general admission
📍 Location: 14400 E State Highway 29, Georgetown, TX 78626
⏰ Dates: Sept 21 – Nov 8 (hours vary by month)
🎃 Key activities: corn maze, pumpkin patch, pig races, petting zoo, pony rides, wagon rides, apple cannons, fireworks display, fire dancers, Sky Kings Falconry, Wild Things Zoofari, flashlight maze
Kids love to find the perfect gourds and paint pumpkins. After dark, you can try the flashlight maze with your own torch. The farm also has tractor-pulled wagon rides that give a fun tour. When you stay at our Misty Waters home, you can warm up by the fireplace and dream about your farm adventure.
2. Round Rock Arts Festival
This arts festival in Round Rock brings hundreds of artists and craft vendors. You can listen to live music and taste treats from food vendors. Our Cove Lakehouse is under an hour away, so you can relax by the water after a day among paintings and pottery. 🎨
⭐ Ratings: 4.6/5 (140 reviews)
💵 Price Level: Free entry
📍 Location: 3300 E Palm Valley Blvd, Round Rock, TX 78665
⏰ Dates: Oct 3–5 & Oct 10–12 | 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
🎶 Highlights: arts festival, artisan vendors, food vendors, live music
Walk the art booths and bring home a small painting or jewelry. After you return to The Cove Lakehouse, use our free Wi-Fi to share your photos. Relax on the deck while watching the sunset over the lake.
3. ACL Festival at Zilker Park
Every fall, Austin City Limits (ACL) Festival lights up Zilker Park. With 8 stages and over 100 bands, it is a top music festival. 🎵
⭐ Ratings: 4.7/5 (5,725 reviews)
💵 Price Level: Mid-range festival pass
📍 Location: Austin, TX 78746
⏰ Dates: Two weekends in early October | 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM
🎤 Highlights: food vendors, craft brewery booths, beer garden, live music
Make sure you wear comfy shoes for all the stages. Grab a cider or try a new meadery sample. Then head back to your lake home for a swim under the stars. You can even catch a drive-in theatre show on the way back.
4. Oktoberfest Fredericksburg
Take a day trip to Fredericksburg for authentic German heritage, beer gardens, and bratwursts. This lively event has traditional music and arts booths. After a fun day, head back to Playcation Homes and enjoy a quiet night by the lake. 🍻
⭐ Ratings: 4.3/5 (7 reviews)
💵 Price Level: Mid-range
📍 Location: 112 W Main St, Fredericksburg, TX 78624
⏰ Dates: Early October (check schedule)
🍺 Highlights: Oktoberfest, German heritage, artisan booths, live music, food vendors
Try the lederhosen or dirndl for fun photos. Enjoy a hot pretzel and a cup of warm cider. Fredericksburg shops have artisan booths full of handmade goods. You can taste local mead and cider at the meadery tents.
5. Deutschen Pfest at Pfluger Park
In Pflugerville, Deutschen Pfest mixes German roots with local flair. Kids can join the Pfun Run, and families can enjoy oompah bands and food trucks. 🥨
⭐ Ratings: 4.7/5 (1,294 reviews)
💵 Price Level: Low-cost
📍 Location: 515 City Park Rd, Pflugerville, TX 78660
⏰ Dates: Oct 17–18
🎡 Highlights: food vendors, artisan booths, live music, kids area, beer garden
Join the costume run or sip a local craft brew. Your pet can rest in the shady yard at The Cove Lakehouse while you enjoy a soft pretzel. Try a giant pretzel or join in a folk dance with your whole family.
6. UTOPiAfest at Four Sisters Ranch
UTOPiAfest is a four-day music festival set among oak trees. It has camping, food trucks, craft vendors, and family-friendly activities. It is a perfect mix of art, music, and nature. 🏕️
⭐ Ratings: 5.0/5 (15 reviews)
💵 Price Level: Mid-range
📍 Location: 1848 Lemond Rd, Utopia, TX 78884
⏰ Dates: Oct 17–20
🌳 Highlights: music festival, camping, food vendors, artisan vendors, family-friendly activities
Set up camp chairs under the trees or dance near the main stage. Pack your kayak or stand-up paddleboard for a sunrise trip on the lake before the crowds wake up. It feels fun to mix water and tunes.
7. Viva la Vida Día de los Muertos Celebration
Celebrate Day of the Dead at the Mexic-Arte Museum. Enjoy live music, cultural dances, a parade, and colorful art. This free event honors loved ones with flowers and live performances. 🎉
⭐ Ratings: 4.4/5 (1,069 reviews)
💵 Price Level: Free
📍 Location: 419 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701
⏰ Date: Oct 18 | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
💀 Highlights: Day of the Dead, Día de los Muertos, craft vendors, live music, fireworks display
Make a fresh marigold garland or help make the ofrenda. You can taste pan dulce and warm cider.
8. Texas Book Festival
Head to the State Capitol for one of the best book festivals. Meet authors, browse artisan booths, and join readings. The smell of new books and fresh cider makes fall even sweeter. 📚
💵 Price Level: Free
📍 Location: State Capitol Grounds, Austin, TX
⏰ Dates: Nov 8–9 | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
📖 Highlights: book festival, author talks, craft vendors, food vendors
Watch a reading by a local author or join a book signing. Sip fresh cider from a nearby meadery. You can also set up a picnic blanket and read in the sun before heading back to your lakehouse.
9. Boo at the Zoo
At the Austin Zoo, little ghosts and goblins can trick-or-treat, ride a spooky train, and visit a haunted house made just for kids. Day or night, it is safe and fun for all ages. 🦇
💵 Price Level: Low-cost
📍 Location: Austin Zoo, TX
⏰ Dates: Oct 4–26 | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
🎃 Highlights: Boo at the Zoo, haunted house, ghost tours, trick-or-treat, petting zoo
Say hello to the friendly zookeepers or pet goats at the petting zoo. Kids can move through a hidden trail on a ghost tour with flashlights.
10. Pecan Street Festival
This free street fair on Sixth Street features hundreds of artisans and live music stages. You can snack on tacos, shop for jewelry, and watch street performers. Art is everywhere you turn. 🎻
⭐ Ratings: 3.0/5
💵 Price Level: Free
📍 Location: 12813 Hill Country Blvd, Austin, TX 78738
⏰ Dates: Sept 14–15 | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
🎨 Highlights: arts festival, craft vendors, food trucks, live music
Catch a street performer juggling or play a quick game of corn hole. Then grab a funnel cake to share. You can also find live fire dancers on the street.
Tips & Tricks
Here are some simple tips from Playcation Homes to make your trip easy and fun:
Pack layers: fall weather can change from warm days to cool nights.
Book early: festival tickets and lakehouse stays fill up fast.
Use our full kitchen: cook a snack like pumpkin ravioli or bake pumpkin pie before you go.
Bring a picnic: pack drinks and snacks in our private pool area.
Check festival sites: some dates or times can change with weather.
Bring some cash for artisan booths and food trucks.
After the festival, try a top-rated Lake Travis boat tour.
Wrapping Up
Fall festivals near Austin bring joy and color to the season. At Playcation Homes, we make it easy to enjoy each event. Our lakefront homes are cozy, quiet, and close to the action. After a day of parade or a film festival, you can cool off in your private pool or warm up by a crackling fire.
Book your stay now and relax by the water after a day of fun.
FAQ
What are some top fall festivals near Austin, TX?
You can visit pumpkin patches, corn mazes, arts festivals, and music events. Our favorites are the Austin Texas Fall Festival, Round Rock Arts Festival, ACL Festival, and Oktoberfest Fredericksburg.
How far is Playcation Homes from these festivals?
Our Misty Waters home in Kingsland is about 45 minutes from Austin. The Cove Lakehouse in Spicewood is just 30 minutes away. All events are a short drive from our rentals.
What amenities do you offer after a day at a festival?
Each home has a private pool, free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and a fully equipped kitchen. You can relax by the lake and watch the stars.
How do I book a stay at Playcation Homes?
Visit our homepage and choose your lakefront home. You can also contact us for help.
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