Arts, Culture, Recreation in the Austin Texas Area | What’s happening in Austin

FEATURED EVENTS

Austin Oktoberfest

The most famous German celebration has been happening since 1812. It is so über that it has its own special brew - Oktoberfest beer. And GTHS ensures Austin gets to share in this celebration. According to the Austin Chronicle, “the German-Texan Heritage Society certainly brings the most authentic Oktoberfest game in town”. We’re located in the heart of the Red River Cultural District where you will find one of Austin’s best kept secrets, the German Free School: a historical building and terraced gardens to enjoy the afternoon of all things German and Gemütlichkeit. Gemütlichkeit, you ask? It’s a German word used to describe a state of belonging, warmth, and friendliness. Our family friendly event offers a lot of kids activities, which includes pumpkin painting and so much more.
Dates: 
10/10/2026
11 am- 7 pm
Location: 
German-Texan Heritage Society, 507 East 10th Street, Austin, TX 78701, United States
See map: Google Maps
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Ballet Texas Presents Salem

October 23-24, 2026. Step into the spooky world of Salem, a haunting ballet interpretation of the infamous Salem witch trials. Through powerful choreography, eerie music, and dramatic storytelling, this captivating performance explores fear, suspicion, and the tragic consequences of mass hysteria. Audiences will be transported to a shadowy colonial village where accusations spread like wildfire and lives are forever changed. Performed by Ballet Texas, Salem promises an unforgettable evening of mystery, intrigue, and haunting beauty.
Dates: 
10/23/2026
10/24/2026
7 pm
Location: 
Brauntex Performing Arts Theatre, 290 W San Antonio St, New Braunfels, TX 78130, United States
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Indigenous Peoples Day

Sat, Oct 10, 2026. The Bastrop County Museum & Visitor Center will celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day for the third year with a community event honoring the Tonkawa and the Indigenous peoples whose histories are an important part of Bastrop County’s story. Taking place October 10, from 11 AM to 2 PM, the family-friendly event will invite visitors of all ages to learn more about the Tonkawa through hands-on activities, artifacts, demonstrations, and opportunities to explore their language, traditions, and history. The event is designed to create space for learning, reflection, and a deeper understanding of the people whose presence and legacy originally shaped the region.
Dates: 
10/10/2026
11 am-2 pm
Location: 
Bastrop County Museum & Visitor Center
See map: Google Maps
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Festival of Flight

Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day With Us! October 10, 2026. Festival of Flight is a free event that celebrates and educates the key role that migrant bird species play in our ecosystem and the economy. The Dripping Springs Festival of Flight is one of the events being held worldwide as part of World Migratory Bird Day, a global annual awareness-raising campaign highlighting the need for the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats. Texas is a major corridor for birds migrating across the United States each year, seeing approximately one third of all migratory birds traveling through our state each migration season -- that's approximately one billion birds every year! Festival of Flight will also educate the citizens on migratory birds and their habitats, including how they are declining throughout the Americas and how they face a growing number of threats on their migration routes in both their summer and winter homes.
Dates: 
10/10/2026
see website
Location: 
Dripping Springs Municipal Court, 511 Mercer Street, Dripping Springs, TX 78620, United States
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The Wildflower Center presents Fortlandia

Oct. 2, 2026 – Jan. 31, 2027- Fortlandia aims to connect people of all ages to the environment by evoking a sense of childhood play and wonder. Get ready to explore a brand new lineup of custom designed forts in our Family Garden this fall. Your secret hideout awaits!
Dates: 
10/06/2026
10/07/2026
10/08/2026
see website
Location: 
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Gift Shop & Gallery, La Crosse Avenue, Austin, TX, USA
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Sculpture Festival

In 1976, 27 sculptors from six different countries gathered in Liberty Hill as part of the International Sculpture Symposium. The artists stayed in residents’ homes, and local businesses and organizations supplied meals and materials. The sculptors worked for two months to create the monuments that now stand in the Sculpture Park. Each October, the Liberty Hill community gathers at the Sculpture Park to celebrate this history. Join us for live sculpting demos in a variety of mediums, including stone, wood, metal, glass, sand and ice, while participating in hands-on art activities hosted by local businesses. Shop from vendors, listen to live music, and try to win one of the sculptures!
Dates: 
10/10/2026
see website
Location: 
Lions Foundation Park, Texas 332 Loop, Liberty Hill, TX, USA
See map: Google Maps
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