Spooky season is finally here, and hopefully that also means some cool weather! October is full of fun events and it’s a great time of year to be outside. Some events are creepy, some are artsy, some are totally Austin, but they’re all fun!
I’ve rounded up the best things to do with kids in October 2025 around Austin, including links to family-friendly Halloween themed events.
In This Post
Football Season
Football season is in full swing now — catch your favorite college teams or your local high school playing. Here’s UT’s schedule for the 2025 season!
If you’re looking for a place to watch televised games with kids, try one of these family-friendly spots.
Oktoberfests
There are so many family-friendly breweries and drinkeries around town that are throwing fun Oktoberfest celebrations early this month! Check out some of the best.
Early Voting
It’s election season, and early voting runs from October 20 to October 31, 2025. Get your vote in when it’s less crowded.
October Events in Austin
Fortlandia: Opens Oct. 4
Fortlandia is one of my favorite Austin events of the year (even more so because it lasts a few months, until Feb. 1, so everyone has time to catch it while the forts are up). Every year, the Wildflower Center hosts unique forts that look awesome and kids can climb in, on and under!
Pumpkin Nights: September 18 – October 31
Each year, Pumpkin Nights takes over Pioneer Farms in Northeast Austin with thousands of carved (artificial) pumpkins. There are themed displays like Harry Potter, pirates, gnomes and more! Use code BETHANY for 10% off weeknight tickets.
Find more fall events here.
Morning Glories at Waterloo Park: Oct. 7, 14, 21 and 28
This fun childhood education series happens every Tuesday morning at 10 am. Meet at the Meredith Heritage Tree Deck for hands-on learning activities with different themes each week.
Round Rock Arts Fest: Oct. 3-5
Formerly called Chalk Walk, the Round Rock Arts Fest is a weekend full of art, vendors, live music, a kids area and more fun. Hundreds of artists are showing off their chalking, fine arts and crafts.
Movies Behind the Museum: Oct. 11
Come watch The Wild Robot at an outdoor screening at the Texas Science and Natural History Museum. Your ticket gets you access to both the museum and the movie — come visit the museum starting at 6 and be ready for the movie at 7:30. Bring blankets, camp chairs and snacks!
Leander Art Fest: Oct. 11
Leander’s Art Festival is called Artoberfest, with whimsical fall costumes and accessories encouraged to get in the spirit of things. Lakewood Park will host the festival from 3-7 pm with local artist booths, interactive activities, art workshops and food.
Pumpkin Painting at Purrfecto Cat Lounge: Oct.10
Austin’s cat cafe is having a pumpkin-decorating surrounded by 20 adoptable cats. Kids 6 and older are welcome. Look for other fall and Halloween events at Purrfecto.
Kyle City Fest: Oct. 18
From 4 to 8 pm on Oct. 18, Kyle is hosting its second annual City Fest at La Verde Park. There will be live music, food and drink, a chili cook-off, a kids zone with inflatables and mini golf, touch a truck, pumpkin patch, and fireworks! (Plus the great playground at La Verde Park!)
Round Rock Diwali Festival: Oct. 18
Celebrate Diwali at Centennial Plaza in Round Rock from 1-10 pm. There will be food, music, dance, Rangoli and a fashion show. Kids can do arts and crafts or take Bollywood dance lessons.
Music on the Trail: Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29
Get that Austin experience with family-friendly live music every Wednesday on the hike and bike trail! Listen to Austin artists at the Rainey Street Trailhead Lawn hosted by The Trail Conservancy. 6-7:30 pm
Rock the Park: Oct. 24
KUTX is hosting a free, family-friendly concert at Mueller Lake Park amphitheater. Music starts at 6:30 with Tribe Mafia followed by The Telephone Company.
Jo’s Ugly Dog Contest: Oct. 26
Celebrate the ugliest dogs in Austin at Jo’s Coffee 8th Annual Ugly Dog Contest, benefiting Austin Humane Society. You can vote online or in-person starting October 14, or vote at the party on October 26 from 12 pm to 3 pm. There will be ugly pups, adoptable dogs, local vendors, live music, face painting, and more!
What’s the weather like in Austin in October?
October is a great month in Austin because the weather is finally starting to cool off! But don’t expect cold weather. The average high for the month is 82 degrees F and the average low is 60 degrees. It’s not unusual for the temperature to reach upper 80s (and possibly 90s), especially during the first half of the month. Halloween is always up in the air — it could be too warm for long sleeves or you could need a coat for trick-or-treating!
Check out what to do in Austin in September and November! And for more fall events, click here!
Thanksgiving may seem far away, but now’s the time to make your plan if you’re ordering any Thanksgiving elements from a local restaurant. Here are some spots to order Thanksgiving turkey and sides.