October in Austin: The Can’t-Miss Events This Month
Written by: Sonia Raudales
October is when Austin really comes alive. The heat finally breaks, patios fill back up, and the calendar fills with some of the biggest weekends of the year. Whether you’re in it for the music, the food, the speed, or the culture, here’s what we’re looking forward to this month, much of it just a short walk, scooter, or rideshare from downtown.
1. Austin City Limits Music Festival (Zilker Park)
Credits: ACL Festival
October 2–4 & 9–11 | Zilker Park
No Austin October is complete without ACL. For two weekends every fall, Austin City Limits Music Festival takes over Zilker Park with nine stages, more than 100 performances, and some of the biggest names in music. This year’s lineup includes Charli XCX, Lorde, Skrillex, Rüfüs Du Sol, Kings of Leon and more, so there’s something for everyone. Beyond the music, ACL Eats brings a lineup of local restaurant favorites to the park, making it a true taste of Austin.
Living downtown makes ACL weekend a breeze. Skip the traffic and parking, and simply stroll or bike over the river to Zilker Park. When the music winds down, you’re just minutes from home, with plenty of downtown spots to keep the night going.
2. Hot Luck Live Food & Music Festival (East Austin)
Credits: Hot Luck / Alison Narro
October 16–17 | Franklin Barbecue & Assembly Hall
Hot Luck is a must for food lovers. It was founded by Aaron Franklin, Mohawk owner James Moody, and Feast Portland co-founder Mike Thelin, and it pairs great chefs with great live music. Friday kicks off with Giddy Up, a live-fire, stroll-and-sample feast at Franklin Barbecue. Saturday moves to Assembly Hall for House Party, the festival’s biggest event, with dozens of chefs from around the country serving their most creative plates.
This year’s chef lineup includes Austin favorites like Edgar Rico (Nixta Taqueria), Tavel Bristol-Joseph (Canje), Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel (Birdie’s), and Evan LeRoy (LeRoy & Lewis). Even better, the festival benefits the Southern Smoke Foundation, which supports people in the food and beverage industry.
3. Eastside Kings Festival (East 12th Street)
Credits: KXAN
October 17–18 | E. 12th St. & Chicon
For a weekend packed with soul, check out the Eastside Kings Festival. It celebrates Austin’s African American blues, jazz, and gospel heritage, with more than 15 bands a day across venues within a block of East 12th and Chicon. Add local vendors, classic cars, and plenty of soul food, and you’ve got one of the most authentic Austin weekends of the fall.
4. Formula 1 United States Grand Prix (Circuit of the Americas)
Credits: Earl McGehee, CC BY-SA 3.0
October 22–25 | Circuit of the Americas
Race week is back, and for the first time it’s a four-day weekend. Thursday’s new Grand Prix View day offers a pit lane walk, F1 Academy action, and early access to the fan villages. Practice runs Friday, qualifying is Saturday, and the 56-lap United States Grand Prix starts Sunday at 3 p.m.
Not heading out to the track? Downtown fills with watch parties, pop-ups, and brand activations all week long, so there’s plenty of race-weekend energy close to home.
5. Viva la Vida Festival & Parade (Downtown)
Credits: Mexic-Arte Museum
Saturday, October 24 | E. 4th St. & Congress Ave.
Mexic-Arte Museum’s 43rd annual Viva la Vida Festival is Austin’s largest and longest-running DÃa de los Muertos celebration, and it takes place right in the heart of downtown. The Grand Procession starts at noon and travels down historic 6th Street to the festival grounds at 4th and Congress. There you’ll find the Muertos Mercado with local artists, a low-rider exhibition, live performances, and traditional food. This year’s special theme is la ofrenda: artist-made altar pieces are carried in the parade and then assembled on the festival stage.
Best of all, it’s free and open to everyone.
Bonus: Austin Film Festival Kicks Off (Downtown)
Credits: Kenneth Zirkel, CC BY-SA 3.0
October 30 – November 5 | Venues across downtown
To close out the month, the 33rd annual Austin Film Festival brings eight days of screenings, world premieres, and filmmaker Q&As to theaters across downtown, including the historic Paramount on Congress. It’s the perfect excuse to catch a premiere and grab dinner nearby, all without leaving the neighborhood.
Learn more about Austin Film Festival
Between world-class music, live-fire feasts, race week, and one of the most beautiful cultural celebrations of the year, October is the month to be in Austin. So grab your calendar, round up your crew, and make the most of the best season in the city. We’ll see you out there!