From festivals to races to train rides, here are 10 events to put on your calendar through the end of August to October.

Aug. 31: Pause for a petting zoo

The Cedar Park Public Library will host a Paws & Pause event for adults age 18 and up to relax and unwind with a petting zoo. To attend the event, attendees can sign up for a slot from 4-6 p.m. to spend around 18 minutes with rabbits, hedgehogs, lizards, mini chickens, tortoises, guinea pigs and more. Participants are encouraged to arrive a few minutes early and can enjoy journaling, coloring and button-making stations.Sept. 3: Ride a steam train in style

The Austin Steam Train Association is inviting riders to don their superhero cape and hop onboard the Super Hero Train. The association's most popular ride of the summer features the professional Super Hero Squad from Central Texas Theatre Academy and on-board activities.
  • 9 a.m. (doors open), 10 a.m. (train departs), 1:30 p.m. (train returns)
  • $35-$50 (children), $40-$55 (adults)
  • 401 E. Whitestone Blvd., Ste. C-100, Cedar Park
  • 512-915-2340
  • www.austinsteamtrain.org
Sept. 4: Enjoy family fun

Town and Country Sports will host its second annual T&C Family Fun Day to celebrate the Labor Day holiday. The event will include 1.5K and 3K fun runs, a Wiffle ball home run derby, an obstacle course, yard games, a fitness challenge and more sports-related activities for the whole family. The Jollyville Fire Department will make an appearance to help everyone cool off.Sept. 7: Learn about the local market


The Leander Real Estate Summit will bring together local Realtors, developers and industry leaders to discuss the latest real estate news from throughout the city. This year’s event will feature keynote speeches from Mayor Christine DeLisle and Mark Sprague of Independence Title, and participants can earn a continuing education credit as well as take a bus tour that showcases upcoming developments in Leander.
  • 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • $75 (members), $95 (nonmembers)
  • Life Church, 1393 E. Woodview Drive, Leander
  • 512-259-1907. www.leandercc.org
Sept. 8-9: Go back to school in style

Fairytale Threads is holding a back-to-school children’s consignment event at Austin Sports Center in Cedar Park. The sale will offer clothing for newborns and kids up to size 16, junior sizes, prom and maternity clothing, books, and toys. First-time parents with a child under six months old can register for the New Parents’ Presale on Sept. 6.
  • 10 a.m.-7 p.m. (Sept. 8), 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (Sept. 9)
  • Free (admission)
  • 1420 Toro Grande Blvd., Cedar Park
  • 512-850-3280. www.fairytalethreads.com
Sept. 23: Revel in the rodeo

Cedar Park and Leander Fraternal Order Foundation will host its annual bull riding face-off, calf scramble and mutton-busting event off Hero Way. The family-friendly event will include food, drinks and crafts from local vendors. Children can participate in the calf scramble and mutton busting.Sept. 23: Party with pups

The Austin Humane Society and Q2 will host its Raise the Ruff dog-friendly event at Mutts Canine Cantina, featuring a cornhole tournament, music, vendors and dog play dates in the park. The event helps Austin Humane Society raise money to care for over 11,000 animals each year. The cheerleader pass includes a Q2 trucker hat, a drink ticket, a day pass for Mutts Canine Cantina’s dog park and an Austin Humane Society Koozie.Sept. 30: Race with coffee lovers


Coffee-themed 5K, 10K and half-marathon races will be taking place at Brushy Creek Lake Park. Runners will receive a swag bag with a running shirt, a finisher’s medal or a custom mug, and access to an online community of runners worldwide. Tickets for the races are expected to run out quickly as there is limited availability. Interested runners can sign up for a virtual run option or be placed on a waiting list if the races sell out. Participants under age 18 must be accompanied by a guardian.Oct. 7: Light up the lake

The Water Lantern Festival will light up Mueller Lake Park in Austin with floating lanterns. Starting at 4:30 p.m., participants can decorate their own lanterns and enjoy live music, local food trucks and vendors. Tickets also include a commemorative drawstring bag, playing cards and conversation cards for the event. The lanterns will launch beginning at sunset and continue for up to two hours until all lanterns have launched.Oct. 21-22: Unleash your inner hero

PAW Patrol Live!’s show “Heroes Unite” will be coming to the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. This interactive live stage show is based on Nickelodeon’s animated preschool series “Paw Patrol.” In the brand-new “Heroes Unite” Broadway-style production, audience members can unleash their inner hero to help the Paw Patrol pups and Ryder encounter their greatest challenge yet. The show features advanced visual effects, action-packed storytelling and a musical score the whole family can dance and sing along to.