Throughout the month of October, Cedar Park and Leander residents can enjoy a variety of events, including Halloween festivities.
Oct. 7-8: Enjoy an outdoor music festival
The 17th annual Honda Leander Bluegrass Festival will include live music, vendors and a fun zone. 6-9:30 p.m. Free (admission), $15 (fun zone). 1101 S. Bagdad Road, Leander. 512-528-9909. www.leandertx.gov
Oct. 9: Adopt a rat
Furry little creatures will be on display at Central Texas Rat Rescue’s 10-year Anniversary. The organization, which is dedicated to rescuing and adopting out domesticated pet rats, will host a party at an animal hospital in Cedar Park. Food, drinks, prizes and a silent auction will be available to guests who attend. 2 p.m. Free. Whitestone Animal Hospital, 3300 Woodall Drive, Cedar Park. www.ctrr.lutrinae.net
Oct. 15: Swim with pumpkins
At this pumpkin patch, children can jump into the pool or use a net to retrieve a pumpkin. Eventgoers can also decorate their pumpkin. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. $5-$8. 601 S. Bagdad Road, Leander. 512-528-9909
Oct. 15: Celebrate Barktoberfest
Central Texas SPCA will host its 20th annual Barktoberfest fall festival in Leander. Participants will have the chance to enter their pets in a photo contest, or register their dog for a 5K run or 3K walk. Anyone who registers for a walk or run will receive a Barktoberfest T-shirt and a goody bag for their pet. The festival will include vendor booths, food trucks, a silent auction and games. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Free (admission), $25 (5K run and 3K walk registration). Lakewood Park, 2040 Artesian Spring Crossing, Leander. 512-260-7722. www.centraltexasspca.org/barktoberfest
Oct. 15: Join local heroes
Heroes Night Out will host a car show benefiting service members and first responders. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free (admission), $20 (per car). 1150 S. Bell Blvd., Cedar Park. 512-373-5544. www.heroesnightout.org
Oct. 16: Attend a Volkswagen party
The 2022 VW Harvest will have activities all day, starting with a raffle table, bounce house and Twinkie eating contest for kids. Then there will be valve cover races, followed by judging, awards and raffles. Food vendors and merchandise are available on-site. Registration is free. The Harvest starts at 9 a.m. Free admission. Williamson County Regional Park, 3005 CR 175, Leander. www.vwharvest.com
Oct. 16: Motivate your kids to run
The Healthy Kids Running Fall Series offers an age-appropriate running program for students in pre-K through 12th grade every Sunday until Nov. 13. The program consists of 50- and 75-yard dashes along with half-mile and 1-mile runs for younger children, and 2-mile runs for high school students. Children who earn the most points during races will receive a trophy. 4-5 p.m. $45 (per child online registration), $50 (per child walkup registration). Milburn Park, 1901 Sun Chase Blvd., Cedar Park. www.healthykidsrunningseries.org
Oct. 18: Enjoy a local food and wine festival
Hosted by the Cedar Park Chamber of Commerce, Taste of Cedar Park will have multiple food and beverage vendors as well as live music for guests to enjoy. This 21-and-older event will also feature wine poured by Cedar Park’s Bent Oak Winery. 6-9 p.m. $55 (per person). Cedar Park Sculpture Garden, 1435 Main St., Cedar Park. 512-260-7800. www.cedarparkchamber.org/taste-of-cedar-park
Oct. 22: Support the police
The Cedar Park Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association will host an all-day Coptoberfest celebration to support the police department. Festivalgoers will be treated to food, live music and shopping vendors. Trick or treating will be available at each booth as well as games like “Dunk a Cop.” 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Free (admission), $5 (per vehicle). Gupton Stadium, 200 Gupton Way Drive, Cedar Park. 512-496-3655. www.cpcpaaa.com
Oct. 22: Trick or treat in the park
Hosted by Stroll Ranch at Brushy Creek, this fall festival will have free candy, games, activities and music for everyone in the family to enjoy. Children are encouraged to come dressed up in their Halloween costumes for trick or treating and other Halloween activities. 4-6 p.m. Free. Ranch Trails Park, 3701 Ranch Trails, Cedar Park. 737-226-8604. Facebook: Stroll Ranch at Brushy Creek
Oct. 29: Dress up with your pets
Pet-tober Fest 2022 asks guests to wear matching costumes with their pets. The family-friendly event will feature live music and over 30 pet-centric vendors. Leashed pets are welcomed and encouraged. The event will include a costume contest, and different categories will be announced prior to the event in October. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. Domain Phase 2, 10910 Domain Drive, Austin. Facebook: ATX Pet-tober Fest
Oct. 29: Step into a storybook
Hosted by the Cedar Park Public Library Foundation, Fable Fest is a fairy-tale themed carnival with inflatables, pony rides, a petting zoo and jousting. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. Tickets required for some activities. Milburn Park, 1901 Sun Chase Blvd., Cedar Park. 512-401-5630. www.cedarparkbooks.org
Nov. 4-6: Get a taste of Austin
The Austin Food and Wine Festival features exquisite bites and fine wines. 7-9 p.m. (Fri.), 1-9:30 p.m. (Sat.), 1-5:30 p.m. (Sun.). $250 and up. 900 W. Riverside Drive, Austin. www.austinfoodandwinefestival.com
LIVE MUSIC
Shooters
601 E. Whitestone Blvd., Cedar Park
512-260-2060
www.shootersbilliards.net
Oct. 7: Joel Tucker Band, 9 p.m.
Oct. 8: American Gypsy Band, 9 p.m.
Oct. 15: High Road, 9 p.m.
Oct. 21: Alex Hensley Band, 9 p.m.
Oct. 22: Howlin Waters, 9 p.m.
Oct. 29: The Weak Knights Halloween Bash, 9 p.m.
Steamer Lane Music
603 Brushy Creek Road, Cedar Park
512-431-6279
www.steamerlanemusic.com
Oct. 15: Royce Reed and Cory & Isabella, 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 22: Sid Grimes & Brother John with Beth Lee, 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 28: Relentless Jones Halloween Show, 7 p.m.
Oct. 29: Luke Walker, 7:30 p.m.
Bent Oak Winery
2000 Windy Terrace, Ste. 2B, Cedar Park
512-953-8094
www.bentoakwinery.com
Oct. 7: Heath Ham, 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 14: Joel Rapaport, 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 21: Anthony Basini, 3:30 p.m.
Nov. 4: Heath Ham, 3:30 p.m.
Haute Spot
1501 E. New Hope Drive, Cedar Park
512-986-7411
www.hautespot.live
Oct. 9: Vanilla Ice and Coolio, 5 p.m. $59-$275
Oct. 21: Deana Carter, 6 p.m. $22-$42
Oct. 27: Diamond Rio, 5 p.m. $39-$64.50
Oct. 28: Hair Metal Giants-Halloween Show, 6 p.m. $10-$20
Oct. 29: Sophie B.Hawkins with Seth Glier, 6 p.m. $22.50-$39.50
Nov. 4: Randall King with Braxton Keith, 6 p.m. $22.50-$35
