Worth the Trip: Oktoberfest in Fredericksburg
The 35th annual festival celebrates German heritage. Festivities include music, art, crafts and children’s activities. Food includes bratwursts and potato pancakes. Proceeds fund scholarships for local high school graduates and gifts and grants for art-related programs as well as the Pedernales Creative Arts Alliance MarktPlatz Concert Series.
When: Oct. 2-4. Fri. 6 p.m.-midnight, Sat. 10 a.m.-midnight, Sun. 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Admission: free (age 6 and younger), $1 (ages 7-12), $7 (adult, single-day pass), $12 (two-day pass), $16 (three-day pass)
Where: 100 W. Main St., Fredericksburg (not mapped)
830-997-4810 • www.oktoberfestinfbg.com
1. Celebrate Oktoberfest at North by Northwest
NXNW hosts its seasonal Oktoberfest brew and food festival now in its 13th year. Festivities include a bratwurst-eating contest and an authentic German Oompah band. Children’s activities include a bounce house, face painting, games and a balloon artist. The event also features a dog costume contest. Admission proceeds benefit 1400 Miles, Therapy Pet Pals of Texas and Central Texas Dachshund Rescue. A free shuttle is available for additional off-site parking.
When: Oct. 17-18. Sat. noon-11 p.m., Sun. 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
Admission: $2
Where: 10010 N. Capital of Texas Hwy.
512-467-6969 • https://stonelake.nxnwbrew.com/events/oktoberfest
2. House of Torment
The 13th annual Halloween event offers more than 20,000 square feet of space with three multilevel haunted houses to walk through, including a house with chainsaw-wielding clowns.
When: Sept. 18-Nov. 14, various times
Admission: $24.99 and up
Where: 523 Highland Mall Blvd.
512-407-9449 • www.thehouseoftorment.com
3. Pioneer Farms’ Haunted Trail
After hours, Pioneer Farms transforms its outdoor path into a Brothers Grimm-themed haunted trail. Three different paths are offered, ranked from scary to scariest. Food, tarot card readings and ghost-story tellings are offered in the town square.
When: Oct. 9-10, 16-17, 23-24. 7-10 p.m.
Admission: $12
Where: 10621 Pioneer Farms Drive
512-837-1215 • www.pioneerfarms.org
4. Spooky Path and Carnival
Activities include carnival games and a spooky outdoor path. The first 10 activity tickets are free, and additional tickets are available for $0.25 each.
When: Oct. 30. 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Admission: free
Where: Northwest Recreation Center, 2913 Northland Drive
512-974-6972 • www.austintexas.gov/department/northwest-recreation-center
5. Pumpkin Patch
Pumpkins of all sizes are available for purchase.
When: Oct. 5-31. Mon.-Fri. 3-7 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
Where: Bethany United Methodist Church, 10010 Anderson Mill Road
512-258-6017 • www.bethany-umc.org/events/z-archive/pumpkin-patch
6. St. Market Day
The event includes a barbecue, a bounce house, arts and crafts vendors, live music and a pumpkin patch. Proceeds benefit St. Mark’s United Methodist Church.
When: Oct. 17. 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Admission: free; pumpkins cost $0.50-$25.
Where: St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 601 W. Braker Lane
512-836-5747 • www.stmarkaustin.org
7. Pumpkin Patch and Fall Festival
The event includes a pumpkin patch, goody bags, bounce houses and a petting zoo with barnyard animals.
When: Oct. 17. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Admission: free
Where: Red Barn Garden Center, 12881 Pond Springs Road
512-335-8093 • www.redbarngardencenter.net
8. Anderson Mill Fall Festival
Crafts, food trucks, live music and a screening of “Monsters, Inc.” at dusk are included in the annual Anderson Mill Limited District Fall Festival.
When: Oct. 24, 4-10:30 p.m.
Admission: Free
Where: Harper Park, 11040 Lake Creek Parkway
512-258-4104 • www.amld.org
9. Halloween Spooktacular
The event includes free food, a haunted trick-or-treat trail, face painting, a bounce house and a raffle. Northwest Family YMCA will also hold a grand reopening celebration with facility tours and giveaways.
When: Oct. 24. 5-8 p.m.
Admission: free
Where: Northwest Family YMCA, 5807 McNeil Drive
512-335-9622 • www.austinymca.org
10. Halloween Party on the Plaza
The event includes music and children’s entertainment. Costumes are encouraged.
When: Oct. 30. 6-8 p.m.
Admission: free
Where: The Domain 2, 3220 Amy Donovan Plaza
www.simon.com/mall/the-domain
This list is not comprehensive.
