Fall festivals
Hill Country Pumpkins
Locals and visitors alike can pick the perfect Halloween pumpkin at the patch while also enjoying a bounce house slide, complimentary hot cider, coffee, snacks, drinks and adult beverages.
- Sept. 27-Oct. 31
- Free (admission)
- 9600 Hwy. 290, Austin
- www.hillcountrypumpkins.com
Attendees can check out the zoo’s animals while dressed in their Halloween best, ride the Spooky Train and tour the space’s haunted house.
- October weekends, 5:45-9 p.m.
- $24 (admission)
- Austin Zoo, 10808 Rawhide Trail, Austin
- https://austinzoo.org/events/boo-at-the-zoo
Visitors can participate in fall-themed activities such as a pumpkin patch, photo opportunities, hay and barrel train rides, apple cannon, hay maze, outdoor bowling, food vendors, and more. A new feature this year includes a 1.4-mile scarecrow maze.
- Sept. 27-Nov. 2, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
- $17-$23 (weekend admission), $10-$13 (weekday admission)
- 5701 Williamson Road, Creedmoor
- www.mamamarysfarm.com
Featuring a pumpkin patch, a hall of monsters with animatronics, live music, magic showcases, pumpkin pie eating contest and more, the festival is back with attractions for all ages to enjoy.
- Oct. 3-Nov. 1, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
- $15 (admission)
- 8760 FM 2243, Leander
- https://texaspumpkinfest.com
The fourth annual pumpkin festival will bring all things fall to Round Rock including farm animals and feeding, a barrel train, pumpkin painting, a bouncy house and funnel cake. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Austin Pets Alive and the Old Settlers Association.
- Oct. 3-Nov. 1
- Free (admission for teachers, military and first responders), $10 (ages 3 and up)
- Old Settlers Park, 3300 E. Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock
- www.roundrockpumpkinfestival.com
Attendees can look forward to a free wagon ride into the Christmas tree fields where pie pumpkins are hidden. Additional activities will be available including pumpkin launcher, mazes, axe throwing and zip lines.
- Weekends starting Oct. 4, 10- 5 p.m. (Saturdays), 1-5 p.m. (Sundays)
- Free (admission, parking), $3.50 (each activity)
- Evergreen Farms, 242 Monkey Road, Elgin
- www.evergreenfarms.com
The seasonal event will feature live music, a mini hay maze, a bat scavenger hunt, yard games and activity stations. Attendees will have the opportunity to get free admission to the Amazen’ Ranch Round-Up if they wear a family-friendly costume to the event.
- Weekends through Oct. 31
- Free (admission)
- Natural Bridge Caverns, 26495 Natural Bridge Caverns Road, San Antonio
- www.naturalbridgecaverns.com
With over 50 attractions and over 40 photo opportunities, the festival brings fun in a variety of ways to community members of all ages. Attractions include an inflatable bounce pad, a corn pit, a monster maze, cornhole and camel rides.
- Weekends through Nov. 2, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
- $20 (admission, ages 4-64), free (ages 0-3, 65+), $37.63 (multiday pass)
- 2400 Cotton Gin Road, Uhland
- www.uhlandfallfest.com
A general admission ticket to the Sweet Eats Adventure Farm & Petting Zoo fall festival includes access to the corn maze and daily pig races. On weekends, admission includes access to the candy cannon, a fireworks show and community campfires. Patrons can also pick their own pumpkins for $0.85/lb.
- Sept. 20-Nov. 7, during business hours
- $14-$33 (admission)
- 14400 E. Hwy. 29, Georgetown
- www.sweeteats.com
The gardens will host a patch with activities available on weekends such as train rides, slides, playscapes, bounce houses and pumpkin painting.
- Oct.4-26, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- $5 (adult admission), $10 (children admission includes train rides, bounce houses and a pumpkin to paint), free (children 2 and younger)
- Community Gardens, 1067 Hwy. 71 W., Bastrop
- www.cgbastrop.com
Christ Lutheran Church’s pumpkin patch will benefit Water to Thrive, an Austin-based nonprofit committed to building wells and providing clean water in Africa.
- Oct. 13-31, 11 a.m.-dusk (weekdays), 10 a.m.-dusk (Saturdays), noon-dusk (Sundays)
- Free (admission)
- Christ’s Workshop, 212 E. Monroe St., Austin
- www.christaustin.org
The event showcases a half-mile path of 10 immersive pumpkin-themed lands including a forbidden city and a pirate’s cove. Walkers will also experience over 7,500 hand-carved and custom pumpkins throughout the space.
- Through Oct. 31, 6-11 p.m.
- Free (ages 3 and under), $16-$26 (ages 4-12), $22-$36 (ages 13 and up)
- Pioneer Farms, 10621 Pioneer Farms Drive, Austin
- www.pumpkinnights.com/austin
Bat City Scaregrounds
Participants can explore three haunted houses, Slaughter Mall, Castle Orlock and Ancient Evil. Other attractions include live music, Vegas-style performances and seasonal food. The event is recommended for ages 12 and up.
- Sept. 27-Nov. 1
- $27.81+
- 14101 South Turnersville Road, Buda
- www.batcityscaregrounds.com
The locally-operated attraction will host the spooky experience for all ages for its 11th and final year. Food donations will be accepted for Hill County Community Ministries Food Pantry.
- Oct. 30-Oct. 31, 6-10 p.m.
- food donation for HCCM Food Pantry
- Hutton Lane, Leander
- Facebook: Last Stop Haunt
Recommended for ages 13 and up, attendees can experience a world where all communication with the outside world is down, soldiers are blocking the roads and answers must be found sooner rather than later. Proceeds for the event go toward various local cancer-related charities and attendees are also encouraged to bring canned food for the Manor Food Bank.
- Sept. 27-Oct. 25
- $40-$50
- Old West Market, 14219 Littig Road, Manor
- www.scareforacure.org
