October 31
See a fireworks show
Planet K and the Phogg Foundation host their annual Halloween fireworks show, where thousands of spectators gather to celebrate the lives of loved ones who have died. 9:30 p.m. Free. Behind Krieg Field, 515 S. Pleasant Valley Road, Austin.
www.planetktexasfireworks.com
November 1-3
Head to the track
The Formula 1 Grand Prix returns to Austin. The race takes place over 56 laps and includes performances by Imagine Dragons and P!nk. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 3-4:30 p.m. (Fri. practice); 1-2 p.m. (Sat. practice), 4-5 p.m. (Sat. qualifying round); 1:10-4:10 p.m. (Sun. race). $65-$1,295. Circuit of The Americas, 9201 Circuit of The Americas Blvd., Austin. 512-301-6600. www.circuitoftheamericas.com
November 2
Get to know your herbs
The Moonflower Herb Fest brings together herbalists and herb appreciators to share their experiences with plant medicine and healing. 8 a.m.-7 p.m. $125-$239. Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Road, Austin.512-477-8672 www.austintexas.gov
November 2
Attend a powwow
This year’s Austin Powwow and American Indian Heritage Festival includes traditional dance competitions and a Native market and food court. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Free (children under 12), $7 (adults). Travis County Expo Center, 7311 Decker Lane, Austin.
512-371-0628. www.austinpowwow.net
November 2
Support ACC Students
Austin Community College hosts its second annual Boots and Bats Gala, which benefits the ACC Foundation student scholarship fund. More than 200 silent auction items will be up for bids, including works from local artists, ACC students and faculty. Last year, the event helped fund 31 scholarships of $2,500 each. 6 p.m. $150. 6101 Highland Campus Drive, Bldg. 4000, Austin. 512-223-4000. www.austincc.edu
November 2
Take in a matinee
Austin Public Library hosts its Saturday movie matinee, with a screening of the 2019 film “Mary Poppins Returns,” starring Emily Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda. 2 p.m. Free. Windsor Park Branch Library, 5833 Westminster Drive, Austin.
512-974-9840. www.library.austintexas.gov
November 2-8
Support Jewish films and filmmakers
The 17th annual Austin Jewish Film Festival showcases Jewish films from around the world. It is geared for audiences both within and outside the Jewish community. Showtimes vary. $12-$120. Long Center Rollins Theatre, 701 W. Riverside Drive, Austin, and Regal Arbor @ Great Hills, 9828 Great Hills Trail, Austin. https://austinjff.org
November 3
Try Texas’ best barbecue
Texas Monthly hosts its ninth annual BBQ festival. Local businesses La Barbecue, Micklethwait Craft Meats and Stiles Switch—among others—made this year’s lineup, which also includes barbecue spots from around the state. Noon-4 p.m. $80 (general admission), $165 (VIP). The Long Center for the Performing Arts, 701 W. Riverside Drive, Austin. www.texasmonthly.com
November 3
Run for the Water
This annual race benefits the Gazelle Foundation, which provides lifetime access to clean drinking for people in Burundi. Last year, proceeds funded lifetime water provisions for 6,400 people. 7 a.m. $10-$75. Races start on Cesar Chavez east of Lamar Boulevard, Austin. www.runforthewater.com
November 3
Break out your vinyl
Local radio station KOOP 91.7 will take over the HOPE FM stage at the HOPE Farmers Market at Plaza Saltillo and play attendees’ records. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. Plaza Saltillo, 412 Comal St., Austin. www.hopefarmersmarket.org
November 5
Head to the polls
This year’s local elections include referendums, including whether to fund an expansion of the Travis County Expo Center with hotel tax revenue and two that derived from citizen-backed petitions. 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Polling locations vary. 512-238-8683.
www.traviscountytx.gov
November 7-10
Squeeze in another music festival downtown
Levitation Fest, formerly known as Austin Psych Fest, returns for its 11th year, with headliners Angel Olsen, The Flaming Lips and Kurt Vile & the Violators. Showtimes, ticket prices and venues vary.
www.levitation-austin.com
November 7-17
Check out the Creek Show
Waterloo Greenway, formerly known as the Waller Creek Conservancy, hosts its sixth annual Creek Show, an 11-night display of illuminating art created by local artists, landscape architects and designers. Last year, more than 50,000 attendees walked the creek.
6-10 p.m. Free. Waller Creek, between Ninth and 12th streets. 512-541-3520. www.waterloogreenway.org
November 11
Celebrate Veterans Day
The Austin Veterans Day Parade Foundation hosts its annual event, featuring more than 100 floats and an average of 20,000 attendees. 10 a.m. Free (donations encouraged). Texas Capitol, 1100 Congress Ave., Austin.
www.austinveteransparadefoundation.org
November 14-17
See a drag show
The Austin International Drag Festival returns for its fifth year. Headliners include “RuPaul’s Drag Race” contestants and local drag queens. Times vary. $19-$75. Locations vary. www.austindragfest.org
November 17
Drink a Bloody Mary
The Bloody Mary Festival lands in Austin, with a lineup of the city’s most creative Bloody Marys found at local restaurants and bars. Proceeds benefit Boneshaker Project, a nonprofit that encourages kids to live healthy lifestyles. Noon-3:30 p.m. $45-$60. Fair Market, 1100 E. Fifth St., Austin. www.thebloodymaryfest.com
November 21-24
Shop for holiday gifts
The Junior League of Austin hosts its 44th annual holiday market. More than 200 merchants from across the country participate. Thu. noon-8 p.m., 10 a.m.-8 p.m. (Fri.), 10 a.m.-7p.m. (Sat.), 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (Sun.). $15. Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Road, Austin. 512-467-8982 www.achristmasaffair.org
November 23
Volunteer as a family
In celebration of Family Volunteer Day, Generation SERVE hosts its third annual Austin Families Give Back event, a free, citywide day of service to introduce children and families to volunteerism. 9 a.m.-2:45 p.m. Free. Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex, 1156 Hargrave St., Austin. www.generationserve.org
November 28
Join a Turkey Trot
ThunderCloud Subs hosts its 29th annual Thanksgiving race. Options include both a timed and untimed 5-mile race, a 1-mile walk or run and a 1K for kids. Proceeds benefits Caritas of Austin, a local nonprofit that works to end homelessness in the Greater Austin area. Start times and registration fees vary. The Long Center for the Performing Arts, 701 W. Riverside Drive, Austin. www.thundercloud.com
November 29-30
Listen to jazz
This year’s Austin Area Jazz Festival features Grammy Award winner Kirk Whalum and headliner Sheila E. 8 p.m.-midnight (Fri.), 1-8 p.m. (Sat.). $45-$125. Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex, 1156 Hargrave St., Austin; Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center, 600 River St., Austin.
512-541-6297. www.austinareajazzfestival.com
November 30
Get in the holiday spirit
The Chuy’s Children Giving to Children Parade returns for its 30th year. Santa’s helpers will collect new, unwrapped toys to benefit the Austin Police Department’s Operation Blue Santa, which provides holiday gifts to local children in need. 11 a.m. Free. Congress Avenue between the Texas Capitol and Cesar Chavez Boulevard. www.chuysparade.com
Worth the Trip
November 1-10
Attend Wurstfest
Wurstfest, an annual celebration of German culture in Texas, returns with food, music, dancing, carnival rides and beer. 4-7 p.m. (Fri.), 5-10 p.m. (Mon.-Wed.), 3-10 p.m. (Sun.). Free (children 12 and under), $15 (adults). Wurstfest, 120 Landa St., New Braunfels. 830-625-9167. www.wurstfest.com
November 2-3
Meet fellow Celts
The 23rd annual Austin Celtic Festival offers Celtic music, dance, animals and history as well as Highland games. Noon-7 p.m. (Sat.), noon-6 p.m. (Sun.). Free (children 5 and under), $7-$20 (day pass), $10-$35 (weekend pass). Pioneer Farms, 10621 Pioneer Farms Drive, Austin. www.austincelticfestival.com
