Manchaca United Methodist Church pumpkin patch[/caption]
October 22 through 31: Pumpkin patch
Visitors can walk through the pumpkin patch, take photos and purchase pumpkins, which are priced according to size.
Times vary Free Manchaca United Methodist Church 1011 FM 1626 • 512-282-7274 www.manchacaumc.org
October 22 through Nov. 14: House of Torment
The 13th annual Halloween event in North Austin offers more than 20,000 square feet of space with three multilevel haunted houses to walk through, including a house with chainsaw-wielding clowns.
Times vary $24.99 and up 523 Highland Mall Blvd. 512-407-9449 www.houseoftorment.com
October 23 through 30: Boo at the Zoo
Visitors at the annual events can see the decorated zoo at night, explore a haunted house and ride the zoo’s train. Scotty Roo and Christini shows featuring puppetry, singing and dancing are held three times each evening for $3 per attendee. The event takes place Oct. 23, 24 and 30. Attendees are encouraged to dress in costume and can bring a picnic supper.
6:30-9 p.m. $12.50 Austin Zoo and Animal Sanctuary 10808 Rawhide Trail 512-288-1490 www.austinzoo.org
October 24: Dittmar Halloween Spooktacular
The annual event includes a haunted house decorated and staffed by local teenagers as well as a carnival with games. An outdoor showing of the movie “Casper” takes place in the park at sundown.
6:30 p.m. Free Dittmar Recreation Center 1009 Dittmar Road 512-974-6090 www.austintexas.gov/dittmar
October 24: Manchaca United Methodist Church Fall Festival
Manchaca United Methodist Church sells pumpkins, allows families to take photographs in the pumpkin patch and offers story time hosted by its children’s ministry at the event. Food trucks and children’s activities are among the features at the event. Proceeds from the festival and adjacent pumpkin patch support community outreach programs and ministries of MUMC.
11 a.m.-3 p.m. Free Manchaca United Methodist Church 1011 FM 1626 512-282-7274 www.manchacaumc.org
October 25: Oak Hill United Methodist Church Fall Festival
The annual fall event, which is organized by local residents and Oak Hill United Methodist Church across the street from the ACC Pinnacle campus, features food, games and live music as well as hayrides.
4-7 p.m Free Oak Hill United Methodist Church 7815 W. Hwy. 290 512-288-3836 www.oakhillumc.org
October 25: Bethany Lutheran Church Fall Festival
The church’s annual event includes activities such as pony rides, bounce houses and a hayride. Additionally, trick-or-treating and a petting zoo are scheduled for the festival.
3-6 p.m. Free (festival and trick-or-treating), $5 (other activities) Bethany Lutheran Church 3701 Slaughter Lane 512-292-8778 www.blcms.org
Halloween Children’sConcert 2015[/caption]
October 25: Halloween Children’s Concert 2015
The annual performance features “frightfully fun” symphonic music to appeal to children ages 2-10, according to the Austin Symphony Orchestra. Director Wesley Schulz conducts the concert, and the entire family is invited to dress up in costume and listen to live music at Dell Hall.
3 p.m. $8-$12 Long Center for the Performing Arts 701 W. Riverside Drive www.austinsymphony.org
Moonlight hikes[/caption]
October 26 and 27: Moonlight hikes
Visitors can take in the sights, sounds and smells of fall evenings as part of the moonlight hikes series. Staffers guide participants on a 3-mile walk through the garden and arboretum. Participants must be age 16 or older.
8-10 p.m. $15 Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center 4801 La Crosse Ave. 512-232-0100 www.wildflower.org
October 30: Field of Screams Fall Festival and Haunted Hayride
The Manchaca Optimist Youth Sports Complex hosts the fourth annual event, which features games, a raffle, food for sale and a costume contest with prizes. The event also includes a “not-so-scary” hayride before dark and a “scare-your-pants-off” hayride after dark.
7 p.m.-midnight Free (admission),$1-$2 (activity and food tickets),$5 (hayride, age 14 and younger or students with ID),$7 (adult hayride) Manchaca Optimist Youth Sports Complex 2145 FM 1626 www.moysc.org
October 30: Spooktacular
Families can explore The Bullock Texas State History Museum after hours at the event featuring performances, games, interactive activities and art. Attendees can come dressed in costume and receive prizes.
5-8 p.m. Free The Bullock Texas State History Museum 1800 N. Congress Ave. 512-936-8746 www.thestoryoftexas.com
October 31: Spooky Skedaddle 5K/1K and Halloween Festival
The Texas School for the Deaf Foundation’s annual 5K run and 1K fun run and festival returns, partnering with Heal Kenya to raise awareness for both organizations. The festival features carnival games, a costume parade, an inflatable obstacle course, mini-horses, food trailers and music.
8 a.m.-3 p.m. free (admission to festival),$3 for 1K registration, $35 for 5K registration (until Oct. 1), $40 for 5K registration (after Oct. 1) Texas School for the Deaf 1102 S. Congress Ave. 512-462-5750 www.tsdfoundation.org
November 6 through 15: Wurstfest
The annual celebration of German culture offers several varieties of sausage and other foods as well as German, Texan and domestic beer. Other features at the festival include live music, dancing, carnival rides and games, and special events as well as alpine- and Bavarian-style entertainment.
Times vary $8 in advance, $10 at the door Landa Park 120 Landa St., New Braunfels 830-625-9167 www.wurstfest.com
Diwali Festival of Lights[/caption]
November 7: Diwali Festival of Lights
Attendees celebrate Diwali, the largest Hindu festival of the year, with dinner, prayer, a cultural program and a fireworks display.
5 p.m.-midnight Free Radha Madhav Dham 400 Barsana Road 512-288-7180 www.radhamadhavdham.org
Wine & Swine[/caption]
November 8: Wine & Swine
Proceeds from the annual fall event go toward the Austin Food & Wine Alliance culinary grant program. Features include a pig roast and live cooking demonstrations by Austin chefs as well as live music and wine-tasting events. Chefs scheduled to appear at the event include Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbecue, John Bates of Noble Sandwich Co. and Nicole Patel of Delysia Chocolatier.
1-4 p.m $75-$100 Star Hill Ranch 15000 Hamilton Pool Road 512-348-6847 www.austinfoodwinealliance.org/2015-wine-swine
ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot[/caption]
November 26: ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot
The largest 5-mile run in Texas, and one of the largest turkey trots in the nation, draws more than 20,000 participants on Thanksgiving day. All registrations include a T-shirt and runner’s guide. Proceeds go to Caritas of Austin, which provides education and support services to the working poor to help them become self-sufficient.
8:45 a.m. (Stepping Stone School Kids’ K), 9:30 a.m. (5-mile run), 9:45 a.m. (1-mile walk) $8 for Kids’ K, $18 for the 1-mile walk, $20 for the untimed 5-mile, $25 for the timed 5-mile Long Center for the Performing Arts 701 W. Riverside Drive 512-479-8805 www.thundercloud.com
This is not a comprehensive list of fall events in the Southwest Austin area. For more information about local events, visit communityimpact.com.
