Viva la Vida will feature local vendors, traditional food and more to celebrate Dia de los Muertos. (Courtesy Mexic-Arte Museum)
From making ears for Halloween costumes and celebrating Día De Los Muertos to enjoying armadillo races and trick-or-treating, community members in Austin and beyond have a variety of events to attend this weekend. This list is not comprehensive. Event details are subject to change.
Austin
Austin Film Festival & Conference
Attendees can enjoy watching feature films and short films as well as attend filmmaker Q&A’s. The festival also offers volunteer opportunities where individuals can get a closer look at individual departments including registration, theater operations, conference, hospitality and transportation.
Bicycle lovers can enjoy an afternoon of admiring custom and vintage bicycles owned by local community members. Attendees can also enjoy tacos, beer, live music and raffles.
The annual Día De Los Muertos event will include over 20 vendors, traditional foods, hands-on art activities, a low-rider exhibition and live performances.
Oct. 25, noon-6 p.m.
Free (admission)
Downtown Austin, Fourth St. and Congress Ave., Austin
Flatwater Fest will raise funds to cover the cost of mental health therapy for individuals diagnosed with cancer and their families. (Photo by Roland Jimenez/Courtesy Flatwater Fest)
Flatwater Fest
The inaugural community festival will feature live music, local vendors, a silent auction and local food trucks. Kids can enjoy the Kids Zone, which will showcase creative art and writing workshops and face painting led by Austin Bat Cave and free popsicles from GoodPop. All proceeds from the event will benefit the nonprofit’s mission to cover the cost of mental health therapy for individuals diagnosed with cancer and their families.
Oct. 26, noon-5 p.m.
$25 (early bird general admission), $35 (general admission at the door), $105 (VIP admission)
The Very 'Rary will feature live music performances. (Photo by Kaitlin Sargusa/Courtesy The Contemporary)
The Vary ’Rary
The Contemporary Austin’s annual fundraiser will raise funds for contemporary art experiences for local K-12 students. Attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy live music from a theremin player, a vibraphonist and traditional Chinese folk music, as well as a magic performance and more.
Oct. 26, 1-5 p.m.
Free (general admission for ages 5 and under), $35 (general admission for members), $40 (general admission for nonmembers)
The Contemporary Austin at Laguna Gloria, 3809 W. 35th St., Austin
Held by the city of Bee Cave, the event in the Hill Country Galleria will allow community members to trick or treat, with various local businesses handing out candy.
The Halloween bash will offer trick-or-treating, games, a kids’ costume contest, story time from Buda library representatives and food vendors. A sensory-sensitive area will also be available and include noise-canceling headphones, seating with pillows and stuffed animals, and low lighting.
Booda Halloween will take place Oct. 25, 4:30-7:30 p.m. and feature a sensory-sensitive area. (Courtesy city of Buda)
Cedar Park
Fall Roundup
Community members are invited to gather at Lakeline Park for Western-inspired fun, including armadillo races, hayrides, a petting zoo, country music, mechanical bull riding, crafts and dancing.
Heroes Resource Center will host a free Trunk or Treat event for families in the community. Event registration is free for families and non profit organizations and $75 for local businesses and vendors. Prizes will be awarded to the best costume and car. Heroes Resource Center is also looking for sponsors for the event, with opportunities ranging from $350 to $1000.
Oct. 25, 5-7 p.m.
Free (families, non profits), $75, (local businesses, vendors), $350-1000 (sponsorships)
The Cedar Park Public Library invites all residents to celebrate Día de Muertos at the library by making a memory portrait while listening to live music by Mariachi los Gallos and viewing the ofrenda.
Williamson County will host a hazardous waste collection event for residents to dispose of materials safely. Residents may bring materials such as antifreeze, brake fluid, pesticides, paint and more, limited to five gallons per vehicle.
The United States Marine Band will perform a free concert at the Klett Performing Arts Center as part of the band's tour. Community members can reserve up to four free tickets per request.
A trunk-or-treat trail will be set up at Adam Orgain Park for families to walk and collect treats. The event will also have a spooky maze, pumpkin patch and hayrides. Food trucks and local vendors will also be on hand. A sensory-friendly time will be held from 5-5:30 p.m.
The annual educational event allows the public to interact with first responders to learn about their jobs and see equipment such as helicopters, police cars, ambulances, fire trucks and more. A prescription drug take-back opportunity will also be held during the event.
Oct. 25, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Free
Lake Travis Elementary School, 15303 Kollmeyer Drive, Lakeway
The 1922 classic horror film “Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror” will be screened for the event, accompanied by a chamber orchestra. Concessions will be available, with sales supporting Lake Travis High School Chamber Orchestra. Attendees are encouraged to wear vampire costumes.
The city of Leander invites residents to gather for a spooky-fun event at the Leander Activity Center. Attendees can expect to enjoy trick or treating, a haunted maze, a costume contest, photo booth and sweet treats.
Community members are invited to gather at LH Learning Hub to decorate sugar cookies with guided instruction. Students can expect to learn about icing consistency, piping techniques and recipes with help along the way.
Families will have a chance to take a swim while they choose a pumpkin, as well as get to decorate their pumpkin onsite. The floating pumpkin event will be at Gilleland Creek Pool, which will be heated.
The Pfloating Pumpkin Patch will take place at the Gilleland Creek Pool which will be heated. (Courtesy city of Pflugerville)
Round Rock
“Rosita y Conchita”
Penfold Theatre Company will present “Rosita y Conchita” featuring choreography by Round Rock Ballet Folklorico for young audiences. The play is set on the Mexican holiday of Dia de los Muertos and follows a young girl named “Conchita” whose sister has passed on. Tickets may be purchased in advance online.
Attractions for this year include carnival rides, a children’s business fair, a petting zoo, pig races, the H-E-B Beer and Wine Garden and more. Children can partake in the rodeo activities through the kids’ calf scramble and mutton busting competitions.
