Seven Austin events scheduled Oct. 1-4
September 29, 2026
- What: A lineup of concerts, readings, haunted attractions and fall festivals will take place across Austin and nearby communities.
- Who: Performers include Charli XCX, Rüfüs Du Sol, Kings of Leon, Lorde, Twenty One Pilots and The xx, and author Christy Carlson Romano will appear for a book talk and signing.
- Where: Events run at Zilker Park, BookPeople on N. Lamar, House of Torment on Ridgepoint Drive, and other venues including Pioneer Farms and Sweet Berry Farm in Marble Falls.
- Why it matters: The weekend offers major live music, family-friendly fall activities and seasonal attractions that draw residents and visitors to Austin-area venues.
A large music festival will fill Zilker Park Oct. 2 through Oct. 4, beginning at noon each day at 2100 Barton Springs Road. Organizers will stage over 100 performances across three days during two consecutive weekends, and the 2026 lineup includes Charli XCX, Rüfüs Du Sol, Kings of Leon, Lorde, Twenty One Pilots and The xx.
Author Christy Carlson Romano will discuss her memoir Once Upon a Trainwreck: The Fall and Rise of a Child Star at BookPeople on Oct. 3, starting at 4 p.m. Romano's book covers her childhood stardom, financial losses, struggles with substance abuse and experiences of motherhood; the event will include a conversation and signing hosted by Austin Monthly's editor in chief.
House of Torment, Austin's longest-running haunted attraction, continues through Nov. 8 at 2632 Ridgepoint Drive, with showtimes varying by date. The 25-year-old attraction was once named the scariest haunted house in America by the Travel Channel, and its layout includes mini escape games, zombie simulations and a hidden bar in addition to multiple themed scare areas.
Oyster fans can attend a full-day festival Oct. 3 at 1100 S. Lamar Blvd. The event opens at 11 a.m., with Gulf oysters available for $1 and Atlantic oysters for $4, plus contests such as Best Oyster Costume and an Oyster Shucking and Eating contest.
Families can visit a nearby fall festival Oct. 3 and Oct. 4 at 2400 Cotton Gin Road, starting at 10 a.m. The event offers seasonal activities for children and adults, including a petting zoo, balloon art, train rides, pumpkin carving and hair braiding.
Pioneer Farms is hosting an outdoor pumpkin event through Oct. 31 at 10621 Pioneer Farms Drive, with carved and painted displays across the grounds. Visitors will find themed sections like the Forbidden City and Pirate's Cove, along with fire dancers, tarot readers and a live pumpkin artist; attendees should expect to walk between exhibits.
Sweet Berry Farm in Marble Falls will operate as an autumn destination through late November at 1801 FM 1980. The farm will offer hayrides, mazes, pumpkin painting and scarecrow stuffing, and it will sell a variety of pumpkins and gourds for visitors to take home.
Sources
- Austin Monthly feature