Looking for fun outdoor, indoor, and Halloween activities in Austin? Check out these October Austin events.
House of Torment. Various dates late September through early November, north - Regularly voted one of the top haunted houses in the nation. It's actually three haunted houses in one 20,000 square foot location. Check website for dates. House of Torment
Watch a video about the Austin House of Torment:
Wildflower Center Fall Plant Sale and Gardening Festival. October 4 - 6, 2013, southwest - Nearly 300 species of drought-tolerant Texas native plants are on sale. Members-only sale on Oct. 4, public sale Oct. 5-6. Wildflower Center Fall Plant Sale and Gardening Festival
IBM Uptown Classic. October 6, 2013, north - Some of Austin's fastest runners participate in this 5K and 10K race. Proceeds benefit a local charity.IBM Uptown Classic
VISIONS OF ASH Insights Art Show and Auction. October 10, 2013, downtown - Sponsored by Austin State Hospital, this art auction raises funds for programs and services to help people with mental illness. Insights Art Show and Auction
Lake Travis Relay. October 12, 2013, west - Six-person relay teams swim a 10-12 mile course to promote health, clean water, and prostate cancer awareness and support. Billed as one of the top 50 open water events in the U.S. and top 100 in the world. Lake Travis Relay
Second Sunday Sock Hop. October 13, 2013, east - Held the second Sunday of each month, the Second Sunday Sock Hop is a dance party/social with retro music. Dance to music from the 50s to the 70s including R&B, vintage rock & roll, doo woop, soul, and more. Second Sunday Sock Hop
Polari Film Festival. October 16 - 20, 2013, various locations - Formerly known as Austin Gay & Lesbian International Film Festival. Over 100 narrative, documentary, and experimental films screen at theaters around town. Films were selected from hundreds of entries worldwide and about 30 percent come from foreign countries. Festival also includes special events such as opening and closing parties. Polari Film Festival
Mediterranean Festival. October 18 - 19, 2013, central - A celebration of Mediterranean food and culture. Foods of Lebanon, Palestine, Greece, Eritrea and Romania, dancing, shopping, and games in the Kids' Oasis. Mediterranean Festival
Capital to Coast Relay. October 18 - 19, 2013, downtown - Relay run from Austin to Corpus Christi, TX, a total distance of 223 miles. Up to 80 relay teams participate. All teams must finish within 38 hours. Capital to Coast Relay
Texas Music Festival. October 18-22, 2013, north - Presented each spring and fall, TMF is a celebration of music featuring performances by various musical ensembles from Austin and central Texas. Musical styles run the musical gamut from traditional Bierhaus music to full-sized orchestras and from Middle Eastern bellydancers to Scottish pipe and drums, to jazz. Texas Music Festival
Oktoberfest. October 19, 2013, east - Celebrate this traditional German festival with the German-Texan Heritage Society and German food, beer, folk dancing, children's activities, and German dress and costumes. Oktoberfest
Walk to End Alzheimer's. October 19, 2013, west - One of over 600 similar events nationwide, and over 40 in Texas, to benefit the Alzheimer's Association. Walk to End Alzheimer's
Austin Heart Walk. October 19, 2013, south - Join a team to raise funds for the American Heart Association.
AIDS Walk Austin. October 20, 2013, downtown - Over 1,000 people walk to help support local organizations serving Austinites with AIDS and HIV. AIDS Walk Austin
Livestrong Challenge. October 20, 2013, downtown - A bicycle ride for riders of various experience levels, with courses of 20 to 100 miles available. Post-party follows the ride. Proceeds support the Livestrong Foundation to improve cancer survivorship rates and support cancer survivors. Livestrong Challenge
Austin Film Festival and Conference. October 24-31, 2013, downtown - Attend workshops, panel discussions, and film camps during the day, and parties and screenings at night. Network with producers, directors, and screenwriters and showcase your work. Austin Film Festival and Conference
Johnny Depp speaks at the 2011 Austin Film Festival:
Austin Record Convention. October 25 - 27, 2013, north - Billed as the largest recorded music sale in the U.S., the Austin Record Convention features over 300 vendors offering recordings from the 1930s to the present day, in formats ranging from 8-track tapes to CDs. Austin Record Convention
Austin Beer Week. October 25 - November 3, 2013, various locations - Over 100 events at 40+ locations, including tastings, beer & food pairings, beer dinners, beer education, contests, and beer socials. Austin Beer Week
Ghoulwill Ball. October 26, 2013, downtown - An evening costume party with live entertainment. Sponsored by Goodwill Industries of Central Texas. Ghoulwill Ball
Texas Book Festival. October 26-27, 2013, central - Shop for books, attend readings, fiction writing contests, and cooking demos, and meet authors at the State Capitol. Texas Book Festival
Watch a video about the Texas Book Festival:
Run for the Water 10 Miler. October 27, 2013, central - 10 mile run along Lady Bird Lake. A 5K course is also available.
IRONMAN 70.3 Austin. October 27, 2013, east - A 1.2 mile swim, 56-mile bike ride, and half-marathon are the highlights of this event. Top finishers qualify for the IRONMAN World Championship 70.3 in Henderson, NV.
IRONMAN 70.3 Austin