Locals Know ATX Art Tours | Sundays 1:30pm & Fridays 9:45am
Ready to go deeper than Austin’s best barbecue? We’re leveraging our local expertise to showcase the creative artists who add vibrance to our beloved city. Two different walking tours explore the city’s historic sites, take in its music history, and sample some of the best hidden menu gems in town. It also includes sipping creative concoctions and gazing upon colorful murals while exploring the savory and sweet sides of Austin’s rich culinary history. Tickets start at $45 and provide enough local legend and folklore that you’ll be telling everyone you know to join in on the next one. eastsideatx.com/arttours
Locals Know ATX Tacos Tours | Fridays & Saturdays, 11:30am
This short walking tour has local expertise and mouthwatering taco trucks that deliver the best of the best of Austin’s culture and cuisine. Guests sample tacos, chips & dips, Mexican traditions, and delicacies from various iconic spots like Michelin Guide-recognized La Santa Barbacha. The tour also includes sipping agua frescas and mural photo ops while exploring the savory and sweet sides of East Austin’s culinary history. Tickets start at $85 and provide enough food to fill bellies for both lunch and dinner. eastsideatx.com/tacotours | 2808 Manor Rd.
Fear Fair | Sept. 16-Nov. 1, weekdays 4pm-2am, weekends 11am-2am
This Halloween, Fear Fair at Sign Bar is the place to get all the scares. With a rebuilt maze, themed sets, a new spooky clown install, themed cocktails, and a few surprises, you’ll have plenty of chances to get into the Halloween season. For a less spooky version, go during the day to see the sets without the actors and grab some fun photo-ops. Daytime matinee tickets are $6.50, and the live actor night maze is $14.50. signbartexas.com | 9909 FM 969, Bldg. 3
Worlds Collide | October 2-3, show times vary
Experience Georgia O’Keefe’s art in a whole new way at Worlds Collide, where One World One Music and The Cathedral ATX partner together for an evening celebrating O’Keefe’s work and legacy. Learn about her time in Canyon, Texas, hear music from world class musicians, and see projections of O’Keefe’s beautiful artwork throughout the space. Tickets start at $25. https://www.oraapp.com/e/worlds-collide | 2403 E 16th St.
Oktoberfest | October 10, 11am-7pm
Experience Germany without ever leaving Austin. The German-Texan Heritage Society celebrates German culture with music, food, and plenty of beer in the terraced gardens of the German Free School. Kids under 12 get in free, and wearing your Lederhosen and Dirndl is encouraged.
germantexans.org | 507 E 10th St
Arte y Vida | October 29, 7pm
Celebrate seven years of championing women and nonbinary artists with Arte y Vida and The Cathedral. Enjoy a solo exhibit debut by founder Mónica Ceniceros, a silent auction featuring hand-painted ceramic skulls by 20 local artists, a life-size community ofrenda, live music, a DJ set, and traditional Mexican-inspired bites from Sana Sana Taqueria. Come dressed to celebrate and ready to support The Cathedral’s community of artists. Tickets are $150 and include food and a complimentary bar.
oraapp.com/e/arte-y-vida | 2403 E 16th St.
Austin Film Festival | Oct. 29-Nov. 5, times vary
Austin Film Fest is back for its 33rd year, bringing together filmmakers, screenwriters, podcasters, playwrights, game writers, and film lovers for a week of movies and storytelling. Catch film and television premieres, competition films, and documentaries, plus Q&A’s with famous writers, actors, and filmmakers. Ticket and badge prices vary by event. Shows are hosted at Paramount Austin Theatre, Long Center, Distribution Center and a couple of other iconic spots across town. austinfilmfestival.com | locations vary
A Beautiful Noise | November 3-8, showtimes vary
Follow the incredible story of Neil Diamond in A Beautiful Noise, part of Broadway in Austin’s 2026 series. This energetic musical takes you through the life of a Brooklyn kid who became a chart-busting, show-stopping, award-winning American icon, all set to the songs that defined his career. Tickets start at $45.
texasperformingarts.org | 2350 Robert Dedman Dr.
Africa to Austin Fest | Nov. 6-8, opening times vary
The first West African drum and dance conference of this scale in Austin is here to celebrate Africa and African diaspora culture for a three-day festival. Featuring master artists and Austin groups representing Brazil and Puerto Rico, the fest will bring performances and drum and dance workshops to the George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center. Tickets are $20-25. bramayamusic.com |
1165 Angelina St.
Texas Book Festival | November 14-15, times vary
Join the largest book event in Texas! Texas Book Festival connects authors and readers through experiences that celebrate literacy, ideas, and imagination. Enjoy book signings, cooking demonstrations, kids and teen events, and sessions featuring favorite authors. Admission is free for all. texasbookfestival.org | locations vary
Locals Know BBQ Tours | Saturdays & Sundays, 11am-2pm
There’s an overwhelming number of choices when it comes to Austin’s barbecue joints, and it’s easy to put off sampling the best when the lines are long. But for $145 per person, locals and visitors alike can experience the priceless joy of not facing the dreaded “restroom dilemma” of “should I stay or should I go?” while waiting in said lines but skipping them altogether at each spot: Mum’s Foods, KG BBQ, la Barbecue, Micklethwait Craft Meats, Parish Barbecue, and a secret location kept on the down low. Have your brisket and eat it too, as you’re chauffeured from pit to pit learning about the rich history of Texas’s best kept secrets. eastsideatx.com/bbqtours | 3108 Manor Rd.
A Charlie Brown Christmas | Nov. 6-Dec. 27, times vary
A Charlie Brown Christmas is back at ZACH for another holiday season. Follow Charlie Brown as he searches for the true meaning of Christmas with help from Snoopy, Linus, and the whole Peanuts posse. Set to Vince Guaraldi’s unforgettable jazz score, this festive show serves up a warm cup of holiday cheer. It shows on THE KLEBERG stage, and tickets begin at $21.zachtheater.org | 202 S Lamar Blvd.
The Nutcracker | December 4-23, 2pm & 7:30pm
Enjoy Ballet Austin’s 64th annual production of The Nutcracker. Follow Clara on her enchanting journey from a festive holiday party to the Land of Sweets, where she meets the dazzling Sugar Plum Fairy and the brave Nutcracker Prince. With a live accompaniment of the Austin Symphony Orchestra, it’s the perfect way to get into the Christmas spirit. Tickets are $35, and free for children under 3. balletaustin.org | 701 W Riverside Dr.
Join the Club (Literally)! | October 26 & November 30, 7-8pm
EASTside ATX Mag hosts monthly Book Club Meet-ups the last Monday of each month. Expect local coffee, occasional custom cocktails, and discussions over whether fictional characters deserve redemption arcs. Each month features a different genre (voted on by you) and a rotating venue: think patios, bookstores, and breweries. October’s meet-up takes place at Radio Rosewood (arrive early for HH), then chat about a spooky thriller. November’s meet-up is at Love Supreme (where HH also lasts until 7pm) to discuss a moody autumn read. It’s free to join, so follow along on Insta for details, or sign up to vote on the next read and to get notifications. eastsideatx.com/bookclub | @eastsideatxmag | Radio
Rosewood: 1115 E 11th St. & Love Supreme: 2805 Manor Rd.
