A Central Texan's guide to fall
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Pioneer Farms' Pumpkin Nights returns this fall. Photo: Chloe Gonzales/Axios
Blast that AC before grabbing your favorite blanket and a hot cup of tea.
Why it matters: It's hot, but there are plenty of opportunities to get in the fall spirit.
- From hayrides to haunted houses to Oktoberfest brews, Central Texas has lots of ways to enjoy the season.
🌽 Hayrides and corn mazes
Now's your chance to get a pumpkin patch photo and hop on a hayride. Farms around the area host fall festivals throughout October.
Sweet Berry Farm in Marble Falls
- Open through Nov. 3, with a pumpkin patch, flower picking, mazes and hayrides.
- Activities are a la carte; hayrides are $4.
Sweet Eats Fruit Farm in Georgetown
- Open through Nov. 8, featuring a 4.5-acre corn maze, pumpkin patch, pig races, fireworks and wagon rides.
- Tickets start at $12.49.
Uhland Fall Fest in Uhland
- Open Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 27 on a 15-acre property, featuring a pumpkin patch, music, food and fall-inspired games.
- Of note: Dripping Springs Pumpkin Festival was renamed and moved to its new Uhland location south of Austin this year.
- Tickets start at $20 per person.
👻 Haunted houses and more
It's nearly October, and time for a haunted house.
- Austin's oldest haunted attraction includes three immersive stories, mini escape rooms and more.
- Tickets start at $20, and House of Torment remains open through Nov. 9.
Scream Hollow in Smithville
- Choose from five haunted attractions throughout 20 acres at Wicked Halloween Park.
- Plus, there's music, food and a haunted hayride through Nov. 9. Ticket prices vary.
Pioneer Farms' Pumpkin Nights
- Bring the whole family to Pumpkin Nights, a trail at Pioneer Farms decorated with more than 5,000 pumpkins, a pirate ship and an enchanted forest.
- Tickets are on sale now through Oct. 31 and cost $16 on weekdays and $22 on weekends for adults.
- Dress up and ride the haunted train at the Austin Zoo's family-friendly Halloween event.
- Available Fridays and Saturdays through October, with tickets starting at $22.
🎃 Oktoberfest
You can celebrate our area's German heritage during Oktoberfest, with beers from local breweries or by taking a trip to Fredericksburg.
- Meanwhile's Oktoberfest kicks off at 8am Friday and continues through the weekend with polka bands, games and stein hoisting for all ages. Free with an RSVP.
- Enjoy the East Austin brewer's Oktoberfest events this Saturday and Oct. 5 with live polka music, brews and food specials. Free.
- Find beer and sausages at the downtown beer garden's annual Austoberfest from noon-10pm on Oct. 5, featuring a stein holding competition, bowling, beer and sausage samples and kids activities.
- Drive out to Fredericksburg for a real Oktoberfest experience, with food, music and shopping Oct. 4-6. Tickets are available at the gate.