5 Free Things to Do in Austin This Fall
Dates confirmed for 2026 where they apply. Pick two and you've got a Saturday.
About 1.5 million bats fly out at sunset. The colony heads south in late September and early October, so this is the last call until spring.
Free guided tours every 15 to 30 minutes, Monday through Saturday 9am–4:15pm, Sunday from noon. The dome is taller than the U.S. Capitol's, and they will tell you so.
A 1.2-mile hike from the Twin Falls trailhead to the best swimming hole in the city, free, and empty on a weekday in October.
Eight acres of street art at the new site on Dalton Lane, with public paint walls for all ages. Free, open Wednesday through Sunday.
Saturday, October 24. Austin's biggest Día de los Muertos celebration: the procession starts at noon, activities run until six, all free.
How we checked: Prices, dates and hours were checked against each business's own site on Sept 23, 2026. Where sources disagreed, we left the number out. If something's changed, tell us and we'll fix it.
What's good in Austin this week, every Thursday.
Verified happy hours, new openings, and 5 of the best things to do this weekend. One email a week.