Turn Up the Fall: SEC Rivals, ACL Beats, and F1 Engines Headline Austin’s Ultimate Season

GlobeNewswire | Visit Austin
Today at 5:31pm UTC

Austin, Texas, Sept. 01, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Austin's fall 2026 season features more than 10 major events between September and November, spanning college football, live music, genre film, food and wine, Formula 1 racing, NBA basketball, and literature. Anchor events include the University of Texas Longhorns' Southeastern Conference (SEC) home football schedule, the two-weekend Austin City Limits Music Festival (Oct. 2–4 and Oct. 9–11), and the Formula 1 MSC Cruises United States Grand Prix (Oct. 22–25) at Circuit of The Americas. Complete dates, venues, and official links for every event are outlined below. 

Fall 2026 Events

  • University of Texas Longhorns football (September–November 2026; select Saturdays): Cheer on the University of Texas Longhorns at one of their home games at D.K.R. Texas Memorial Stadium on select Saturdays from September to November. Continuing their thrilling momentum in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the Longhorns will go head-to-head with some of the top college football teams in the country. Tickets: texaslonghorns.com
  • LEVITATION (September 10–13, 2026): Get those costumes and tickets ready for the epic psychedelic music and art festival, LEVITATION. This four-day weekend of music brings art to Austin’s diverse Red River Cultural District in addition to venues and art spaces across the city. Tickets: levitation.fm
  • Fantastic Fest (September 17–24, 2026): Fantastic Fest is the largest genre film festival in the U.S., specializing in horror, fantasy, sci-fi, action and just plain fantastic movies from around the world. Each year, organizers bring together fans, guests, industry, press, and movie lovers of all stripes in an inclusive and fun environment for a weeklong celebration. Tickets: fantasticfest.com
  • Austin City Limits Music Festival (October 2–4 and 9–11, 2026): The annual Austin City Limits Music Festival returns to give Austin two weekends full of live music, tasty food, and fun activities. Festival-goers can experience a diverse lineup of acts across multiple stages in Zilker Park and have the opportunity to indulge in the fun over two full weekends of music. Tickets: aclfestival.com
  • Hot Luck Festival (October 16–17, 2026): Created by Aaron Franklin, James Moody, and Mike Thelin, Hot Luck pairs chef-driven feasts with live music at Austin spots including Franklin Barbecue and Assembly Hall. Tickets: hotluckfest.com
  • Formula 1 MSC Cruises United States Grand Prix (October 22–25, 2026): The four-day event returns to Circuit of The Americas, opening with Thursday activities on Oct. 22 and featuring racing, live music performances, amusement rides, and culinary experiences. Tickets: circuitoftheamericas.com/f1
  • San Antonio Spurs vs. Houston Rockets (October 23, 2026): The San Antonio Spurs face the Houston Rockets at the Moody Center at 8:30 p.m., bringing NBA action back to Austin. Tickets: moodycenteratx.com
  • Austin Film Festival (October 29 – November 5, 2026): The festival spotlights major studio and independent films with a focus on writers and the craft of storytelling. Schedule and passes: austinfilmfestival.com
  • Austin Food & Wine Festival (November 6–8, 2026): Chefs, sommeliers, and winemakers gather at Auditorium Shores for three days of tastings, demonstrations, and live music. Tickets: austinfoodandwinefestival.com
  • Texas Book Festival (November 14–15, 2026): About 250 authors appear on the Texas State Capitol grounds for readings, panels, signings, cooking demonstrations, live music, and children's activities. Details: texasbookfestival.org

Event dates are subject to change or cancellation. For a complete list of live and in person events taking place, head to visitaustin.org/events.


Wesley Lucas
Visit Austin
5125837209
wlucas@visitaustin.org