Fun Things to do in Austin – September 2026

Happy September!

Looking for ways to enjoy the Back to School season in Austin?

See below for some fun places to visit, events to attend and classes to sign up for.

And if you’d like an anytime Fall Activity List, check out this ​blog post​.

September spotlight

Visit the ​Cathedral of Junk​ in South Austin for a perfect Keep Austin Weird experience. Make sure you call first to see when they’re open that week. It’s three floors of the best artistic junk.

September EVENTS

Celebrate the 20th anniversary of ​Bat Fest​ on Sept. 5th with music and nearly 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats. Don’t forget about the Bat Costume Contest for Adults and Kids ($100 prize each).

Bring your favorite magic-lover to see ​Houdini’s Library​ at the Harry Ranson Center (on display until 1/24/27)

Stretch and breathe at multiple locations for the ​Free Day of Yoga​ on Sept. 7th.

Spend an evening stargazing at the West Cave monthly ​star party​ on Sept. 12th.

Horns up as ​UT Football​ season starts with home games on Sept. 5th, 12th and 19th

See ​Treasure Island reimagined​ at the State Theater on Sept. 18th and 19th. Did you see ​Intergalatic Nemesis​ when it came out in 1996 or onstage in 2010? – this is the same group.

Watch something new at ​Fantastic Fest​ for 8 days of screenings in September (17th-24th) with the Alamo Drafthouse.

Take your kids to ​BubblePalooza Community Day​ at the Long Center on Sept. 19th. Expect live music, food trucks and lots of bubbles. Tip: dress your kid in a bathing suit and then go to the fountain at Butler Park next door after the event.

See lots of art on the free ​Austin Museum Day​ on Sept. 20th. Over 30 local Museums will be participating.

Experience a ​Latino Moonlight Serenade​ from the water with the Texas Rowing Center on Sept. 24th.

Rent a canoe and see the immersive show ​Waterwork​ on Sept. 26th and 27th on the side of the Seaholm Intake Facility from the water.

The new amusement park ​COTA Land​ opens on Sept. 26th at the Circuit of the Americas. They have rides for all ages (and various levels of thrills).

Lace up your running shoes for the ​Violet Crown Trail Fun Run​ on Sept. 26th.

Fill your bag with new books at the ​Independent Book Fair​ on Sept. 27th at Radio/East.

September CLASSES

​Sip & Paint​ at Meanwhile Brewing and go how with a new piece of art on Sept. 16th.

Take a ​Letterpress workshop​ and make your own unique lobby movie poster on Sept. 19th.

​Create beautiful pretzels​ on Sept. 20th at Barton Springs Mill (in Dripping Springs). Or ​make NY Pizza​ there for a Date night on Sept. 4th. Or take your kid to ​make banana bread​ with you on Sept. 5th.

It’s your move when you join a ​weekly game night​ (Chess on the second and fourth Mondays or Backgammon on the first and third Tuesdays) at the Victorian Knights Club upstairs at the Driskill

Try your hand at ​Ikebana​, the Japanese art of floral design (multiple dates available starting Sept. 22nd) at Tonari by Uroko.

Learn to ​two-step at Sagebrush​ on Tuesday nights.

September VOLUNTEERING

​Bake birthday cakes​ for the Saint Louise House residents with Austin Allies on Sept. 8th or Sept. 21st.

​Sort produce for the HOPE Food Pantry​ on Sept. 9th with Generation Serve.

Help ​clean up Lady Bird Lake​ with Keep Austin Beautiful on Sept. 2nd.

Work in the ​Community Butterfly Garden​ at Zilker Botanical Gardens on Sept. 1st. Or you could sign up to ​monitor and photograph their native bees​.

September PHOTO SESSIONS

If you’d like to book a Senior or Family Photo Session this Fall, ​reach out​ and let me know, my calendar is ready for booking dates from September to December 2026.

Have fun and stay cool