🤠Austin Upcoming Events: October 18 to October 31, 2026
Upcoming events · October 18 – October 31, 2026
Here's your curated guide to upcoming events in Austin from October 18 through October 31. Explore technology meetups, wellness activities, arts and culture, sports, and community events across the city. October is the best time of year to be in Austin. I personally attend most of the events marked Special. Join me by clicking the “Interested?” button. Get out there and enjoy Austin!
AI Ethics
Responsible technology should make digital experiences easier to use, support real-world connection, and be built around the people it serves. This week, I’m connecting those ideas to my website rebuild, a story about community builders, a sports-tech hackathon, and questions about AI systems accessing website content.
- Improving the local events guide for a better user experience — I’m improving the site so finding local events feels clearer and easier. Want an event page for your city? — Make a request; customization is also considered for each city.
- The Rise of the IRL Influencer — Nancy Walecki on community builders bringing people together offline.
- Spurs² Hackathon @ UT Austin — I’m participating in a hackathon with the San Antonio Spurs and partners to build AI-powered sports media tools.
- Food for thought: Are destination websites okay with mass-scale data scraping by AI personal assistants? — Meta updates data-scraping policy following criticism — The revised terms leave questions about how business websites can control automated access to their content. Websites are closing their doors to AI agents — The report shows that sites are blocking agents over licensing, control, and security concerns, so agents’ ability to act for users depends on website permission.
Upcoming events
Community spotlight
Round Rock's The District adding high-end retail element
Mark IV Capital has broken ground on a 41,000-square-foot restaurant and retail plaza at The District, a 66-acre Round Rock development across from Dell Technologies' headquarters. A multifamily project at the site is already under construction.
Official source for Round Rock's The District adding high-end retail element
Business spotlight
RapidCanvas raises $29M to develop custom AI applications for enterprises
RapidCanvas announced a $29 million Series B led by Vertex Ventures SEA & India to expand its go-to-market and AI engineering teams as it develops custom AI applications for mid-market enterprises.
Official source for RapidCanvas raises $29M to develop custom AI applications for enterprises
Featured event
Spurs² Hackathon @ UT Austin
Thursday, Oct 22, 2026, 10:00 AM CDT at UT Austin — 300 W Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Austin, TX 78701
Build AI-powered sports media tools with Tottenham Hotspur, the San Antonio Spurs, The Players Fund, ScorePlay, and TwelveLabs. Choose a challenge in automated content production or media rights and compliance, with technical support and presentations to club decision-makers. Open to developers, engineers, data scientists, designers, and product builders; apply individually or in teams of 2–4. The application deadline has passed; participation requires prior host approval. Places are limited. Runs October 22, 10 AM through October 23, 5 PM CDT.
Event details for Spurs² Hackathon @ UT AustinVenue page for UT Austin — 300 W Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Austin, TX 78701Official source for Spurs² Hackathon @ UT Austin
Featured event
Formula 1 United States Grand Prix — COTA
Sunday, Oct 25, 2026, 3:00 PM CDT at Circuit of The Americas, 9201 Circuit of The Americas Blvd, Austin, TX 78617
The United States Grand Prix race is Sunday, October 25 at 3:00 PM CDT. COTA's full event weekend runs October 22–25; see the official site for tickets and the latest session schedule.
Event details for Formula 1 United States Grand Prix — COTAVenue page for Circuit of The Americas, 9201 Circuit of The Americas Blvd, Austin, TX 78617Official source for Formula 1 United States Grand Prix — COTA
Tech
Agentic Research Systems
Wednesday, Oct 21, 2026, 5:30 PM CDT at The Center for Government and Civic Service, ACC Rio Grande: Building 3000, 1218 West Avenue, Austin, TX 78701
A three-hour hands-on workshop to design a multi-step AI research workflow and evaluate results for credibility, recency, authority, evidence, and relevance. The organizer lists tickets at $55–$85.
Event details for Agentic Research SystemsVenue page for The Center for Government and Civic Service, ACC Rio Grande: Building 3000, 1218 West Avenue, Austin, TX 78701Official source for Agentic Research Systems
Civics
Museum lecture: Biodiversity of the Texas Hill Country
Wednesday, Oct 21 at 5:45 PM at Texas Science & Natural History Museum, 2400 Trinity St, Austin, TX 78712
Free public program with Dr. David Hillis on the biodiversity of the Texas Hill Country. Check-in starts at 5:45 PM; the program runs from 6–8 PM. Advance museum reservation is required; a Meetup RSVP alone does not reserve a spot.
Event details for Museum lecture: Biodiversity of the Texas Hill CountryVenue page for Texas Science & Natural History Museum, 2400 Trinity St, Austin, TX 78712Official source for Museum lecture: Biodiversity of the Texas Hill Country
Sports
San Antonio Spurs vs. Houston Rockets
Friday, Oct 23 at 8:30 PM at Moody Center, 2001 Robert Dedman Dr, Austin, TX 78712
The Spurs bring their I-35 Series to Austin for a game against the Houston Rockets.
Event details for San Antonio Spurs vs. Houston RocketsVenue page for Moody Center, 2001 Robert Dedman Dr, Austin, TX 78712Official source for San Antonio Spurs vs. Houston Rockets
Sports
Texas Longhorns Football vs. Ole Miss
Saturday, Oct 24 at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium, 2139 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78712
Texas Longhorns football hosts Ole Miss in SEC play. Kickoff time has not yet been announced (afternoon or night). The official game listing currently marks the game sold out; check the game center for updates and its resale link.
Event details for Texas Longhorns Football vs. Ole MissVenue page for DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium, 2139 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78712Official source for Texas Longhorns Football vs. Ole Miss
Wellness
FREE Yoga in San Gabriel Park
Saturday, Oct 24 at 9:00 AM at San Gabriel Park, 2300 Scenic Drive, Georgetown, TX 78626
Free all-levels outdoor yoga with Flow Yoga Georgetown by the river near the Poppy playground and swings. Bring a mat; everyone is welcome.
Event details for FREE Yoga in San Gabriel ParkVenue page for San Gabriel Park, 2300 Scenic Drive, Georgetown, TX 78626Official source for FREE Yoga in San Gabriel Park
Arts
Round Rock Diwali Festival 2026
Saturday, Oct 24 at 1:00 PM at Centennial Plaza, 301 W Bagdad Ave, Round Rock, TX 78664
Celebrate the 10th anniversary of this free Festival of Lights, 1–10 PM, with live dance and music, rangoli, a Bollywood fashion show, India Bazaar, food and family activities.
Event details for Round Rock Diwali Festival 2026Venue page for Centennial Plaza, 301 W Bagdad Ave, Round Rock, TX 78664Official source for Round Rock Diwali Festival 2026
Arts
Chapters & Charcoal
Sunday, Oct 25, 2026, 11:00 AM CDT at Austin, TX (exact location shared after registration)
Bring a physical book for quiet reading, then use charcoal to draw something it sparked. No art experience is needed; bring your book and optional sketchbook, and wear clothes that can handle smudges. General admission is $10; the exact Austin location is shared after registration.
Event details for Chapters & CharcoalVenue page for Austin, TX (exact location shared after registration)Official source for Chapters & Charcoal
Arts
William Magnuson: The Just and the Good — How Law Made the Western World
Sunday, Oct 25 at 6:00 PM at First Light Books, 4300 Speedway, Austin, TX 78751
Celebrate the Austin launch of William Magnuson’s The Just and the Good: How Law Made the Western World, exploring two thousand years of Western law. Doors open at 6:00 PM; the conversation begins at 6:30 PM. RSVP through First Light Books.
Event details for William Magnuson: The Just and the Good — How Law Made the Western WorldVenue page for First Light Books, 4300 Speedway, Austin, TX 78751Official source for William Magnuson: The Just and the Good — How Law Made the Western World
Tech
Austin Tech Week 2026
Monday, Oct 26 – Friday, Oct 30 at Station Austin, 701 Brazos St, Austin, TX 78701
A five-day Austin tech gathering, October 26–30, bringing founders, operators and investors together to connect and learn. See the event site for the schedule and registration.
Event details for Austin Tech Week 2026Venue page for Station Austin, 701 Brazos St, Austin, TX 78701Official source for Austin Tech Week 2026
Arts
BookPeople Presents: Adam Grant — Vibe
Monday, Oct 26 at 6:00 PM at AISD Performing Arts Center, 1500 Barbara Jordan Blvd, Austin, TX 78723
BookPeople presents Adam Grant in conversation with Matthew McConaughey to celebrate Vibe. This is a ticketed event; admission includes a pre-signed copy of the book. Check-in begins at 5:30 PM.
Event details for BookPeople Presents: Adam Grant — VibeVenue page for AISD Performing Arts Center, 1500 Barbara Jordan Blvd, Austin, TX 78723Official source for BookPeople Presents: Adam Grant — Vibe
Arts
A.R. Rahman — The Symphonic Experience
Tuesday, Oct 27 at 7:30 PM at Bass Concert Hall, 2350 Robert Dedman Dr, Austin, TX 78712
A symphonic concert featuring the music of A.R. Rahman at Bass Concert Hall.
Event details for A.R. Rahman — The Symphonic ExperienceVenue page for Bass Concert Hall, 2350 Robert Dedman Dr, Austin, TX 78712Official source for A.R. Rahman — The Symphonic Experience
Arts
Texas Music Scene Live Taping — First Tee Greater Austin
Thursday, Oct 29 at 6:00 PM at Star Hill Ranch, 15000 Hamilton Pool Rd, Bee Cave, TX 78738
6–10 PM private live taping featuring Darby Sparkman, The Ransom Brothers, and Silverada, with silent and live auctions, food, and drinks. Benefits First Tee – Greater Austin. A minimum $150 donation is required to attend; register with the organizer.
Event details for Texas Music Scene Live Taping — First Tee Greater AustinVenue page for Star Hill Ranch, 15000 Hamilton Pool Rd, Bee Cave, TX 78738Official source for Texas Music Scene Live Taping — First Tee Greater Austin
Wellness
FREE Yoga in San Gabriel Park
Saturday, Oct 31 at 9:00 AM at San Gabriel Park, 2300 Scenic Drive, Georgetown, TX 78626
Free all-levels outdoor yoga with Flow Yoga Georgetown by the river near the Poppy playground and swings. Bring a mat; everyone is welcome.
Event details for FREE Yoga in San Gabriel ParkVenue page for San Gabriel Park, 2300 Scenic Drive, Georgetown, TX 78626Official source for FREE Yoga in San Gabriel Park
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