Things to Do in Austin This Weekend — November 6 to 8, 2026

October 22, 2026/Mallory/

By Rebecca · Local Austin Expert · Published October 20, 2026 · 8 min read

November in Austin is genuinely extraordinary. The summer crowds are gone. The weather is perfect. And the most beloved food festival in the city is back for its 15th anniversary. The Austin Food and Wine Festival takes over Auditorium Shores all three days with top chefs, live fire cooking, wine tastings, and the most delicious weekend Austin produces all fall. Wurstfest kicks off in New Braunfels just 45 minutes away. And Lake Travis Zipline Adventures is delivering some of the most beautiful fall afternoons of the entire season. Here is everything happening in Austin this weekend.

Quick Answer — Best Things to Do in Austin November 6 to 8

The best things to do in Austin this weekend include Lake Travis Zipline Adventures for the most spectacular fall outdoor adventure, the Austin Food and Wine Festival 15th anniversary at Auditorium Shores all three days, the Made In Texas dinner at the Long Center Terrace on Friday evening, the hands-on grilling workshop with chef Tim Love on Saturday morning, Wurstfest in New Braunfels through November 15, Barton Springs Pool, the Congress Avenue Bridge bat colony, the Barton Creek Greenbelt for a fall hike, and live music on Rainey Street and Sixth Street all weekend.

Start the Weekend at Lake Travis Zipline Adventures

Lake Travis Zipline Adventures is the best way to start this weekend. November afternoons on Lake Travis are genuinely beautiful. The Hill Country has shifted into its deepest fall colors. The air is crisp and comfortable at altitude on the ziplines.

Why November Is Still Spectacular

Because the summer crowds have completely cleared out, November afternoons on Lake Travis feel more peaceful and more genuinely restorative than any weekend all fall. Moreover, the fall light on the Hill Country in early November is some of the most beautiful of the entire season. The view from 22 stories above the lake on a clear November afternoon is genuinely extraordinary.

Your group takes a boat to Zip Island, about 20 to 30 minutes from downtown Austin. Then you spend three hours on five world-class ziplines. The Double Barrel Shotgun sends two people side by side over 2,800 feet at up to 65 mph from 22 stories above the lake. After the tour, full-day lake access is included. Swim off the dock. Relax in hammocks. Take the best fall photos of the weekend.

Book Now

Pro Tip: November weekend afternoon slots fill up fast as the season winds down. Therefore, book your afternoon tour now at laketraviszipline.com before this weekend is gone.

All Weekend — Austin Food and Wine Festival 15th Anniversary

The Austin Food and Wine Festival returns to Auditorium Shores for its landmark 15th anniversary November 6 to 8. Because it combines top chefs from Austin and across the country with open-flame cooking, wine tastings, spirits, and live fire experiences on the banks of Lady Bird Lake, it is genuinely the most delicious and most festive fall weekend Austin produces all season.

What Makes This Year Special

This is the 15th anniversary edition. As a result, the programming is the most ambitious and most all-star the festival has ever produced. The center of the action is the fire pit talent stage run by an acclaimed lineup of pitmasters. Additionally, chef demos and guided tasting sessions run throughout Saturday and Sunday with food, wine, and spirits from some of Austin’s most celebrated restaurants.

Friday, November 6 — Made In Texas Dinner

Friday evening kicks off with the Made In Texas dinner at the Long Center Terrace from 7 to 9:30 PM. This add-on event celebrates Texas foodie culture with tailgate fare, open-flame cooking, and live music. Because it is held on the Long Center Terrace with the Lady Bird Lake skyline in the background, it is one of the most atmospherically beautiful evening events of the entire fall season.

Saturday, November 7 — Hands-On Grilling Workshop

Saturday morning opens with a hands-on grilling workshop led by Austin chef and festival partner Tim Love from 11 AM to 12:30 PM. Then the main festival tasting runs from 1 PM to 9 PM. Additionally, sommelier Anthony Giglio leads guided wine tasting sessions throughout the afternoon. Because rows of food and wine booths line up across Auditorium Shores with the downtown Austin skyline behind them, Saturday is the most visually spectacular day of the entire festival weekend.

Sunday, November 8 — Final Day

Sunday runs from 1 PM to 9 PM with the full chef showcase lineup. Because Sunday tickets are the most affordable of the three days, it is the best entry point for first-time festival visitors.

The Details

  • When: November 6 to 8, 2026
  • Where: Auditorium Shores, 900 W Riverside Dr, Austin TX 78704
  • Tickets: Friday Made In Texas from $281, Saturday from $275, Sunday from $186 at austinfoodandwinefestival.com
  • Best For: Foodies, wine and spirits lovers, anyone who wants the most genuinely delicious fall weekend in Austin

All Weekend — Wurstfest in New Braunfels

Wurstfest kicks off Friday November 6 and runs through November 15 at Landa Park in New Braunfels, just 45 minutes south of Austin. Because it combines 10 days of German-inspired food, live music, dancing, carnival rides, and festive fun with the beautiful Landa Park setting on the Comal River, it is one of the most genuinely joyful and most family-friendly fall festival day trips available from Austin.

Why It Is Worth the Drive

Because Wurstfest has run every fall for over 60 years, it has an authenticity and a genuine community warmth that newer festivals simply cannot replicate. First, the German food is genuinely excellent. Then the live music ranges from traditional German oompah bands to Texas country acts throughout the day. Furthermore, the carnival rides and games make it a genuinely complete family day trip.

The Details

  • When: November 6 to 15, 2026
  • Where: Landa Park, 221 Landa Park Dr, New Braunfels TX 78130
  • Website: wurstfest.com
  • Cost: Check site for current 2026 pricing
  • Best For: Families, German culture enthusiasts, the most complete fall festival day trip from Austin

All Weekend — The Austin Essentials

These three are worth building into any day this weekend.

Barton Springs Pool

Barton Springs stays at 68 degrees year round. Because early November temperatures are cooling down beautifully, a morning swim feels genuinely perfect. Entry is under $10 and free before 8 AM. Additionally, the surrounding Zilker Park pecan trees are at their most beautiful fall color this time of year.

Congress Avenue Bridge Bat Colony

The bat colony is in the final weeks of its nightly emergence season before the migration south is complete. Check batrefuge.org for current emergence times. This may be one of the last weekends to see the bats this year. Therefore, it is worth building into any evening this weekend.

Barton Creek Greenbelt

The Barton Creek Greenbelt in early November is at its most genuinely beautiful and most colorful of the entire fall season. Because the limestone canyon walls are surrounded by late fall foliage, a morning hike to Twin Falls delivers one of the most beautiful free outdoor experiences Austin produces all year. Additionally, the cooler November temperatures make the hike genuinely comfortable from start to finish.

The Best Plan for November 6 to 8

Here is how to make the most of all three days.

Friday: First, Lake Travis Zipline Adventures in the afternoon. Book at laketraviszipline.com. Then the Austin Food and Wine Festival Made In Texas dinner at the Long Center Terrace at 7 PM. Then Congress Avenue Bridge bats at sunset on the walk down to the Long Center.

Saturday: Barton Creek Greenbelt hike in the morning. Then the Austin Food and Wine Festival hands-on grilling workshop with Tim Love at 11 AM. Then the full festival tasting from 1 PM to 9 PM with chef demos and wine tastings at Auditorium Shores.

Sunday: Barton Springs Pool in the morning. Then a day trip to Wurstfest in New Braunfels for the most festive and most authentic fall festival experience near Austin. Alternatively, the final day of the Austin Food and Wine Festival from 1 PM to 9 PM at Auditorium Shores.

Frequently Asked Questions — Austin Weekend November 6 to 8

What is the best thing to do in Austin this weekend?

The best thing to do in Austin this weekend is Lake Travis Zipline Adventures. November afternoons on Lake Travis are genuinely beautiful with the Hill Country in peak fall color. Book your afternoon tour now at laketraviszipline.com before this weekend sells out.

What is the Austin Food and Wine Festival?

The Austin Food and Wine Festival is Austin’s premier food and wine event. It returns for its 15th anniversary November 6 to 8 at Auditorium Shores on Lady Bird Lake. The festival features chef demos, open-flame cooking, wine tastings, spirits, and culinary workshops from Austin’s best chefs and restaurants. Friday tickets start at $281 and Sunday tickets start at $186. Buy tickets at austinfoodandwinefestival.com.

What is Wurstfest and is it worth the drive from Austin?

Wurstfest is a 10-day German-inspired food and music festival at Landa Park in New Braunfels, about 45 minutes south of Austin. It runs November 6 to 15 and features German food, live music, dancing, and carnival rides. Because it has run every fall for over 60 years, it is one of the most genuinely beloved and most family-friendly fall festival day trips available from Austin.

Is Lake Travis Zipline Adventures open in November?

Yes. Lake Travis Zipline Adventures is open in November. The season winds down soon, so November weekends are genuinely among the last chances to experience the most beautiful fall outdoor adventure in Central Texas. Book now at laketraviszipline.com before the season ends.

What free activities are available in Austin this weekend?

The best free activities in Austin this weekend include Barton Springs Pool before 8 AM, the Barton Creek Greenbelt hike, and the Congress Avenue Bridge bat colony at sunset. Additionally, the Auditorium Shores area around the Austin Food and Wine Festival is a beautiful free walk along Lady Bird Lake even without festival tickets.

Make the Most of Austin This Weekend

This is one of the most genuinely delicious and most festive fall weekends Austin produces all year. The Austin Food and Wine Festival 15th anniversary. Wurstfest in New Braunfels. The Barton Creek Greenbelt in peak fall color. And some of the most beautiful November afternoons of the entire season still waiting for you on Lake Travis.

Start right now. Book Lake Travis Zipline Adventures at laketraviszipline.com before November weekend slots are gone.

For more Austin inspiration check out Best Things to Do in Austin in the Fall, Best Things to Do in Austin TX, and Best Day Trips from San Antonio TX.

Suggested Image Alt Text

  • Hero image: “Lake Travis Zipline Adventures fall November Austin Texas 2026”
  • Austin Food and Wine Festival photo: “Austin Food and Wine Festival 15th anniversary Auditorium Shores November 2026”
  • Wurstfest photo: “Wurstfest New Braunfels Texas November 2026 fall festival”
  • Barton Creek photo: “Barton Creek Greenbelt fall hike Austin Texas November 2026”
  • Barton Springs photo: “Barton Springs Pool Austin Texas fall November morning swim”

About the Author

Rebecca is a 30-year Austin resident, UT Austin alumna, and outdoor recreation and tourism professional who has spent her career in the Austin adventure tourism industry. She has guided zipline tours on Lake Travis and worked in outdoor recreation tourism through the University of Texas, where she studied marketing and business. When she is not writing about Austin, she is out on the lake.