The leaves are finally beginning to turn! Well, for the northern half of the country, anyway. Everywhere around us though, the fall season is in full swing, and it’s time to start carving pumpkins, eating our apples, and celebrate a certain German-themed festival that seems to be just about anywhere you look this month. Throw on a sweater and make the most of the shortening days, there’s a whole lot of amazing things to do this month near AMLI apartments around the country.
Atlanta
Oct. 1: Georgia Blues & Roots Music Festival
Kicking off the month over in Mableton is this 11-hour music fest celebrating anything and everything in the blues music genre, including a blues dance demonstration and harmonica workshop.
Oct. 8: Atlanta Edgewood Mac & Cheese Festival
Here ye, here ye! Cheese fiends descend the best renditions of this classic American dish offered up by the best of the best of Atlanta restaurants. Participating purveyors include Always Brunch, Dish Dive, and Empire State South.
Oct. 8: Great Atlanta Beer Festival
After filling up at the mac & cheese festival, why not wash it down with a pint or two by the state’s favorite breweries like Burnt Hickory and Creature Comforts? Also on tap are a few selections from craft brewers around the country as well as the big guys (read: Budweiser, Blue Moon). This year, the annual event takes place right on Turner Field, home of the Atlanta Braves.
Oct. 15: Oktoberfest Atlanta
Get your lederhosen ready and practice your polka steps, it’s that time of year again. Celebrate German culture, food, and beer from 1-7 p.m. at Heritage Sandy Springs.
Saturdays & Sundays, Oct. 22-30: Boo at the Zoo
Boo! Once again, families are invited to the Atlanta Fulton County Zoo for a host of Halloween activities and fun with the animals. Activities, including an inflatable corn maze, occur from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and costume contests occur at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. each day.
Austin
Oct. 5: HAIM
Pop darlings HAIM perform as part of the Waller Creek Conservancy’s fifth annual benefit concert at Stubb’s BBQ. The Waller Creek Conservancy consists of over 37 acres of parks and green space in and around Waller Creek in downtown Austin.
Oct. 8: The Austin Flea at Independence Brewing
This rendition of Austin Flea is being dubbed “Dogtoberfest.” On hand are vendors catering specially to canines from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Pet rescue charities will also be in attendance, and a portion of the proceeds from the Independence Brewing tap room will be donated to their causes. So, drink up!
Oct. 12-20: Austin Film Festival
The Austin Film Festival is back again for another week of screenings from small, independent filmmakers, as well as a few bigger names. Industry nerds can attend workshops and script readings, but the rest of us will just be grabbing a bag of popcorn and a big soda, and enjoying the movies.
Oct. 15: Dia de los Muertos Music Festival
Catch performances by a slate of eclectic music groups from the Latin American and Texas music scenes such as Ozomatli, a genre-bending group of six from Los Angeles; Metalchi, a Cuidad Juarez-based metal-themed mariachi band; and Tiarra Girls, a trio of sisters from Austin.
Oct. 30: TMBBQ Fest
Texas Monthly holds its annual barbecue festival for the seventh straight year. A total of 27 barbecue restaurants are participating to sample from and Shiner Beer and Legacy Whisky cocktails are available to wash it all down.
Chicago
Oct. 1: Bacon and Beer Classic
Kick off the new month by eating all the bacon and drinking all the beer. Sample from over 30 bacon-infused dishes and select from over 80 different kinds of beer at Soldier Field. If you’ve still got some fight in you, feel free to compete in a bacon eating contest or sprint down the bungee run.
Oct. 9: Adventure Day
Another day, another adventure. Join your fellow park-going Chicagoans at one of the newest, most impressive parks the city has to offer: Northerly Island. Pedal along the new bike trails, sign up for a guided nature hike, or go fishing and cast a line in Lake Michigan.
Oct. 14-27: Chicago International Film Festival
For two weeks, movies theaters all around the city, as well as Oak Park and Evanston, are inundated with special screenings of films from across the globe. See the next big flick before it gets big.
Oct. 15: Say Cheese!
Did someone say cheese? Totally. Enjoy cheesy delights such as pizza, grilled cheese, poutine, mac and cheese, and more at this tasting session by Social Power Hour.
Oct. 15 & 16: Open House Chicago
Every year, Chicago opens the doors to some of its most architecturally significant buildings that normally the public doesn’t have access to. The program is completely free, but lasts for one weekend only.
Oct. 22 & 23: Chili Fest Chicago
May the best chili win! Restaurants from Chicago and around the area compete to please comfort food connoisseurs by offering up their renditions of the classic American dish for two jammed-pack days of tastings.
Dallas
Oct. 1 & 2: Cottonwood Art Festival
This Richardson-based arts festival comes around only twice a year, but has been a tradition for a total of 47. Local bands perform as artists have stalls set up to sell their wares and give demonstrations. Admission is free, and food, beverages, and some kids activities are available to purchase.
Oct. 15: Tacolandia
The Dallas Observer hosts Tacolandia at City Hall, an outdoor taco-tasting festival with live music, a cash bar, and some of the best tacos Dallas has to offer.
Oct. 22: Park and Palate Grand Taste
More than 30 chefs and just as many wineries serve up the best dishes and glasses of wine they can muster at this all-star tasting festival featuring some of the biggest names in the local food & beverage industry. On-hand are sommieliers giving wine-tastings and chefs sharing some of their culinary secrets. A portion of funds goes to support Klyde Warren Park, where the event is held.
Oct. 22: Pug-O-Ween
It’s hard to believe, but for 20 years the DFW Pug Rescue Club has been hosting its annual Pug-O-Ween party that has members of the breed dress up for the coming spooky holiday. Hundreds of pugs and their owners are expected to attend. The event also features a dog race, a bake sale, and various pet vendors.
Denver
Oct. 1: Trevor Noah
Host of The Daily Show Trevor Noah takes the stage at the Bellco Theatre for a night of comedy.
Oct. 1-30: Harvest Farm Fall Festival & Corn Maze
For the 14th consecutive year, Harvest Farm has a whole host of family- and fall-friendly activities in store for those excited about the change of the season. Enjoy timely fall attractions such as a corn maze, a petting zoo, a bunny patch, seasonal foods, and more.
Oct. 9: Run the Rocks
Lace up your running shoes, it’s time for this 10th annual run/walk around the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Over the years, this fundraiser for the American Lung Association in Colorado has been enjoyed by over 20,000 runners.
Oct. 24: Free day at Denver Museum of Nature and Science
Celebrate Fossil Day by heading over to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science without your wallet. Admission fees do still apply for IMAX films and planetarium shows, however.
Houston
Oct. 9: National Women’s Soccer League Championship
Watch the best women in soccer take the field at BBVA Compass Stadium. Two teams come in, but only one comes out as a winner.
Oct. 15 & 16: ARToberFEST
Head down to Galveston for this juried art fair in the city’s downtown cultural arts district displaying works by artists from around the country and the Gulf Coast.
Oct. 21: Lego Kidsfest
The NRG Center hosts one of the biggest Lego festivals in all of Texas. This family-friendly event features a Brick Battle Zone, a Lego art area, exhibits focusing on the many different lines of Legos, and even an enormous pile of Lego bricks for kids to play in.
Oct. 22: 33rd Annual Texian Market Days Festival
Travel back in time at the annual Market Days Festival in Richmond. Guests can take a deep dive into 150 years of Texas history with four different sections of the park dedicated to different periods of time. Food vendors focus primarily on contemporary cuisine, but you can snag a few antique-themed crafts from local artisans art the fest.
Oct. 31: Haunted Hike
Dress up for a haunted hike through the Memorial Park’s wooded trails hosted by Bayou City Outdoors. Newcomers are always welcome!
Seattle
Oct. 6, 13, 20, & 27: Campfire: Improvised Ghost Stories
Every Thursday this month, you can head over to the Pike Place Market for a night of gut-busting improv, where performers act out spooky stories submitted by the audience. Got a scary story to tell? Let Unexpected Productions and local troupe Improv Anonymous tell it for you.
Oct. 7-16: Seattle Made Week
Check out one of the many events and sales happening around town during Seattle Made Week, which focuses exclusively on goods and services by some of the best and brightest creatives. The week-long event features various workshops, tastings, and tap takeovers.
Oct. 8: Great Pumpkin Beer Festival
Oh my gourd! Let’s be honest, pumpkin beer isn’t for everyone. But for those who love a good, robust pumpkin brew, this is the place to be. Take note—the festival has been shortened to only one day this year. Attendees are encouraged to wear festive orange garb. Festival staff will be wandering the crowd and handing out a prize to the best dressed for the occasion.
Oct. 9-13: Seattle Restaurant Week
You won’t regret going to dinner this week, especially if you feast on one of the over 165 restaurants in the area offering up discounted three-course dinners for just 2. Many restaurants are also offering 8 three-course lunches.
Southern California
Oct. 2: San Clemente Seafest
The San Clemente Chamber of Commerce throws this neighborhood party down at the San Clemente Pier, complete with a chowder cook-off. Square off against some of your favorite restaurants with your own recipe or simply show up hungry to give the area’s best chowders a taste. The event also features an arts and crafts show and a surf contest.
Oct. 14-16: Silverado Days
For nearly 60 years, this festival sponsored by the Buena Park Noon Lions Club has raised money for local charities and provided area citizens and families with a great opportunity to get out and enjoy some carnival-style fun, games, and food.
Oct. 15: Dana Point Oktoberfest
Celebrate all things German, grab a stein, a pretzel, and maybe even a schnitzel or two (or three!) at this free fest at Sea Terrace Park.
South Florida
Oct. 8: Comeback Trail 5K
Help out the National Stroke Foundation by running and raising funds for victims of strokes on the road to recovery during this feel-good event.
Oct. 14: Safe in Sound Festival
Dance the night away at this nationally-touring EDM music fest featuring headliners SNAILS, LAXX and Terravita.
Oct. 15: Sarah Silverman
See comedian Sarah Silverman deliver a brash, biting set of stand-up at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
Oct. 16: Clams and Claws Seafood Festival
Fill yourself to the brim when several of the best seafood restaurants gather to serve up their signature specialties at this seafood fest in Las Olas.
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