October in Austin: ACL, F1, and a Market That's Giving Buyers Room
Megan Willis October 1, 2026
Megan Willis October 1, 2026
October is Austin showing off. The temps finally drop below "surface of the sun," Zilker turns into a music festival, and the whole city seems to have somewhere to be every weekend. The housing market? It's a little calmer than the calendar, and that's good news if you're buying.
Consider this your official invite to say thanks. Join us Thursday, October 22, from 6 to 9pm at Hold Out Brewing (1208 W 4th St, Austin) for drinks, food and prizes. Bring your appetite, your friends and your best "I sold my house and all I got was this beer" stories.
RSVP here so we know how many pretzels to order.
Here's the straight scoop. September 2026 compared with September 2025:
What does that mean? Prices have cooled, which gives buyers more room to negotiate than they've had in years. But homes are actually selling faster than last year, so the well-priced ones aren't sitting around waiting for you. Sellers, pricing it right from day one matters more than ever. Buyers, this is your window to get a deal without a bidding war.
Zilker Park
ACL takes over Zilker Park for two weekends this year, with headliners Charli XCX, Twenty One Pilots, Lorde, Rüfüs Du Sol and Kings of Leon spread across nine stages. Between sets, hit ACL Eats for local food trucks, the Barton Springs Beer Hall, or the Art Market for handmade goods. There's no parking at Zilker, so plan on the shuttle, a bike or a pedicab. Insider tip: book lodging early, because hotels near the park fill up fast, and expect road closures across South Austin both weekends.
German Free School
The German-Texan Heritage Society brings its annual Oktoberfest to the terraced gardens of the 1857 German Free School, one of Austin's oldest landmarks, tucked into the Red River Cultural District. Lederhosen and dirndls are welcome (not required) for a day of German beer, wine and food from 11am to 7pm, with live polka from Bushy Creek Band, Walburg Boys and Yodel Blitz. Tickets are $20, and kids 12 and under get in free. Insider tip: it's smaller and more intimate than Austin's other fall festivals, so it's an easy add if you're already downtown.
Cotton Bowl, Dallas, and Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium
October is a big month to bleed burnt orange. The Longhorns opened the month with the Red River Rivalry against Oklahoma on October 10 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, the annual State Fair showdown that splits the stadium (and a few Texas families) right down the 50-yard line. Then the Horns come home for three straight Top 25 ranked matchups at DKR:
Insider tip: home game days bring heavy traffic around campus, Hyde Park and downtown, so plan showings, closings and dinner reservations around kickoff. Hook 'em!
Circuit of the Americas
COTA's biggest weekend of the year returns with three days of practice, qualifying and race day on the track's signature uphill run to Turn 1. Beyond the racing, expect concerts, fan zones and citywide buzz that spills into downtown. Hotels and rentals book up months in advance and prices climb fast, so plan ahead if you're closing on a home around race weekend. Expect heavy traffic near the airport and on 71 all three days.
CMG Financial is a direct lender that helps both seasoned and first-time buyers finance a home, and it handles refinances in all 50 states. The team starts by listening to what you need, then works to deliver competitive rates and fast, professional service. Options include conventional, FHA, VA, USDA and jumbo loans, among others.
CMG also stands out for creative products like the All In One Loan, a mortgage accelerator, and HomeFundIt, a crowdfunding platform where family and friends can contribute to your down payment online, with no gift letters or financial statements required. Learn more at cmghomeloans.com.
Curious what these numbers mean for your home or your search? I'll give you the straight answer. Reach out at 512.923.7619 or [email protected], or find me on Instagram and Facebook.
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Megan combines hands-on real estate experience, a passion for interior design, and firsthand knowledge of Austin to create a thoughtful approach for every client. She takes the time to understand your goals and find opportunities that make sense for your next move.
ADDRESS 2500 Bee Caves Rd Bldg 3 Ste 200 Austin, TX 78746