Living in Austin · October 20, 2026
Copland Property Group | eXp Realty
Austin with kids in October: pumpkin patches, fall festivals, and low-scare Halloween
Pumpkin patches from Oak Hill and Round Rock to Georgetown, Manor, and Kyle, plus low-scare Halloween nights through Nov. 1, 2026.
October is the easiest month of the year to fill a weekend with kids in Austin. Evenings cool off, the patches open, and there are still plenty of low-scare Halloween nights left before the month ends.
This guide covers in-town pumpkin picks, full-day farms north and south of the city, and family Halloween options that skip the big haunted houses. Hours, prices, and ticket rules change. Confirm on each venue's site before you drive.
Austin and close-in patches
Bethany United Methodist Church on Anderson Mill Road has run a pumpkin patch since 1992. For 2026 it runs October 4 through October 31, with weekday afternoons and longer weekend hours. You will find pumpkins for sale, fall photo spots, and free games on site. Preschool story time is on Thursdays at noon starting October 8. Special nights include trunk-or-treat on October 25.
If you want a quick trip without leaving northwest Austin, start here. If the kids want a corn maze, animals, and a full afternoon, head to one of the farms below.
Hill Country Pumpkins, at 9600 US-290, Austin 78736, is in southwest Austin near Oak Hill and runs September 25 through October 31. Free admission, with warm cider and a big pumpkin selection.
King of Kings Pumpkin Patch, at 17000 Smyers Ln, Round Rock, runs October 11 through October 31. Free admission, with pumpkins for purchase, photo ops, and games.
St. Richard's Episcopal Church Pumpkin Patch, at 1420 E. Palm Valley Blvd, Round Rock, runs October 8 through October 31. Free entry, with pumpkins priced individually and proceeds that benefit local charities.
Full-day farms north and south
Sweet Eats Adventure Farm in Georgetown runs its fall festival into early November. Expect a large corn maze, a Texas-sized pumpkin patch, a petting zoo, pony rides, and more than 30 farm activities with general admission. In October, weekday pumpkin-patch entry is often free. Saturdays and Sundays usually have a per-person fee. Friday and Saturday nights in October include fireworks. Halloween night closes earlier for trick-or-treating. Pumpkins in the pick-your-own field are sold by the pound.
Texas Pumpkin Fest in Leander is open October 10 through November 1 on Saturdays and Sundays, plus select weekdays. It is one of the larger Central Texas pumpkin festivals, with a big patch, attractions, and live entertainment. Every child receives a free mini-pumpkin. Buy tickets ahead for busy weekends.
Indian Springs Ranch in Manchaca runs a fall festival and pumpkin patch through November 1. Beyond pumpkins, the ranch is known for exotic animals, a sensory corn pit, a low ropes course, and family photo spots. Timed arrival tickets are new for 2026 on busy days. Under 2 is free. Check the site for Monday closures and weekend rules.
Uhland Fall Fest, near Kyle, runs weekends from late September through November 1 on a shaded historic farmstead about 25 miles south of downtown. Pumpkins, animals, games, food, and vendors. Single-day and multi-day passes are sold online. Babies in diapers and seniors 65+ are free with ID. Parking is free.
Round Rock Pumpkin Festival, at 3300 E Palm Valley Blvd, Round Rock, is built around the historic Round Rock Pioneer Cabins. It is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays through Mondays, and it is a ticketed day pass, so check the site for tickets.
Crowe's Nest Farm, at 10300 Taylor Lane, Manor, is open Saturdays and Sundays in October plus Sunday, November 1, with about 250 animals, a pumpkin patch, and hayrides. It is ticketed, so check the site for tickets.
Mama Mary's Farm, at 5701 Williamson Rd, Creedmoor, southeast of Austin, runs September 26 through November 8, with a pumpkin patch, hayrides, a zipline, and pumpkin painting. Online tickets cost less than at the gate, so check the site for tickets.
Pick one farm per outing. Weekend lines and parking eat time. Weekdays are easier if school schedules allow.
Worth the drive
Sweet Berry Farm in Marble Falls runs September 10 through November 29. There is no entry fee, and you pay per activity.
Country Grace Farms Pink Pumpkin Patch in Seguin runs weekends from September 26 through November 1, with pink pumpkin displays, a carousel, train rides, and live music. It is ticketed, so check the site for tickets.
The Jersey Barnyard in La Grange is open through October. Free entry, you pay per pumpkin, and pumpkin painting is available.
After dark and Halloween without the big scares
Pumpkin Nights at Pioneer Farms, at 10621 Pioneer Farms Dr, Austin, TX 78754, is open every night from October 7 through November 1, with entry time slots starting at 6:00 pm. Tickets are online only and in advance, many nights sell out, and prices rise as nights fill. Ages 3 and under are free, parking is $10 per car, and the walking trail is about half a mile and takes about an hour.
Boo at the Zoo runs Friday and Saturday nights through October 24 at Austin Zoo. Costumes, a spooky train, a kid-level haunted house, and evening animal time. Tickets are date-specific and can sell out.
StrawFest at Umlauf Sculpture Garden is October 25, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is a free family day with pumpkin decorating, games, animals, and a costume parade. RSVPs are recommended.
The Neill-Cochran House Museum Halloween Carnival is October 25, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is a free lawn carnival with trunk-or-treat, games, and crafts. Parking is free behind the museum.
Save House of Torment and other adult haunts for a night without kids.
Before you go
Buy tickets when the site requires them, especially for weekends and after-dark events. Check rain and mud policies. Some outdoor festivals close after storms. Dress in layers. Bring a wagon if you are buying several pumpkins. Pack water and a simple snack so you are not stuck in a food line with tired kids.
If you are comparing Austin neighborhoods with schools and weekend radius in mind, search homes when you are ready to look.
Questions
Where are the best pumpkin patches near Austin in October 2026?
In town, Bethany United Methodist Church on Anderson Mill runs a classic patch through October 31, and Hill Country Pumpkins is in southwest Austin near Oak Hill. Round Rock options include King of Kings, St. Richard's Episcopal Church, and the Round Rock Pumpkin Festival. Full-day farms include Sweet Eats in Georgetown, Texas Pumpkin Fest in Leander, Indian Springs Ranch in Manchaca, and Uhland Fall Fest near Kyle. Confirm hours and tickets on each venue's site before you go.
What are free or low-cost fall activities for kids in Austin?
Bethany's patch has free games with pumpkins for sale. Hill Country Pumpkins and King of Kings have free admission, and St. Richard's has free entry. Sweet Berry Farm in Marble Falls has no entry fee. Umlauf StrawFest on October 25 is free. The Neill-Cochran House Halloween carnival on October 25 is a free lawn event. Sweet Eats weekday entry in October is free, and weekends have a fee. Always recheck the venue.
Where can we do Halloween with kids without big scares?
Pumpkin Nights at Pioneer Farms is open every night from October 7 through November 1, with entry slots starting at 6:00 pm. Boo at the Zoo runs Friday and Saturday nights through October 24. StrawFest and the Neill-Cochran carnival on October 25 are daytime and family-focused.
How far are the big farms from central Austin?
Sweet Eats (Georgetown) and Texas Pumpkin Fest (Leander) are roughly 30 to 45 minutes north, depending on traffic. Indian Springs is in Manchaca on the south side. Uhland is about 25 miles south near Kyle. Build in parking and ticket-line time on weekends.
Do we need tickets?
Most larger festivals and after-dark events sell tickets in advance, especially on weekends. Bethany sells pumpkins on site. Check each site for timed entry, rain closures, and age rules before you leave.