September in Austin
Your unapologetically biased, Amber-approved guide to September in ATX.
September in Austin is basically diet-August. It’s still 100+ degrees, ACL hasn’t landed yet, but Barton Springs is finally giving us elbow room. If you’re wondering what’s actually worth leaving your air-conditioned cave for this month, I’ve got you covered.
Bat Fest – September 6 at Congress Avenue Bridge
Yes, Austin, we are literally throwing a party on a bridge. Then, 1.5 million bats shoot out from under it like every scooter rider at last call.
What to Expect:
19th Annual Bat Fest, running 3 PM–midnight
Live music from Silversun Pickups, Waka Flocka Flame, Giovannie & The Hired Guns and more
Food trucks, bat costume contests, kids’ activities, and all the funnel cake you can regret later
Why You’ll Actually Go:
Because nowhere else in the world lets you drink a Lone Star while yelling “look at those bats!” with a thousand strangers.
Photo ops: Grab a skyline shot with the bats streaming out at sunset. Trust me, it’ll do better on your IG feed than another overpriced cocktail.
More info + tickets: Roadway Events | Visit Austin
Lone Star Le Mans – September 5–7 at Circuit of the Americas
Six hours of Ferraris, Porsches, and McLarens tearing up the track at COTA. It’s fast, it’s loud, and it’s very Austin to watch a hypercar endurance race while holding a michelada.
Why You’ll Actually Go: Because deep down, you’ve always wanted to say “yeah, I went to a Le Mans race.”
More info: COTA Lone Star Le Mans
Hot Sauce Festival – September 7 at Far Out Lounge & Stage
The only Austin festival where your Instagram caption should come with a fire emoji. Dozens of local restaurants, food trucks, and hot sauce makers compete to melt your face off, all while raising money for the Central Texas Food Bank.
Why You’ll Actually Go: Because you’ve been bragging about your spice tolerance since you moved here. Time to prove it or cry into your chips like the rest of us.
More info: Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival
Pecan Street Festival – September 13–14 at Hill Country Galleria
Austin’s longest-running arts and crafts fest has moved from 6th Street to Bee Cave, but the spirit’s the same: local makers, music, and vibes that feel like Austin back in the day.
Why You’ll Actually Go: Because you need new wall art that isn’t from Target.
More info: Pecan Street Festival
Fantastic Fest – September 18–25 at Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar
The cult film festival that launched Austin into movie geek legend turns 20 this year. Expect horror premieres, secret screenings, and afterparties that get weirder than the films.
Why You’ll Actually Go: Because watching a midnight slasher flick with a beer in hand just hits different.
More info: Fantastic Fest
Levitation – September 25–28, Multiple Venues
Austin’s psychedelic rock festival is back with Pavement, Mastodon, TV on the Radio, and more. Downtown turns into a multi-day psych party, complete with night shows that bleed into sunrise.
Why You’ll Actually Go: Because you secretly love saying “I was there before they blew up.”
More info: Levitation
UT Football Home Games
Even if you don’t care about football, you will care about traffic. Between burnt-orange tailgates, frat buses, and downtown gridlock, this is your warning.
Pro move: Order Franklin BBQ delivery and watch the chaos unfold on Twitter from the safety of your couch.
Full schedule: Texas Longhorns Football
Bonus Austin Move: Just… Go to Zilker
So that’s September in Austin
Bats at sunset, hot sauce tears, fast cars at COTA, street art that isn’t from Target, cult films, psych rock, and three straight weekends of burnt-orange gridlock.
If you bump into me at Zilker, I’ll trade you sunscreen for festival gossip!
Stay classy Austin, Amber
I’m Amber Haley and I’m a Realtor® in Austin. Subscribe for the inside scoop, and forward this to your friend who always texts “what’s happening this weekend?” And if you’re looking to buy or sell in Austin, let's connect.