New City Budget Goes Into Effect Oct. 1
Austin City Council members adopted a $6.6 million budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year. It went into effect today and includes a roughly $113.76 jump in property taxes for Austin homeowners. The budget also includes $3 million to keep operating a temporary emergency shelter, $6 million for Austin Fire Department overtime costs, and some cuts to social service contracts.
It’s Pumpkin Time
Pumpkins are back! The gourds are in season for all your cooking needs, along with other seasonal favorites like winter hard squash and apples, and for your pumpkin patch needs! Austin has plenty of really great pumpkin patches. Tarrytown United Methodist Church’s patch opens on Oct. 5, Hill Country Pumpkins is already open, and Bethany United Methodist Church’s patch opens Oct. 4.
Early Voting Starts Oct. 19
Election Day isn’t until Nov. 3, but early voting starts Oct. 19 and runs through Oct. 30. Early voting is the best. Waiting until Election Day to vote may leave you stuck in a long line and that is not the best! Pick a spot to cast your ballot during early voting, which runs from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Some locations will have extended hours, too, so you have no reason to not get out and vote, y’all!
The Airport Is in Its Busy Season
Yes, it seems Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is always in its busy season these days, but things really do ramp up this month with events like ACL Fest and Formula 1. October 2025 was the airport’s busiest month ever before it was surpassed by June 2026. More than 2 million people traveled through the airport last October, with more than 45,000 passengers on the Monday after Formula 1. You know what to do: Arrive earlier than you think you need to!
Celebrate Día de los Muertos Early
Día de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, runs Nov. 1-2, but Austin’s Mexic-Arte Museum is throwing its big celebration on Oct. 24. Viva La Vida Fest is free to attend and includes a parade and festival! The event starts at noon at the intersection of Fourth Street and Congress Avenue. Art activities, traditional food, local artists, shopping, a low-rider exhibition, and live performances are all part of the fun!
