The Texas International Food and Wine Roundup Comes to Austin on November 18th

You might think of California as the hub of American wine-making, and you're not totally wrong, but you are overlooking the talent right in your own backyard. The Texas International Wine Competition draws some of the state's best winemakers and producers from around the globe to be judged by a panel of wine experts. After the winners have been crowned, the Texas International Food and Wine Roundup grants the general public a chance to taste test the wines on Saturday, November 18th.

Grab a ticket and come to Ironwood Hall at 6 p.m. to sip your way through the many local and international wines being showcased. To complement the wine, Austin chefs will craft internationally inspired snacks that represent a wide variety of cuisines. You can also enjoy live music and more at the Texas International Food and Wine Roundup.

The Austin Celtic Festival Brings Authentic Music, Dance, and Games to Your Backyard

A battle between ax-wielding Vikings; chainmail-clad archers willing to teach you their craft; ancient Celts making camp with modest tents. These are just a few of the things you'll find at the Celtic Village at the Austin Celtic Festival (ACF). It's an all-encompassing foray into Celtic history complete with historically accurate acting and period props, sets, and costumes.

With its hands-on activities and non-stop action, the Celtic Village should probably be your first stop when you come to the ACF on November 4th or 5th. The Austin Celtic Festival also rounds up Irish and Scottish musicians from around Texas and around the globe, in addition to Irish step dancers and Scottish country dancers. You can also participate in (or simply observe) traditional Highland Games, watch Celtic dogs and mini horses trot along in a special parade, or check out educational seminars and workshops regarding Celtic culture.

Enjoy a Day of Drinks and Live Music at the Austin Margarita Festival on October 28th

Pumpkin spice, Bourbon St. Hurricane, Grapefruit Groupie. The Austin Margarita Festival will present all of these unusual flavors in the form of a margarita. In fact, the fest will feature more than 20 different flavors of margarita from some of Austin's best bars, ranging from the Strawberry Hill to the jalapeño pepper margarita, on Saturday, October 28th.

From 12 to 8 p.m., guests will be able to fill their souvenir tasting glasses with five-ounce pours of the eclectic margaritas, up to six of the drinks total. You can also turn over your drink tickets for wine, craft beer, or non-alcoholic drinks if you're not a fan of margaritas. What's more, the Austin Margarita Festival also promises fresh tunes and food from the city's eateries. So buy your ticket ($40+), and head downtown on October 28th to celebrate this classic Mexican cocktail with friends.

Kick Off Your Autumn the German Way at Oktoberfest at BBQ Revolution

BBQ Revolution proves on a daily basis that classic Southern comfort food can taste just as good without the meat. In lieu of beef and pork, its chefs use vegan ingredients such as soy and tempeh to create versions of barbecue that are widely considered just as good as their meat-laden counterparts. Come to Oktoberfest at BBQ Revolution for a taste.

On Saturday, October 7th, BBQ Revolution is breaking out the meat-free brats and kielbasas in honor of the season—along with, of course, locally crafted beer. BBQ Revolution will also break out some of its standard eats, like pan-fried tempeh cutlets and potato salad, paired with German specialties like sauerkraut and apple and cabbage slaw. It's free to come to Oktoberfest, which begins at 7 p.m. Bring along cash or a card to pay for food and drinks as you go.

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Celebrate Music, Food, and Fun at the Austin City Limits Music Festival

If you enjoy having your finger on the pulse of today’s music landscape, you should definitely consider grabbing tickets for this year’s edition of the Austin City Limits Music Festival. The two weekends of performances will take place on October 6th through the 8th and October 13th through the 15th at Zilker Park on Barton Springs Road.

This festival is known for bringing out some of the best talents and brightest stars in music year in and year out, and 2017 will be no different. This year’s headliners include Jay-Z, Chance the Rapper, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and The Killers. Indie darlings and Austin favorites Spoon are set to hit the stage, as are other impressive names like Solange and Run the Jewels. Bring your appetite, as there will be a number of excellent food vendors waiting to serve up delicious fare. Tickets start at $100, so grab them while you still can!

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The Far East Fest Will Transport Taste Buds to Asia on October 1st

At this year's Far East Fest in Austin, you'll be able to sample top-notch cuisine, including belly-warming bowls of Vietnamese pho, buns stuffed with slow-cooked pork belly, unexpected street fare, and specialty sushi rolls. You'll find all of the above—and much more—at the Far East Fest on Sunday, October 1st at the Austin American-Statesman.

Far East Fest will host 30 of Austin's top Asian eateries, from Sushi Zushi to Chi'lantro Korean Barbecue. Each restaurant will offer unlimited tastes of its signature dishes to all attendees, which you can pair with a Sapporo beer from the popular Asian brewery. VIP ticket holders receive early access to Far East Fest at noon in exchange for their $100 admission free, which also entitles them to unlimited alcoholic drinks and extra food. For $55, general admission ticket holders can arrive at 1 p.m. and sample unlimited bites with drinks available for purchase.

Creative and Creepy Films Await at Fantastic Fest 2017

Anyone who loves all things creepy, crawly, and delightfully odd should mark their calendar for Fantastic Fest 2017. This offbeat film festival comes to the fittingly weird city of Austin from September 21st to the 28th, screening horror, sci-fi, fantasy, and action films created for the indie genre.

These films may not be mainstream, but they're complemented by appearances from some pretty high-profile actors and directors. Previous festivals have hosted celebrities such as Paul Rudd, Tim Burton, and Keanu Reeves. This year's festival will be no different, attracting all types of actors and filmmakers for panels and lectures about the films, starring big names like Vince Vaughn and Colin Farrell. So buy a fest-long badge to enjoy different movies each day, or pick and choose a few films to check out at Fantastic Fest 2017.

Give Back to Local Pets in Need at the 2017 TRIO for Paws Lawn Party and Silent Auction

The Austin Humane Society, Emancipet, and Austin Pets Alive are all doing good for the critters of Austin. And these organizations will receive 100% of ticket sales and silent auction sales from the 2017 TRIO for Paws Lawn Party and Silent Auction on Wednesday, September 20th from 6 to 8 p.m.

The festival gets owners and canines mixing and mingling with other animal lovers at the pet-friendly TRIO at Four Seasons. Your $35 ticket ($40 at the door) includes apps for both you and your pup. While you munch on tapas, your furry friend will chow down on peanut butter banana cookies, apple-bacon oatmeal biscuits, and homemade chicken jerky. Take part in the Best Dressed Dog Contest by dressing up your pup before you leave home, or head to the Smooch Your Pooch photo booth to snap some sweet photos at this fun event. Don't miss it!

World Premieres and Visual Mixtapes Await at the Austin Music Video Festival 2017

The Austin Music Video Festival 2017 is much more than an MTV-esque screening of trending music videos. You only have to look back to its first two years in business to understand that. The first theatrical screening of Beyonce's epic Lemonade happened here, as did a mashup of hundreds of different music videos from all over the globe, and an intro to music videos via virtual reality.

From September 12th to 16th this year, the video lineup includes a music video mixtape by renowned director Spike Jonze, a "video freakout" courtesy of the Flaming Lips and a special guest, and a retrospective and performance from Christeene and Holodeck Records. The list of other music video contributors ranges from She & Him to Chuck Berry, and they'll be viewed in unexpected ways—at theaters, poolside, and by bike. Passes start at $15 for general admission.

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Gear Up for a Week of Laughs at the Out of Bounds Comedy Festival, Tomorrow Through September 4th

The Out of Bounds Comedy Festival began 15 years ago, but back then, Austin's comedy scene wasn't enough to hold down the fort. In fact, when Out of Bounds debuted in 2002, it was part comedy festival and part mini-golf tournament. The festival has come a long way to get where it is today, a massive seven-day celebration of funny folks from around Austin and beyond.

Tomorrow through Monday, September 4th (Labor Day), more than 500 funny-people converge upon Austin to perform in 130-plus shows held at 10 different venues across the city. If you're a fan of comedy, you'll probably recognize headliners like Katie Rich—an SNL writer and decorated comedienne—and Dave Hill, whose past credits include Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. If you snag an all-festival pass ($139), you can attend any and all of the performances, including those by headliners. Don't miss this world-class comedy festival in Austin this summer!

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