Hey, it’s Don.
Race weekend is here, but you don’t need a Grand Prix ticket to make a plan. This week: 4 free picks + one $5 pick, from downtown F1 experiences and a Día de los Muertos celebration to record hunting, an art-party evening, and a Sunday outing with the kids. That’s admission only; food, shopping, parking, and transportation are extra.
Your weekend, picked
For Austin culture: Viva la Vida · Saturday · Free
For the F1 fan: Williams + Mercedes · Weekend hours below · Free entry
For a browsing date: Record Convention · Saturday–Sunday · $5 admission
For Saturday night: Mosaic Fest kickoff · Free
For Sunday with kids: StrawFest at UMLAUF · Free
These picks combine organizer research with firsthand coverage where noted. Details checked October 22; check the linked organizers before heading out. All times are Austin local time.
1 / Viva la Vida Festival & Parade
Saturday, October 24 · Noon–6 p.m. · Free
Fourth Street & Congress Avenue · Downtown
Mexic-Arte Museum’s Día de los Muertos celebration brings a grand procession, live performances, hands-on art activities, lowriders, food, and local vendors downtown.
My pick: Start with the noon procession, then explore the festival. This is the one I’d choose for a Saturday built around Austin culture.
Know before you go: Admission is free; budget separately for food and shopping. Allow extra time to get downtown during race weekend.
2 / F1 without a Grand Prix ticket
Photo: Worth Going Austin · Williams Fan Zone, October 2026
Williams + Mercedes · Free entry · Downtown
Two stops on Congress bring show cars, simulators, and interactive experiences into the city. I visited Williams this week; Mercedes’ listed activities include a pit-stop challenge on a real F1 car.
Williams — 800 Congress Ave.
Friday, October 23 & Saturday, October 24: 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
Download the Williams app and register for a free Williams ID before arriving. Williams closes after Saturday.
Mercedes — 400 Congress Ave.
Friday: noon–8:30 p.m.
Saturday: 1:30–9 p.m.
Sunday: 10:30 a.m.–7 p.m.
My pick: Make this a two-stop Friday or Saturday outing. Entry is free, but allow time for queues and budget separately for merchandise or food. Mercedes registration does not guarantee entry or priority; admission depends on capacity.
3 / Austin Record Convention
Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m. · Sunday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
$5 admission covers both days · Palmer Events Center
900 Barton Springs Rd. · South of downtown
Bring the friend who always gets control of the playlist. The convention makes a good browsing date: explore the dealers, compare finds, and set your own record-shopping budget.
My pick: Give yourself a $20 shopping challenge, with admission counted separately.
Know before you go: Records cost extra. Children under 12 enter free. Friday access is part of the separate $30 early-shopper ticket, not the $5 weekend ticket.
Disclosure: The organizer has provided my admission for a planned media visit. It is not a reader discount.
4 / Mosaic Fest’s free Saturday kickoff
Saturday, October 24 · Free meet-and-greet + kickoff party
East Austin · Two locations
Meet the artists behind Mosaic Fest, see what they’re working on, and turn it into an art-centered Saturday night.
6–7 p.m.: Artist meet-and-greet at The Mosaic Workshop, 729 Airport Blvd.
7–10 p.m.: Kickoff party with Mural Supply Co. at 2324 Studios, 2324 E. Cesar Chavez St.
My pick: Choose the meet-and-greet for conversation, or the kickoff party for an evening with friends. They’re separate locations, so plan transportation if doing both.
Know before you go: These two events are free. Mosaic-making workshops are separately priced; free entry does not include a workshop.
5 / StrawFest at UMLAUF
Sunday, October 25 · 11 a.m.–4 p.m. · Free
UMLAUF Sculpture Garden + Museum
605 Azie Morton Rd. · Near Zilker
A fall afternoon in the sculpture garden with pumpkin painting, art-making, costume parades, and wildlife demonstrations.
My pick: The clearest choice this week for readers planning a Sunday with children. Come for the activities and let the garden be part of the outing.
Know before you go: RSVP recommended; walk-ups welcome. Free parking is available across the street at Wright Field. The organizer encourages carpooling, rideshare, or public transit. Check for updates before leaving.
One more worth knowing / Black Outside Fest
Saturday, October 24 · Noon–6 p.m. · Free admission; registration required
Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex · East Austin
Black-owned makers, food, music, skating, bowling, and film make this a community outing beyond downtown. The event has moved to Millennium—use the updated festival page, not older Carver Museum listings. A $10 donation is suggested, not required for admission; budget separately for purchases.
Which one would you actually go to? Hit reply with your pick—I’d love to know.
— Don
Worth Going Austin
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