Oktoberfest season is here and Hill Country Galleria is celebrating bigger than ever. This Oktoberfest celebration will feature live music, german-inspired bites, steinholding contests, face painting, balloon art and lively yard games perfect for all ages. Additionally, there will be a large selection of imported brews and local lagers. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs and participate in the costume contest by dressing in either a dirndl or lederhosen.

The Fredericksburg Food & Wine Festival returns Oct. 22–25, with its Grand Tasting at Marktplatz on Oct. 24 from 1 to 5 p.m. Sample more than 75 Hill Country wine, food, brewery and distillery offerings, alongside cooking demonstrations, wine education sessions, live music, a new Rosé Garden and a silent disco. General admission badges are $150, with $125 badges available for locals.

Swedish Hill South First will host a beginner-friendly mahjong night Sunday, Oct. 25, from 4 to 6 p.m. So Bam Fun will lead American mahjong lessons and open play for players of all experience levels. Pastries and wine will be available for purchase.

Toasty Badger hosts a Spooky Book Swap Dinner on Oct. 28 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at its South Congress diner. Bring an unwrapped thriller, cozy mystery or other Halloween read for the staff to wrap and swap, then leave with a surprise book. Costumes are encouraged. Tickets are $35 per person and include a three-course dinner, with drinks available for purchase. Reservations are available through OpenTable.

Tillie’s Restaurant & Bar at Camp Lucy hosts a Venetian Masquerade Dining Experience on Oct. 31, with seatings at 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. The candlelit evening features live harp music, theatrical servers and a menu including buttermilk-fried quail, squid ink agnolotti with braised short rib, petit filet and pumpkin mousse cake. Reservations are $225 per person, and guests must be 18 or older.

The Austin Food & Wine Festival returns to Auditorium Shores Nov. 6-8 for its 15th year, bringing chefs, restaurants and wine and spirits experts from Austin and across the country together for a weekend of tastings and culinary events. Friday’s Made In Texas event will feature Texas-inspired bites, drinks and live music, followed by Chef Showcase events Saturday and Sunday with food tastings, cooking demonstrations and beverage samplings.

The Austin Food & Wine Festival returns to Auditorium Shores Nov. 6-8 for its 15th year, bringing chefs, restaurants and wine and spirits experts from Austin and across the country together for a weekend of tastings and culinary events. Friday’s Made In Texas event will feature Texas-inspired bites, drinks and live music, followed by Chef Showcase events Saturday and Sunday with food tastings, cooking demonstrations and beverage samplings.

The Austin Food & Wine Festival returns to Auditorium Shores Nov. 6-8 for its 15th year, bringing chefs, restaurants and wine and spirits experts from Austin and across the country together for a weekend of tastings and culinary events. Friday’s Made In Texas event will feature Texas-inspired bites, drinks and live music, followed by Chef Showcase events Saturday and Sunday with food tastings, cooking demonstrations and beverage samplings.