Westlake Weekly: October 22 – October 28, 2026

Westlake Weekly: October 22 – October 28, 2026

Late October is showing off around West Lake Hills — warm afternoons, full calendars, and a week that invites you out early and slows you down late. From the roar of Grand Prix weekend to quiet Sunday markets, here is what is happening near you over the next seven days.

Events

Formula 1 MSC Cruises United States Grand Prix — Oct 22–25

The world's biggest racing weekend returns to Circuit of The Americas with a new four-day format, starting with a Thursday preview day featuring F1 Academy racing, a pit-lane walk, and fan zones before Friday practice. Practice, qualifying, and Sunday's 3:00 PM Grand Prix are paired with nightly headline concerts — Maroon 5 on Friday, Post Malone on Saturday, Alesso on Sunday — plus a Texas food village and live music stages around the track. There is plenty here for non-gearheads too; just plan around heavy traffic toward the track and the airport all weekend.

Source: https://www.austintexas.org/austin-insider-blog/blog/post/f1-returns-to-austin-circuit-of-the-americas/

43rd Annual Viva La Vida Festival & Parade — Sat Oct 24, 12–6 PM

Austin's largest and longest-running Día de los Muertos celebration enters its 43rd year, opening at noon with a grand procession of costumes, dancers, floats, and live music down historic 6th Street to the festival grounds at E. 4th Street & Congress. This year's theme is "la ofrenda" — artist-commissioned altar pieces carried in the parade and assembled into a community altar on the festival stage. The free, all-ages afternoon adds a Muertos Mercado, traditional food, hands-on art activities, and the crowd-favorite low-rider exhibition.

Source: https://mexic-artemuseum.org/event/43rd-annual-viva-la-vida-festival-parade/

JAPAN Fes Texas Unlimited — Sat Oct 24, 12–10 PM

The touring JAPAN Fes series returns to Austin with its first all-you-can-eat edition, filling Republic Square (422 Guadalupe St) with Japanese food vendors alongside bon dance, mochi maki, and karaoke programming. Timed sessions run throughout the day from noon to 10 PM, with general admission $42–$66 depending on the session. It is a ticketed, food-forward festival rather than a traditional cultural fair — go hungry, pick a session that fits your day, and pair it with a Saturday downtown.

Source: https://www.japanfes.com/texas

Bee Cave Farmers Market — Sun Oct 25, 10 AM–2 PM

Every Sunday the Central Plaza of the Hill Country Galleria (12700 Hill Country Blvd) hosts more than 35 farmers, ranchers, food vendors, and artisans — an easy Westlake-area outing for fresh produce, baked goods, honey, and hot lunch. The plaza has shaded seating, a splash pad, and a big lawn for kids, with live music adding to the weekend-morning feel. This Sunday's market runs 10 AM to 2 PM, rain or shine.

Source: http://www.beecavefarmersmarket.com/

New openings

Nishi — opened Oct 15

Little Nishi, the much-loved sushi trailer from South Congress, has grown into its first full restaurant as Nishi, opening mid-October at 2000 Southern Oaks Dr in South Austin, a short drive from the Westlake area. Expect the handrolls, sashimi, and chicken karaage fans know, now with proper seating. One of the more exciting fall openings in town this year.

Source: https://www.theinfatuation.com/austin/reviews/nishi

Mendocino Farms South Lamar — opened Sept 22

Mendocino Farms brought its sandwich-and-salad fast-casual formula to 1100 South Lamar Blvd (Suite 1125) in late September, its third Austin location. The brand is known for chef-driven comfort with high-quality ingredients — an easy healthy lunch stop near Zilker before a trail walk. Open daily 10:30 AM–9 PM, with a community giveback fundraiser program for local schools and nonprofits running through December.

Source: https://www.qsrmagazine.com/news/mendocino-farms-continues-texas-growth-with-third-austin-location/

Outdoors & fitness

ATX Taco Challenge 5K — Sun Oct 25, 8:30 AM

A playful Austin-style fun run where the aid stations are taco shops: participants jog or walk a 5K route through downtown starting at Fleet Feet Austin (211 Walter Seaholm Dr), stopping for tacos at Veracruz, Tacodeli, Torchy's, and others. It is not an official race and roads stay open to traffic, so the vibe is social, not competitive. The $40 participation package includes four tacos, a race number, and a finisher medal — runners and pure taco enthusiasts are all welcome.

Source: https://runsignup.com/Race/TX/Austin/TacoChallenge5k

Lakeway Nights Farmers Market — Wed Oct 28, 3–7 PM

An evening farmers market run by Rooted Markets every Wednesday at 2300 Lohmans Spur in Lakeway, pairing fresh produce and local goods with live music as the workday ends. It is a relaxed midweek way to shop local near the lake without driving downtown. This Wednesday's market runs 3 to 7 PM.

Source: https://rootedmarkets.square.site/

After a full week out — race-weekend crowds, festival color, and miles on the trails — your body will likely be asking for a reset. Book a massage or head spa at Cove Spa, 5450 Bee Caves Rd Ste 2C, Austin, TX 78746, (512) 387-2186. We are open daily 9:00 AM–9:00 PM, right here in Westlake when you are ready to slow down.