Austin-Area festivals and events

July

Zilker Summer Musical. At dusk Thursdays through Sundays through Aug. 13. The 53rd annual summer musical is ‘Footloose.' Bring a blanket and picnic dinner. Beverly S. Sheffield Zilker Hillside Theater, 2201 Barton Springs Road. 479-9491, www.zilker.org .

August

Austin Ice Cream Festival. Aug. 13. Games, activities, contests and free ice cream. ?Waterloo Park, 403 E. 15th St. 480-5966, www.icecreamfestival.org .

Blanco County Fair and Rodeo. Aug. 18-20. Livestock show, arts and crafts, food and country music. Blanco County Fairgrounds, U.S. 281, Johnson City. www.bcfra.org .

Batfest. Aug. 27. Live music, arts, crafts, food, bat watching and more. Congress Avenue Bridge. www.roadwayevents.com .

Hot Sauce Festival. Aug. 28. Sample more than 350 hot sauce entries. Waterloo Park, 403 E. 15th St. 454-5766, www.austinchronicle.com .

September

Austin Gay and Lesbian International Film Festival. Sept. 6-12. Films by and about gays and lesbians. Alamo Drafthouse, 1120 S. Lamar Blvd. 302-9889, www.agliff.org .

Austin City Limits Music Festival. Sept. 16-18. Bands from across the nation and world perform during three days; includes food, arts and crafts. Zilker Park, 2100 Barton Springs Road. www.aclfestival.com .

Old Pecan Street Fall Festival. Sept. 24-25. Live music, arts and crafts vendors and a children's carnival. Held along Sixth Street. 485-3190, www.oldpecanstreetfestival.com .

October

Oktoberfest. Sept. 30 and Oct. 1-2. Celebrate Fredericksburg's German heritage with food, arts and crafts, and music. Marktplatz, 100 Main St., Fredericksburg. 830-997-4810, www.oktoberfestinfbg.com .

Texas Mesquite Art Festival. Oct. 7-9. ?Large collection of mesquite art with a juried show. Marktplatz, downtown Fredericksburg. ?830-997-8515, www.texasmesquiteassn.org .

Austin Chocolate Festival.Oct. 15-16. Local chocolatiers and chocolate artisans compete, offer samples and sell their products. Benefits Walk MS. Norris Conference Center, Anderson Lane and Burnet Road. 637-0479, www.austinchocolatefestival.com .

Austin Film Festival. Conference: Oct. 20-23. Festival: Oct. 20-27. Narrative, animation and documentary features and shorts. Various venues. 478-4795 or 800-310-3378,austinfilmfestival.com .

Food & Wine Fest. Oct. 22. Texas food, wine and live music. Downtown Fredericksburg. www.fbgfoodandwinefest.com .

Texas Book Festival. Oct. 22-23. Books and authors from around the world. State Capitol, 11th Street and Congress Avenue. 477-4055, www.texasbookfestival.org .

Vida la Vida Festival. Oct. 22. Joyful procession in remembrance of the dead; includes community altars, traditional food and live music and dance performances. Mexic-Arte Museum, 419 Congress Ave. 480-9373, www.mexic-artemuseum.org .

November

Austin Celtic Festival. Nov. 5-6. Celtic bands from Austin and around the world. Fiesta Gardens, 2101 Jesse E. Segovia St., on Lady Bird Lake. www.austincelts.org/festival .

Austin Powwow and American Indian Heritage Festival.Nov. 5. Celebrates American Indian culture with dance, food, arts and crafts, music and storytellers. Burger Center, 3200 Jones Road. 371-0628, www.austinpowwow.net .

Fun Fun Fun Fest. Nov. 5- 6. A variety of bands perform. Auditorium Shores. www.funfunfunfest.com .

A Christmas Affair. Nov. 16-20. Sponsored by the Junior League of Austin. Retail merchants sell antiques, clothing, children's items, holiday items and jewelry. Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Road. ?467-8982, www.jlaustin.org.