Welcome to Around Austin & Round Rock, a weekly guide from Southern Luxe Group to what's happening in Austin, Round Rock, Georgetown, Hutto, Pflugerville and the communities in between.

This is a week to say thank you. Veterans Day falls on Wednesday, November 11, and communities all over Central Texas are honoring the men and women who served, from a big parade up Congress Avenue to quiet ceremonies under the flags in Round Rock and Georgetown. Mix in a Diwali celebration, the season's first holiday lights and one of Austin's biggest food weekends, and there's a lot to enjoy between Friday, November 6, and Thursday, November 12. Here are our picks.

Friday, November 6

The Light Park opens at Dell Diamond (Round Rock)

It's early, but the holiday lights are already on in Round Rock. The Light Park, a drive-through holiday light show, opens in the Dell Diamond parking lot on Friday and runs nightly through January 3. Stay in your car, turn up the music and let the kids ride in their pajamas.

  • When: Nightly, November 6 through January 3
  • Where: Dell Diamond parking lot, 3400 E. Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock
  • Cost: One ticket covers the whole car; see current pricing and time slots online
  • Details: thelightpark.com

Austin Food & Wine Festival (all weekend)

If you love a good bite, this is Austin's big food weekend. Chefs, cooking demos and tastings take over Auditorium Shores on Lady Bird Lake for three days.

  • When: Friday, November 6, through Sunday, November 8
  • Where: Auditorium Shores, 900 W. Riverside Dr., Austin
  • Cost: Ticketed; several ticket levels available
  • Details: austinfoodandwinefestival.com

Saturday, November 7

Austin Veterans Parade on Congress Avenue

Austin holds its Veterans Day parade on the Saturday before the holiday this year. The parade heads north up Congress Avenue toward the Texas Capitol, followed by a veterans resource fair and a ceremony on the Capitol's south steps. Bring a flag, find a spot along Congress and cheer them on. Parking downtown is paid, so plan a little extra time.

  • When: Parade at 9 a.m.; resource fair at 10 a.m.; ceremony at 11:11 a.m.
  • Where: Congress Avenue to the Texas Capitol south steps, downtown Austin
  • Cost: Open to the public along the route
  • Details: City of Austin event page

Morning Glories: Diwali at Waterloo Park

Diwali, the Festival of Lights, gets a cheerful Saturday-morning celebration at Waterloo Park with cultural performances, hands-on art, storytelling, music, and food and drink. It's a lovely, easy outing for families.

  • When: 9 a.m. to noon
  • Where: Meredith Heritage Tree Deck, Waterloo Park, 1111 Red River St., Austin
  • Cost: Free
  • Details: waterloogreenway.org

Field of Honor opens in Georgetown (through November 15)

This one is worth the drive. For its 10th year, the Rotary Club of Georgetown Foundation and the City of Georgetown fill the San Gabriel Park event lawn with 2,026 American flags, arranged this year in a giant "250" for America's 250th. Each flag can be dedicated to a veteran, service member, first responder or K-9 hero. The field is open around the clock all week, and the opening ceremony is Sunday, November 8, at 1:30 p.m.

  • When: November 7–15; opening ceremony Sunday, November 8, at 1:30 p.m.
  • Where: San Gabriel Park event lawn, along Chamber Way and Morrow Street, Georgetown
  • Cost: Free to visit; flag dedications available for purchase
  • Details: City of Georgetown and georgetowntxfieldofhonor.org

Wednesday, November 11: Veterans Day

Round Rock Veterans Day Celebration

The City of Round Rock and the Round Rock Veterans Coalition host a ceremony at Yonders Point Flag Plaza in Old Settlers Park. It's a meaningful way to spend your lunch hour, and a good one to bring the kids to.

  • When: 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
  • Where: Flag Plaza at Yonders Point, Old Settlers Park, 3103 Aten Loop, Round Rock
  • Cost: Open to the public
  • Details: roundrocktexas.gov

Georgetown Veterans Day ceremonies

Georgetown has two 11 a.m. options. The Veterans Day Ceremony at the Williamson County Veterans Memorial Plaza in Sun City features retired Army general officer Scott L. Efflandt, with the Georgetown High School band and choir starting at 10:45 a.m. About 700 chairs are set out, and you're welcome to bring your own. Across town, the Field of Honor holds its own Veterans Day ceremony among the flags in San Gabriel Park.

  • When: 11 a.m. (Sun City music begins at 10:45 a.m.)
  • Where: Williamson County Veterans Memorial Plaza, 2 Texas Dr., Georgetown (moves to the Social Center ballroom if it rains); or the Field of Honor at San Gabriel Park
  • Cost: Free and open to the public
  • Details: City of Georgetown Veterans Day events

A quick heads-up: many city offices and facilities are closed on Veterans Day, so check before you head out to run errands.

Local spotlight: The Monument Café, Georgetown

If you visit the Field of Honor, make a stop at The Monument Café at 500 S. Austin Ave., just south of the Georgetown Square. This locally owned diner has been a Georgetown favorite for years, serving home-style breakfasts, comfort food and pie in a classic, friendly setting. It's the kind of place where you'll bump into neighbors and leave a little fuller than you planned. Supporting local spots like this one is a big part of what keeps our small-town squares feeling like home.

Living in Austin and Round Rock

Weeks like this one are a good reminder of how much community spirit this area has, whether you're in a big-city crowd on Congress Avenue or standing among the flags in Georgetown. If you're thinking about a move, or just curious about what different parts of the area are like, these guides are a good place to start:

Let's talk about your next move

Have questions about buying, selling or settling in around Austin, Round Rock or Williamson County? I'd love to help. Book a time to chat, or call or text me, Trina, at (512) 629-9050.

And to every veteran reading this: thank you for your service.

Event details can change. Please confirm dates, times and costs with each organizer before you go.

Trina Heinmiller November 04, 2026

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