Giving

Fall Fest

Join us for Fall Fest 2025, a joyful community celebration filled with fun, food, games, and connection!

This family-friendly festival is open to everyone—Headwaters students, families, alumni, neighbors, and friends. Come one, come all!

This is our only fundraising event of the year, and every dollar raised goes directly to the Headwaters Annual Fund. The Fund bridges the gap between tuition and the true cost of a Headwaters education—supporting our dedicated guides, enriching programs, providing financial aid, and sustaining everything that makes Headwaters extraordinary.

We also wanted to note that while the forecast looks like much-needed rain overnight, we hope that it will pass by later morning with cooler temps! This event is rain or shine!

Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025
Time: 10:15 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location:  Headwaters School Creek Campus | 9607 Brodie Ln., Austin, TX 78748

Get Your Tickets Today!

As Headwaters School approaches its 25th anniversary next year, we’re honoring the people and moments that have shaped our story—and inviting new friends to be part of what’s next.
Bring your crew, stay for the fun, and help us celebrate our school and community.
We can’t wait to see you there!

Activities

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  • Bounce Houses

  • Coloring

  • Cotton Candy

  • Kids Zone

  • Live Music

  • Lucky Slot Machine

  • Petting Zoo

  • Pie to the Face

  • Popcorn

  • Pumpkin Painting

  • Temporary Tattoos

  • Tricycle Race

Bid in our Silent Auction!

This year we're featuring a silent auction that is packed with art from some of our very talented photography students, as well as experiences from local businesses and guides!

Student art is being auctioned just like a big art house--with students taking home the majority of the sale price and the remainder going to the fundraising goal of $50,000. We're already 80% of the way there, so bid now and bid often!

Register your bid today, no attendance needed to bid and win!

Fall Fest FAQs

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  • Who should attend?

    This family-friendly festival is open to everyone—Headwaters students, families, alumni, neighbors, and friends. Come one, come all!

  • Why attend Fall Fest?

    This is our only fundraising event of the year, and every dollar raised goes directly to the Headwaters Annual Fund.

    The Fund bridges the gap between tuition and the true cost of a Headwaters education—supporting our dedicated guides, enriching programs, providing financial aid, and sustaining everything that makes Headwaters extraordinary.

    Thank you for being a part of our vibrant community!

  • What's going on with the Costume Parade?

    We can’t wait to kick off the celebration with a Costume Parade!

    What to Know About the Parade
    • All are welcome to join! Kids, families, and staff—if you’ve got a costume (or even just a pair of cat ears or a silly hat!), come walk with us.

    • Parade Start Time: 10:30 a.m.

    • Where to Meet: By the Garden (south side of campus, near the Yurt)

    • We’ll meander through campus together and end at the stage.

    • Special treat: Head of School Ted Graf will be bringing up the rear—in costume!—and will share some remarks when we reach the stage.
    Did you know? At Headwaters, we call Halloween our birthday! Each campus celebrates in its own way—and at our River Campus, our costume contest is legendary. Fall Fest lands close to this special time, and this year we’re turning 24!

    A quick tip: Campus may be a bit wet from forecasted rain. Please wear comfortable shoes. This event is rain or shine!

  • What types of activities will there be?

    We have so many fun things going on! Here is a breakdown by ages to help families see all that we have going on. And ALL activities are included with your ticket unless otherwise noted!
    Read More

  • Who is performing live?

    It's going to be an awesome time at the Headwaters City Limits Stage!

    We'll have live performances from these amazing local artists (and Headwaters Parents!): 
    Charlie Faye
    Suzanna Choffel
    Michael Gonzalez
    Carrie Rodriguez and Luke Jacobs

  • How do I sign-up to volunteer?

    We have lots of short day before and day-of opportunities for volunteers to help make this event a success.

    Each volunteer get's a free ticket!

    Volunteer at Fall Fest 

    Thank you in advance!

  • How do I get there and park?

    Fall Fest 2025 will be held at Headwaters School’s Creek Campus, located at: 9607 Brodie Ln., Austin, TX 78748

    Plenty of parking is available at Randalls in Shady Hollow Village (9911 Brodie Ln, Austin, TX 78748). There is also a shuttle running all day long from the Randall’s parking lot. There is no parking on campus for this event. Please also be mindful of not parking at neighboring businesses, as they may tow.
    When you arrive, please stop by the Welcome Table to check in. You won’t need to show an email confirmation or printed ticket — just tell us your name, and we’ll get you checked off the list.

  • What food and drink is available? Can I bring my own?

    We’re excited to welcome Thistle Cafe as our generous food sponsor for Fall Fest 2025! They'll have tacos on site! Get a taco ticket when you arrive. Tacos are first come, first serve!

    💧 Water stations will be available throughout the event — bring your reusable water bottle and refill as needed! We will also have flavored canned sparkling water donated from our friends at Rambler!

    🍺 New this year: We’re introducing a 21+ Beer Garden for adults. Guests with verified IDs can purchase drinks inside the designated area. Please have your ID ready at check-in if you'd like access. You can buy drink tickets in advance with your tickets, or under "Event Offers" at this link.

    🥪 Families are also welcome to bring their own snacks or a picnic. For everyone’s safety, we ask that you please avoid peanuts, glass containers, and outside alcohol.

  • What should I bring & NOT bring?

    What to Bring:What NOT To Bring:

    • Refillable water bottle/cup
    • Chairs/picnic blanket if you want to hang out in the field area
    • Snacks
    • Sunscreen
    • Anything with nuts
    • Pets
    • Glass
    • Alcohol
    • Cigarettes, e-cigs, vaporizers
    • Weapons, firearms, or fireworks



    No pets are allowed at the fest!

    Please notify us at development@headwaters.org if you plan on bringing a service animal (no emotional support animals permitted).

  • Are pets allowed?

    No pets are allowed at the fest!

    Please notify us at development@headwaters.org if you plan on bringing a service animal (no emotional support animals permitted).

  • What is the bathroom situation?

    We will have porta-potties on site for this event. 

    We will also have the two bathrooms in Building 1 open for families who need a little more space to change kids.

    To help keep classrooms orderly, buildings will not be open for guests.

  • Will you have first aid?

    We will have a table with basic first aid at the Welcome Table. Stop by if you need something!

  • Is this event rain or shine?

    Yes, this is event is rain or shine!

    We are monitoring the forecast closely. It looks like much-needed rain Friday overnight, but we hope that it will pass by later morning with cooler temps!

    In the event of unsafe conditions, we will attempt to reach out to ticket holders via email as soon as possible. We will also update our social media and website.

  • My question isn't answered here, whom should I ask?

    Email the Development Team at development@headwaters.org

Thank You to Our Generous Sponsors!

We are thrilled to announce and thank our incredible sponsors for supporting this year’s Fall Fest at Headwaters School! Your generosity helps us create a joyful community event filled with food, music, games, and fun for the whole family—while also making a lasting impact on the future of our school.

By sponsoring Fall Fest, you're not just helping us throw a great party, you're investing in our Purpose and Promise: to foster compassionate, creative, and critical thinkers who are empowered to make a difference in the world.

Your support ensures this celebration remains accessible and engaging for all, while gaining your brand meaningful visibility with hundreds of Headwaters families, alumni, neighbors, and friends.

We can't wait to see you at Fall Fest!

Springs Campus

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Creek Campus

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River Campus

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As a 501(c)3 non-profit school, Headwaters School does not discriminate because of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other classes protected by federal, state, or local law in its admissions, financial aid, hiring, or board membership processes.