19 fall festivals you won’t want to miss in Alabama

We’re about 13 days out from the start of fall, but that doesn’t mean the fall festivals are in any shortage.

From the niche Cotton Festival to the broader arts festivals, we’ve got the hookup on festival season across Alabama.

September Festivals in Alabama

Mabon Festival | Decatur

• What to expect: A magical celebration of the fall equinox, complete with food trucks, vendor markets and family-friendly activities
• When: Saturday, September 21 | 10AM-7PM
• Where: 343 Conway Rd, Decatur, AL 35603
• Admission: $3
• More info

Son of a Sailor Fest | Mobile

• What to expect: A celebration of Jimmy Buffett in the place he called home—Mobile. Expect a Buffett-approved cover band, margaritas (with a salt rim, of course!) and a parade through downtown.
• When: Saturday, September 21 | 12-10PM
• Where: Cathedral Square,
• Admission: FREE
• More info

Monte Sano Arts Festival

• What to expect: A celebration of local artists in a gorgeous state park.
• When: Saturday, September 21 + Sunday, September 22 | 9-5PM (closes at 4 on Sunday)
• Where: 5105 SE Nolen Ave, Huntsville, AL 35801
• Admission: $5 (cash only)
• More info

Blountsville Harvest Festival

• What to expect: A good old-fashioned fall festival, with a pie eating contest, parade, car show and activities for the kids.
• When: Saturday, September 28 | 9AM-4PM
• Where: 69000 Main St S, Blountsville, AL 35031
• Admission: FREE
• More info

October festivals in Alabama

Moundville Native American Festival

• What to expect: Storytellers weaving tales, eye-catching dance performances and shopping for authentic, handmade Native American clothing and jewelry.
• When: Thursday, October 3rd-Saturday, October 5th
• Where: 634 Mound State Parkway, Moundville, AL 35474
• Admission: $10
• More info

Boaz Harvest Festival

• What to expect: A classic fall festival with arts + crafts, a vendor market and a kid’s play area.
• When: Friday, October 4 + Saturday, October 5 | 8AM-8PM
• Where: 100 Bartlett Ave, Boaz, AL 35957
• Admission: Free
• More info

Furnace Fest | Birmingham

• What to expect: A huge, three-day music festival held in a defunct iron-producing furnace.
• When: Friday, October 4-Sunday, October 6
• Where: 20 32nd St N, Birmingham, AL 35222
• Admission: One-day passes start at $109
• More info

Alabama Honey Festival | Hazel Green

• What to expect: An afternoon all about pollinators, and the delicious honey they produce.
• When: Sunday, October 6 | 1-5PM
• Where: 372 Walker Ln, Hazel Green, AL 35750
• Admission: FREE
• More info

National Shrimp Festival | Gulf Shores

• What to expect: Seafood, live music, vendor markets and more on the beautiful beaches of Gulf Shores.
• When: Friday, October 10-Sunday, October 13
• Where: Gulf Shores Shrimp Fest, Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
• Admission: FREE
• More info

Alabama Farmers Market Festival | Birmingham

• What to expect: A farmers market on steroids—homegrown and handmade goods abound. Face painting and inflatables for the kiddos, too.
• When: Saturday, October 12 | 10AM-2PM
• Where: 344 Finley Ave W, Birmingham, AL 35204
• Admission: FREE
• More info

Alabama Cotton Festival | Eclectic

• What to expect: A small-town festival celebrating one of Alabama’s cash crops, complete with a ‘Little Miss Cotton Festival’ pageant.
• When: Saturday, October 12 | 8AM-2PM
• Where: Eclectic, AL 36024
• Admission: FREE
• More info

Mentone Fall Festival

• What to expect: A huge arts and crafts festival with a backdrop of fall foliage in the mountain town of Mentone.
• When: Saturday, October 19 | 9AM-4PM
• Where: 5866 E River Rd, Mentone, AL 35984
• Admission: FREE
• More info

Conecuh Sausage Festival | Evergreen

• What to expect: A whole day dedicated to Alabama’s original sausage—the Conecuh sausage. Includes a car show, fly-in, rodeo + so much more.
• When: Saturday, October 19 | 9AM-5PM
• Where: 14134 US-84, Evergreen, AL 36401
• Admission: FREE
• More info

Jubilee Festival of the Arts | Daphne

• What to expect: The second-biggest art festival on the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay.
• When: Saturday, October 19 + Sunday, October 20
• Where: 2000 Main St, Daphne, AL 36526
• Admission: FREE
• More info

Alabama Wine Festival | Attalla

• What to expect: Sipping on vino from wineries all over the Yellowhammer state—plus local vendors and food trucks.
• When: Saturday, October 26 | 2-6PM
• Where: 12661 Duck Springs Rd, Attalla, AL 35954
• Admission: $35
• More info

Montevallo Art Stalk

• What to expect: A spooky season-themed art festival in the mountain town of Montevallo.
• When: Saturday, October 26 | 11AM-5PM
• Where: Main St, Montevallo, AL 35115
• Admission: FREE
• More info

River Clay Fall Festival | Decatur

• What to expect: A juried, fine-art show, student art exhibit, food trucks, live performances + more
• When: Saturday, October 26 + Sunday, October 27
• Where: 402 Lee St NE, Decatur, AL 35601
• Admission: $5 (weekend pass)
• More info

Fall Festival on the Square | Opelika

• What to expect: Live music, inflatables, kid’s corner and fireworks to end the night.
• When: Sunday, October 27 | 4:30-7PM
• Where: 215 S 8th St, Opelika, AL 36801
• Admission: FREE
• More info

Still looking for the perfect fall festival near you? Check out this great resource on Alabama festivals.

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