Reviewed by: Patience Itson
25 late summer/early fall festivals to look forward to across Alabama
Reading time: 9 minutes
As summer is winding down, we’re beginning to look ahead to leaves falling down, pumpkin spice lattes and of course, fun fall festivals. Read on to learn more and mark your calendars for 25 upcoming festivals across the state.
1. Sidewalk Film Festival—Birmingham | Aug. 22-Aug. 28
- What: A week long festival celebrating independent film and filmmakers with over 250 films across 10 screens in Birmingham’s Historic Theatre District.
- When: Monday, August 22-Sunday, August 28
- Where: Various locations in Birmingham’s Historic Theatre District
- Price: Varies—check out ticket options
- Details
2. Southeast Alabama Highland Games—Daleville | Sept. 17
- What: A family friendly scottish/Celtic festival with athletics like throwing threes, weights and stones, kid’s activities, food + drink vendors, face painting, henna tattoos, huey helicopter rides from Friends of Army Aviation and more.
- When: Saturday, September 17 | Gates open at 9AM, Welcoming Ceremonies and Benediction at Noon, followed by Parade of Tartans. Awards will be given at approx. 4:30-5PM.
- Where: Culpepper Field, 290 Daleville Ave, Daleville, AL 36322
- Price: $10 per adult, Free for kids 10 and under
- Details
3. Homestead Hollow Harvest Festival—Springville | Sept. 23-25
- What: A country fair and arts festival featuring 150 arts and crafts exhibitors, food, children’s activities, old-time demonstrations and live entertainment.
- When: Friday, September 23-Sunday, September 25 | 9AM-5PM
- Where: 1161 Murphrees Valley Rd, Springville, AL 35146
- Price: $8 for adults, $6 each for groups of 20 or more, $4 for kids ages 3 to 12, free for ages 2 and under
- Details
4. Furnace Fest—Birmingham | Sept. 23-25
- What: A three-day DIY punk rock festival featuring over 90 bands including headliners like Thrice, Alexisonfire, Midtown, New Found Glory.
- When: Friday, September 23-Sunday, September 25
- Where: Sloss Furnaces, 20 32nd St N, Birmingham, AL 35222
- Price: Single Day GA $109, 3-Day GA $289—buy tickets
- Details
5. Pinhoti Fest—Sylacauga | Sept. 23-25
- What: A free, family friendly event to kick off the 2022-23 hiking season with vendors, live music, food trucks and speakers.
- When: Friday, September 23-Sunday, September 25
- Where: Noble Park, E 9th St, Sylacauga, AL 35150
- Price: Free
- Details
6. 2022 Freedom Fest—Orange Beach | Sept. 30-Oct. 2
- What: An All-American red, white and blue celebration with a car show, concerts, special speakers, arts & crafts, children’s activities, food and more.
- When: Friday, September 30-Sunday, Oct. 2 | 9AM-5PM
- Where: The Wharf in Orange Beach (west end, adjacent to the movie theater), 23101 Canal Rd. Orange Beach, AL 36561
- Price: Free
- Details
7. Alabama Butterbean Festival—Pinson | Sept. 30-Oct. 1
- What: A fun festival honoring the popular southern side dish with entertainment, food, arts, crafts, a carnival and of course, plenty of butterbeans.
- When: Friday, September 30-Saturday, October 1 | Friday 6-10 PM, Saturday 9AM-4PM
- Where: 4325 Main Street, Pinson, AL 35126
- Price: Festival admission is free, Carnival admission armbands: $20 each; Carnival tickets: $1 each or 12 for $10, 5K registration is $25 and includes T-shirt
- Details
8. Shoals Fest 2022—Florence | Oct 1-2
- What: A 2-day music festival featuring popular indie/alternative artists like Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit and Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats.
- When: Saturday, October 1-Sunday, October 2, lineup schedule TBA
- Where: McFarland Park, 200 James M Spain Dr, Florence, AL 35630
- Price: 2-Day GA, $99.50; 2-Day VIP, $499.50—buy tickets
- Details
9. Barber Vintage Festival—Leeds | Oct. 7-9
- What: One of the most highly anticipated motorcycle events in the world, featuring a fan zone with food and entertainment, a swap meet with hundreds of vendors selling vintage motorcycles and parts, as well as the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club (VJMC) gathering.
- When: Friday, October 7-Sunday, October 9
- Where: Barber Motorsports Park, 6040 Barber Motorsports Pkwy, Leeds, AL 35094
- Price: 3-Day GA, $65; Friday-Saturday GA, $45; Sunday GA, $35, kids 15 and under free with adult ticket—buy tickets
- Details
10. Scottsboro BBQ Festival—Scottsboro | Oct. 8
- What: A family-friendly festival celebrating all things barbecue, with a BBQ cookoff, vendors, cornhole tournament, dog parade, car show, beer garden and more.
- When: Saturday, October 8th | 9AM-7PM
- Where: Downtown Square, 102 E Laurel St, Scottsboro, AL 35768
- Price: Free admission, registration required for dog parade, BBQ cookoffs, cornhole tournament
- Details
11. 9th Annual Shoals Dragon Boat Festival—Florence | Oct. 8
- What: Watch (or be a part of) the thrilling sport of Dragon Boat racing. 20 paddlers, 1 drummer and 1 steerer race in authentic 46-foot-long Chinese dragon boats. All ages, skill levels and physiques can participate.
- When: Saturday, October 8 | Time TBA
- Where: McFarland Park, 200 James M Spain Dr, Florence, AL 35630
- Price: Team registration required to participate
- Details
12. Alabama Mushroom Festival—Sylacauga | Oct. 8-9
- What: The 1st annual Alabama Mushroom Festival with vendors selling products of all kinds, forays led by professionals and enthusiasts, various classes and presentations, food and more.
- When: Saturday, October 8-Sunday, October 9 | Gates open at 9AM
- Where: 850 Boat Dock Lane, Sylacauga, AL 35150
- Price: $25 per person at the gate (children under 12 are free)
- Details
13. Moundville Native American Festival—Moundville | Oct. 12-15
- What: A festival with Native American performers, demonstrators and Living History teachers to celebrate Native American culture. The event features artists, craftsmen and educators from around the nation sharing their knowledge of Native American culture. Plus, kid’s activities, food + drinks and craft vendors.
- When: Wednesday, October 12-Saturday, October 15 | 8:30AM-3PM Wednesday and Thursday, 8:30AM-5PM Friday and Saturday
- Where: Moundville Archeological Park, 634 Mound State Parkway, Moundville, AL 35474
- Price: $10 for adults, students and seniors. Pre-registered groups of 10 or more are $8 per person.
- Details
14. Conecuh Sausage Festival—Evergreen | Oct. 13-16
- What: Love Conecuh sausage? You’ll want to go to this fun festival with over 100 arts & craft vendors, food vendors, a car show, a children’s area and booths selling delicious Conecuh sausage.
- When: Thursday, October 13-Sunday, October 16 | Event times vary
- Where: Evergreen Regional Airport, 14134 Hwy 84, Evergreen, AL 36401
- Price: Free
- Details
15. Mobile Latin Fest—Mobile | Oct. 14
- What: A festival celebrating Latin flavors, music and culture with food and arts & crafts vendors, live music, folkloric dances, among many other activities.
- When: Friday, October 14 | 4-10PM
- Where: Cathedral Square in Downtown Mobile, 300 Conti St. Mobile, Alabama 36602
- Price: Free
- Details
16. Jubilee Festival of Arts—Daphne | Oct. 15-16
- What: Art, music and local cuisine meet southern charm at this annual festival set along the oak-lined streets of Olde Towne Daphne, featuring more than 130 local and regional artists. The festival also features the Jubilee Market for local food makers, entertainment, delicious food and kid’s art.
- When: Saturday, October 15-Sunday October 16 | 10AM-5PM
- Where: W.O Lott Park, 2000 Main Street, Daphne AL, 36526
- Price: Free
- Details
17. Kentuck Festival of the Arts—Northport | Oct. 15-16
- What: A two-day festival featuring 260+ artists, live music, spoken word, activities for children, folk and contemporary craft demonstrations, food trucks and local craft brews.
- When: Saturday, October 15-Sunday October 16 | Saturday 9AM-5PM, Sunday 9AM-4PM
- Where: Kentuck Park, 3401 5th Street, Northport, Alabama 35476
- Price: $10 single day pass, $15 weekend pass, kids 12 & under free—buy tickets
- Details
18. Athens Storytelling Festival—Athens | Oct 18-22
- What: Gather at the Athens Storytelling Festival to hear stories that tell of a time that used to be, or a time yet to come, full of adventure, history and excitement. Glimpse into the past and learn more about your parents, your children and yourself.
- When: Tuesday, October 18-Saturday, October 22 | View festival schedule
- Where: Athens State University Campus, 300 N. Beaty St. Athens, AL, 35611
- Price: Starting at $25 for half-day tickets—see all ticket options for purchase
- Details
19. Alabama Renaissance Faire—Florence | Oct. 22-23
- What: A thrilling event to educate about and celebrate the Renaissance. It’s family-friendly, with 100+ merchants and food vendors, performers from all over the country, delicious food, crafts and much more.
- When: Saturday, October 22-Sunday, October 23 | 10AM-6PM and Sunday 12PM-6PM
- Where: 217 E Tuscaloosa St. Florence, AL 35630
- Price: Free
- Details
20. 44th Annual Alabama Tale Tellin’ Festival—Selma | Oct. 27
- What: A good ol’ fashioned storytelling event, featuring stories from TV host and storyteller Bill Lepp and live music performed by the Lamont Landers Band.
- When: Thursday, October 27 | 6-9PM
- Where: 3 Church St, Selma, AL 36701
- Cost: $20
- Register
21. Moonstone Festival–Birmingham | Oct. 29
- What: A one-day festival celebrating women through music, art, and spirit. In addition to entertainment and vendors, Moonstone partners with nonprofits that advocate for women’s rights, POC, and the LGBTQIA+ community. Headliners this year include Clairo and Jenny Lewis.
- When: Saturday, October 29 | Lineup schedule TBA
- Where: Avondale Brewing Company, 201 41st St S, Birmingham, AL 35222
- Price: GA $80, VIP $160—buy tickets
- Details
22. The Original German Sausage Festival—Elberta | Oct. 29
- What: Try Elberta’s famous “One With Two Without” German sausage & sauerkraut, plus continuous entertainment for adults and children with over 200 arts & crafts booths, carnival rides and polka, country, contemporary and German music.
- When: Saturday, October 29 | 8AM to 5PM
- Where: Elberta Town Park, 13052 Main St. Elberta, AL 36530
- Price: Free
- Details
23. Alabama Pecan Festival—Mobile | Nov. 4-6
- What: A family-oriented festival with a carnival atmosphere full of rides, food, face painting, arts and crafts and jewelry. Free grandstand events include a classic country and western show, a Sunday gospel show with topnotch entertainers and more.
- When: Friday, November 4-Sunday, November 6 | Friday starting at 5PM, Saturday starting at 9AM, Sunday starting at 11AM
- Where: W.C. Griggs Elementary School, 5055 Carol Plantation Rd. Mobile, AL 36619
- Price: Free
- Details
24. Muscle Shoals Songwriters Festival—Muscle Shoals | Nov. 4-5
- What: Catch over 50+ songwriters performing across music venues in the Shoals. This year’s artist lineup features hit songwriters who have written songs for Kane Brown, Morgan Wallen, Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, Rascal Flatts, Garth Brooks, and so many more.
- When: Friday, November 4-Saturday, November 5 | Lineup times TBA
- Where: Marriott Shoals Conference Center, 10 Hightower Pl, Florence, AL 35630
- Price: Early bird tickets on sale now, weekend passes starting at $109—buy tickets
- Details
25. Canyon Fest—Little River Canyon | Nov. 5
- What: Celebrate with live music, an animal show, nature and art activities, demonstrations, great food, local art, activities and fun at this signature festival designed to celebrate our canyon and the natural world.
- When: Saturday, November 5 | 10AM-3PM
- Where: 4322 Little River Trail NE Fort Payne, AL, 35697
- Details
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