Reviewed by: Callie Morrison
9 exciting festivals in Alabama this October—butterbeans, songwriting + more
BySarah Gronberg
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As October approaches in Alabama, so does prime festival season. Celebrating everything from butter beans to fiddling, these nine festivals will keep your calendar (and camera roll) interesting all month long.
1. Opelika Songwriters Festival
While this annual festival is one of the newer ones on this list, it’s no less popular. The Opelika Songwriters Festival brings together music-lovers from the Auburn area and beyond for four days of music, workshops, events and more.
This year’s lineup is an impressive one, featuring big names like Drivin’ and Cryin’, 10,000 Maniacs and many more.
- When: Thursday, October 5-Sunday, October 8 (full schedule)
- Where: Multiple locations
- More Details
2. 56th Annual Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention
The Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention may sound like a niche festival, but it draws huge crowds each year with its exciting fiddle competitions and performances. Even if you’ve never touched a fiddle in your life, there are activities for everyone—arts and crafts, vendors, food and even workshops.
- When: Wednesday, October 4-Saturday, October 7 (full schedule)
- Where: Athens State University, 300 N Beaty St, Athens, AL 35611
- More Details
3. Port City Blues Festival
Tucka, King George and Calvin Richardson are headlining the 2023 Port City Blues Festival. This event at the Mobile Civic Center is sure to be a groovin’ good time.
- When: Saturday, October 14, 7PM
- Where: Mobile Civic Center, 401 Civic Center Dr, Mobile, AL 36602
- More Details
4. Madison Street Festival
On the first Saturday of each October, the streets of historic Downtown Madison are flooded with festival-goers. The Madison Street Festival welcomes thousands of visitors each year to enjoy the various activities and attractions—a children’s area, Crafter’s Cove, community showcase, student art area, teen area, Artist Alley, food, business showcase, parade and more.
- When: Saturday, October 7, 9AM-4PM
- Where: Historic Downtown Madison
- More Details
5. 50th Annual National Shrimp Festival
This year’s National Shrimp Festival is a special one—it’s the 50th anniversary! This volunteer-driven, four-day festival is set in the perfect place—Coastal Alabama. Visitors can enjoy a sand sculpture contest, live music, marketplace and of course, lots of shrimp.
- When: Thursday, October 12-Sunday, October 15 (full schedule)
- Where: 101 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
- More Details
6. Whistlestop BBQ Festival
North Alabama was saddened when it was announced that Whistlestop BBQ Festival would not be returning after its 20+ year run. However, a new version of the festival is actually coming back again this year at the ever-popular MidCity District in Huntsville. There will be food and market vendors, but the real attraction is the intensely delicious barbecue competition.
- When: Friday, October 20-Saturday, October 21 (full schedule)
- Where: MidCity District, 5901 University Dr, Huntsville, AL 35806
- More Details
7. 52nd Kentuck Festival of the Arts
The Kentuck Festival of the Arts is a community staple in the Tuscaloosa area, back again in 2023 for their 52nd year. This event features loads of impressive and inspiring art from 270+ artists, as well as live music, childrens’ activities, craft demonstrations, craft beer and more. It’s an award-winner—for good reason.
- When: Saturday, October 14, 9AM-5PM-Sunday, October 15, 9AM-4PM
- Where: 3501 5th St, Northport, AL 35476
- More Details
8. 50th Annual Greek Festival—Birmingham
Another festival celebrating 50 years in 2023 is the Greek Food Festival. For three days, 19th Street in downtown Birmingham is flooded with Greek food lovers, lining up for delicious pastichios, spanokopeta, dolmathes, gyros, Greek pastries and much more.
This open-air festival is filled with lively traditional music, dancing and a market place. Visitors can even tour the beautiful, old Holy Trinity + Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral.
- When: Thursday, October 5-Saturday, October 7, 10:30AM-9:30PM
- Where: Holy Trinity + Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 307 19th St S, Birmingham, AL 35233
- More Details
9. Alabama Butterbean Festival
The annual Alabama Butterbean Festival is just as fun as it sounds. There’s a whole carnival, a 5k, arts and crafts, a kids corner, vendors and more. And yes, there are butter beans—including one that walks.
- When: Friday, October 6, 6-10PM-Saturday, October 7, 8AM-4PM
- Where: Main Street, Pinson, AL
- More Details
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