Discover the top fall festivals and family-friendly events happening in the Tennessee Valley this season.
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — As autumn arrives, the Tennessee Valley is filled with fall festivals and family-friendly events. Here’s a look at some of the highlights happening this season:
Oktoberfest at Redstone Arsenal
When: Sept. 25-27Where: MWR Activity Field, 3732 Aerobee Road, Redstone ArsenalCost: $15 general admission; $25 admission with unlimited carnival rides; parking is freeDetails: Celebrate Oktoberfest with German food, live music, carnival rides and family activities. Ted Lange and the Alpen Power Band will perform throughout the weekend. The event is open to the public, with no special access required. Enter through Gate 10 on Patton Road.
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Rocket City Fall Fair
When: Sept. 24-27Where: John Hunt Park, HuntsvilleCost: Admission required; ride bands and tickets available for purchaseDetails: Enjoy four days of fall family fun featuring carnival rides and games, fair food, a petting zoo, live entertainment, pumpkin painting, a straw-bale maze, stilt walkers and more. Fireworks shows are planned for Friday and Saturday nights.
Harvest Fall Festival at Asbury
When: Saturday, Sept. 26, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.Where: AsburyCost: FreeDetails: Enjoy a family-friendly fall festival featuring inflatables, a petting zoo, carnival games, food and college football airing in the storm shelter. Bring the whole family and enjoy a day of fun with the community.
Wild Reserve Fall Festival
When: Sept. 26, 2026, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.Where: Wild Reserve, Hazel GreenCost: Check event detailsDetails: Enjoy a fall day with hayrides, pumpkins, face painting, inflatables, food trucks, kettle corn and the animals at Wild Reserve.
When: Oct. 1-4, 2026; Thursday 4-10 p.m., Friday-Saturday 10 a.m.-11 p.m., Sunday noon-8 p.m.Where: Depot Park, CullmanCost: FreeDetails: Celebrate German heritage with live music, cultural displays, German cuisine and family-friendly attractions. The festival also features a Hofbräuhaus Biergarten and the Christkindlmarkt Parade, led by the festival’s Bürgermeister, or official ambassador and Grand Marshal.
When: Saturday, Oct. 3, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.Where: Big Spring Park, downtown HuntsvilleCost: FreeDetails: Enjoy a family-friendly fall festival with seasonal games, activities, prize giveaways, live music, fall photo-ops and food trucks. Kids can take part in carnival-style games and other activities while supplies last.
When: Saturday, Oct. 3, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.Where: Historic Downtown MadisonCost: FreeDetails: Celebrate fall at the 44th annual Madison Street Festival, featuring hundreds of vendors, local businesses, artists, live entertainment, performing arts, food, community organizations and interactive areas for children and teens. A kickoff parade begins at 9 a.m. on Church Street, followed by opening ceremonies.
When: Oct. 16-17; Friday at 4 p.m., Saturday at 11 a.m.Where: MidCity District festival lot along Old Monrovia Road, HuntsvilleCost: $20 weekend pass; $10 single-day pass in advance; higher prices at the gate; children 12 and younger are freeDetails: The fourth annual festival features more than 40 competitive barbecue teams, live music, local vendors and family activities. Guests can sample barbecue through People’s Choice competitions featuring chicken wings Friday at 6 p.m. and pulled pork Saturday at 2 p.m. More than $2,000 will be awarded to the Grand Champion, and the festival also includes a children’s Pigpen area.
Free Fall Fest at Straight to Ale
When: Saturday, Oct. 17, 3-9 p.m.Where: Butler Green at Straight to Ale, 2610 Clinton Ave. W., HuntsvilleCost: FreeDetails: Enjoy an all-ages fall celebration with Trunk or Treat, costume contests, crafts, games, pumpkin painting, photo ops and live music from Musicology bands. The costume contest begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by the best-decorated Trunk or Treat vehicle contest at 7 p.m. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.
Punkin’ Pickin’ Extravaganza
When: Saturday, Oct. 24; departures at 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.Where: North Alabama Railroad Museum, HuntsvilleCost: $22.70-$28.38Details: Climb aboard for a fall-themed railroad adventure at the annual Punkin’ Pickin’ Extravaganza. Multiple departure times are available throughout the day, with tickets available for each train ride.
When: Saturday, Oct. 24, 3-5 p.m.Where: Hampton Cove Dunkin’, 6511 Highway 431 S., Hampton CoveDetails: Southern Food Services is hosting its fifth annual Dunkin’ Trunkin’ event, featuring candy, games and Halloween fun. All proceeds will benefit the Joy Foundation.
Sand Mountain Park Fall Festival
When: Saturday, Oct. 24, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.Where: Sand Mountain Park & Amphitheater, AlbertvilleCost: Free admission; car show registration is $20. Pageant and vendor registration details are available through the event organizer.Details: Sand Mountain Park’s Fall Festival will feature the second annual Miss Sand Mountain Scholarship Pageant for ages 0-21, the first Sand Mountain Car Show, local vendors, food trucks and family-friendly activities. The car show welcomes all makes and models, including classic cars, trucks, Jeeps and motorcycles.
Pumpkinpalooza Fall Festival
When: Wednesday, Oct. 28, 6-8 p.m.Where: Community Fellowship Baptist Church (CFBC)Details: Community Fellowship Baptist Church and Chaffee Elementary are hosting their annual Pumpkinpalooza Fall Festival. Families can enjoy food, games, inflatables, trunk-or-treat and other fall activities.
Crater’s Grove Fall Festival
When: Saturday, Oct. 31, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.Where: 1392 Carter Grove Road, Hazel GreenDetails: Celebrate fall at Crater’s Grove Fall Festival.
Downtown Madison’s Fall Festival
When: Saturday, Oct. 31, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.Where: Home Place Park, 100 Shorter St., MadisonCost: FreeDetails: Celebrate Halloween morning with Main Street Madison at its first-ever Downtown Fall Festival. The nostalgic, 1980s-style event will feature classic carnival games, a bounce house, local food trucks and community booths.
This list highlights some of the top fall festivals across North Alabama and southern Tennessee. We’ll continue updating the guide throughout the season as more events are announced.
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