Fall has arrived in Alabama. That means a wealth of fairs and festivals are planned throughout the state, offering everything from German beer to eco-friendly art. Here are 46 events that made our must-see list, all happening from late September through mid-November.
What: Celebration of German heritage and culture, with food, beer, music, dancing, wiener dog race, 5K and 10K runs and more.
When: Sept. 30-Oct. 2.
Where: 211 2nd Ave Northeast, Cullman.
Admission: Most events free, check festival website for more info.
TENNESSEE VALLEY OLD TIME FIDDLERS CONVENTION
What: Music competitions, performances, old-time arts and crafts. Lineup includes Volume 5 Sept. 30, Dailey & Vincent Oct. 1, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver Oct. 2.
When: Sept. 30-Oct. 2.
Where: Athens State University, Alabama Farmers Cooperative Stage near Founders Hall and other locations, 300 N Beaty St., Athens.
Tickets: Free Sept. 30, $15 daily Oct. 1-2, $20 for both days via Eventbrite.
What: Vendors, food booths, crafts tables, music, cooking contests, children’s activities and more.
When: Oct. 1-2. Hours Friday, 6 p.m.-10 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: Main Street, downtown Pinson.
Admission: Free.
ALABAMA FROG LEVEL FESTIVAL AND CRUISE-IN
What: Frog-jumping contest, music, fireworks, food vendors, crafts, cornhole tournament and classic car show.
When: Oct. 1-2
Where: Downtown Fayette, near Temple Avenue North and Second Avenue Northeast.
What: Arts & crafts, food, children’s activities, music, pumpkin contest, beauty pageant and more.
When: Oct. 1-2, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Where: Downtown Boaz, near Main Street and Bartlett Avenue.
Admission: Free.
What: Arts and crafts, music, food vendors, flea market, parade, car show and more.
When: Oct. 2, starting at 7 a.m.
Where: Downtown Sulligent, Front Street off Alabama 17.
Admission: Free for most events.
What: Parade, arts and crafts, food, inflatables, fun run and more.
When: Oct. 2, starting at 7 a.m. Parade at 10:30 a.m.
Where: 110 W. Main St., Centre.
Admission: Free.
What: Artworks by more than 150 makers, plus food vendors and children’s activities.
When: Oct. 2, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Bluff Park Community Center, 517 Cloudland Drive, Hoover.
Admission: Free.
What: Live music, food, vendors, children’s activities and more.
When: Oct. 2, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: 301 20th St. South, Irondale.
Admission: Free.
What: Live music, pizza and craft beer. Lineup features JJ Grey and Mofro, Stooges Brass Band, the Talismen and Hedonistas,
When: Oct. 2, gates open at 3 p.m., music starts at 4 p.m.
Where: Outside Slice Pizza & Brewhouse, 725 29th St. South, Birmingham.
Admission: $35 general admission, $150 VIP, free for kids age 12 and younger.
What: Music by Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Lucinda Williams, Drive-By Truckers, Candi Staton and more.
When: Oct. 2-3, doors open at 2 p.m. daily.
Where: McFarland Park, 200 James M. Spain Drive, Florence.
Admission: $108.75 two-day pass, $66 day pass, VIP two-day passes sold out.
What: Workshops, boat tours, nature walks, kayak tours and more. Full schedule here.
When: Oct. 6-9.
Where: Various locations, including Dauphin Island, Mobile-Tennsaw Delta, and Perch Creek Nature Trail Preserve.
What: Food from area restaurants and caterers, plus wine, craft beer and live music.
When: Oct. 7, 5 p.m.-8 p.m.
Where: Aldridge Gardens, 3530 Lorna Road, Hoover.
Tickets: $50, $45 for garden members.
What: Live music, street dance, car show, 5K run and more.
When: Oct. 8-9.
Where: In and around city square, Main Street, Headland.
What: Motorcycle Classics Show, swap meet, vendors, seminars, fan gatherings and more, all celebrating vintage motorcycles.
When: Oct. 8-10.
Where: Barber Motorsports Park, 6040 Barber Motorsports Parkway, Birmingham.
Tickets: $30-$60 general admission, $40 parade lap, $25 parking, available at Barber website.
What: Concerts, midway rides, food vendors, livestock exhibits, choral festival, photography, flower show, scarecrow competition and more.
When: Oct. 8-17.
Where: Alabama Agricultural Center, Garrett Coliseum, 1555 Federal Drive, Montgomery.
Tickets: $8 admission, $25 family four-pack, $20 wristbands through Sept. 30, via Ticketmaster. Admission $10 thereafter, $5 for kids ages 6-11. with a coloring sheet, lower fees on some days with specials and promotions.
What: Music, food, crafts, motorcycle ride and more.
When: Oct. 9, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: The Wharf, 23101 Canal Road, Orange Beach, in lot behind AMC cinema.
Admission: Free.
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COVERED BRIDGE ARTS & MUSIC FESTIVAL
What: Visit historic covered bridges on guided river hikes, surrounded by fall foliage. The fest includes arts and crafts, live music, food vendors and more.
When: Oct. 9, starting at 9 a.m.
Where: Downtown Oneonta, near 225 Second Ave. East.
What: Arts and crafts vendors, live entertainment, food, children’s activities and more.
When: Oct. 9-10, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: 333 E. Broad St., Eufaula.
ST. SYMEON FOOD AND CULTURE FAIR
What: Outdoor marketplace with Greek food, church tours, choir concert, iconography lecture.
When: Oct. 9, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: St. Symeon Orthodox Church, 3101 Clairmont Ave., Birmingham.
What: Celebrity appearances, vendors, panel discussions, cosplay and more. Guests include Alanna Masterson and Ryan Hurst of “The Walking Dead,” John Barrowman of “Doctor Who,” Brian Tochi of “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” movies and professional wrestler Sting.
When: Oct. 9, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Oct. 10, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex, 2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. North, Birmingham.
Admission: $30 advance, $50 weekend advance, free for kids age 10 and younger. Prices increase at door.
What: Carnival rides, games, food, a livestock show, live music, arts and crafts, a Fairest of the Fair pageant, a petting zoo and more.
When: Oct. 12-16. Gates open 5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, noon Saturday.
Where: Mac Gray Park, 1050 Martin Luther King Drive, Prattville.
Admission: $3, ride tickets extra.
What: Greek food, music, dancing and more.
When: Oct. 14-16, 10:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.
Where: Holy Trinity-Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 307 19th St. South, Birmingham.
Admission: Free admission, menu items $2-$21.
What: Drive-through event with Greek entrees, salads, desserts and more.
When: Oct. 14-17, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, noon-6 p.m. Sunday.
Where: Annunciation Greek Church, 50 S. Ann St., Mobile.
Admission: Menu items $2-$15.50, all orders taken on site.
What: Music festival with artists such as Maggie Rose, Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears, Alvin Youngblood, Lee Bains III & the Glory Fires. With food vendors, artisans and more.
When: Oct. 15-17. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. Sunday.
Where: Standard Deluxe, 1015 Mayberry, Waverly.
Tickets: $30 Friday, $60 Saturday, $100 three-day pass, free for those age 14 and younger.
What: Celebration of German history and culture with food, beer and more,
When: Oct. 15-17. Hours 3 p.m.-10 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.
Where: Uchee Creek Campground, Uchee Creek Road, Fort Mitchell.
Admission: Free.
What: Music by The War & Treaty, Shawn Mullins, Dark Water, Sarah Lee Guthrie and more.
When: Oct. 15-17.
Where: Various venues in downtown Opelika.
Admission: $125-$225 weekend pass, $59 day pass, $85 VIP Sunday pass, $25 songwriters workshop.
What: Food vendors, arts and crafts, live entertainment, car show, children’s activities and more.
When: Oct. 16, 9 am.-5 p.m.
Where: Evergreen Regional Airport, off U.S. 84 East near Pine Tree Road, Evergreen.
Admission: Free.
What: Crafts vendors, food trucks, music, children’s activities and more.
When: Oct. 16, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: Downtown Enterprise, along Main and College streets.
Tickets: Free.
What: Visual arts festival with emphasis on folk artists; includes contemporary paintings, sculpture, photography, decorative arts, crafts and more. Two music stages, demos, children’s activities, food and beverage vendors.
When: Oct. 16-17. Hours 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.
Where: Kentuck Park, 3501 Fifth St., Northport.
Admission: $10 daily, $15 weekend pass, free for kids age 12 and younger.
What: Arts and crafts show, music, food and more.
When: Oct. 16-17. Hours 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.
Where: Brow Park, 200-286 N. Cool St., Mentone.
What: More than 140 arts and crafts vendors, food, children’s activities and more.
When: Oct. 16-17, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.
Where: W.O. Lott Park, 2000 Main St., Daphne.
What: Dog-friendly activities, food trucks, vendors, hay rides, children’s activities, microchip clinic and more.
When: Oct. 17, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where: Helena Amphitheater Park, 4151 Helena Road, Helena.
Admission: $5, free for those younger than age 18.
What: Professional and amateur storytellers perform, including Donald Davis, Josh Goforth, Carmen Agra Deedy and Bill Lepp.
When: Oct. 18-23.
Where: Courthouse square, Jefferson Street near North Washington Street, Athens.
Admission: $15-$90.
HOMESTEAD HOLLOW FALL MUSIC FESTIVAL
What: Performances by Deputy 5, Shoot You Straight and Departure.
When: Oct. 23, gates open at 3 p.m. Event postponed from original date in June.
Where: 1161 Murphrees Valley Road, Springville.
Admission: $20 advance, $25 at gate, $10 children, free for kids age 2 and younger.
What: Living history festival with arts and crafts, Civil War re-enactment, corn maze, bluegrass and gospel music, hayrides and more.
When: Oct. 23-24, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Old Baker Farm, 1041 Farmingdale Road, Harpersville.
Admission: $11.
What: Celebration of culture and history of Renaissance in Europe, with vendors, music, feasting, costumes and more.
When: Oct. 23-24. Hours 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, noon-6 p.m. Sunday.
Where: Wilson Park, near North Seminary and East Tuscaloosa streets, downtown Florence.
Admission: Free.
What: Renaissance fair hosted by The Kingdom of Meridies, a region/branch of the Society for Creative Anachronism, with combat, feasting and more.
When: Oct. 29-31.
Where: Fort Gaines, 51 Bienville Blvd., Dauphin island.
Admission: $20 per day, $25 weekend.
What: More than 30 re-enactors showcasing life in the early 1800s. Demos have included syrup making, butter churning, flint knapping, basket making, storytelling, horse shoeing and salt making. There’s also live music, a petting zoo, campfire cooking, old-time games and an antique car show.
When: Oct. 30.
Where: Clarke County Historical Museum, 116 W. Cobb St., Grove Hill.
Admission: Free.
FALL OUTDOOR CASCADING CHRYSANTHEMUMS
What: Hundreds of colorful, four-foot-long cascades of chrysanthemums are displayed on bridges and balconies and in baskets and containers throughout the gardens.
When: November.
Where: Bellingrath Gardens and Home, 12401 Bellingrath Gardens Road, Theodore.
Admission: $8-$22.
FRANK BROWN INTERNATIONAL SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL
What: Veterans and newcomers perform original songs at several venues on the Gulf Coast. Festival is dedicated to longtime night watchman at the Flora-Bama.
When: Nov. 4-14.
Where: Nightclubs and restaurants in Orange Beach Pensacola, Gulf Shores, Perdido Key and more.
What: Live music, traditional craft demos, food, arts and crafts vendors and more.
When: Nov. 5, starting at 6 p.m.; Nov. 6, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: Burritt on the Mountain, 3101 Burritt Drive Southeast, Huntsville
Admission: $8-$35 weekend pass, $8-$12 Saturday.
MUSCLE SHOALS SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL
What: Music by John Paul White, Walker Hayes, the LeBlanc Family, Anthony Smith and more.
When: Nov. 5-6.
Where: Various venues in the Shoals. See the full schedule here.
Admission: $189-$220 advance weekend pass.
What: Food (including the event’s famed pecan pies), carnival rides, music, crafts, contests, children’s activities and more.
When: Nov. 5-7. Gates open at 5 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Where: W.C. Griggs Elementary School, 5055 Carol Plantation Road, Mobile.
Admission: Free.
What: “Peanut Capital of the World” celebrates with food, carnival rides, animal attractions, agricultural displays, concerts, livestock shows, pageants, a parade and more.
When: Nov. 5-14.
Where: Fairgrounds at 5622 U.S. 231 South, Dothan.
Tickets: $6-$50 gate admission, $10-$20 seating at amphitheater concerts, ride armbands extra.
What: Artworks, live music, beer garden, food vendors, tips for environmental living and more.
When: Nov. 6-7. Hours are Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: Hoover Met Complex, 5500 Stadium Trace Parkway, Hoover.
Admission: $10 daily advance, $12 daily at gate, free for those age 15 and younger. Beer garden tickets (including festival entry) $30 advance, $40 at gate.
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