2014 Fall Festivals & Special Events

Nothing quite says fall to us here at Rocket City Mom like a caramel apple, a little kettle corn, and a pumpkin carving contest or two. You’re sure to find all that and a whole lot more in this long list of area fall festivals, carnivals and special events. Do you know of one we missed? We’d love to add it, just send us a note at [email protected] and be sure to include the information listed here (e.g. Date/Time, Cost, URL, Location).

To get the full 411 about all that is happening in and around the Tennessee Valley this fall including information on Fall Break Camps, Trick/Trunk or Treating options, Halloween Parties, and more why not mosey on over to the full 2014 Fall Activity Guide. Then be sure to share the scoop with your friends so you’ll see familiar faces when you are out and about this fall season.

Riverfest

The  20th annual Riverfest will include a barbecue competition along with a variety of food vendors, live music and children’s activities. Proceeds from Riverfest will benefit charities in Decatur and Morgan County.

Date/Time: Sept. 19-20
Cost: $30 Weekend/ $20 per day (10 and under FREE)
Location: Ingalls Harbor, Decatur (map)
More Info: Website or Facebook

Hartselle Depot Days

Hartselle, AL, is celebrating it’s 34th Annual Depot Days Festival this year and this is town that celebrates come rain or shine! Start the day with the Hartselle Kiwanis Club 2nd Annual Hartselle Half Marathon. Then enjoy the Adult Art Show, Children’s Art Show, Crafts, Tractor & Gasoline Engine Show, Live Entertainment, Children’s Area, Food and much more! You definitely don’t want to miss The Great Bank Robbery re-enactment by the College Street Players (held at the Hartselle Fine Arts Center at 10AM, 2 PM & 5:30PM.

Date/Time: Sept. 20
Cost: FREE
Location: Downtown Hartselle, AL (map)
More Info: Website

Eva Frontier Days

This week long celebration of Eva, AL history and community kicks off with Miss Eva Frontier Days pageant and includes a bluegrass festival, the worlds largest hayride (Tuesday, Sept. 23), community signing (Thursday, Sept.25) and concludes with “The Big Day” on Saturday, September 27th. Activities on the 27th include an antique tractor show and car show, parade at 11am, craft show, baking contest and live entertainment. On this day there will also be a pig calling contest, frog jumping contest and pig chase!  Games for all ages, Food Vendors and Much More! 

Date/Time: Sept. 20-27
Cost: Varies although many activities are FREE
Location: Eva, AL (map)
More Info: Website | Facebook

Athens Grease Festival

Named one of nine “oddest festivals in Alabama” by al.com, this celebration of all things fried will include food, music, children’s art activities and a mechanical bull. Live music will include several local favorites like Kush and Microwave Dave and the Nukes. Toga wearing is encouraged as organizers are attempting to set a record this year for the Worlds Largest Toga Party.

Date/Time: Sept. 27 | 11AM-6:30PM
Cost: $5/$3 (ages 3-12); $1 off for toga wearers
Location: The Square in Athens, AL (map)
More Info: Website | Facebook

Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention

Bring the family and enjoy a uniquely American experience whose roots are buried deep in the Appalachian mountains and beyond. It’s a musical and cultural experience that will thrust you into a simpler time where families were bound by the music they created and the stories they told. 

Date/Time: Oct. 3 & 4
Cost: $8/Fri; $10/Sat or $15 for both (under 12 free)
Location: Athens, AL (map)
More Info: Website

Boaz Harvest Festival

Come join the fall fun in beautiful, historic downtown Boaz. This is the 50th celebration of Boaz’s harvest festival and the organizers have some special treats planned to celebrate. Bring the kids and enjoy the children’s area with fun for all ages. The antique car show and harvest moon 5K are just some of the activities this year.

Date/Time: Oct. 3 & 4 | 8AM-6PM
Cost: Free
Location: Downtown Boaz (map)
More Info: Website

Cullman Ocktoberfest

Where German Heritage is greeted with a Southern Style! 8 days of traditional German Music, food, dancing, Classic car show, arts & crafts, Hundfest, Bratwurst Eating contest, Miss Oktoberfest, the Burgermeister Ball, Stein Hoisting contest and our very own Cullman Comnunity Lion’s Club Bed Race are just a few events that you can enjoy while visiting our Craft Beer Garden located in our entertainment district. Authentic German Dinners hosted throughout our downtown, along with guided walking tours, shopping, music and fun, bring Cullman’s German History to life! 1st Saturday through the 2nd Saturday of October!

Date/Time: Oct. 4 – 11
Cost: Most events are FREE
Location: 211 Second Ave NE, Cullman (map)
More Info: Website | Facebook | Schedule

Madison Street Festival

The day kicks off with a parade at 9:00 AM. This festival has grown into one of the largest in North Alabama and if last year is any indication, you can expect a pretty large crowd. But there is more than enough to do and thanks to generous support from the local community, almost all of it is entirely FREE including everything at the children’s section (pony rides, games, crafts and more). Live music, arts & crafts, performances, and food!

Date/Time: Oct. 4 from 9AM-5PM
Cost: FREE
Location: Downtown Madison, AL (map)
Website: www.madisonstreetfestival.org

Fabulous Fall Festival (Huntsville Botanical Garden)

The Garden invites you to join them for an afternoon of apple bobbing, Cornhole and fall-themed crafts. Face painters and music will add to the fun. Enjoy hayrides from 11 am – 3 pm or visit the Petting Zoo to see your favorite animals. Petting Zoo, $2 in addition to admission

Date/Time: Wednesday, Oct. 8 from 11AM-3PM
Cost: FREE with membership or admission
Location: 4747 Bob Wallace Avenue (map)
More Info: Website

Downtown Huntsville Pop-Up Parks

Move out the cars and bring in the people. Downtown Huntsville Inc. is bringing back last year’s popular Pop-Up Park competition and the winners are Huntsville residents. This competition between local small businesses will judge who can create the best “park” that’s small enough to fit inside a standard parking space. All parks will be set up between historic Courthouse Square and Washington Street.

Date(s): Oct. 16-26
Cost: FREE
Location: Downtown Huntsville (map)
More Info: Website | Facebook

Rogersville Fall Festival

This annual festival in downtown Rogersville is fun for the whole family and boasts an annual antique car & truck show, a swap meet, a chili cook-off, art show, craft booths, a children’s costume parade, a pet’s costume parade, live music, a kiddie tractor pull and more.

Date/Time: Oct. 18 from 9AM to 2PM
Cost: FREE
Location: Downtown Rogersville, AL (map)
Website: www.rogersvillealabama.com

Rocket City NerdCon

Rocket City NerdCon 2014 is a two-day convention for individuals to celebrate all things nerdy. NerdCon will feature programs for all ages and vendors. The idea behind this event is to create a local convention similar to other fan and industry conventions around the country right here in one of the smartest places in the South. Rather than limit ourselves to a particular group or genre, we are seeking to include as many different representations of fan communities as possible. Basically, if people can geek out about it, we want to celebrate it.

Date/Time: Friday, October 24 (4-10pm) and Saturday, October 25 (9am-5pm)
Cost: $15
Location: Huntsville Public Library (map)
Website: Website | NerdCon on Facebook

Alabama Renaissance Faire

The Alabama Renaissance Faire is a non-profit community event celebrating the history and culture of the Renaissance in Europe. It is run solely by volunteers and serves the community through education and entertainment. The opening ceremony at 12:30PM on Saturday will include speeches and a parade around the faire site concluding with the current King and Queen holding court.

Date/Time: Oct. 25 & 26 | 10-6PM & 12-6PM
Cost: Free
Location: Wilson Park, Florence, AL (map)
More Info: Website

St. Mark’s Fall Festival

All ages are welcome for this family friendly day of fun, games, face painting, and of course – candy! Come in costume and enjoy everything from apple bobbing, pumpkin pounding, cake walk, to hotdogs and popcorn.

Date/Time: Oct. 25 from 10AM-1PM
Cost: FREE
Location: 200 Longwood Drive, Huntsville (map)
More Info: Call 256-539-4361 or Website

International Heritage Festival @ Burritt

This annual festival will include cultures from many different countries, Native Americans and early settlers. This is an opportunity for your family to experience diverse cultures through music, dance, food, crafts, and history. Activities include shows by ethnic dancers, musicians, and crafts, artifacts and displays from different countries. International foods will be sold for lunch from 12:00-2:00.

Date/Time: Oct. 25 | 10AM-4PM
Cost: General Admission
Location: Burritt on the Mountain (map)
More Info: Website | Facebook

Hampton Cove Elementary  Fall Festival

Carnival games with prizes; craft and vendor booths; food, popcorn, snowballs, and drinks; inflatables; silent auction. All ages welcome!

Date/Time: Nov. 1 from 10AM-2PM
Cost: $5 per child (adults and children 3 and under free).
Address: 261 Old Hwy 431, Owens Cross Roads, AL (map)
Information: [email protected] or [email protected]

Blossomwood Elementary Fall Festival

Fun for the whole family! Activities include inflatables, facepainting, bake sale and art sale. All monies raised go toward improving the school.

Date/Time: Nov. 1 from 10AM-1PM
Cost: TBD
Location: 1321 Woodmont Ave, Huntsville (map)
More Info: Call 256-417-2790 

Dia De Los Muertos at Lowe Mill

Join Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment for our yearly celebration of Dia De Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. Dia De Los Muertos is a traditional holiday in Mexico bringing family and friends together to celebrates the lives of passed loved ones. We will be carrying this celebration throughout the entire Lowe Mill community with a variety of activities that bring the color, flavor, and folk roots of Dia De Los Muertos to light.

Date/Time: Nov. 1 from 12-8PM
Location: Flying Monkey Theater, 2nd floor at Lowe Mill (map)
Cost: FREE
Website | Facebook

Hilltop Arts Festival

This festival has a large variety of art forms for viewing and for sale. All items will be locally handmade/ hand painted arts and crafts by members of the Tennessee Valley. Local musical acts will perform during the day to entertain the crowd.

Date/Time: Nov. 1 from 9AM-6PM
Location: Elkmont, AL (map)
Cost: FREE
Website