Oh my goodness! We here at RCM long ago did away with only choosing 5 things or even 10 because every week there was just too much good stuff to narrow it down, but this is getting ridiculous. As always, we’ve tried to pull out what look like the highlights this weekend but, to be honest, you might just want to hop on over to the Event Calendar and check out EVERYTHING.

Like even with this awesome list we don’t mention all the incredible Farmer’s Markets happening on Saturday, we’re especially enamored of RCM sponsor Village of Providence’s Artisan Market. There’s also great live theatre offerings from Academy for Academics and Arts (AAA), Huntsville High, and Theatre Huntsville and, of course, the numerous consignment sales taking place including long-time RCM supporter Kids’ Kloset (say “hi” from us when you go).

Did you miss the release of or 2016 Fall Activity Guide? Oh, yeah. There’s all that too. 🙂

There’s a lot going on in the Rocket City is what I’m saying. Just one of the many reasons #iHeartHSV.

Free & Cheap Events

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Free Music

Thursday, Friday, and Saturday
Music is most definitely in the air this weekend and it’s all free. Some of these events are strictly concerts and some include delicious food and/or other entertainment, but music brings it all together.

• Acoustic Squared – Thursday from 5-8PM
• Sidewalk Vinyl Jams – Thursday from 5-7PM
• 3rd Friday (Decatur) – Friday from 5:30-9PM
• Concerts on the Dock – Friday from 6-9PM
• Sept Street Food Gathering – Friday from 5-9PM
• Encore Piano Studio Student Concert – Saturday from 4-5PM

7th Annual North AL International Festival

Saturday from 9:30AM – 5PM
Cost: FREE
UAH Fitness Center | More Info
This popular festival includes international cuisine, a countries exhibition, children’s activities, live music, and an open air market. In other words, it’s the bees’ knees!

Depot Days in Hartselle

Saturday
Cost: FREE
Downtown Hartselle | More Info
Now in it’s 36th year, this festival starts off  with the Hartselle Kiwanis Club 3rd annual Half Marathon. Downtown you will find the Adult Art Show, Children’s Art Show, Crafts, Tractor & Gasoline Engine Show, Live Entertainment, Car, Truck & Bike Show, Children’s Area, Food and so much more!

Art All Around

Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Cost: FREE
Various Locations
This town, at least for this weekend, is literally dripping in art. The Monte Sano Art Festival and the NEACA Fall Craft Show are happening this weekend so you can get your art shop on and if actually creating art is more your wheelhouse then you can try the Drop in and Create event at the Huntsville Museum of Art on Saturday or the Zentangle Mini-Art-Take event sponsored by the Art Cart at Lowe Mill.  Both are free and both are perfect for kids.

Big Truck Event at Monrovia Library

Saturday 9-11AM (Raindate of Sat. Sept 24)
Cost: FREE
Monrovia Library Parking Lot | More Info
Ice cream and puppies. That’s about all I can think of that little kids like MORE than real-live big trucks. Getting up close and personal with said trucks, might top them all. Luckily for you, the Friends (nah, geniuses) of the Monrovia Library have put together this special event so your littles can climb and admire to their hearts content. While it’s all totally free, donations are gratefully accepted (hint, hint). Bring a couple bucks would ya?

Open House at The Little Gym of Huntsville

Saturday 3-6:30PM
Cost: FREE
The Little Gym (South Memorial Pkwy)| More Info

Our friends over at The Little Gym (TLG) are opening their doors to the public for some Serious Fun including gymnastics based games and activities and prizes! Children ages 4months to 3 years are welcome between the hours of 3:00pm – 4:00pm. All ages up to 12 years are welcome between the hours of 4:30pm and 6:30pm. Parents should plan to stay with their child while at the gym. For more info please call 256.883.9484 or visit their Facebook event.

Worth the Money

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Fall Carnival at Monrovia Middle School

Friday from 5-9PM
Cost: $2 entrance PLUS ride tickets
Monrovia Middle School | More Info
Monrovia is hopping this weekend and here’s another reason why. This is one of the first Fall carnivals of the season and it looks super fun! In addition to rides, bounce houses, and various carnival games, there is something called a Hawk’s Nest which is specifically geared toward younger kids and provided by community sponsors. So…fun for the whole family and supports a great cause.

Oktoberfest

Thursday – Sunday
Cost: $14-16
MWR Activity Field| More Info
Certainly not free but it’s a staple of the fall season in North AL, this Oktoberfest held in mid-September is sure to provide fun for everyone in the family although it’s our personal opinion that those over 30″ might have a tad bit MORE fun (under that and you can’t ride any rides which might hinder the fun factor). Still, even if you’re a shortie there are lots of activities and games to enjoy. Heads Up: The only littles getting in free will be those who can’t walk. 

Pinkalicious Pancake Fundraiser for FPCT

Saturday at 7-9:30AM
Cost: $6
Applebees on S. Parkway| More Info
Fans of pancakes? Pinkalicious? Doctor Osborn? Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater and Academy? All 4?  Have we got the morning for you! This annual pancake breakfast is a fundraiser for FPCT and this year there is a Pinkalicious theme! The Pink Lady herself will be on hand to greet guests, and Magician Doctor Osborn will supply colorful balloon magic. There will also be a variety of pink themed activities for the kids and a chance to win great prizes.

Monarch Tag & Release

Saturday at 10AM and 11AM
Cost: $6.50 – $8
Huntsville Botanical Garden | More Info

Monarch butterflies migrate through Huntsville from September to mid-October every year on their incredible journey from Canada to Mexico where they will roost over the winter months. Join HSVBG Saturday for a presentation about migrating Monarch butterflies and the lifetime experience of tagging and releasing a live butterfly! Must register in advance.

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2016 Fall Activity Guide
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[box style=”lavender rounded” ]DISCLAIMER: We do our best at Rocket City Mom to provide accurate, useful information about events and activities. This information (such as times and locations) is gathered from user submissions, press releases, local newspapers, signs around town and word of mouth. While we always try to confirm details in the Huntsville Weekend Roundup before they are posted here, sometimes details change or we are given inaccurate information. Whenever possible we link our write-ups to the source in which our information came from and strongly urge you to confirm details before you go, especially when it comes to outdoor events and weather. [/box]