Weekend Roundup July 16-19

It looks like another beautiful summer weekend in Huntsville!

Every Thursday we like to list our top picks for free or cheap family friendly fun that’s happening in Huntsville – sometimes we even expand it out to North Alabama when something big is taking place.

This weekend you can jam to some amazing live music, mingle with superheroes, watch a free movie, and more. Don’t forget to take a look at our extensive list of Farmer’s Markets to load up on the freshest Alabama produce, and check out our full Event Calendar for even more fun!

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Madison Gazebo Concert

Thursday from 6:30-8:30
Cost: FREE
Downtown Madison (map)

For those of you in Madison, or those who just prefer a smaller event, this free concert series is hosted by the Madison Arts Council and held every Thursday in the summertime. There will be free face painting, balloons, lemonade and cookies for the little ones and while you are welcome to bring your own picnic, there will also be food vendors on hand if you don’t want the hassle. Check out our RCM Review for more details on what to expect.

WC Handy Music Fest in Florence

All Weekend
Cost: FREE admission
Florence, AL (map)

This 10-day long series of primarily music events occurs in and around the Shoals and honors William Christopher “W.C.” Handy. The Festival is presented by the Music Preservation Society and is intended as part of the Music Preservation Society effort to preserve, promote, and present the musical heritage of the Shoals in Northwest Alabama. There are many events designed specifically with children in mind, such as ABC’s of Blues, Jazz & Beyond; Kidz Jamm; GeoBlues; End of Summer Reading Program; Blues-N-Bread Pudding; Musical Jazz Spelling Bee; events at the Children’s Museum and libraries; and the Youth Conference. Many events are FREE or cheap ($5 or less).

Catch a Movie Outdoors

Friday at 7:30 PM
Cost: FREE admission
Providence Park, Huntsville (map) | Dublin Park, Madison (map)

There are TWO opportunities to see a free summer movie under the stars tonight!

Minion fans will love that Providence Park is showing Despicable Me – lawn chairs & blankets are welcome, as well as friendly & leashed pets. Pick up a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants along the park perimeter.

The City of Madison is hosting a Sunset Cinema night and showing Big Hero Six. You bring your family, friends, blankets and chairs and we they will bring the movie. They’ll also have some great treats available for purchase: Pizza, Popcorn, Candy and More!

Summer Superhero Sendoff

Saturday from Noon-4
Cost: FREE
Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment (map)

Grab your capes – the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library is hosting the “Superhero Sendoff” to celebrate the close of the Summer Reading program and Rocket City Mom is sponsoring it! Come dressed as your favorite hero and enjoy food from the Hot Box Food Truck and Brain Freeze, crafts, games and much more. A Grand prize will be a Superhero camping gear set, complete with a Garden Family Campout gift certificate at the Huntsville Botanical Gardens. Wow! Parties will be present with real superheroes, so bring your cameras, too! More info.

 

Do Some Serious Star-Gazing

Saturday at 7:30 PM
Cost: $5 for Adults, $3 for Students, and free for children under 6, as well as VBAS members
VBAS Planetarium (map)

All this talk about Pluto makes us want to observe the heavens a bit more closely! If you’ve never visited the VBAS PLanetarium, this is a great night to go – tonight is all about Summer Stars. Tour the stars of the summer sky and the Milky Way and learn of how man discovered the true nature of this swirling mass of stars, gas and dust. Weather permitting, you will have the opportunity to look at some of the wonders of the universe using VBAS telescopes following the planetarium program with the help of an experienced and knowledgeable observing crew.
Read the RCM review here.

 

Aladdin Jr.

July 17-19, 24, & 25
Cost: $10-$15
Thurber Arts Center (map) 4905 Garth Road, Huntsville, AL

Come soar with the Huntsville Community Chorus Association as they present Disney’s “Aladdin, Jr.” with an all-youth cast full of Huntsville talent! All of your favorite characters from the movie will be there — Aladdin, Jasmine, the Genie, Iago, Jafar and more! It’s a musical adventure filled with magic, mayhem, and flying carpet rides—plus the songs you’ve come to know and love. For tickets or more info: 256-533-6606; [email protected]. More info here.

[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 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]