There are two months in the year when festivals are the most popular in North Alabama. One is May because it’s finally warming up. September is the other because it is finally cooling down. As the temps dip down below scorching, make plans to attend some or all of these fun North Alabama festivals to celebrate the arrival of fall.
Art Sunday
If you love finding one-of-a-kind art and handmade treasures, make plans to spend your Sunday in Scottsboro! 🎨 The 53rd annual Art Sunday returns to King Caldwell Park on September 6, bringing together more than 100 artists and makers from Alabama and across the Southeast. Spend the day browsing everything from fine art to handcrafted goods, then take a break for some tasty food and live entertainment. There’s plenty for the kids, too, with balloon art, face painting, woodworking and other hands-on activities throughout the park. Art Sunday runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine, and admission is just $3 for adults, $2 for school-age children and free for ages 5 and under. It’s an easy, affordable way to spend a fall Sunday exploring Scottsboro!
Oka Kapassa
Experience the rich Native American heritage of North Alabama at the 24th annual Oka Kapassa: Return to Coldwater Native American Festival, September 11-12 in downtown Tuscumbia. The weekend begins Friday evening with Native artisans, storytelling and music, followed by a full day of festivities Saturday at Spring Park. Watch traditional and fancy dancing and hoop dancing, listen to Native music and stories, meet talented artisans and try your hand at cultural activities and living history demonstrations. And definitely come hungry! You’ll find traditional foods like buffalo stew, fry bread, Indian tacos, roasted corn and more. Admission is free, so bring the family and spend the day learning, experiencing and celebrating the Native American cultures that are an important part of North Alabama’s story.
Monte Sano Art Festival
Art, mountain views and an early fall weekend at Monte Sano—sounds like a pretty great combination! The Monte Sano Art Festival returns to Monte Sano State Park in Huntsville September 19-20, bringing talented artists and makers together in one of North Alabama’s most beautiful outdoor settings. Spend the day browsing original artwork and handcrafted pieces while enjoying the fresh mountain air and scenery of the park. If you love art, or just need an excuse for a day on the mountain, add this one to your September plans!
Blount County Fair
Nothing says fall quite like a trip to the county fair! The Blount County Fair returns to Cleveland September 15-19 with five days of carnival rides, midway games, fair food and plenty of family fun. You can also catch livestock shows, youth agricultural activities, the second annual horse show and the always entertaining Show Me Swine Racers, performing twice each night. Daily admission is just $5 per person and free for ages 5 and under, so round up the family and enjoy a classic North Alabama fall tradition!
Trail of Tears Commemorative Motorcycle Ride
Thousands of motorcyclists will make their way across North Alabama for the 33rd annual Trail of Tears Commemorative Motorcycle Ride®, September 18-22. More than a motorcycle ride, this annual event serves as a powerful remembrance of the Native American people who were forcibly removed from their ancestral homelands. The commemorative ride takes place September 19, traveling from Bridgeport along U.S. Highway 72 to Waterloo, following part of the historic Trail of Tears route. Visitors can also experience a kickoff rally in Bridgeport and an Indian Festival in Waterloo featuring a memorial walk, living history, exhibits, music and dancing. It’s a moving North Alabama tradition that brings thousands together to remember, honor and learn about this important chapter of American history.
Alabama Wine Festival: Wine & Dine in the Gardens
Wine, an incredible dinner and fireworks over Noccalula Falls? That sounds like a pretty amazing evening! The sixth annual Alabama Wine Festival: Wine & Dine in the Gardens returns to Noccalula Falls Park in Gadsden September 18-19. Choose either Friday or Saturday night and enjoy a five-course, chef-curated dinner paired with Alabama wines, along with live acoustic music, bourbon tastings, live art and other experiences throughout the gardens. The evening ends with a spectacular fireworks display over Noccalula Falls. Tickets are $125 per person and advance reservations are required, so grab your favorite wine-loving friend and make a night of it!
Hartselle Depot Days
All aboard for one of Hartselle’s favorite fall traditions! The 46th annual Depot Days Festival takes over historic downtown Hartselle on September 19 for a full day of family-friendly fun celebrating the city’s railroad heritage. Browse handmade crafts and local art, grab something delicious from the food vendors and food trucks, check out the car show, enjoy live entertainment and let the little ones have some fun at the Kids Station. The festival runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and admission is free, so come spend the day exploring downtown Hartselle!
Mule Day
Get ready for a North Alabama tradition that’s been celebrating rural life for more than 50 years! Mule Day returns to downtown Winfield September 25-26 with two days of free family fun celebrating the town’s agricultural heritage. Browse arts and crafts, flea market and food vendors, enjoy live music, check out the car show and antique tractors, or join in the 5K and fun run. And, of course, you can’t have Mule Day without the main event—the Saturday parade featuring mules, horses, jacks and jennies making their way through downtown! Admission is free, so come see why this longtime tradition attracts thousands of visitors to Winfield each year.
Red Bay Founder’s Fest
The North Alabama town of Red Bay presents its annual Founder’s Fest Saturday, September 28, 2024, and everyone is invited to celebrate the town’s heritage with a day of free family fun. Founder’s Fest is situated under the shade trees of Bay Tree Park offering an escape to September’s warm temperatures as festivalgoers enjoy arts and crafts, contests, sidewalk sales and live music.
Founder’s Fest gets underway at 8:00 a.m. with the King and Queen’s Train Ride of the winners of the previously held beauty pageant. At 9 a.m., live music cranks up and festival goers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and picnic blankets and enjoy the sounds. A contest to see who has the best fried pie entries with the best tasting, most unusual and best of show taking home a cash prize, and there will be quilt, coloring and photography contests for participants to take part in.
Additional activities include arts and crafts and an antique car-truck-motorcycle-tractor show. The Red Bay Museum will be open for tours and Weatherford Library will host a book sale and will have entries for the quilt, photo and coloring contests on display. Many merchants will offer sidewalk sales, specials and door prizes throughout the day. A variety of festival food will be available, and another crowd favorite are the giveaways to be presented. Prizes will be awarded to the largest family, longest distance traveled to the event, and youngest and oldest attendees.
Bay Tree Park is located between 2nd and 3rd streets, along 4th Avenue SE in downtown Red Bay. Festival hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission is free. For more information on the festival or to register as a vendor, contact Jennifer Garrett at Red Bay City Hall at (256) 356-4473 ext. 3. For the latest updates, follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RedBayAlabama/.
Eva Frontier Days
Get ready for some good old-fashioned fun in the town of Eva! Eva Frontier Days returns September 21-26, 2026, with the kind of activities you just don’t see every day. From a community hayride and live music to a parade, antique tractors and cars, arts and crafts, and plenty of food, there’s something for the whole family. And you definitely don’t want to miss the festival’s famous pig-calling contest, frog-jumping contest and greased pig chase! It’s a longtime North Alabama tradition filled with small-town charm and plenty of fun.
Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention
If you love bluegrass and old-time music, you’ll want to be in Athens this fall! The 59th annual Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention returns to Athens State University September 30-October 3, bringing thousands of musicians and music lovers together for one of North Alabama’s most beloved traditions. Known as the “Granddaddy of Midsouth Fiddlers Conventions,” the four-day event features old-time music competitions, around 150 arts and crafts vendors, plenty of food and concerts from The Larry Sparks Show, Dale Ann Bradley, The Isaacs and The Del McCoury Band. Stick around to see who takes home the title of Alabama State Fiddle Champion! And while you’re there, don’t forget – the Fiddlers Convention is also a stop on the Music Trail of North Alabama, so be sure to check in!
