Anne of Green Gables said, “I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” So are we, Anne.
October has a different feel to it: crisp air, colorful foliage, pumpkins, festivals, and the list goes on. It also has a spooky edge to it as well, and there are several haunted walking tours across the region that tell of the paranormal activity in north Alabama. Here are several North Alabama October events you don’t want to miss:
McGee Farm Pumpkin Patch
Fall fun is waiting at McGee Farm Pumpkin Patch in Florence! 🎃 The family farm is celebrating its 30th season of welcoming visitors to the pumpkin patch, open September 26-October 31. Pick the perfect pumpkin straight from the vine or choose from more than 25 varieties of pre-picked pumpkins, then stick around for a tractor-drawn wagon ride, farm animals, hay play, the jumping pillow and plenty of country scenery. And come hungry! The Kitchen at McGee Farm serves up home-cooked favorites, soups, cornbread, homemade treats, pies and more. Admission to shop at the farm and visit the kitchen is free, with pumpkin patch activities available à la carte. It’s a great way to spend a fall day on the farm in North Alabama!
West Blount Corn Maze
Get ready to get lost in the best way possible! 🌽🍂 The West Blount Corn Maze in Warrior returns for another season of fall fun, open weekends October 3-31.
The centerpiece of the experience is a three-mile corn maze, but there’s plenty more to keep the whole family entertained. General admission includes a hayride to the maze along with access to the corn maze and other farm activities. Upgrade to an Adventure Ticket for unlimited rides on the barrel train and zip lines, plus two shots on the corn cannon!
On October 10 and 24, plan a little extra time for Market at the Maze, featuring arts and crafts vendors and food trucks from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It’s a great chance to shop, grab something to eat and enjoy even more time on the farm.
📅 Weekends | October 3-31
⏰ Fridays: 4-10pm | Saturdays: 10am-10pm | Sundays: 1-6pm
📍 2543 Rock Springs Road | Warrior
🎟️ General Admission: $10 | Adventure Ticket: $15 | Ages 3 & under FREE
Whether you’re navigating the corn maze, taking a hayride or testing your aim with the corn cannon, West Blount Corn Maze is a fun way to spend a crisp fall day with family and friends in North Alabama! 🎃🌽
Hidden Rivers Farm Pumpkin Patch
Picking the perfect pumpkin, getting lost in a maze and experience a bit of farm life are just a few of the activities lined up when you visit Hidden Rivers Farm. This fall, take the family to visit Hidden Rivers Farm located in Hartselle. for a bounty of fun. The family-owned farm is open the public on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through October and offers a variety of activities for people of all ages to enjoy. Activities include a themed maze, animal encounters, pony rides, a corn pit and new for this year are hiking through nature trails and climbing a tire mountain. Visitors to the farm can also take a piece of autumn home by picking their very own pumpkin from the pumpkin patch. For football fans, there will be a tailgate tent with two televisions, cornhole and seating areas, making it the perfect place to enjoy a day of tailgating while the kids play in a safe area. There will also be food trucks and grills available to rent.
Hours of operation are: Fridays 4-8pm and Saturdays and Sundays 10am-7pm. Hidden Rivers Farm is located at 295 Goose Pond Road in Hartselle.
Cornutt Farms
For those in search of pumpkins or an amazing display of beautiful blooms, Cornutt Farms has both. The working crop and cattle farm in Boaz welcomes the public to its pumpkin and sunflower patch every Saturday through October.
This year, Cornutt Farms is combining the sunflower patch with their 15-acre pumpkin patch. Visitors are able to pick their own home-grown pumpkin straight off the vine and pick the most beautiful sunflower in the field. The fields will be full of sunflowers to enjoy and offer picturesque backgrounds for family photos. Along with picking pumpkins from the pumpkin patch and enjoying the beauty of the sunflower field, there will be on-the-farm activities for everyone to experience. For more information, visit www.cornuttfarms.com or call 256-572-6347.
Dare to GoFAR at GoFAR USA Park
Dare to take a hayride into the Haunted Forest at GoFAR USA Park! Hang out around the campfires and enjoy some s’mores, watch a movie on the big screen, climb the rock wall and shoot some paintballs. Fridays and Saturdays in October. Gates open at 6pm, hayrides are from 7pm to 10pm. Last ride departs at 9:30pm.
Athens Haunt Walks
In celebration of Halloween, Athens-Limestone County Tourism is offering haunted walking tours next month giving visitors and locals a chance to explore the town by night. Held every Tuesday and Thursday night in October, the Athens Haunts Walks takes guests on a spooky 90 minute walking tour that uncovers paranormal activity, ghoulish legends and hauntings in the historic downtown area.
During Athens Haunts Walk, experienced and entertaining tour guides tell spooky stories of paranormal activity at 13 local structures. Stories include the college student who fell to her death and is said to still roam the halls at Athens State University’s Founders Hall and the great 1893 fire that burned the wooden buildings on Marion Street. Tours include a stop at Founders Hall where the students of the then-named Athens Female Institute watched Union and Confederate soldiers battle and the steps of the Houston Library where a crowd gathered on the night voters elected George Houston as the state’s first governor after reconstruction.
Now in its 16th year, Athens Haunts Walk is suitable for adults and children in grades 4 and up. In the past, tour participants have included both believers of paranormal behavior and some skeptics of the supernatural. The tours are also a way to get to know more about Athens and its history and lore.
The tours take place every Tuesday and Thursday night in October at 7pm and 7:30pm. Tours are $15 for adults and $10 for kids. Wagon Tours are at 6:30pm and are $25. All tickets are advance purchase from www.Eventbrite.com.
All tours depart from the Athens-Limestone County Tourism office located at Big Springs Memorial Park (100 N. Beaty Street). Guests are asked to arrive 10-15 minutes before scheduled tour time. Each walk is approximately 90 minutes and a one-mile walking distance. Please wear comfortable footwear.
Cullman Oktoberfest
Get ready to say Prost! The 44th annual Cullman Oktoberfest returns to downtown Cullman October 1-4, and this year there’s an extra day to celebrate! Enjoy four days of German heritage, live music, traditional food, artisan vendors, biergartens, contests and family fun. Catch performances from Manuela Horn & The Brew Crew and The Bräts, test your skills at the brat-eating and stein-hoisting contests, or take a spin on the 105-foot Ferris wheel in the expanded kids carnival zone. Saturday also brings the Oktoberfest 5K and 10K and the Volkswagen Car Show. With plenty of German traditions and Cullman hospitality, it’s easy to see why Oktoberfest is one of North Alabama’s favorite fall celebrations. Admission is free!
Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention
Thousands of musicians and music lovers will make their way to Athens for one of North Alabama’s most beloved musical traditions! 🎻 The 59th annual Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention returns to Athens State University September 30-October 3, celebrating four days of bluegrass, old-time music and traditional craftsmanship.
Known as the “Granddaddy of Midsouth Fiddlers Conventions,” the event features musicians competing in more than a dozen categories, including fiddle, guitar, mandolin, banjo, old-time singing and Appalachian buck dancing, all leading up to the crowning of the Tennessee Valley Old Time and Alabama State Fiddle Champion on Saturday night.
There’s plenty to enjoy beyond the competitions, too! Browse approximately 150 arts and crafts booths, grab something delicious from the food vendors, take part in free strings workshops and explore the Fiddlers Museum and Jerry McGlocklin Music Store. This year’s concert lineup includes The Larry Sparks Show, Dale Ann Bradley, The Isaacs and The Del McCoury Band.
And while you’re there, don’t forget to check in! The Fiddlers Convention is a stop on the Music Trail of North Alabama, a free digital passport featuring 29 music-related stops across the region. Check in at 12 participating stops and you’ll earn a free prize from Visit North Alabama! 🎶
Single-day admission Thursday through Saturday is $20 for adults, or purchase a three-day weekend pass for $30. Children under 12 are admitted free with a paid adult. The Wednesday night Larry Sparks Show is also free!
Boaz Harvest Festival
The temperature in North Alabama may still be warm but the month of October is just around the corner which means towns and communities are gearing up for their fall celebrations. Set for October 2-3, 2026, the Harvest Festival invites everyone to downtown Boaz for two days of family-friendly fun and fellowship.
The annual Boaz Harvest Festival offers an assortment of things to do in the downtown area the first Friday and Saturday in October. A cornhole tournament will offer up a little friendly competition, festival goers can admire the many vehicle displays in the car, truck, jeep and tractor show, shoppers can shop among the many arts and crafts vendors, there will be a children’s play area for the little ones’ enjoyment and food trucks will offer a variety of delicacies to please everyone’s appetite. In addition to the festivities, many of the shops located in the downtown area will have sidewalk sales and special offers.
The free festival, now in its 62nd year, takes place in downtown Boaz, from Bartlett Avenue to Old Mill Park and gets underway at 8am and concludes at 6pm both days. For more information on the Harvest Festival, call the Boaz Area Chamber of Commerce at 256.593.8154.
Scottsboro BBQ Festival
Come hungry because downtown Scottsboro is going to smell pretty amazing on Saturday, October 10! 🍖 The 11th annual Scottsboro BBQ Festival takes over the Downtown Square from 9am-4pm with barbecue competitions, more than 180 vendors, family activities and plenty of reasons to spend the day in Scottsboro.
More than 30 backyard barbecue teams will fire up their smokers and compete for the title of grand champion, but festivalgoers can get in on the judging, too! Purchase a $10 People’s Choice ticket to sample up to 10 barbecue entries and 10 desserts before voting for your favorites. Even the youngest grill masters can join the competition during Kids-Q, where kids ages 5 to 12 compete to see who can cook the best burger. 🍔
When you’re not sampling barbecue, browse more than 180 merchandise, food and specialty vendors offering everything from jewelry and boutique clothing to seasonal décor, handmade soaps, arts and crafts, honey and locally made products. The festival also features an official Alabama cornhole tournament and a car, truck and motorcycle show.
Bringing the kids? The Kids Fun Zone will have inflatables, a fishing pond, pumpkin bowling, face painting and more. Some activities are free, while others may require a small fee.
The Scottsboro BBQ Festival is also the finale of the Backyard Battle Royal, bringing together competitors from four regional barbecue events, with the overall winners announced during the festival.
📅 Saturday, October 10
⏰ 9am-4pm
📍 Downtown Square | Scottsboro
🎟️ Admission is FREE!
Whether you’re coming for the barbecue, the shopping or a fun fall day with the family, you’ll find plenty happening around the square!
Blount County Covered Bridge Festival
Celebrate fall in the Covered Bridge Capital of Alabama! 🍂 The annual Covered Bridge Festival returns to downtown Oneonta on Saturday, October 10, with a full day of arts and crafts, live music, food, family activities and a celebration of Blount County’s three historic covered bridges.
Spend the day browsing handmade treasures from arts and crafts vendors, then check out the cars, trucks and antique farm tractors at the Cruise-In. Live entertainment will take the festival stage throughout the day, while the free Kids Zone will keep the little ones busy with inflatables, cornhole and face painting. And when you get hungry, head to Railroad Avenue for a food court filled with food trucks and local vendors.
Of course, you can’t celebrate the Covered Bridge Festival without seeing the bridges! The Blount-Oneonta Chamber of Commerce will offer a free bus tour to all three of Blount County’s historic covered bridges—Swann, Horton Mill and Easley—along with a stop at Palisades Park for the Blount County Quilters Guild Quilt Show. The bus departs at 1 p.m. from the Public Library, and advance reservations are required. Admission to the Quilt Show is $10.
If you’re exploring on your own, make time to visit the bridges while you’re in Blount County. Horton Mill Covered Bridge stands 70 feet above the water, making it the tallest historic covered bridge in the United States. Easley Covered Bridge, built in 1927, is the smallest of the county’s remaining bridges at 95 feet long, while the 324-foot Swann Covered Bridge is the longest of the three.
📅 Saturday, October 10
⏰ 9am-4pm
📍 Downtown Oneonta
🎟️ Festival admission is FREE!
Come for the festival and make a day of exploring the history, scenery and small-town charm that make Blount County such a special part of North Alabama.
Alabama Gourd Show
You might be surprised by what can be created from a gourd! 🎨 The 28th annual Alabama Gourd Show returns to the Sparkman Civic Center in Hartselle October 16-17, showcasing an incredible variety of art, crafts and one-of-a-kind creations made from gourds.
Hosted by the Alabama Gourd Society, the two-day show brings together hundreds of artisans, crafters and growers who transform gourds into everything from beautifully painted works of art to intricate decorative pieces. Visitors can browse the displays, meet gourd artists and watch demonstrations to see some of the techniques used to turn a simple gourd into something truly special.
Want to try it yourself? The show will also offer seven different gourd art and painting classes taught by experienced artists. Class fees and advance registration apply.
Whether you’re an artist, gardener, crafter or simply curious to see just how creative you can get with a gourd, this is one of North Alabama’s most unique fall events!
📅 October 16-17
⏰ 9am-5pm both days
📍 Sparkman Civic Center | Hartselle
🎟️ Admission is FREE!
Attalla Heritage Day
Experience the history and hometown spirit of Attalla during the annual Attalla Heritage Day Festival on Saturday, October 17! 🍂 Historic downtown Attalla will be filled with arts and crafts, live music, classic cars, festival food and family fun for this longtime fall tradition.
Spend the day browsing handcrafted treasures from regional artisans, check out the car show and enjoy live music and entertainment on two stages. Food vendors will be serving up festival favorites throughout the day, while the Kid Zone will have rides, games and activities just for younger visitors.
The fun takes place along 4th Street NW in historic downtown Attalla, putting festivalgoers within easy walking distance of the city’s antique shops, boutiques and restaurants. It’s a great opportunity to explore downtown, support local businesses and enjoy the friendly, small-town atmosphere that makes Attalla special.
📅 Saturday, October 17
⏰ 9am-5pm
📍 Historic Downtown Attalla | 4th Street NW
🎟️ Admission is FREE!
Make a day of it and enjoy a classic North Alabama fall festival filled with local flavor, community spirit and plenty of fun for the whole family!
Athens Storytelling Festival
Pull up a chair and get ready for some incredible stories! The Athens Storytelling Festival celebrates its 20th year October 22-24 on the campus of Athens State University, bringing some of the nation’s most acclaimed storytellers, award-winning liars and talented musicians to North Alabama for three days of stories, laughter, music and maybe even a few tall tales.
The festival kicks off Thursday evening with Veterans Night, featuring headliners Donald Davis, Bil Lepp, Josh Goforth and Adam Booth together on one stage, along with Carol Cain performing her acclaimed “Rosie the Riveter.” Veterans and one companion receive free admission with a military ID.
Storytelling continues throughout Friday and Saturday under the big tent on the Athens State campus. This year’s lineup includes award-winning performers with appearances at some of the country’s premier storytelling events, including the National Storytelling Festival, Smithsonian Folklife Festival and Kennedy Center Millennium Stage. From heartfelt stories and laugh-out-loud tales to music and masterful storytelling, every session brings something a little different.
Looking for something spooky? 👻 On Friday night, Athens State students will lead a walking tour of ghost stories around the historic—and reportedly haunted—campus beginning at 9:30 p.m. from Sandridge Hall. The tour is $10 or included with any other festival ticket purchase.
Between sessions, take a short walk into downtown Athens to grab a bite at a local restaurant or explore the shops around the square.
📅 October 22-24
📍 Athens State University | Athens
🎟️ Weekend admission: $95 adults | $49.50 students ages 13+ | FREE for children ages 2-12
Whether you love a good story, a good laugh or a tale that leaves you wondering, “Did that really happen?” the Athens Storytelling Festival is a North Alabama fall tradition worth experiencing!
River Clay Fine Arts Festival
Downtown Decatur becomes an outdoor art gallery when the 11th annual River Clay Fine Arts Festival returns October 24-25! 🎨 More than 70 juried artists representing 16 states will gather on the grounds of Decatur City Hall for a weekend celebrating original art, creativity and the people behind the work.
Festivalgoers can browse and purchase one-of-a-kind pieces including ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, metalwork, mixed media, paintings, photography, sculpture and wood, while also meeting the artists and learning more about how their work is created. Two artists will even create pieces live throughout the weekend. Muralist Chandler Hayes will demonstrate his incredible spray-paint technique, while Tuscaloosa sculptor Jamey Grimes will transform discarded commercial plastics into layered works of art.
River Clay also celebrates the next generation of artists with a student art exhibit featuring work from schools across Decatur City, Hartselle City and Morgan County, along with a children’s art area where young festivalgoers can create something of their own.
Come hungry, too! Local food trucks will be serving up plenty of options, with beer and wine available for purchase. Plus, downtown Decatur’s restaurants, museums and galleries are all within walking distance, making it easy to turn your festival visit into a full day downtown.
Want the first look? River Clay Rendezvous takes place Friday, October 23, from 5 to 9 p.m., giving ticket holders an early opportunity to meet the artists and purchase their work before the festival opens to the public. The evening also includes food, drinks, live music and a special art exhibit at the Alabama Center for the Arts. Rendezvous tickets are $60 and include weekend festival admission.
📅 Saturday, October 24 | 9am-5pm
📅 Sunday, October 25 | 10am-4pm
📍 Decatur City Hall | Downtown Decatur
🎟️ $5 weekend pass | FREE for children 12 & under
🇺🇸 Veterans and their families receive free admission
And your visit supports more than the festival! Through the River Clay Fine Arts Foundation, River Clay has invested $65,000 in arts education, helping fund classroom art projects in area schools. Come meet the artists, find something you love and celebrate a weekend of creativity in downtown Decatur!
Buttahatchee River Fall Festival
Spend the last Saturday in October enjoying some good old-fashioned fall fun in downtown Hamilton! 🍂 The 20th annual Buttahatchee River Fall Fest returns Saturday, October 31, bringing arts and crafts, classic cars, live music, kids’ activities and plenty of small-town charm to the streets surrounding the Marion County Courthouse.
Car lovers can check out dozens of beautifully restored classic cars and trucks lining the downtown streets, while live music provides the soundtrack for the day. Families will find plenty of activities to keep the kids entertained, and shoppers can browse downtown merchants as well as arts and crafts vendors offering everything from traditional folk pottery and gourd art to birdhouses, ironwork, glass and handmade jewelry.
Hosted by the Hamilton Area Chamber of Commerce, the festival takes place around Court Square and throughout downtown Hamilton, giving visitors a great opportunity to explore the community while enjoying one of its favorite fall traditions.
And if you’ve ever wondered about the name, the festival takes its inspiration from the Buttahatchee River, which winds its way through Hamilton before eventually connecting with the Tombigbee River in Mississippi.
📅 Saturday, October 31
⏰ 9am-3pm
📍 Downtown Hamilton | Marion County Courthouse Square
🎟️ Admission is FREE!
Grab the family and celebrate Halloween and the final weekend of October with a day of music, shopping, classic cars and fall fun in Hamilton!
LaGrange College Site Haunted Hayride
Looking for a spooky adventure with a little North Alabama history mixed in? 👻 The Haunted Hayride at LaGrange College Site return to the historic LaGrange College Site in Leighton every Friday and Saturday night October 2-31, taking visitors on a nighttime ride through a place filled with nearly two centuries of history—and plenty of local ghost stories.
LaGrange Mountain was once home to LaGrange College, Alabama’s first state-chartered college, which opened in 1830 before eventually relocating to Florence and becoming the University of North Alabama. A military academy later occupied the site, but during the Civil War, the academy and much of the surrounding community were burned by Union troops in 1863. Today, the LaGrange College Site and nearby cemetery preserve pieces of that history.
Over the years, stories of unexplained sounds, mysterious sightings and unusual experiences have also become part of the mountain’s folklore. The Haunted Hayrides bring those stories to life with an after-dark ride through the historic grounds—and plenty of spooky surprises along the way! 🎃
Even better, your ticket supports the community. Proceeds benefit the White Oak Volunteer Fire Department and the LaGrange Living Historical Association, helping support local emergency services and preserve the history of LaGrange Mountain.
📅 Every Friday & Saturday | October 2-31
⏰ Hayrides begin at 7pm
📍 LaGrange College Site | 1491 LaGrange College Road, Leighton
🎟️ $10 per person | Ages 5 & under FREE
If you like your Halloween fun with a side of history and local legend, add a haunted night on LaGrange Mountain to your October plans!
Huntsville Ghost Walks
Get ready for a spine-tingling adventure in Huntsville this fall! The Huntsville Ghost Walks return for Fridays, Saturdays, and select Sundays from through October 31, 2026. Tours begin promptly at 6pm at Harrison Brothers Hardware Store (124 South Side Square) in downtown Huntsville, with additional Saturday evening tours at 8:30pm throughout October.
Guests can choose from three guided walking tours:
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Twickenham District – Explore Huntsville’s oldest neighborhood with antebellum architecture and haunted history.
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Old Town District – Hear eerie tales from the city’s early days and its first settlers.
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Downtown District – Discover ghostly encounters and chilling stories in Huntsville’s central area.
Tickets are $13 for adults and $8 for children 12 and under, and advance online reservations are required. This is a perfect opportunity for history buffs, thrill-seekers, and anyone looking to experience the haunted side of Huntsville.
For tickets and more information, visit www.huntsvilleghostwalk.com.
Dead Children’s Playground
There’s a playground behind Maple Hill Cemetery known as Dead Children’s Playground. Legend has it that the children buried in the nearby cemetery come out to play. People have even seen swings moving with no one in them. You can read about this story and more at We Are Huntsville’s 5 Huntsville Ghost Stories blog.
