The best fall festivals in Alabama celebrate much more than the season itself. While you'll see pumpkins, hay bales, colorful mums, and seasonal displays, what sets these festivals apart are the music, food, and especially how they honor the many different cultural traditions of people who live here. Some go above and beyond by benefiting community causes.
Visiting more fall festivals near me is a big priority this season. It's hard to find a more authentic experience in places than surrounding yourself with residents showing such pride in their communities, people, and heritage. While you’re out exploring the state this fall, don’t miss our guide to the best pumpkin patches in Alabama for 2024.
1. Depot Days, Hartselle, Sept. 12, 2024
First up is Hartselle's Depot Days, a series of community events that culminate in an all-day, free festival throughout its historic downtown and depot area. Held to honor the city's railroad history, the festival is the city's largest annual event. Streets close to traffic to make room for scores of food and craft vendors who set up alongside a dizzying assortment of cars, trucks, motorcycles, and tractors entered in festival shows and competitions. You can also expect live music and special activities for kids. Visit the Hartselle Depot Days Facebook page for hours and other details.
2. Montgomery Smooth Jazz Fest, Montgomery, Sept. 20-21, 2024
Ease into the season with the sounds of classic jazz and R&B from top national artists at one of the state's newest events, the Montgomery Smooth Jazz Festival, which marks its third year in 2024. The scenic Alabama River sets the mood at the festival site, which features main-stage shows at the Riverwalk Amphitheater on the edge of Riverfront Park. Visit the Montgomery Smooth Jazz Festival website for more event details. Pro tip: When in the capital city, do not miss the chance to stop by Chris’ Famous Hotdogs, one of Alabama's oldest restaurants and longest traditions.
3. Cullman Oktoberfest, Cullman, Oct. 3-5, 2024
If you attend this one, be prepared to raise a stein in honor of the city's 150th anniversary at its signature celebration of German heritage. Cullman's founder, Col. Johann Gottfried Cullmann, was a German refugee who came to America in 1866 and established the town just seven years later. The festival is almost 50 years old and features events throughout the city, with most held at the festively decorated Festhalle Farmer's Market and Depot Park. Activities range from a costumed pet parade and races for runners to traditional German dancing, music, and food. It's one of the best things to do in Alabama in the fall. Get finer details on the Cullman Oktoberfest website or by visiting the Cullman Oktoberfest Facebook page. Get more tips about things to do in Cullman in our recent roundup.
4. Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention, Athens, Oct. 2-5, 2024
Join the more than 15,000 people who show up to hear over 200 musicians perform and compete as part of the Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention on the grounds of Athens State University. This year marks the 57th year for the festival, which celebrates the ancestral Appalachian roots music of many of the area's early settlers. There's plenty to do when you're fiddling around between the fiddlin', like workshops to learn how to play the fiddle, guitar, or banjo. There's also a large craft vendor area, a food court, a museum, and more. This is certainly one of the most unique Alabama fall festivals. Visit the Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention website for scheduled performers and competitions and the Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention Facebook page for the latest news.
5. Moody Oktoberfest & Cruisin' for a Miracle Car Show, Moody, Oct. 5, 2024
For a fall festival near Birmingham that's also for a great cause, check out the Moody Oktoberfest, which includes the Cruisin' for a Miracle Car Show. Moody is about a 30-minute drive east of the Magic City and hosts its annual fall annual arts and crafts festival at Moody City Park. Something especially heartwarming about this event is its companion car show, which benefits the city's Miracle League Special Needs Baseball organization. For car show details, visit the Cruisin’ for a Miracle Car Show Facebook page. For more info on the entire festival, visit the Oktoberfest Moody Facebook page.
6. Mentone Fall Festival, Mentone, Oct. 19, 2024
Although the Mentone Fall Festival took on a new name this year, people can expect all the family fun, arts, and shopping they loved when it was called Colorfest before. The festival will return to Moon Lake Village after a successful move there in 2022. It's the perfect place because the festival supports the village's continued evolution from a 1920s school campus into a destination for shops and studios. While in Mentone, don’t miss the opportunity to hike the popular (and moderate) 1.9-mile Desoto Falls Bottom and Bluff Overlook trail. Visit the Mentone Fall Festival website or the Mentone Fall Festival Facebook page for more event details.
7. Mobile Greek Fest, Mobile, Oct. 17-20, 2024
For many Mobile residents, the beginning of fall makes their mouths start watering for the flaky, perfectly gooey baklava and light, airy loukoumades they can find at the long-running Mobile Greek Fest. The event began as Greek Night in 1962 at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church and has grown to include multiple events over three days, including a bazaar with authentic Greek items, Greek music and dance performances, and again - the food! Important tip: The event is cashless, so bring your debit or credit card for purchases. Visit the Mobile Greek Fest website or the Mobile Greek Fest Facebook page for more event details.
8. Conecuh Sausage Festival, Evergreen, Oct. 18-19, 2024
Evergreen is in Conecuh County, and if you're not yet aware of the hickory-smoked pork sausage that carries the county name, you can get acquainted fast by attending the 20th Annual Conecuh Sausage Festival. Conecuh Sausage is a family-owned business that originated in Evergreen in 1947, and the meats are sold throughout more than 20 states today. For over 20 years, this festival has simply celebrated something the community is known for, with a day full of food and crafts vendors, a car show, a rodeo, and kids' activities. It's held at the regional airport, which hosts a fly-in that day. Admission to the festival is free with a separate fee for the rodeo. Visit the Evergreen Chamber Facebook page for more details and event updates.
9. Alabama Renaissance Faire, Florence, October 26-27, 2024
People in Florence know to look out for lords, ladies, and lots of merriment in the downtown's Wilson Park every fall when the Alabama Renaissance Faire has taken place every fourth weekend of October since 1987. This year's event is set for Oct. 26-27. While the festival is free to attend, it's wise to bring cash for vendors selling all sorts of period-appropriate attire, accessories, weapons, and tasty treats. Don't miss the crowning of new royalty on Sunday afternoon, after which the king and queen lead a procession. For more details, visit the Alabama Renaissance Faire Facebook page.
10. Dia de los Muertos Alabama, Birmingham, Nov. 2, 2024
Dia de los Muertos Alabama has become one of the Southeast's most spectacularly colorful experiences for the senses and spirit since it began 21 years ago. There's art at every turn, from installations and vendors to the finery worn by performers and festival-goers. The local Day of the Dead celebration grew from the mission of a Birmingham arts nonprofit organization, Bare Hands, Inc., and is held at the city's Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark. Visit the Dia de los Muertos Alabama official event page or the Dia de los Muertos Alabama Facebook page for more event details.
11. National Peanut Festival Fair, Dothan, Nov. 1-10, 2024
Closing our list is the longest and largest of the best fall festivals in Alabama, which is a community crop celebration and traditional fair all rolled into one. The National Peanut Festival Fair is Dothan's oldest and biggest event and takes the theme "Peanuts Galore and So Much More!" Dothan is the Peanut Capital of the World, so this year's fair doubles down on celebrating the farmers and their part in driving the Wiregrass economy. There's a massive midway full of thrilling rides, big-name music performances, extensive agricultural demonstrations and displays, and all the fair food you can handle. It should go without saying the boiled peanuts are a must-do, but we're saying it anyway. This is one of the best fall festivals in Alabama! Visit the National Peanut Festival website or the National Peanut Festival Facebook page for more event details.
Have you been to any of these fall festivals in Alabama in the past? What are some of your favorite ways to celebrate the fall season? Let us know in the comments!
If hiking in Alabama is part of your agenda this fall, make sure to download the AllTrails+ app to your phone and search for hikes near you. You can also check out our Ultimate Hiking Packing List for all the gear you'll need for the trails!
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