Tennessee Valley Festival Guide: Monthly Festivals Near Madison and Huntsville

North Alabama has a festival for almost every kind of weekend. Some are built around cranes, strawberries, hot-air balloons, barbecue, art, music or watermelon. Others give families a reason to visit a small town they might otherwise drive past.

This guide is meant to help Madison-area families plan ahead without chasing a last-minute calendar every Friday afternoon. Dates, locations and schedules can change from year to year, so use the links under each listing to confirm the next event before you load up the car.

January

Festival of the Cranes

Decatur, Alabama | Usually held in January

Thousands of sandhill cranes spend part of the winter around Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge. Festival of the Cranes gives visitors a chance to see the birds through guided walks, wildlife programs and events around Decatur.

Visitors may also spot whooping cranes, bald eagles, ducks and other wintering birds. Bring binoculars if you have them and dress for time outdoors near the Tennessee River.

Learn more: Visit the Festival of the Cranes page

February

February tends to be a quieter month for large outdoor festivals across North Alabama. That does not mean there is nothing to do. It is a good month to check regional event calendars for indoor food events, performances, markets and short-run celebrations.

Learn more: Check the North Alabama events calendar

March

Hubert Family Farms Tulip Season

New Market, Alabama | Usually opens during 

March

Hubert Family Farms opens its tulip fields for a short picking season each spring. Visitors can walk through rows of tulips, take photos and purchase flowers picked from the field.

The opening date depends on the weather and the bloom schedule. The farm usually plants many tulip varieties across several acres, so the colors can change during the season.

Learn more: Visit Hubert Family Farms

April

Panoply Arts Festival

Huntsville, Alabama | Usually held in late April

Big Spring Park fills with original artwork, live performances and hands-on art activities during Panoply. Families can walk through the Art Marketplace, listen to music and see student art from area schools.

Arts Huntsville organizes the festival and posts admission details, performance schedules and festival rules on its website.

Learn more: Visit the Panoply Arts Festival page

Alabama Strawberry Festival

Cullman, Alabama | Usually held in April or early May

The Alabama Strawberry Festival celebrates Cullman's agricultural history with locally grown strawberries, strawberry treats, live music, arts and crafts. Family entertainment and food vendors are usually part of the weekend too.

The event takes place around Depot Park and Festhalle in downtown Cullman, which makes it easy to pair the festival with a walk through the downtown area.

Learn more: Visit the Alabama Strawberry Festival website

Bloomin' Festival

Cullman, Alabama | Usually held in April

St. Bernard Abbey hosts this two-day juried arts festival on its campus near Cullman. Artists and craftspeople sell original work with the abbey's stone buildings in the background.

The festival also serves as a fundraiser for St. Bernard Preparatory School.

Learn more: Visit the Bloomin' Festival website

Art on the Lake

Guntersville, Alabama | Usually held in April

Artists and craftspeople gather near Lake Guntersville to sell paintings, pottery, jewelry, woodwork and other handmade items. The event has also included food vendors, children's activities and outdoor games.

This one makes an easy day trip if you pair it with a walk along the lake or a visit to Lake Guntersville State Park.

Learn more: Visit the Art on the Lake website

May

Alabama Jubilee Hot-Air Balloon Classic

Decatur, Alabama | Held during Memorial Day weekend

Hot-air balloons gather at Point Mallard Park for morning flights, evening events and balloon competitions. The weekend also includes food vendors, merchandise booths and activities for children.

Balloon launches depend on wind and weather. Families who want to see balloons fly should check event updates before leaving and arrive early for the morning sessions.

Learn more: Visit the Alabama Jubilee website

Belle Mont Celtic Festival

Tuscumbia, Alabama | Usually held in May

Belle Mont Mansion hosts an outdoor celebration of Celtic music and culture. Musicians perform music connected to Scotland and Ireland on the grounds of the historic home.

The festival has also featured cultural demonstrations, vendors, food trucks and family activities.

Learn more: Visit the Belle Mont Celtic Festival page

June

Haleyville 9-1-1 Festival

Haleyville, Alabama | Usually held in early June

Haleyville celebrates its connection to the first 9-1-1 emergency call placed in the United States. The downtown festival has included live music, a parade, craft vendors, food, children's activities and displays of classic cars, motorcycles and antique tractors.

The Haleyville Area Chamber of Commerce organizes the event and describes it as one of the city's largest annual celebrations.

Learn more: Visit the Haleyville Area Chamber of Commerce

July

W.C. Handy Music Festival

Florence and communities across The Shoals | Usually held in July

The Shoals honors Florence native W.C. Handy with concerts and music events across Florence, Sheffield, Muscle Shoals and Tuscumbia. Performances take place in parks, restaurants, churches and local venues rather than one fenced festival area.

The celebration runs for several days and includes a mix of free and ticketed events. The schedule can get large, so it helps to choose a few performances before making the drive.

Learn more: Visit the W.C. Handy Music Festival website

August

Franklin County Watermelon Festival

Russellville, Alabama | Usually held in August

Downtown Russellville celebrates its place in Alabama watermelon country with free watermelon, live entertainment and watermelon contests. The two-day festival also includes vendors, a car show, a run and activities for children.

Franklin County carries the official designation of the Watermelon Capital of Alabama, so this one has a real local story behind it.

Learn more: Visit the Franklin County Watermelon Festival page

Piney Chapel American Farm Heritage Days

Athens, Alabama | Usually held in August

Antique tractors, steam engines, gasoline engines and historic farm equipment fill the grounds during this annual gathering. Visitors can also see antique vehicles, equipment demonstrations and a parade of machinery.

The festival has featured contests, vendors, a flea market and activities for children.

Learn more: Visit the Piney Chapel American Farm Heritage Days page

Art Sunday

Scottsboro, Alabama | Usually held around Labor Day weekend

Artists and craftspeople gather at King Caldwell Park for a juried outdoor show. Visitors can browse artwork and handmade items while listening to music and visiting food vendors.

The event has also included children's activities and a photography contest.

Learn more: Find Art Sunday through North Alabama Tourism

September

Monte Sano Art Festival

Huntsville, Alabama | Usually held in September

Artists display paintings, photography, pottery, jewelry, textiles and other original work inside Monte Sano State Park. Food trucks and live music are usually part of the weekend.

Arts Huntsville organizes the event. The festival itself does not charge admission, though Monte Sano State Park may charge for parking or entry.

Learn more: Visit the Monte Sano Art Festival page

Hartselle Depot Days

Hartselle, Alabama | Usually held in September

Depot Days celebrates Hartselle's railroad history in the city's historic downtown. The festival includes live entertainment, local vendors, food trucks, arts and crafts and vehicle shows.

The Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce organizes the event and uses it to share the history of the downtown district.

Learn more: Visit the Hartselle Depot Days website

October

Madison Street Festival

Madison, Alabama | Held on the first Saturday in October

Historic downtown Madison closes its streets for a full day of community activities. The festival includes a parade, entertainment, vendor areas and activities for children.

The Madison Street Festival is a nonprofit organization that uses festival proceeds to support educational programs. For Madison families, this is one of the easiest annual events to put on the calendar early.

Learn more: Visit the Madison Street Festival website

Cullman Oktoberfest

Cullman, Alabama | Usually held in early October

Cullman celebrates its German heritage with several days of food, music and community activities around Depot Park. Festival traditions have included German-inspired entertainment, competitions and the popular wiener dog races.

The schedule changes from year to year, so check the official site before planning the trip.

Learn more: Visit the Cullman Oktoberfest website

Scottsboro BBQ Festival

Scottsboro, Alabama | Held on the second Saturday in October

Downtown Scottsboro hosts barbecue teams, food vendors and community activities during this annual festival. Visitors come for barbecue while teams compete in cooking contests.

Main Street Scottsboro provides festival information and links to the event organizer.

Learn more: Visit the Scottsboro BBQ Festival website

River Clay Fine Arts Festival

Decatur, Alabama | Held on the fourth weekend in October

River Clay brings juried artists to downtown Decatur for a weekend devoted to visual art. Visitors can meet the artists and shop for original paintings, sculpture, jewelry, photography, pottery and other work.

The volunteer-run festival supports art programs and arts education in the Decatur area.

Learn more: Visit the River Clay Fine Arts Festival website

November

Under the Christmas Tree

Huntsville, Alabama | Usually held in 

November

Under the Christmas Tree is an indoor holiday shopping event organized by the Junior League of Huntsville. Vendors sell gifts, seasonal decorations, clothing, food products and other holiday items.

The event often includes special shopping sessions and activities beyond the main vendor market. Check the organizer's page for ticket information and the current location.

Learn more: Visit the Junior League of Huntsville website

December

Athens Sippin' Cider Festival

Athens, Alabama | Usually held in December

Downtown shops serve different cider recipes while visitors walk through the Athens shopping district. Participants can taste the ciders, shop with local merchants and vote for their favorite recipe.

Athens Main Street organizes the event. Festival details and participating businesses can change each year.

Learn more: Visit Athens Main Street

Christmas in the Park

Arab, Alabama | Usually open during 

December

Arab City Park fills with holiday light displays during the Christmas season. Families can walk or drive through parts of the display depending on the current setup and scheduled activities.

Check the City of Arab or Arab Parks and Recreation before visiting since operating nights and special events may change.

Learn more: Visit the City of Arab website

Before You Go

Festival organizers may change dates, locations, admission prices or activities. Visit the official link before leaving Madison and check the organizer's social pages when weather could affect an outdoor event.

For families in Madison and Huntsville, the easiest way to use this guide is to pick one or two festivals per season and treat them like small day trips. Put the likely month on your calendar now, then confirm the details once the organizer posts the next schedule.