Fun things to do in Alabama

A curated list of the best upcoming events in Alabama.

Meowy Mondays

Ongoing Mondays Calling all cats, cat lovers, and cat owners! The Huntsville Botanical Garden welcomes you and your feline friends to its Meowy Mondays. Experience the natural world together, but make sure your pet is leashed or in a carrier. Cat admission, $5. Huntsville.

$5 after 5

Ongoing Thursdays Visit the Huntsville Museum of Art at a deep discount (and with wine, too!) on Thursdays from 5 to 8 p.m., when admission is only $5. Adults ages 21 and up can peruse the museum with a glass of wine for $7 from the Church Street Wine Shoppe. To top it off, some evenings feature musical guests, docent-led tours, and other special events. Huntsville.

Frank Brown International Songwriters’ Festival

November 7–17 More than 200 musicians from around the world play various venues at this annual event. Festival attendees can enjoy intimate concert experiences while learning the stories behind the tunes. Many of the performances are free; some have a modest cover charge. Various locations, Orange Beach and Gulf Shores. 

Coastal Alabama Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival

FREE! November 9–10 This third annual festival brings food trucks, craft beers, lawn games, and family fun. Admission is free and beer packages start at $18. Town Green, Gulf Shores.

Hey Day Holiday

FREE! Mid-November through January Get festive on the green space outside Hey Day Market. Lace up your ice skates and take a spin on the skating rink or admire the giant 24-foot Christmas tree every day from noon to 8:30 p.m. Auburn.

Galaxy of Lights

November 15–December 31 This cherished holiday tradition offers a magical walking or driving experience with dazzling lights and animated displays. Adult walking tickets start at $13; driving admission starts at $25. Huntsville Botanical Garden, Huntsville. 

Wonderland Under Warrior

Wednesdays–Sundays late November through December 30 Walk among stalactites, stalagmites, and other geological formations adorned with 100,000 sparkling lights for a unique winter celebration. Gifts, ornaments, snacks, and hot cocoa will be available for purchase. Admission, $12 per person. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Rickwood Caverns State Park, Warrior. 

Tinsel Trail

FREE! November 29–January 1 Big Spring International Park hosts a display of live Christmas trees decorated by businesses, nonprofits, and other groups or individuals. Families can peruse more than 400 trees on the trail. Huntsville. 

Dickens Downtown

FREE! December 3 Immerse yourself in a Victorian Christmas on the first Tuesday of December. Enjoy performances of scenes from A Christmas Carol along with local choirs, carolers, Father Christmas, an English town crier, and festive shopping. Downtown Northport. 

Always Patsy Cline

December 5–8 Based on Cline’s relationship with fan and pen pal Louise Seger, this musical play recounts the friendship through 27 of the singer’s biggest hits including “Crazy,” “I Fall to Pieces,” “Sweet Dreams,” and “Walking After Midnight.” Tickets, $20. Red Door Theatre, Union Springs. 

Victorian Front Porch Tour

FREE! December 13–17 Drive or walk through Opelika’s historic district, where Victorian homes are adorned with festive decorations. On December 14, enjoy carolers, costumed residents, and a palpable holiday spirit. Don’t miss this annual celebration that has taken place for more than 30 years. Opelika. 

Historic Decatur Christmas Tour

December 14 Take a stroll through history this holiday season with a self-guided tour that showcases festive homes, churches, and landmarks. Sip on refreshments and take in the beauty of the Albany and Old Decatur districts. Tickets, $30. Decatur.

Festival of the Cranes

FREE! January 10–12 Witness the incredible winter migration of more than 14,000 sandhill cranes and whooping cranes at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge. Join the Wheeler Wildlife Refuge Association for a three-day celebration featuring diverse indoor and outdoor activities for all ages. Admission is required for some activities. Decatur.

Martin Luther King Day Celebrations

Free! January 16–20 Embark on an immersive journey in Montgomery that celebrates King and his societal contributions. From jazz and lyric music to the family-friendly Unity Day and oratorical contests, all are invited to honor King’s legacy over the holiday weekend. Montgomery.

Pike Piddlers Storytelling Festival

January 24–25 The Pike Piddlers Storytelling Festival begins Friday night with supper and stories. Patrons can enjoy three storytelling concerts on Saturday at the Trojan Center Theatre, where they’ll hear from top national storytellers with pre-show music performed by popular old-time bands. Tickets start at $30. Troy.  

Eagle Awareness Weekends

January 24–26 and January 31–February 2 Celebrate the majestic bald eagle during Lake Guntersville State Park’s annual Eagle Awareness Weekends. Enjoy live bird demonstrations, informative programs, and guided safaris. Immerse yourself in nature and learn about these emblematic creatures in their natural habitat. Reservations are required. Guntersville.

The Watsons Go to Birmingham

February 6–23 This winter, the Alabama Shakespeare Festival’s production of The Watsons Go to Birmingham will captivate audiences with its poignant exploration of the civil rights era. Set against the backdrop of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing, the play follows a family’s journey through the heart of the movement. Ages 10 and up recommended. Tickets start at $30. Montgomery.

Modern Romance With Mobile Symphony Orchestra

February 8–9 The Mobile Symphony Orchestra’s February concert begins with Steve Reich’s Clapping Music, moves into Philip Glass’ Concerto Fantasy for Two Timpanists, and concludes with a suite from Sergei Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet. The program will be conducted by Scott Speck. Tickets start at $20. Mobile.

Broadway’s Six

February 11–16 The Tony Award–winning musical Six takes the stage at the BJCC Concert Hall. The show tells 500 years of history through iconic music from popular music legends that will make you want to sing along. Tickets start at $55. Birmingham.

Fort Morgan Oyster Fest

February 22–23 No matter how you enjoy oysters, Sassy Bass, The Beach Club Resort and Spa, and Navy Cove Oysters will be serving up the mollusks at the annual Fort Morgan Oyster Fest. Each ticket includes admission to the festival grounds, parking, all-you-can-eat oysters, and nonalco­holic beverages. Tickets start at $35. Gulf Shores.

“Pieced Together”

FREE! February 28–June 1 Focusing on how quilts bring people together, this exhibit at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts will highlight the works of three women—Mary Maxtion, Roberta Jemison, and Lureca Outland—who created a community around the art form. Montgomery.

Orange Beach Festival of Art

FREE! March 8–9 Now in its 51st year, the Orange Beach Festival of Art brings a variety of performing, musical, and culinary arts to the Gulf Coast. More than 100 vendors will display various mediums for attendees to peruse. The event will also feature a children’s art alley, a culinary arts court with local fare, and a music and songwriter’s stage. Orange Beach.

Huntsville Comic Convention

FREE! March 14–15 View thousands of collectibles, toys, and merchandise from talented artists and vendors in this celebration of geek culture at the Lowe Mill ARTS and Entertainment center. $10 parking fee. Huntsville.

Lucky Ducky Season Kickoff

March 15 This St. Patrick’s Day–themed event at Montgomery Whitewater Park features two whitewater races: Ducky Cross and Floatie Cross. Race to the finish line on a single or tandem ducky (an inflatable kayak) or in a personal pool floatie. $15 entry. Montgomery.

Opelika Songwriters Festival

March 27–30 ​​The Opelika Songwriters Festival is a beloved event for music lovers. More than 30 singer-songwriters perform in intimate venues throughout historic Opelika. Last year’s lineup included headliners Sister Hazel, KT Tunstall, and Shawn Colvin. Tickets start at $65. Opelika.