Here are 23 fabulous + fun Rocket City events to enjoy in October

October begins in just a few weeks, and that means fall concerts, sporting events and festivals are packed into the calendar. Check out some of these cool events happening here in the Huntsville area in October:

Music festivals

1. The The 58^th Annual Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention @ Athens State

• What:The 58^th Annual Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention is back in Athens, and will include craft vendors and more than 200 musicians.
• When: Oct. 1-4
• Cost: Wednesday: Free | Single day: $20 | Weekend pass: $30
• Details

2. Tangled String Music + Arts Festival @ John Hunt Park

• What: The City of Huntsville’s Music Office has partnered with Tangled String Studios to make the 7th edition of the festival larger and more widespread with more than a dozen bands on two stages.
• When: Oct. 3-4
• Cost: October 3 only: $58 | October 4 only: $68 | Weekend pass: $109 | VIP weekend pass: $159
• Details

3. Breakaway Festival @ The Orion Amphitheater

• What: This festival includes an amazing array of artists spanning multiple genres. Headlined by The Chainsmokers, this is two days of incredible music at The Orion.
• When: Oct. 3-4, 4-11PM
• Cost: $170+
• Details

4. Bluegrass + BBQ Festival @ Southside Park

• What: What better combination here in North Alabama than morphing bluegrass music with BBQ! Bring your blanket or lawn chair and enjoy a full day of great music, good eats and fun in the heart of South Huntsville.
• When: Oct. 11, 1PM
• Cost: Free
• Details

Concerts

5. The Brook & The Bluff @ Mars Music Hall

• What: Alabama-born and Nashville-based The Brook & The Bluff are playing Mars Music Hall to kick off October.
• When: Oct. 1, 8PM
• Cost: $25+
• Details

6. Lyle Lovett & His Acoustic Group @ The Princess Theatre

• What: The legendary Lyle Lovett will play at Decatur’s Princess Theatre for one of the most anticipated fall concerts in the area.
• When: Oct. 4, 7PM
• Cost: $95
• Details

7. Red Clay Strays @ The Orion Amphitheater

• What: From Mobile, Red Clay Strays have taken the music world by storm after releasing their debut album in 2022. They blend genres from rock to country to Americans and more.
• When: Oct. 15, 7:30PM
• Cost: $38
• Details

8. Billy Strings @ The Orion Amphitheater

• What: Bluegrass/jam band musician and super-talented guitarist Billy Strings returns this fall for another set of high-energy shows after selling out last year’s stop at The Orion.
• When: Oct. 23-25, 7:30PM
• Cost: $79+
• Details

9. Louis York @ Mars Music Hall

• What: Claude Kelly and Chuck Harmony bring their fusion of R&B, jazz, blues and pop to Mars Music Hall.
• When: Oct. 24, 8PM
• Cost: $27+
• Details

Sports

10. Alabama A&M Homecoming @ Louis Crews Stadium

• What: The Bulldogs celebrate homecoming all week Oct. 4-12 with a full slate of fun events happening all week. The week culminates with the homecoming game vs. Mississippi Valley State.
• When: Oct. 4-12
• Cost: Various
• Details

11. Huntsville City FC vs. Carolina @ Wicks Family Field

• What: The last home game of the season for your own Huntsville City FC is the first weekend of the month!
• When: Oct. 5, 12PM
• Cost: $12+
• Details

12. Huntsville Havoc Opening Game @ Propst Arena

• What: The first Havoc home game for the Huntsville Havoc’s 2025-26 season is against Pensacola.
• When: Oct. 24, 7PM
• Cost: $12+
• Details

13. Alabama A&M vs. UAH @ AAMU Event Center

• What: The AAUMU and UAH men’s and women’s basketball teams will play each other in an exhibition double header to kick off the college basketball season.
• When: Oct. 27 2PM, 4PM
• Cost: Free
• Details

14. Beach Volleyball National Championships @ John Hunt Park

• What: Huntsville will host the 2025 AVCA Central Qualifier for Beach Volleyball National Championships at the end of the month.
• When: Oct. 31
• Cost: Free
• Details

Theater + shows

15. Back to the Future: The Musical @ Mark C. Smith Concert Hall

• What:  This show is adapted for the stage by the iconic film’s creators Bob Gale and Robert Zemeckis, and directed by the Tony Award winner John Rando.
• When: Oct. 1-5
• Cost: $47+
• Details

16. ‘The Editor’ @ Mad Malts Brewing

• What: The Independent, Huntsville Independent film organization, presents the horror/comedy film “The Editor.”
• When: Oct. 5, 6PM
• Cost: $10
• Details

17. ‘Cinderella’ @ Mark C. Smith Concert Hall

• What: The beloved fairy tale comes to life in a spectacular Broadway-style production that delights all ages, blending humor, romance and the timeless majesty of classical ballet.
• When: Oct. 14, 7PM
• Cost: $54+
• Details

18. Amber Autry @ Levity Live

• What: Amber Autry is a Nashville-based stand-up comedian known for her high-energy performances and sharp, relatable humor.
• When: Oct. 18, 6:30PM, 8:45PM
• Cost: $27
• Details

19. Huntsville Symphony Orchestra presents: ‘Psycho’ @ Mark C. Smith Concert Hall

• What: Just in time for Halloween, you’ll experience this chilling classic film with new eyes and ears as the orchestra performs the score live in sync with the big screen.
• When: Oct. 30, 7:30PM
• Cost: $15+
• Details

Halloween-themed

20. Spellbound @ Huntsville Botanical Garden

• What: Stroll the Garden at nighttime to enjoy a spooky, theatrical lighting display in this immersive fall experience for adults 21+.
• When: Oct. 16-19, 7-10PM
• Cost: $12-25
• Details

21. Cemetery Stroll @ Maple Hill Cemetery

• What: See Huntsville history come to life as characters from the city’s past guide you through Alabama’s oldest cemetery.
• When: Oct. 19, 1:30PM
• Cost: Free
• Details

22. Sip + Stroll Night Market: Spooky Spirits @ The Orion Amphitheater

• What: Browse an eclectic mix of handmade arts and goods, feast on delicious fare from local food trucks and sip on chillingly delicious bar specials.
• When: Oct. 21, 5-9PM
• Cost: Free
• Details

23. Witches Day @ Lowe Mill

• What: Come wander Lowe Mill A&E dressed in your best witch attire the Thursday before Halloween!
• When: Oct. 30, 11AM-7PM
• Cost: Free
• Details

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