Free things to do in Tuscaloosa: the Riverwalk, First Friday, Kentuck's Art Market, the Tinsel Trail, free concerts and festivals, library programs and parks.

Last checked Oct. 17, 2026. Every item below is free to enter, according to the organizer’s own page, linked. Parking, food and extras may cost money.

Tuscaloosa has a full calendar of free things, most of them run by the City of Tuscaloosa downtown and on the river, by the county parks authority (PARA), and by the public library. Here they are by type, with the seasonal ones in date order.

Free every week

  • Riverwalk: daily, 6 a.m. until one hour after sunset.
  • Tuscaloosa Farmers Market: Saturdays, 7 a.m. to noon, River Market, 1900 Jack Warner Parkway.
  • Library story times and playdates: weekday mornings; see our kids’ activities guide.

Outdoors

  • The Riverwalk along the Black Warrior River downtown, with the Western and Northern sections; leashed dogs welcome.
  • City parks with walking trails, including Snow Hinton, Kaulton, Burrell-Odom and Springbrook, open 6 a.m. until one hour after sunset (city park venues).
  • PARA parks: Hurricane Creek Park, 7005 Old Birmingham Highway, with spring wildflowers at the “M Bend”; Mason’s Place, the all-inclusive playground at Sokol Park South; and the Will May Dog Park. See our trails guide.
  • The University of Alabama campus: the Quad, Denny Chimes and the Walk of Champions outside Bryant-Denny Stadium are open to walk.

Art and culture

  • First Friday, the first Friday of each month, 5 to 8 p.m., downtown galleries around the Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center, 620 Greensboro Ave. (First Friday Tuscaloosa).
  • Kentuck’s Art Market, the third Saturday of each month at Kentuck at Queen City, 1901 Jack Warner Parkway; no market in October during the festival (listing).
  • Haunting at the Museums, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, 5 to 8 p.m.: free admission to the Alabama Museum of Natural History and the Gorgas House Museum (UA Museums).

Free concerts and festivals

When Event Where
Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026 Tech or Treat The Gateway, 2614 University Blvd. East
Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 Boo! in the Park Sokol Park North
Nov. 23, 2026, to New Year’s Tinsel Trail, with free Santa photos Nov. 23, Dec. 6, 12 and 18 Government Plaza
Monday, Dec. 7, 2026 West Alabama Christmas Parade and courthouse tree lighting Downtown
Feb. 21, 2027, to Easter Northport Bunny Trail, egg hunt March 14 Main Avenue, Northport
April 10-11, 2027 Druid City Arts Festival Government Plaza
Fridays in May and June Live at the Plaza (2026 schedule) Government Plaza
July 4 Celebration on the River, fireworks at 9 p.m. in 2026 Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater

At the library

The Tuscaloosa Public Library runs free programs every week: story times and playdates for young children, Full STEAM Ahead for school-age kids, book clubs, sewing and quilting groups, and computer classes for adults.

Swimming

PARA’s Freeman Pool, 3001 Dragons Lane, offered a free open swim on Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., in summer 2026 (PARA). Other pools charge a day fee; see our summer camps and pools page.

Frequently asked questions

What is free to do in Tuscaloosa this weekend?

Every Saturday the Tuscaloosa Farmers Market runs 7 a.m. to noon at the River Market, and the Riverwalk is open 6 a.m. until one hour after sunset. Seasonal free events are listed on our things to do this month page.

Is the Tinsel Trail free?

Yes. Walking the trail of more than 200 decorated trees on Government Plaza and every event on it are free, Tuscaloosa’s One Place says. It opens Nov. 23, 2026.

Are there free concerts in Tuscaloosa?

Yes. The city’s Live at the Plaza series ran every Friday in May and June 2026, 6 to 9 p.m., and its Celebration on the River on July 4 is free with fireworks.

Is the Druid City Arts Festival free?

Yes. The city’s two-day arts and music festival on Government Plaza is free; the 2027 dates are April 10-11.