The Moundville Native American Festival ran Oct. 1-3, 2026, 13 miles south of Tuscaloosa. Admission $10 at the gate; 2027 dates not announced yet.

Last checked Oct. 17, 2026. Dates, prices and hours come from the Moundville Native American Festival website, its FAQ and the University of Alabama events calendar. This page is updated for each year’s festival at the same address.

The 38th Moundville Native American Festival ran Thursday, Oct. 1, through Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, at Moundville Archaeological Park, 13 miles south of Tuscaloosa. The University of Alabama has not announced dates for the 2027 festival. The last two were held Oct. 9-11, 2025, and Oct. 1-3, 2026, so expect early to mid-October; this page will carry the dates once the festival website posts them.

Know before you go

  • When: next dates not announced; 2026 ran Oct. 1-3
  • Hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday
  • Where: Moundville Archaeological Park, 634 Mound State Parkway, Moundville, off Alabama Highway 69
  • Admission: $10 for adults, students and seniors; children 5 and under free; sold at the gate only, cash or card
  • Pets: service animals only
  • Questions: Moundville Archaeological Park, 205-371-2234

What the festival is

Moundville Archaeological Park and the Jones Museum, both part of the University of Alabama, hold the festival to celebrate the cultures and histories of Native Americans who call Alabama their homeland. The festival’s announcement lists Native American dancers, storytellers, crafters, demonstrators and art vendors, with local and Native food vendors. The schedule covers the Native American Stage, Storyteller’s Corner and stickball games.

Each year has a theme. The 2026 festival was the “Year of the Crawfish: Big Changes Start with Small Beings,” built on a story by Houma artist, musician and storyteller Grayhawk Perkins, who read it each festival day. A Children’s Area offers hands-on activities.

The park itself is an ancient city on the Black Warrior River, the UA events calendar says.

Tickets

From the FAQ:

Ticket Price
Adults, students and seniors $10
Children 5 and under Free
  • Tickets are sold only at the event, not online.
  • Each vehicle pays for itself; you cannot pay for the cars behind you in line.
  • Cash or card.

School groups

The festival takes school field trips. Group rates are available with a reservation, and one educator per 15 students and bus drivers get in free. Teachers book through the group reservations page or by email to education-moundstatepark@ua.edu. Homeschool groups do not qualify for the one-per-15 rate but can ask for the teacher packet by email.

Getting there

Moundville Archaeological Park is 13 miles south of Tuscaloosa off Alabama Highway 69, at 634 Mound State Parkway. The festival publishes a site map, and an Information booth on the grounds can point you around.

What to know

  • Dogs: only service animals are allowed.
  • Etiquette: the festival asks visitors to read its etiquette guide. Do not call regalia a costume and do not touch dancers or their regalia, especially feathers. If a feather falls from a dancer’s regalia, do not pick it up; tell the emcee or festival staff. Ask performers before taking photos with them, and get their consent before publishing a photo of them.
  • No alcohol, drugs or tobacco, the etiquette guide says.
  • Volunteers must be 19 or older unless they are current UA students; sign up through the volunteer page.

Other festivals near Tuscaloosa

October also brings the Kentuck Festival of the Arts at Snow Hinton Park. For the rest of the season, see fall festivals and pumpkin patches and things to do in Tuscaloosa this month.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Moundville Native American Festival?

The 38th festival ran Oct. 1-3, 2026, and the 2025 festival ran Oct. 9-11. The University of Alabama has not announced 2027 dates yet; the festival has been held in early or mid-October.

How much does the Moundville Native American Festival cost?

Admission is $10 for adults, students and seniors. Children 5 and under get in free. Tickets are sold only at the gate, by cash or card.

What are the Moundville Native American Festival hours?

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

How far is Moundville from Tuscaloosa?

Moundville Archaeological Park is 13 miles south of Tuscaloosa off Alabama Highway 69, at 634 Mound State Parkway in Moundville.

Can I bring my dog to the Moundville Native American Festival?

No. Only service animals are allowed at the festival.