October in Tuscaloosa: Kentuck Festival Oct. 17-18, the symphony Oct. 19, Tech or Treat Oct. 22, Alabama vs. Texas A&M Oct. 24 and fall fests Oct. 31.

Last checked Oct. 17, 2026. This page is rebuilt at the start of each month. Events come from the City of Tuscaloosa, the Tuscaloosa Public Library, Visit Tuscaloosa, the Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater and the organizers named. Confirm times with the organizer before you go. For this weekend only, see things to do this weekend.

The second half of October in Tuscaloosa opens with the Kentuck Festival of the Arts this weekend at Snow Hinton Park, then fills up with Halloween events, a symphony concert, an amphitheater show and Alabama’s next home football game on Saturday, Oct. 24.

Who to call

This weekend: Kentuck Festival of the Arts, Oct. 17-18

The 55th Kentuck Festival of the Arts fills Snow Hinton Park, 1000 Hargrove Road East, on Saturday and Sunday with more than 270 artists, live music, spoken word, kids’ crafts, demonstrations, food trucks and local craft beer. Gate tickets are $15 a day or $25 for the weekend; children 12 and under are free. General parking is on the north side of the park toward University Mall, with a free shuttle from the mall lot, the festival’s FAQ says; do not park on the Midtown Village side of McFarland Boulevard. Text KENTUCK2026 to 888777 for weather alerts. Full guide: Kentuck Festival of the Arts.

Also Saturday, Oct. 17:

  • Tuscaloosa Farmers Market, 7 a.m. to noon, Tuscaloosa River Market. See Tuscaloosa farmers markets.
  • Pumpkin N’ Paint for kids, 10 a.m. to noon, Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center, 620 Greensboro Ave.; $20, through the Arts Council.
  • Casual Campus Cruise, a 12-mile easy bike ride from Velo City Cycles, 401A 22nd Ave., with a stop at the farmers market. Helmets required. It rides again Nov. 7 and Dec. 12.
  • Funhouse Haunted House, presented by West Alabama Mountain Biking, at the Red Barn in Sokol Park.

Week of Oct. 19

  • Monday, Oct. 19: the Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra’s Into the Light, with violinist Melissa White, 7 p.m. at the Moody Music Building Concert Hall, 810 Second Ave.; Cheers and Chat at 6 p.m. Tickets from the symphony, 205-752-5515.
  • Wednesday, Oct. 21: the free lecture Irish-America 250, 6 p.m., ten Hoor Hall Room 30 at the University of Alabama, with the Consul General of Ireland in Miami. Also Wednesdays: the chef-led Tasting Tuscaloosa downtown food tour, up to 12 guests; book through Cleaver and Clove.
  • Thursday, Oct. 22: Tech or Treat, the city’s free trunk-or-treat-style night with candy and science activities, 6 to 8 p.m. at the Gateway, 2614 University Blvd. East. Park at The Alberta School of Performing Arts.
  • Friday, Oct. 23: Jon Pardi, with Alexandra Kay and Sadie Bass, at the Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater, 2710 Jack Warner Parkway. The amphitheater’s trestle parking lot is closed for road work.
  • Saturday, Oct. 24: Alabama vs. Texas A&M, 2:30 p.m. CT on ABC in Tuscaloosa, per the Crimson Tide schedule.

Week of Oct. 26

  • Tuesday, Oct. 27: The Conjuring (2013, rated R) on the big screen, 7 p.m. at the Historic Bama Theatre, 600 Greensboro Ave.
  • Friday, Oct. 30: the Arts Council’s Monster Makeover Auction, 6 to 8 p.m. at Harrison Galleries, 2315 University Blvd. The student “monster” drawings and artists’ versions hang there all month.
  • Saturday, Oct. 31: Tuscaloosa First Assembly Fall Fest, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 3801 Skyland Blvd. East, with inflatables, games, a hayride and food trucks; free, with optional pre-registration. For trick-or-treating, see trick-or-treat hours in Tuscaloosa.

At the library

The Tuscaloosa Public Library runs free events all month at the Main Library, 1801 Jack Warner Parkway, and the Weaver Bolden Branch, 2522 Lanier Ave. Highlights: Morning Makers: Pumpkin Dissection (10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, Main Library), Pumpkin Craft Night (5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, Weaver Bolden) and the Teen Lab: Photo Blocks (5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, Main Library), plus weekly storytimes, sewing labs and knitting groups.

Looking ahead to November

The Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra plays Home Alone in Concert at the amphitheater Friday, Nov. 20. Alabama plays its last home games against Chattanooga (Nov. 21) and Auburn (Nov. 28). Holidays on the Plaza, with an outdoor ice rink at Government Plaza, opens Monday, Nov. 23. See Christmas parade and tree lighting.

More guides: fall festivals and pumpkin patches, parks and trails in Tuscaloosa and getting around Tuscaloosa.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Kentuck Festival of the Arts in 2026?

Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 17-18, 2026, at Snow Hinton Park, 1000 Hargrove Road East. Tickets are $15 a day or $25 for the weekend at the gate; children 12 and under get in free.

When is Alabama’s next home football game?

Saturday, Oct. 24, against Texas A&M at 2:30 p.m. CT on ABC, according to the University of Alabama’s schedule. The last two home games are Chattanooga on Nov. 21 and Auburn on Nov. 28.

What is Tech or Treat in Tuscaloosa?

A free city event like a trunk-or-treat, 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, at the Gateway, 2614 University Blvd. East. Children collect candy table to table and try science and arts activities; an adult must come along.

Is the Tuscaloosa Farmers Market open in October?

Yes. It runs every Saturday, year-round, 7 a.m. to noon at the Tuscaloosa River Market, 1900 Jack Warner Parkway.