Food lovers across the state can taste the transition to fall at festivals celebrating a late-season legume, barbecue, and other delectable delights. Wine and cheese lovers can explore downtown Opelika, Hoover restaurants will strut their stuff, and shrimp will show off their appeal. Even local honey—the sweet byproduct of the insects who pollinate our edible plants and flowers—gets its due in festivals through mid-October celebrating some of Alabama’s favorite eats and drinks.
Sizzle and Smoke (Decatur)
September 27-28
Ingalls Harbor 802 Wilson Street
The fundraiser for the Decatur-based Mosaic Mentoring program is a two-day steak-grilling competition where contestants vie for cash prizes and entry to the 2025 SCA (Steak Cookoff Association) World Foods Championships finals in Fort Worth, Tex. Mosaic provides the competition steaks, and youths can participate in a pork chop challenge. The Real Steel Garage Charity Car Show is set for 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday; vendors include arts and crafts, and food trucks.
Admission is free.
On The Tracks (Opelika)
September 27
Downtown Opelika
The tour of downtown features some 20 stops to sample wine and cheese. Merchants will open for late-evening shopping. Food trucks and live entertainment round out the evening.
Advance tickets are $40 each; $500 for the VIP tent includes six admission tickets. Prices increase for tickets purchased at the gate.
Taste of Hoover (Hoover)
October 3
Aldridge Gardens 3530 Lorna Road
Nearly two dozen restaurants, food trucks, and caterers have signed on for the annual event showcasing Hoover’s growing mix of locally-owned independents joining the city’s more established chain restaurants. The evening under the stars, set for 5 p.m.-8 p.m., includes food and drink samples, plus musical entertainment. Limited parking is available onsite; a shuttle will run from the Bed Bath and Beyond parking lot in the Riverchase Shopping Center lot at Lorna Road and U.S. 31. The rain date, if needed, is October 10.
Admission is via paperless ticket; pay the fee online ($45 for members, $50 for non-members) and check in upon arrival.
Alabama Butterbean Festival (Pinson)
October 4-5
Main Street
It’s a fall carnival and a celebration of one of Alabama’s favorite legumes. The C&M Entertainment Carnival sets up starting Wednesday (October 3) and running through Sunday. The Butterbean Festival is Friday from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. It features food, arts and crafts, and entertainment.
Admission is free. C&M charges $20 for carnival admission armbands, and ride tickets are $1 each or 12 for $10.
Alabama Honey Festival (Hazel Green)
October 6
Winfred Thomas Agricultural Station
Alchemy Farm and Plants presents the sixth annual tribute to honey and the bees who produce it. In a new location this year, the Alabama Honey Festival is set for 1 p.m.-5 p.m. at 372 Walker Lane (35750). Vendors will offer baked goods, produce from Shortcreek Homestead, 4G Farms, and Silgo Farm, along with arts and crafts. Of course, there will be plenty of raw honey and honey-made products.
Admission is free.
National Shrimp Festival (Gulf Shores)
October 10-13
101 Gulf Shores Parkway
Alabama is blessed with access to fresh-caught shrimp from the Gulf of Mexico in a nation that imports some 90 percent of its shrimp. For more than 50 years, the National Shrimp Festival has been the go-to fete for crustaceans, crafts, and music from country to classic rock. Organizers of the volunteer festival promise an “action-packed weekend with nearly 250,000 of your closest friends.” It’s set for 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Parking at the site is limited; a shuttle service (stops mapped here) is available for $5 per day, with unlimited rides.
Admission is free.
Scottsboro BBQ Festival (Scottsboro)
October 12
Downtown Square
Teams will compete for cash prizes in an event sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society and Alabama Barbecue Association. The categories are chicken and ribs. The competition is the culmination of the Backyard Battle Royale, a cook-off across five barbecue festivals in North Alabama and South Tennessee. A Kids-Q competition involves burgers. Nearly 200 vendors are expected. Activities include a dog show and parade, cornhole tournament, motor-vehicle show, kids’ fun area, and music. The beer garden requires an ID. The festival is open from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; a shuttle runs (scroll down here for a map) until 5 p.m.
Admission is free.
