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Huntsville events for military families: what's on in the next six weeks

Last fact-checked October 24, 2026. Independent guide, not affiliated with the U.S. government. Disclaimer.

Family-friendly, military and veteran events in Huntsville, Madison, Athens and on Redstone Arsenal, October 24 – December 6, 2026. Each listing links to the organizer's official page. Check there before you go, because times and prices can change.

Last updated October 24, 2026. 28 events listed. We refresh this page every week. Know of something we missed? Email [email protected].

Tags:FamilyMilitaryVeteransFree

“Free” means the organizer lists free admission (parking or extras may cost money). “Military” means it is run by or for the Redstone community, such as MWR. On-post events may require installation access; see base access.

This weekend (Oct 19–Oct 25)

  • Huntsville Ballet: Night Songs & Beneath the October Moon

    • When: Oct 24–25, See showtimes
    • Where: Dream Theater Performing Arts Center, Huntsville
    • Cost: Ticketed

    Season opener with a Halloween ballet; matinees invite kids to come in costume, parade and trick-or-treat with the dancers.

    Family

Week of October 26 (Oct 26–Nov 1)

  • Celebrate Madison at Toyota Field

    • When: Thu, Oct 29, 6 p.m.
    • Where: Toyota Field, Madison
    • Cost: Free

    Free hometown-pride night with entertainment, activities, local vendors and food.

    FamilyFree

  • Cocktails & Cosmos: Spooky Skies (adults)

    • When: Fri, Oct 30, Doors 6:15 p.m.; show 7 p.m.
    • Where: INTUITIVE Planetarium, U.S. Space & Rocket Center, Huntsville
    • Cost: Up to $19

    Live planetarium show on the sky's spookiest features, with a costume contest. Doors lock at 7:15 p.m.

  • Downtown Madison's Fall Festival

    • When: Sat, Oct 31, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
    • Where: Home Place Park, Madison
    • Cost: See event page

    City of Madison community fall festival downtown.

    Family

  • Fall Festival & Casper movie at Toyota Field

    • When: Sat, Oct 31, 5-8 p.m.
    • Where: Toyota Field, Madison
    • Cost: See event page

    Trick-or-treat around the concourse, characters, face painting and inflatables, then Casper at 6:30 p.m.

    Family

  • Huntsville Havoc: Hall-O-Wiener Dog Races

    • When: Sat, Oct 31, Game night
    • Where: Propst Arena, Von Braun Center, Huntsville
    • Cost: Ticketed

    Halloween-night pro hockey with dachshund races.

    Family

  • North Alabama Community Band Festival

    • When: Sun, Nov 1, 2-7 p.m.
    • Where: Sandra Moon Performing Arts Center, David A. Chan Theatre, Huntsville
    • Cost: Free

    Afternoon of community bands, hosted with the Huntsville Concert Band.

    FamilyFree

Week of November 2 (Nov 2–Nov 8)

  • Thriving Families Lunch & Learn: Adapting To and Overcoming Stress

    • When: Wed, Nov 4, 11 a.m.-noon
    • Where: Online (MS Teams), Redstone Army Community Service, Redstone Arsenal
    • Cost: Free

    Free family-enrichment workshop for the Redstone Arsenal community.

    MilitaryFree

  • Huntsville Havoc: Veterans Night

    • When: Fri, Nov 6, Game night
    • Where: Propst Arena, Von Braun Center, Huntsville
    • Cost: Ticketed

    The Havoc's Veterans Night promotion for the 2026-27 season.

    VeteransFamily

  • LEGO Club

    • When: Fri, Nov 6, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
    • Where: Tillman D. Hill Public Library, Hazel Green
    • Cost: Free

    Monthly themed LEGO building challenge at the Hazel Green library.

    FamilyFree

  • Round Top Folk Festival

    • When: Sat, Nov 7, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
    • Where: Burritt on the Mountain, Huntsville
    • Cost: Included with museum admission

    Traditional crafts and skills demonstrations, local music, vendors and food on Monte Sano.

    Family

  • Gather Madison

    • When: Sun, Nov 8, 12:30-2:30 p.m.
    • Where: Home Place Park, Madison
    • Cost: Free

    Free community meal at a long table, with live music and kids' activities. No RSVP needed.

    FamilyFree

Week of November 9 (Nov 9–Nov 15)

  • Veterans Day Dinner

    • When: Tue, Nov 10, 5:30 p.m. social; 6:30 p.m. dinner
    • Where: Von Braun Center, Saturn Ballroom, Huntsville
    • Cost: Ticketed

    Annual dinner honoring veterans, organized by Veterans Day Parade & Events of North Alabama.

    VeteransMilitary

  • Athens Veterans Day Program

    • When: Wed, Nov 11, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
    • Where: Alabama Veterans Museum, 114 W. Pryor St., Athens
    • Cost: Free (register by Nov. 6)

    Veterans appreciation luncheon from Athens State University and the Alabama Veterans Museum.

    VeteransFree

  • Huntsville Veterans Day Parade (and pre-parade band show)

    • When: Wed, Nov 11, Band 10 a.m.; parade 11 a.m.
    • Where: Downtown Huntsville (pre-show at 200 Monroe St.), Huntsville
    • Cost: Free

    Huntsville's Veterans Day parade, held for more than 60 years, on a new route this year. The Huntsville Concert Band plays the pre-parade show.

    VeteransMilitaryFamilyFree

  • Veterans Day Breakfast

    • When: Wed, Nov 11, Morning, before the parade
    • Where: The Roundhouse, near Veterans Memorial Park, Huntsville
    • Cost: Free for veterans

    Free breakfast honoring veterans, with senior military leaders and elected officials.

    VeteransFree

  • Galaxy of Lights opens (Walking Nights)

    • When: Fri, Nov 13, Evenings
    • Where: Huntsville Botanical Garden, Huntsville
    • Cost: Ticketed; varies by night

    The Garden's holiday light show runs Nov. 13-Dec. 31. Walking Nights Nov. 13-25 and 27-29 and Dec. 2-5; Driving Nights start Dec. 6. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

    Family

Week of November 16 (Nov 16–Nov 22)

  • Athens Christmas Open House

    • When: Nov 20–22, All weekend
    • Where: Downtown Athens, Athens
    • Cost: Free to attend

    Skating on the square, a visit with Santa, music, costumed characters and shopping.

    FamilyFree

  • Rocket Sessions: Josh Allison

    • When: Fri, Nov 20, Gates 5:15 p.m.; music 6 p.m.
    • Where: U.S. Space & Rocket Center, Huntsville
    • Cost: See event page

    Outdoor live-music evening at the Rocket Center.

    Family

  • STEAM Storytime

    • When: Fri, Nov 20, 9:30-10:15 a.m.
    • Where: Madison Public Library, Madison
    • Cost: Free

    STEAM-themed story and activity for ages 2+. No registration.

    FamilyFree

Week of November 23 (Nov 23–Nov 29)

  • Turkey Trot 5K

    • When: Thu, Nov 26, 8 a.m.
    • Where: UAH, Spragins Hall, Huntsville
    • Cost: $30 through Nov. 21; $35 after

    Thanksgiving-morning 5K benefiting Crisis Services of North Alabama. Costumes encouraged; strollers welcome.

    Family

  • Rocket City Tree Lighting & Tinsel Trail opening

    • When: Fri, Nov 27, Market 3-9 p.m.; tree lighting 6 p.m.
    • Where: Big Spring Park, Huntsville
    • Cost: Free

    Downtown's tree lighting opens Tinsel Trail (450+ decorated trees, through Dec. 31). Black Friday market, Santa photos 6-8 p.m.

    FamilyFree

Week of November 30 (Nov 30–Dec 6)

  • Huntsville Christmas Parade: A Rocket City Christmas

    • When: Tue, Dec 1, 6 p.m.
    • Where: Downtown Huntsville (starts Monroe St. at Holmes Ave.), Huntsville
    • Cost: Free

    12th annual parade with 80+ floats, animals and marching bands. The route changed this year because of downtown construction.

    FamilyFree

  • Huntsville Hybrid Career Fair: Engineering, Technology & Security Clearance

    • When: Tue, Dec 1, 1-4 p.m.
    • Where: The Westin Huntsville, Huntsville
    • Cost: See event page

    In-person and virtual career fair for engineering and tech candidates, including cleared candidates. Useful for transitioning service members.

    VeteransMilitary

  • Family Space Camp (weekend program)

    • When: Dec 4–6, Check-in Fri 2-3 p.m.; graduation Sun 11 a.m.
    • Where: U.S. Space & Rocket Center, Huntsville
    • Cost: Paid program; see the Rocket Center for current pricing

    Three-day, two-night Space Camp for families with kids 7 and up.

    Family

  • Athens-Limestone County Christmas Parade

    • When: Sat, Dec 5, 5-7 p.m.
    • Where: Downtown Athens, Athens
    • Cost: Free to watch

    Gingerbread Village-themed parade downtown. Rain date Dec. 12.

    FamilyFree

  • Merriment on the Mountain

    • When: Dec 5–6, Sat tea 10:30 a.m.; Sun cocoa 1-3 p.m.
    • Where: Burritt on the Mountain, Huntsville
    • Cost: Ticketed

    Burritt's family holiday weekend: Winter Whimsy Tea Saturday, Cookies and Cocoa with Father Christmas Sunday.

    Family

  • Winterville: Redstone Arsenal Tree Lighting & Holiday Market

    • When: Dec 5–6, Sat noon-7 p.m.; Sun noon-5 p.m.
    • Where: Redstone Arsenal Activity Field, Redstone Arsenal
    • Cost: Free admission and parking

    Redstone Family & MWR's holiday kickoff, open to the public: tree lighting, 70+ craft vendors, Santa and a Kidpreneur market. Bring REAL ID-compliant ID and check MWR for gate instructions.

    MilitaryFamilyFree

Plan ahead

Where we find events

We check organizers' own pages and these calendars every week: Redstone MWR[1], the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library[2], the Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau[3], and the cities of Huntsville and Madison.[4,5] Listings are editorial. Nobody pays to be included, and any paid placement is labeled “Sponsored.”

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Sources

Facts on this page were checked against these sources on October 24, 2026. Rules, hours and figures change, so confirm with the official source before you act.

  1. Redstone Arsenal MWR: Events calendar
  2. Huntsville-Madison County Public Library
  3. Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau
  4. City of Huntsville
  5. City of Madison