As the summer heat fades and autumn settles over Alabama, October emerges as one of the most exciting months of the year for food and drink lovers. The crisp air, colorful leaves, and festive spirit make it the perfect time to gather with friends and family for outdoor events, cultural celebrations, and culinary experiences. Across the state, communities come together to showcase their unique flavors, traditions, and hospitality through a lineup of can’t-miss foodie festivals and gatherings.
From sizzling food trucks competing for bragging rights to Bavarian beer gardens showcasing German heritage, Alabama’s October calendar is packed with events that highlight the best in food, drinks, and entertainment. Whether you’re wandering through a fairground in Montgomery with a funnel cake in hand, cheering on dachshunds at Cullman’s Oktoberfest, or solving clues during a bar crawl in Birmingham, each event offers a distinct way to celebrate the season. If you’re looking for things to do in Alabama, these foodie gatherings are a perfect place to start.
What makes these events so special is that they go beyond just great food. They create opportunities for connection—neighbors meeting neighbors, families making memories, and visitors discovering what makes Alabama’s communities thrive. October is the month when local chefs, brewers, entertainers, and artisans come together, transforming ordinary weekends into extraordinary celebrations of culture and cuisine. These are truly the can’t-miss food events of the year.
If you’re a dedicated foodie or simply looking for new experiences this fall, you’ll want to mark your calendar for these unforgettable events. Here’s your ultimate guide to the best food and drink happenings in Alabama this October.
Battle of the Food Trucks – Hueytown, AL
📍 Location: The Market at 19/27, 2529 19th St, Hueytown, AL 35023
📅 Date: Saturday, October 4, 2025
🕑 Time: 2:00 PM
🎟️ Tickets & Info
Food truck lovers, mark your calendars! The Battle of the Food Trucks is set to bring together the best mobile kitchens from across the region for an unforgettable flavor showdown. Guests can sample dishes from an array of trucks and vendors, each serving up their signature specialties.
The highlight of the event? The People’s Choice Contest, where attendees vote for their favorite truck to crown the ultimate champion. With live music, entertainment, and a family-friendly atmosphere, this event guarantees fun for all ages. Local vendors and boutiques will also be on-site, showcasing crafts and unique goods—making it as much a shopping and cultural experience as it is a culinary one.
Expect a wide variety of dishes—from Southern BBQ with smoky sauces to globally inspired street food like tacos, dumplings, and loaded fries. Dessert trucks often make an appearance too, serving ice cream sandwiches, funnel cakes, or gourmet donuts. The Battle of the Food Trucks is a great way to try several cuisines in one afternoon, so come hungry.
Pro tip: Upgrade to guaranteed seating for extra comfort while you savor your bites. Rain or shine, this foodie showdown is not to be missed.
Birmingham Bar Crawl: Scavenger Hunt Edition
📍 Location: Downtown Birmingham, AL
📅 Date: Ongoing in October
🎟️ Tickets & Info
If you love a good bar crawl but want to add some adventure, the Birmingham Bar Crawl is your perfect pick. This isn’t your typical night of hopping from bar to bar—it’s a self-guided scavenger hunt where teams complete photo and video challenges while discovering the city’s hidden gems.
Along the way, you’ll compete to be crowned the Birmingham Bar Hunt Champion. From solving riddles on plaques and statues to finding secret art pieces, this crawl blends drinking, culture, and exploration into one unforgettable night.
Expect to stop at Birmingham’s top bars, each offering unique atmospheres and menus. Sip on local craft beers, hand-crafted cocktails, and regional specialties while exploring the city’s nightlife. Whether your group is competitive or just out to explore the city, this scavenger hunt adds a new layer of fun to an already lively evening.
Oktoberfest – Cullman, AL
📍 Location: Downtown Cullman
📅 Dates: Thursday, October 2 – Saturday, October 4, 2025
🎟️ Tickets & Info
For a taste of Bavaria without leaving Alabama, head to Cullman’s Oktoberfest—a celebration of German heritage filled with music, food, and family fun. Over three days, the streets of Cullman come alive with biergartens, parades, and cultural showcases.
Event Highlights:
- Thursday, Oct 2:
- 4:00 PM – Biergartens, Kids Zone & Vendors Open
- 6:00 PM – Oktoberfest Parade
- 6:30 PM – Opening Ceremonies & Miss Oktoberfest
- Friday, Oct 3:
- 10:00 AM – Senior Day, vendors, biergartens
- 11:30 AM – Glass blowing & blacksmithing workshops
- 4:00 PM – Live Music
- Saturday, Oct 4:
- 8:00 AM – Oktoberfest 5K/10K Run
- 11:00 AM – OktoFURest: Weiner Dog Races & Costume Contest
- 4:00 PM – Live Music
At Oktoberfest, food is as much a centerpiece as the music. Indulge in bratwursts piled high with sauerkraut, giant soft pretzels with mustard, and schnitzel fresh from the skillet. Pair it with a stein of German beer in one of the themed biergartens for the full experience. Families will love the Kids Zone, while foodies can sample traditional European sweets like strudel and Black Forest cake.
Add in workshops, live music, and family-friendly activities, and you have the perfect weekend getaway steeped in old-world charm.
Alabama National Fair – Montgomery, AL
📍 Location: Montgomery, AL
📅 Dates: October 4 – October 12, 2025
🎟️ Tickets & Info
The Alabama National Fair is more than just thrilling rides and carnival games—it’s a showcase of music, culture, and, of course, fantastic food. Funnel cakes, turkey legs, fried Oreos, corn dogs—fair food is its own category of indulgence, and the Montgomery fairgrounds will be filled with it.
But what sets the fair apart is its live entertainment lineup, with big-name performances bringing the stage to life.
Music Highlights:
- Saturday, October 4: Corey Kent – Rising country-rock star known for his heartfelt lyrics and high-energy performances.
- Sunday, October 5: Skillet – Legendary Christian rock band with a 20+ year career, platinum hits, and an electrifying live show.
- Thursday, October 9: The Memphis Show Band (MSB) – A Montgomery-born Elvis tribute group that delivers a nostalgic, high-energy performance inspired by The King himself.
No visit to the fair is complete without sampling its classic eats. From candy apples to deep-fried specialties, there’s something for every craving. Try the giant turkey legs if you’re hungry for a meal, or snack on fried pickles and funnel cakes as you stroll through the midway. It’s a paradise for anyone who loves indulgent comfort foods.
Whether you’re there for the food, the rides, or the music, the Alabama National Fair is an annual tradition that captures the spirit of community and celebration. It’s a must-see if you’re searching for things to do in Alabama this October.
Plan Your Foodie Road Trip
If you’re a die-hard foodie, why not make a weekend of it? Start your October adventure at Cullman’s Oktoberfest, then head to Hueytown for the Battle of the Food Trucks. Cap off your journey with the Alabama National Fair and maybe even sneak in a Birmingham Bar Crawl with friends. Each stop offers something different—culture, competition, celebration—and together they paint a delicious picture of Alabama’s food scene.
And don’t forget to extend your trip to explore Alabama’s hidden culinary gems, from BBQ shacks on backroads to fine-dining spots in bustling downtowns. With so many options, you can turn October into a month-long feast.
Final Thoughts
October in Alabama is a feast for the senses. Whether you’re sampling street food, savoring German beer and brats, or enjoying fairground classics, the state is buzzing with opportunities to eat, drink, and celebrate. These gatherings are more than events—they are traditions that bring together foodies, families, and friends in a celebration of culture, flavor, and community spirit.
Attending these festivals means supporting local chefs, brewers, and artisans, and experiencing firsthand the creativity that makes Alabama’s food scene thrive. Each stop on the calendar offers something unique: the excitement of competition at the Battle of the Food Trucks, the cultural charm of Oktoberfest in Cullman, the thrill and nostalgia of the Alabama National Fair, and the lively camaraderie of Birmingham’s scavenger hunt bar crawl.
If you’re searching for unforgettable things to do in Alabama, these October festivals are your golden ticket. They combine the best of food, music, and community, ensuring you’ll create memories as rich as the flavors on your plate. When it comes to must-attend food events, Alabama shines bright in the fall season.
So gather your friends, pack your appetite, and set out on a culinary adventure that will leave you full, happy, and inspired. Each of these Alabama festivals is more than a day out—they are opportunities to experience the heart and soul of the state through its flavors, traditions, and community spirit. Whether you’re clinking steins at Oktoberfest, casting your vote at the Battle of the Food Trucks, rocking out at the Alabama National Fair, or uncovering clues on the Birmingham Bar Crawl, you’ll walk away with memories that linger long after the last bite. October is Alabama’s invitation to slow down, celebrate together, and savor the tastes that make the season unforgettable. With so many vibrant food events and lively things to do in Alabama, the only real question is: which one will you experience first?
Explore more food events in Tuscaloosa with these links:
