The free Madison Street Festival is the first Saturday in October, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. downtown. The 44th was Oct. 3, 2026; the 2027 date would be Oct. 2.

Last checked Oct. 17, 2026. This page is updated each year. Organizer: Madison Street Festival, msf.questions@gmail.com (the organizer asks for email; it lists no phone).

The Madison Street Festival is the city’s biggest day downtown: a free, one-day festival of arts and crafts, food, music, a parade and children’s activities on the streets of historic downtown Madison. It is always held on the first Saturday in October from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine, according to the festival’s own site.

The 44th festival was Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. By the organizer’s first-Saturday rule, the 2027 festival would fall on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2027. The organizer had not posted 2027 details as of Oct. 17; this page will carry them when it does.

The festival is run by a volunteer committee as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Money it raises goes to grants for educational programs and community literacy, according to its mission statement. The organizer calls it one of North Alabama’s largest festivals and said thousands came downtown for the 2026 edition.

At a glance - When: first Saturday in October, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Oct. 2, 2027, by that rule) - Where: historic downtown Madison: Main, Church, Front, Sullivan and Maple streets - Cost: free admission; food and vendors extra - Parking: free lots with free shuttles at Madison City Stadium and CrossPointe Church - Parade: 9 a.m., Church Street - Contact: msf.questions@gmail.com

The parade

The festival parade opens the day at 9 a.m. It stages at City Hall and runs through historic downtown along Church Street, Front Street and Sullivan Street before ending at Madison Elementary School. Schools, dance teams, cheer squads, mascots, businesses and community groups march; the 2026 lineup included the James Clemens and Bob Jones high school JROTC units, the James Clemens band and Madison Fire’s ladder truck. Opening ceremonies follow on the Community Showcase Stage on Church Street, in the Madison Methodist Church parking lot.

Groups that want to march register on the parade page; the 2026 deadline was Aug. 31.

Parking, shuttles and road closures

Parking downtown is limited on festival day. The organizer runs free shuttles from two lots:

Lot Shuttles First bus
Madison City Stadium, 211 Celtic Drive Shuttle 1 (school bus), Shuttle 2 (MARS bus) 5:45 a.m. (Shuttle 1), 7 a.m. (Shuttle 2)
CrossPointe Church, 78 Hughes Road Shuttles 3 and 5 (school buses), Shuttle 4 (MARS bus) 5:45 a.m. (Shuttle 3), 7 a.m. (Shuttle 4), 8 a.m. (Shuttle 5)
  • Stadium shuttles drop off at the festival entrance on Wise Street. You can also walk: leave the bottom of the stadium lot onto Garner Street and enter at Wise Street. The organizer recommends this walk for families with strollers and for parade-goers.
  • CrossPointe shuttles normally drop off on Maple Street, next to the Children’s Area.
  • Parade closures: roads on the parade route close from about 8:45 to 10 a.m. During that time the CrossPointe shuttle goes to the Wise Street stop instead. To ride back to CrossPointe, catch the return shuttle at the Fellowship of Faith Church stop on Maple Street.
  • Accessible buses: the MARS buses are handicap accessible, and both lots have one.
  • Shuttles run until the festival closes at 4 p.m.

What is there

The festival lists its areas on its attractions page:

  • Artist Alley: a juried fine arts market of painting, photography, pottery, glass, jewelry, woodworking and more, with Best in Show, Mayor’s and Merit awards, plus a Student Art Tent with work from Madison City Schools art programs.
  • Crafters Cove on Maple Street, and a Business Showcase and Midtown Madison and nonprofit booths.
  • Food: food trucks and vendors on Main Street, Church Street, Front Street and Maple Street, with picnic tables. The festival map marks food areas with a fork.
  • Children’s Area in the Interact Zone off Maple Street: free STEM challenges, crafts, games, chess, face painting and balloon art for children 12 and under.
  • Teen Area in the same zone for ages 12 to 18: robotics, chess, science demonstrations and history exhibits. The National Weather Service and the Von Braun Astronomical Society were among the 2026 participants.
  • Community Showcase Stage on Church Street, with student musicians playing in other spots around the festival.

Festival extras include the Elbert Balch Memorial Blood Drive at a LifeSouth bloodmobile by the tracks on Church Street, American Legion Post 229 at Veterans Park (Church and Front streets), the Madison Station Quilt Guild and history exhibits in the Roundhouse, a Huntsville Hospital mobile unit on Church Street for nursing mothers and quiet breaks, and the Stuff the Bus school supply drive at Front and Sullivan streets.

What to know

  • Rain or shine. The festival goes ahead in any weather.
  • Pets are allowed and welcome; Madison’s leash law is enforced.
  • Cash: many vendors charge, and an ATM is on site.
  • Trains keep running. The Norfolk Southern line through downtown operates all day. Madison police keep the tracks clear; walking on the tracks is trespassing, and climbing through a stopped train delays it.
  • Free Wi-Fi: join “Madison-FreeWiFi”; no password.
  • Volunteers sign up on the volunteer page for two-hour shifts on the Friday and Saturday and get a festival T-shirt.

More in downtown Madison

What this means for you

Mark the first Saturday in October: Oct. 2, 2027, if the organizer’s usual rule holds. Come early for the 9 a.m. parade on Church Street, park at Madison City Stadium or CrossPointe Church and ride the free shuttle, and bring cash or a card for food. Admission is free and dogs on a leash are welcome. Questions go to msf.questions@gmail.com.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Madison Street Festival?

The organizer says the festival is always held on the first Saturday in October, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., in historic downtown Madison. The 44th festival was Oct. 3, 2026; by that rule the 2027 festival would be Saturday, Oct. 2.

Is the Madison Street Festival free?

Yes. Admission is free, and so are the Children’s Area activities. Food vendors and many other vendors charge, so bring cash or a card; an ATM is on site.

Where do I park for the Madison Street Festival?

Park free at Madison City Stadium, 211 Celtic Drive, or CrossPointe Church, 78 Hughes Road, and take the free shuttle. Shuttles start as early as 5:45 a.m., and both lots have a handicap-accessible bus.

What time is the Madison Street Festival parade?

The parade starts at 9 a.m. along Church Street, Front Street and Sullivan Street and ends at Madison Elementary School. Roads on the route close from about 8:45 to 10 a.m.

Can I bring my dog to the Madison Street Festival?

Yes. The organizer says pets are allowed and welcome, and the city’s leash law is enforced.