Best October Events in Birmingham, AL 2026: Pumpkin Patches, Fall Festivals and Haunted Houses
It’s finally October in Birmingham! 🍂🎃 The leaves are changing, the temperatures are cooling down, and pumpkin spice, hayrides, fall festivals and Halloween fun are everywhere.
Whether you're looking for a pumpkin patch near Birmingham, AL, a family-friendly fall festival, a Halloween event in Hoover or Pelham, or a haunted house near Birmingham, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the season.
From picking pumpkins and riding hayrides to navigating haunted houses after dark, here are some of the best October 2026 events in Birmingham, Alabama and surrounding communities.
Event dates, hours and admission information can change, so be sure to check each event's official website before making plans.
🎃 Pumpkin Patches Near Birmingham, AL in 2026
One of the best things about fall in Birmingham is that you don't have to travel far to find a pumpkin patch. Whether you're looking for family activities, fall photos, hayrides, corn mazes or the perfect pumpkin, these farms are worth checking out.
Helena Hollow – The Patch
https://www.helenahollow.com/the-patch
📍 6027 Highway 17, Helena, AL
Helena Hollow's The Patch returns in October 2026 with more than 25 fall activities spread across 40 acres.
Visitors can enjoy a pumpkin patch, tractor ride, hay run, tire swings, rope climbs, tug-of-war and other family-friendly activities.
The Patch opens Friday, October 2, 2026, and runs through Halloween on October 31. Public hours are Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
If you're searching for pumpkin patches near Birmingham or family-friendly fall activities in Helena, Alabama, Helena Hollow is a great place to add to your October calendar.
Pumpkin Junction at the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum
https://www.hodrrm.org/pumpkin-junction#gettickets
📍 1919 9th Street, Calera, AL
Looking for something a little different? Take a fall train ride to Pumpkin Junction at the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum in Calera.
The 2026 Pumpkin Junction dates are October 3–4, 10–11 and 17–18. Families can enjoy a train ride, pumpkin activities, hayrides, outdoor games, crafts, food vendors and more.
This is a particularly fun option if you're searching for things to do in Calera, AL in October or want to combine a pumpkin patch visit with a railroad adventure.
Old Baker Farm
https://oldbakerfarm.com/pages/the-pumpkin-patch
📍 Harpersville, AL
Old Baker Farm is another popular fall destination for Birmingham-area families. The farm's 2026 pumpkin patch runs September 26 through October 31.
The farm offers pumpkins, fall activities, concessions and special weekend events throughout October.
Special 2026 events include Cowboy Weekend October 10–11, Alabama Living History Weekend October 17–18, and Festival Weekend October 24–25.
It's a wonderful option for a fall day trip from Birmingham and a great place to enjoy the traditional farm atmosphere of autumn in Alabama.
Griffin Farms Pumpkin Patch
📍 826 Griffin Road, West Blocton, AL
Griffin Farms brings back its pumpkin patch every weekend in October.
The farm offers pumpkins, food and craft vendors and family-friendly fall attractions. The farm is also hosting its 12th Annual Cruise In on Saturday, October 10, 2026.
Griffin Farms is a good choice if you're looking for a pumpkin patch near Birmingham, West Blocton or Tuscaloosa.
The Great Pumpkin Patch
https://greatpumpkinpatch.com/
📍 288 County Road 45, Hayden, AL
Located about 30 miles north of Birmingham, The Great Pumpkin Patch in Hayden is another longtime fall favorite.
The 2026 season runs September 26 through November 1.
Visitors can enjoy a hayride to the pumpkin patch, inflatables, a petting zoo, hay pyramid, live entertainment, arts and crafts, food and other family activities.
If you're searching for fall activities near Birmingham, Alabama and don't mind a short drive north, this is one to put on your list.
4D Farm – Fall Festival
https://www.4dfamilyfarm.com/special-events
📍 Cullman, AL
For a full day of fall activities, head to 4D Farm.
The 2026 fall season opens September 26 and features more than 40 acres of attractions, including a pumpkin patch, corn maze, hayrides, farm animals, pig races, jumping areas, slides, a cow train, zipline and more.
New for 2026, the farm has also added a train attraction.
On Friday and Saturday evenings, visitors can experience the Goblin Glow Trail, making 4D Farm a fun choice for families who want to turn a daytime pumpkin-patch trip into an evening fall adventure.
🍁 Fall Festivals & Family-Friendly October Events in Birmingham
Not everyone is looking for a scary Halloween night. Birmingham and its surrounding communities also offer plenty of family-friendly fall festivals, Halloween celebrations and October events.
Hoots & Howls at the Birmingham Zoo
📍 Birmingham Zoo, 2630 Cahaba Road, Birmingham, AL
Hoots & Howls returns to the Birmingham Zoo for 2026 on October 10–11, 17–18, 24–25 and Halloween, October 31.
The daytime Halloween event includes candy stations, magic shows, animal presentations, a costume parade and contest, a Dino Dance party, DJs, lawn games and photo opportunities.
The Candy Trail is available for an additional fee and includes access to candy stations, along with unlimited rides on the Red Diamond Express Train and climbs on the Full Moon BBQ Adventure Tower with the appropriate wristband.
This is a great Halloween event in Birmingham for families and kids.
Alabaster Fall Fest
https://www.cityofalabaster.com/228/Fall-Fest-Oct
📍 Amphitheater at Alabaster City Hall, 1953 Municipal Way, Alabaster, AL
Saturday, October 31, 2026 | 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
The City of Alabaster's 18th Annual Fall Fest takes place on Halloween and offers free admission.
Families can enjoy arts and crafts vendors, food vendors, carnival rides, inflatables, live music, hayrides, a children's trick-or-treat trail and pumpkin painting.
If you're searching for Halloween events in Alabaster, AL or free family-friendly activities near Birmingham, this is one to check out.
Hoover HalloweenFest
https://hooveralabama.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=11483
📍 Hoover, AL
Hoover is also getting into the Halloween spirit with HalloweenFest on October 29, 2026, from 4:30–7:30 p.m.
Check the City of Hoover's event calendar for the latest details, location information and updates as the event approaches.
Taste of Hoover
https://aldridgegardens.com/education/events/annual_events/taste-of-hoover.html
📍 Aldridge Gardens, 3530 Lorna Road, Hoover, AL
Thursday, October 15, 2026 | 5–8 p.m.
For adults looking for an autumn evening out, Taste of Hoover brings local restaurants, food vendors, beverages, music and the beautiful setting of Aldridge Gardens together for one evening.
It's a great way to enjoy the fall season in Hoover without everything being Halloween-themed.
Alabama Adventure Fall Festival
https://alabamaadventure.com/shows-events/
📍 Alabama Adventure, Bessemer, AL
Families can also enjoy the Adventure Fall Festival at Alabama Adventure on October 17 and October 24, 2026.
The daytime event includes pumpkin displays, trick-or-treating, a costume fashion show, family-friendly attractions and seasonal entertainment.
For families who want fall fun without the scares of the park's nighttime haunted attractions, this is a fun option.
👻 Haunted Houses Near Birmingham, AL in 2026
Ready for something a little scarier?
Birmingham and the surrounding area have several haunted attractions for teens and adults looking for haunted houses, haunted trails and Halloween scares.
Warehouse31 – Pelham
📍 3150 Lee Street, Pelham, AL
Warehouse31 returns for the 2026 Halloween season with its haunted attractions in Pelham.
The attraction's 2026 calendar includes multiple October nights, with extended Friday and Saturday hours.
One special event is Lantern Night on October 22, when guests make their way through the Rigamortis attraction in darkness with only a single lantern to light the way.
If you're searching for haunted houses in Pelham, Alabama, Warehouse31 is one of the area's longtime Halloween attractions.
Atrox Factory – Leeds
📍 8404 Parkway Drive, Leeds, AL
Atrox Factory is back for the 2026 Halloween season in Leeds.
The attraction bills itself as the largest indoor haunted attraction in the Southeast, with 50,000 square feet of haunted experiences and more than a quarter-mile of hallways.
The 2026 season opens October 2, with the attraction operating on select nights throughout October.
Atrox also offers special nights, including an actorless night for guests who want a different experience and Lights Out on October 31 and November 1.
If you're searching for a haunted house near Birmingham, AL or Leeds, Alabama, Atrox Factory is definitely one to know about.
Nightmare at 3008 – Fultondale
https://www.nightmareat3008.com/
📍 1731 Decatur Highway, Fultondale, AL
Nightmare at 3008 offers indoor and outdoor haunted experiences in Fultondale.
The attraction is known for its dark, intense atmosphere and twisted trails, making it a popular option for people searching for scary Halloween attractions near Birmingham.
Nightmare at 3008 also hosts special events during the season, including Sensory Awareness Night, Kids Day and blackout nights.
Conjure – Birmingham
📍 906 40th Street North, Birmingham, AL
A newer addition to Birmingham's haunted-house scene, Conjure offers a 50,000-square-foot haunted attraction inside Birmingham city limits.
The 2026 season runs through November 1, with select Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights in October.
Because it's actually located within Birmingham, Conjure is an especially convenient option for anyone searching for a haunted house in Birmingham, Alabama without driving to the surrounding suburbs.
🕯️ Spooky & Unique Halloween Events Around Birmingham
If traditional haunted houses aren't quite your thing, there are also some unique Halloween experiences around Birmingham.
Dinner with Ghosts at Arlington House
📍 Arlington Historic House, Birmingham, AL
Friday, October 16, 2026 | 6:30–10 p.m.
For something different, Dinner with Ghosts combines history, food and paranormal investigation at Birmingham's historic Arlington House.
The evening includes dinner, stories about the historic property and an opportunity to participate in ghost hunting using paranormal investigation equipment.
It's an interesting choice for anyone who enjoys Birmingham history, haunted places and paranormal events.
🏡 Fall Is a Great Time to Explore Birmingham's Neighborhoods
October is one of the best times of year to get out and explore the Birmingham area.
As you're visiting pumpkin patches in Helena, attending a fall festival in Hoover, enjoying Halloween in Pelham or checking out a new neighborhood, you may discover a community that feels like home.
If you've been thinking about buying a home in Birmingham, Hoover, Pelham, Helena or the surrounding Birmingham metro area, fall can be a great time to explore different neighborhoods and see what fits your lifestyle.
🎯 Ready to Make a Move This Fall?
Whether you're relocating to Birmingham, upsizing, downsizing or simply beginning to think about buying or selling a home, I'd love to help you navigate the Birmingham real estate market.
Learn more about buying a home in Birmingham here: https://www.diannahowellrealtor.com/buying
Learn more about selling a home in Birmingham here: https://www.diannahowellrealtor.com/selling
Dianna Howell, Realtor
📞 205-568-5435
📧 dianna.howell@kw.com
🌐 Dianna Howell Realtor
💬 What's Your Favorite Way to Celebrate Fall in Birmingham?
Are you a pumpkin-patch-and-hayride person, a fall-festival fan or someone who waits all year for haunted-house season? 🎃👻🍂
There are so many ways to enjoy October in Birmingham, Hoover, Pelham, Helena, Leeds, Alabaster and the surrounding communities.
What is your favorite fall tradition in the Birmingham area? Let us know in the comments or on social media!
Sincerely,
Dianna Howell
Top Realtor in the Birmingham, Alabama Area
Top Birmingham Real Estate Agent
