Looking for something to do this weekend?
Whether you're in the mood for live music, Halloween fun or a taste of local culture, Baldwin County has a lineup of events that won't disappoint. Kick off the weekend at the Eastern Shore's first-ever Harvest Jam, featuring live tunes, trick-or-treating and family-friendly activities. Or head to Stapleton for the annual Bluegrass Festival, where the sound of banjos fills the air, along with food trucks and arts and crafts for the whole family. If you're feeling festive, the Elberta German Sausage Festival offers a full day of traditional German fare, local vendors and live entertainment.
For those seeking Halloween thrills, the Downtown Fairhope Trick-or-Treat event and Foley's Hometown Halloween will bring out crowds in costumes. And don't miss the Foley Witches Ride or the Fairhope Witches Ride, a unique gathering of costumed cyclists that ends with an after-party featuring live music and food trucks.
Wrap up the weekend with a relaxing evening at Magnolia Springs Arboretum's fall fundraiser, where guests can enjoy wine, appetizers and live music while supporting efforts to restore this local treasure.
For more events happening this weekend or throughout the month, visit our event calendar at www.GulfCoastMedia.com/calendar. Have an event we should know about? Email us at pressrelease@gulfcoastmedia.com.
What: Foley's Hometown Halloween, now in its 20th year, brings family-friendly fun to the streets of downtown. Costumed children and their families will enjoy activities such as a costume contest, inflatable bounce houses, obstacle courses, food concessions, face painting, a balloon artist and gift card giveaways. Merchants and community organizations will offer treats at booths, which will compete for the best-decorated booth award. Downtown streets will be closed for safety, with police and firefighters on-site and extra lighting installed.
When: Thursday, Oct. 24, 5:30-8 p.m.
Where: Downtown Foley
Price: Free to attend
What: Burgers & Bingo on the Square is a family-friendly evening featuring free Bingo games with plenty of prizes. Bay Minette's Courthouse Square Gazebo will host the event, with Baldwin County High School's Baseball team grilling hamburgers and hot dogs. The Kiwanis Club will sell drinks and snacks, and the Cups for a Cure Lemonade Truck will be serving up refreshing beverages. In addition, the Rec Soccer Program will host a bake sale, offering homemade treats for a good cause.
When: Thursday, Oct. 24, 6-8 p.m.
Where: Courthouse Square Gazebo, Bay Minette
Price: Free to attend; food and drinks available for purchase
What: The Fairhope Witches Ride is an annual Halloween-themed event featuring a festive bike ride through downtown Fairhope, followed by the Witches Ball at Halstead Amphitheater. Hundreds of costumed witches and warlocks will participate, gliding through the streets to the delight of spectators. The evening includes live music from The Tip Tops, food trucks and dancing under the stars. Proceeds benefit the Baldwin Humane Society, supporting local animal rescue efforts. Participants must be 21 or older for the ride and ball, but all ages are welcome to watch. No e-bikes, golf carts, walking participants or pets are allowed.
When: Thursday, Oct. 24, Ride starts at 6 p.m., Witches Ball to follow
Where: Downtown Fairhope (ride); Halstead Amphitheater (ball)
Price: Tickets required for the ride and ball; visit www.baldwinhumane.org/fairhope-witches-ride for details
What: Eastern Shore Centre is hosting its first-ever Harvest Jam, offering an afternoon of family fun with live music, pop-up shops, kids' activities, and spook-tacular treats. There will also be trick-or-treating for the little ones, and the event will take place near The Green by California Dreaming. The event is designed to bring the community together for a celebration of the season with something for all ages.
When: Friday, Oct. 25, 4-6 p.m.
Where: Eastern Shore Centre, 30500 Hwy 181, Spanish Fort
Price: Free to attend
What: The 7th Annual Stapleton Bluegrass Festival is a beloved event celebrating bluegrass music and community. This year's lineup includes performances by Weary Heart, FireTown, The Tennessee Bluegrass Band, The Amanda Cook Band, Fatman Squeeze and Nu-Blu. Families will also enjoy kid-friendly activities, food trucks and arts and crafts vendors. All proceeds from the event benefit Stapleton School, helping to provide critical resources for classroom improvements and technology upgrades.
When: Saturday, Oct. 26, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Where: Stapleton School, 35480 Harriot Ave., Stapleton
Price: $10 for adults; $5 for children ages 5-12
What: The October 2024 Elberta German Sausage Festival, an iconic community event, will feature more than 150 arts and crafts vendors, food options and live music throughout the day. The festival is a fundraiser for the Elberta Volunteer Fire Department and other local nonprofit organizations. Delicious, traditional German sausages, made using a recipe passed down for generations, will be a highlight for attendees as usual.
When: Saturday, Oct. 26, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Elberta Town Park, Elberta
Price: Free to attend; vendors accept cash or card
What: Downtown Fairhope's Trick-or-Treat event invites children to dress up in their favorite costumes and visit participating shops for Halloween treats. Look for orange pumpkins in store windows to identify participating businesses. The event also includes a canned food drive, with donations benefiting Ecumenical Ministries.
When: Saturday, Oct. 26, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Where: Downtown Fairhope
Price: Free to attend; bring canned goods to donate
What: The Foley Witches Ride is a unique event for women over 21, who don their best witch costumes and ride their bikes through downtown Foley. The event ends with an after-party featuring live music, food trucks and a donation-based entry open to everyone. All proceeds benefit local community organizations, including schools and nonprofit programs. Tickets include participation in the ride, a t-shirt and after-party entry.
When: Saturday, Oct. 26, 5-10 p.m.
Where: Downtown Foley and Heritage Park
Price: Ride participants - Ticket required; After-party - $20 donation for non-riders
What: Magnolia Springs' "Meet 'Em in the Arboretum" fundraiser offers a relaxed evening of wine, appetizers, and live music by local artist Leonard Houston. The event aims to support the restoration of the Magnolia Springs Arboretum, which was heavily damaged by Hurricane Sally. Attendees will also get a sneak peek at the arboretum's landscape redesign by WAS Design in Foley. Tickets available at Magnolia Springs Pharmacy, Jesse's Restaurant, Page and Palette, Gulf Shores Rentals and Magnolia Springs Town Hall or at the event.
When: Sunday, Oct. 27, 4-6 p.m.
Where: Magnolia Springs Arboretum, Magnolia Springs
Price: $35 per ticket
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