The Monte Sano Art Festival brings 140-plus artists to Monte Sano State Park each September. Free entry; parking $10 a car, cash only. 2027 dates not out yet.
Last checked Oct. 17, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Sources: Arts Huntsville’s Monte Sano Art Festival page and the Alabama State Parks Monte Sano State Park page.
The Monte Sano Art Festival fills Monte Sano State Park with more than 140 visual artists from across the country each September, with local food trucks and live music. Arts Huntsville, which runs it, calls it “art with a view” and says the festival has been a North Alabama tradition for more than two decades. The 2026 festival was Sept. 19-20; the 2027 dates have not been announced. Arts Huntsville posts them on its festival page.
Know before you go
- When: a September weekend; Sept. 19-20 in 2026; 2027 dates not out yet
- Where: Monte Sano State Park, 5105 Nolen Ave., Huntsville
- Admission: free from Arts Huntsville
- Parking: $10 a car or $5 a walk-in visitor, cash only, paid to the state park
- Organizer: Arts Huntsville, 256-519-2787
Hours
The 2026 hours, as Arts Huntsville published them:
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Saturday | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Sunday | 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. |
Cost and parking
Arts Huntsville does not charge admission. Monte Sano State Park charges $10 a car to park or $5 for each visitor who walks in, and takes cash only. All of that money goes to the state parks system. Bring cash before you drive up the mountain.
The park is at 5105 Nolen Ave. on top of Monte Sano, east of downtown Huntsville. The park office is at 256-534-3757, open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, and the park itself is open 8 a.m. to sunset, Alabama State Parks says.
What is at the festival
- More than 140 visual artists from across the nation, selling original work in a wide range of disciplines and techniques
- Live music from musicians Arts Huntsville lists on its page each year
- Local food trucks
The artist and musician lineups for each year are posted on the festival page before the weekend.
Before or after
The park has 20 miles of hiking trails and 14 miles of biking trails, Alabama State Parks says, so the festival pairs well with a walk. See our guides to parks and trails and walking and biking trails in Huntsville.
More fall events: fall festivals and pumpkin patches. Arts Huntsville’s spring festival downtown: Panoply.
Frequently asked questions
When is the 2027 Monte Sano Art Festival?
Arts Huntsville had not announced 2027 dates as of Oct. 17, 2026. The 2026 festival was Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 19-20, in Monte Sano State Park.
How much does the Monte Sano Art Festival cost?
Arts Huntsville charges no admission. Monte Sano State Park charges $10 a car for parking or $5 for each walk-in visitor, cash only, and the money supports the state parks system.
What are the Monte Sano Art Festival hours?
In 2026 the festival ran 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
What is at the Monte Sano Art Festival?
More than 140 visual artists from across the country, local food trucks and live music, Arts Huntsville says. The festival has run for more than two decades.
Have your say