November in Huntsville: the Veterans Day Parade Nov. 11, Galaxy of Lights from Nov. 13, turkey trots Nov. 26, the tree lighting Nov. 27 and the Dec. 1 parade.

Last checked Nov. 1, 2026. This page is rebuilt on the first of each month. Every listing links to the organizer’s own page; times and prices are as the organizer publishes them. The weekend guide is at things to do this weekend; galleries, theater and concerts are on arts and exhibitions this month.

November in Huntsville runs from the Veterans Day Parade on Wednesday, Nov. 11, to the opening of Galaxy of Lights on Nov. 13, Thanksgiving turkey trots on Nov. 26 and the Rocket City Tree lighting on Nov. 27. The Christmas parade follows on Tuesday, Dec. 1.

Plan ahead

This week: Nov. 1-8

  • Wintergreen Holiday Market, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, Huntsville Botanical Garden. Details
  • City Council oath of office, 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2, City Council Chamber, City Hall, 305 Fountain Circle, followed by the council’s organization meeting. City calendar
  • Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polling places and hours are on our voting page.
  • Santa at Parkway Place, from Thursday, Nov. 5, lower-level center court, 2801 Memorial Parkway South, for a five-day first visit; visits continue through the season. Reservations recommended. Parkway Place
  • City Council meeting, 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, City Hall. City calendar
  • VBC Tree Lighting, 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, outside the Propst Arena entrance at the Von Braun Center, with phone photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, free cocoa and cookies; the Huntsville Havoc play the Macon Mayhem at 7 p.m. Von Braun Center
  • Paws in the Park, 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, Hays Nature Preserve, 7161 Hays Preserve Trail SE. Guided walks with Huntsville Animal Services: bring your dog or walk a shelter dog. Free. City calendar
  • Mayor’s Tree Planting Day, 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, Lakewood Park, 2225 York Road NW. City calendar
  • Round Top Folk Festival, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, Burritt on the Mountain, with a brunch at 10 a.m. and a happy hour concert at 4 p.m. Burritt on the Mountain
  • Plant Fest Expo, from 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 7-8, VBC East Hall. Von Braun Center

Everything else this weekend is on our weekend page.

Week of Nov. 9: Veterans Day and Galaxy of Lights

  • State of the City, noon Monday, Nov. 9, Von Braun Center Saturn Ballroom: Mayor Tommy Battle’s annual address at the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber luncheon, with the Veterans Day proclamation signing. City calendar
  • Serving for Service, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9, Optimist Recreation Center, 703 Oakwood Ave. NE: free open-play pickleball for veterans. City of Huntsville
  • Veterans Day Dinner, 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, VBC Saturn Ballroom, $60. Organizer
  • Veterans Day Parade, 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, downtown, after a free breakfast at 8 a.m. at the Roundhouse and a band show at 10 a.m. on Monroe Street. City offices close and garbage runs a day late. Our Veterans Day page has the schedule.
  • Christmas Boutique, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesdays from Nov. 11, Huntsville Art League Gallery, Studio 2013, Lowe Mill: handmade ornaments, art and gifts. Lowe Mill
  • Galaxy of Lights opens Friday, Nov. 13, at the Huntsville Botanical Garden and runs to Dec. 31; walking nights all of November except Thanksgiving and Nov. 30. Our Galaxy of Lights page has every price and date.
  • “Valor: A Tribute to American Veterans” opens Nov. 13 at the Huntsville Museum of Art. More shows on our arts page.
  • Paws in the Park, 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, Indian Creek Greenway. Free. City calendar
  • Huntsville Havoc home games at the Von Braun Center: 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, against Knoxville, and 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, against Fayetteville. Von Braun Center

Week of Nov. 16

  • Galaxy of Lights dog nights, Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 16-17; $5 a dog in advance. Galaxy of Lights page
  • City Council meeting, 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, City Hall. City calendar
  • Gobble Gobble Hey!, a free zine and small press fest, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment, 2211 Seminole Drive SW. Lowe Mill
  • Lowe Mill Open Studio Night, 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21: the studios open after hours. Free. Lowe Mill

Thanksgiving week: Nov. 23-29

  • One Table Huntsville, a free Thanksgiving meal for everyone, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 23, Big Spring Park. Village of Promise
  • Huntsville City Schools are out Nov. 23-27; city offices close Nov. 26-27.
  • Turkey trots, 8 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 26: the Crisis Services of North Alabama Turkey Trot 5K at Spragins Hall, UAH, and the Theatre Turkey Trot at Ditto Landing. Our Thanksgiving page has bib pickup, trash and closings.
  • Rocket City Tree lighting, 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27, Big Spring Park, opening Tinsel Trail through Dec. 31; Black Friday Market 3 to 9 p.m. and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus 6 to 8 p.m. Tinsel Trail
  • Small Business Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, across Lowe Mill’s studios. Lowe Mill

Early December

  • Galaxy of Lights 5K, Monday, Nov. 30, and 3K Fun Run, Tuesday, Dec. 1. Races
  • Huntsville Christmas Parade, 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1, from Monroe Street at Holmes Avenue. Our Christmas parade page has the route.
  • Yule Y’all Christmas Market, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, Lowe Mill, with the water tower lighting at 5 p.m. Lowe Mill
  • Merriment on the Mountain, Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 5-6, Burritt on the Mountain. Burritt on the Mountain
  • Cocoa with Santa, 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, Huntsville Botanical Garden. Ticketed. Huntsville Botanical Garden
  • Galaxy of Lights driving nights run Dec. 6-15.
  • Rocket City Marathon, 7 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, from the Von Braun Center, with the 10K and 5K on Saturday, Dec. 12. Our marathon page has prices and road closures.
  • More December events are on our holiday lights and Christmas events page.

Every week

  • Swimming: lap swim, public swim and water exercise at the Huntsville Aquatics Center, 2213 Drake Ave., and the Dr. Richard Showers Sr. Pool, 4600 Blue Spring Road; most sessions $4. Times are on the city calendar.
  • $5 After 5: Thursday evenings, 5 to 8 p.m., at the Huntsville Museum of Art. Huntsville Museum of Art
  • Farmers markets: see our farmers markets guide.
  • Parks and trails: see our parks and trails guide.

Huntsville’s big annual events

What this means for you

  • Veterans Day falls on a Wednesday: city offices close and garbage runs a day late all week.
  • Galaxy of Lights walking tickets are cheapest on Nov. 16-19, and bought before 4:30 p.m. on the day.
  • Thanksgiving trash: Thursday routes are collected Friday, Nov. 27.

Have an event for December? Send it through our contact page.

Frequently asked questions

What is there to do in Huntsville in November 2026?

The Veterans Day Parade is at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, downtown. Galaxy of Lights opens at the Huntsville Botanical Garden on Nov. 13, Lowe Mill holds Open Studio Night on Nov. 21, and the Rocket City Tree lights in Big Spring Park at 6 p.m. Nov. 27.

When is the Huntsville Veterans Day parade in 2026?

11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, downtown, after a free breakfast at 8 a.m. and a Huntsville Concert Band show at 10 a.m. on Monroe Street, the organizer says.

When does Galaxy of Lights open in 2026?

Friday, Nov. 13. Walking nights run Nov. 13-25 and Nov. 27-29 in November, and the show runs to Dec. 31, the Huntsville Botanical Garden says. It is closed on Thanksgiving. Prices are on our Galaxy of Lights page.

When is the Huntsville Christmas tree lighting and parade?

The Rocket City Tree lights at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27, in Big Spring Park, with a Black Friday Market from 3 p.m. The Huntsville Christmas Parade is at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1.