This weekend is going to be one for the books in the One and Only Tuscaloosa. This Friday you can enjoy ice skating and music at Holidays on the River- 80’s Glow Night with DJ Chuckie. Dance/skate the night away with your favorite tunes. If this doesn’t satisfy your love for music, stop by Egan’s Bar for some live entertainment by Rev 662.

Also on Friday, the Cultural Collateral: Selections from the Permanent Collection art exhibition will be open. Come enjoy over 1,600 works from the 1950s of contemporary art by international, national and regional artists. If this isn’t enough, there is also an exhibit on the Bank of the State Tuscaloosa Bicentennial Exhibit Series: Civil War and Reconstruction. This exhibit highlights the history of the city and the changes that affected Tuscaloosa during and after the war.

On Saturday, Yancey Hill will be playing at Egan’s Bar. Enjoy a drink, socialize with friends and listen to some great music. For the kids, Children’s Hands-On Museum will be hosting Treble at the Museum. Come try a variety of instruments and jam with CHOM musicians. Join the fun and enable your child to cultivate a musical interest that could stick with them for a lifetime.

On Sunday, educators of pre-K to Grade 12 can enjoy 25% off most books, toys, games, movies, music and more at Barnes and Noble. There will also be a fundraiser for the American Heart Association at All Fired Up. Mention the 2020 Heart Walk at check out and 20% of the proceeds will go to the American Heart Association.

There is so much more going on in town so be sure to check out some of our great upcoming events and follow us on our social media pages (@visittuscaloosa) for more announcements and events. Spread the news to your friends and family about the exciting things taking place in town and we can’t wait to see you around!

The holiday season is in full swing here in Tuscaloosa! This weekend you can enjoy live entertainment while you ice skate at Holidays on the River, experience Christmas Around the World at the Children’s Hands-On Museum, Bowl with Santa at Bowlero, and enjoy Tuscaloosa’s night-life with Christmas parties all over town!

A Kip Tyner Christmas

‘Tis the season of Christmas classics! Join City Councilman Kip Tyner this Friday for an evening of live entertainment and Christmas cheer, hosted by the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater and Holidays on the River. Come celebrate with family and friends while enjoying live performances, ice skating, music and more! You can buy tickets to ice skate at holidaysontheriver.com. This event will be fun for the whole family!

Christmas Around the World at CHOM!

On Saturday, find out how different cultures celebrate Christmas Around the World at the Children’s Hands-On Museum! There will be special games and crafts throughout the museum that explore different regions of the world. The Children’s Hands-On Museum of Tuscaloosa creates an environment where children can explore, design, and discover every time they visit. When you hear “hands-on,” they really mean it! Learning through play is what the exhibits are all about, and kids are encouraged to touch, feel, and play in the displays. Three floors of fun wait for families and offer newborns through 13 year old’s a space perfect for them.

Bowl with Santa

Bowlero is a new bowling ally in Tuscaloosa that features fresh lanes, a state-of-the-art arcade, a huge bar, and an incredible menu. This Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. you can enjoy all of the amenities Bowlero has to offer and meet Santa! Catch the man himself while he’s in Tuscaloosa to map out his route!

Christmas Parties in Tuscaloosa

If you’re in the mood to celebrate, you’re in luck! You can find Christmas parties all over Tuscaloosa, all weekend long. Here is a list of bars you can find them at:

Jingle Bar: Pop-Up Holiday Happy Hour Experience
Ugly Christmas Sweater Party
1831 Christmas Party
Tab & the Mojo Rockin’ Country Christmas
Roxy’s Holiday Party

We have a lot going on throughout the upcoming fall months and are excited to share more. Give us a follow on our social media pages (@visittuscaloosa) for more announcements and future events. We can’t wait to see you around Tuscaloosa!

The Tuscaloosa Bicentennial Commission has been hosting celebratory events since the city’s 199th birthday on December 13th, 2018. Everything has been leading up to this weekend! We are thrilled to celebrate this once-in-a-lifetime commemoration of 200 years of history, progress, and future promise. Below is a list of events you can find during the weekend of celebration. Check the bottom of this email for a list of even more events happening around Tuscaloosa!

200 Voices: Tusca200sa Sings

Join the Bicentennial for a musical extravaganza tonight at 7 p.m. in the Moody Music Building on the UA campus. Tusca200sa Sings is a free concert featuring West Alabama’s most talented singers in a unique celebration of our city’s 200th birthday. Sponsored by the School of Music at the University of Alabama, the program features performances ranging from classic spirituals to contemporary country hits. We will also debut a new piece written in honor of Tuscaloosa’s Bicentennial by Kirsten Hicks. “Tuscaloosa Song” will be an enduring anthem for our city. Learn the lyrics before you go HERE. No tickets are necessary! This is a family-friendly event and the perfect way to kick off the Bicentennial celebration.

Dedication of the Bicentennial Sculptures & Time Capsule

On Friday morning at 10 a.m. The University of Alabama will unveil two sculptures that are gifts to the citizens of Tuscaloosa from the University.

The Walkway honors Tuscaloosa’s 200-year history from 1819 to 2019. A replica of the route of the Black Warrior River from Demopolis to Tuscaloosa, it traces milestones in our city’s existence and survival, but it twists and turns, ebbs and flows have mirrored our city’s past. The sculpture was created by Craig R. Wedderspoon.

Minerva is the Roman Goddess of wisdom and adorns the institutional seal of The University of Alabama. She serves as a symbol of the strength of the University as it creates, translates, and disseminates knowledge. The towering and majestic sculpture was designed and created by Caleb O’Connor. Declared by Ovid as “the Goddess of a thousand works,” Minerva will beautify Manderson Landing as a reminder we are all one community with a shared vision of impacting the world through teaching, research, and service.

The Time Capsule seeks to answer “What was life like in Tuscaloosa during the year 2019?” A Time Capsule Committee was formed and the group compiled submissions for ways to represent life in Tuscaloosa during this Bicentennial year. From traffic cones to Alabama football memorabilia, the contents describe a full picture of life in 2019. The capsule will be opened when Tuscaloosa celebrates our 250th birthday in 2069.

Christmas Tree Lighting & Bicentennial Christmas Parade

The celebrations continue Friday evening with the Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony at the Tuscaloosa County Courthouse. The public ceremony will begin at 5:15 and officially kicks off the holiday celebrations.

PARA’s 44th Annual Christmas Parade will celebrate Tuscaloosa’s 200th birthday. The 2019 Grand Marshals are the Tuscaloosa Bicentennial’s Co-Chairs Tim Parker, Cathy Randall, and Harrison Taylor. As written in the nomination, “Each is deserving of the recognition individually but together they make up the Dream Team.” Find out more information about the parade at PARA’s website here.

Fireworks will begin at the amphitheater following the parade!

More Events

Star Wars Theme Trivia

Vulcan Eejits! Live at DCBC!

The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963

Georgia Dish Boys at Alcove Tavern

Little Raine Band at The Booth

Christmas Parade Bama Belle Cruise

Holiday Whiskey Course

We have a lot going on throughout the upcoming fall months and are excited to share more. Give us a follow on our social media pages (@visittuscaloosa) for more announcements and future events. We can’t wait to see you around Tuscaloosa!

Finding a good coffee shop is not always easy. Everyone likes a different vibe and menu, but Tuscaloosa has it all. From cozy to modern you will find the space where you fit in most to sit down and have a nice cup of joe.

1. Heritage House Coffee & Tea

Heritage House opened in Tuscaloosa in June 1994 and was our towns first coffee shop ever. If you are looking for a cozy coffee shop, this is your place. Heritage House is a great spot to grab a coffee on the go, breakfast, or even lunch. Their menu has a little bit of everything from gourmet drinks to pastries and sandwiches. One of the many menu items they are known for is their baked oatmeal, you can even buy the mix yourself to bake at home! The baked oatmeal is a great, warm start to anyone’s day. My personal favorite thing to get at Heritage House is a vanilla latte with peppermint and an orange roll. The atmosphere in the shop is laid back and welcoming. You can even go to a wall filled with coffee cups and pick one out that you want your drink to be served in. So, if you are looking for a cozy coffee shop to grab a cup of joe and a pastry to have a chat with a friend look no further than Heritage House Coffee & Tea.

 

2. O’Henry’s Coffee

O’Henry’s Coffee is a great place to meet with friends. Whether you are catching up with old friends or meeting new ones it is a great environment to talk and have fun while enjoying fantastic drinks. The atmosphere at O’Henry’s is all about community and gathering, they make the atmosphere comfortable to have a conversation without feeling like you have to whisper. Regarding coffee, they serve lattes, cappuccinos, and macchiatos. Plus a few of their specialty drinks include their O’Frappes which can be made with flavors like caramel, mocha chip, and turtle. O’Henry’s also serves food such as wraps, salads, and pastries made daily. So, grab some friends and head to O’Henry’s for some coffee and conversation.

 

3. Monarch Espresso Bar

Monarch is definitely the place to go to just sit and recharge. The atmosphere is very chill and quiet and very zen. They have a great menu with a lot of variety. Of course, they have the basics such as espresso, lattes, iced coffee, cold brew, and a variety of different pour-overs. Out of their many specialty drinks on the menu, my personal favorite is the parker, which is a salted caramel latte, but if you are into cold brew you need to get the vanilla sweet cream cold brew! If you want to grab a bite to eat they offer things such as avocado toast, granola with yogurt, and a selection of different bagels. Grab a book and have some “me” time at Monarch Espresso Bar!

 

4. Turbo Coffee

Turbo Coffee has a very modern and hipster type vibe to it. Casual and hard-core coffee drinkers alike should definitely check this place out. Turbo does so much more than coffee as well. Their specialties are health foods such as acai bowls, made in house cold-pressed juices, and superfood smoothies. They also make delicious pastries daily. This is a great place to go chill with friends and family and catch up with one another.

The Tide has turned, and football season in Tuscaloosa is over, but there is still plenty to do in Tuscaloosa! This weekend you can get a laugh in at Druid City Brewing Company’s BrewHaHa, discover something new at Kentuck’s Art Night, cheer on the Crimson Tide as they take on Stephen F. Austin, and tour our art galleries and studios downtown! We also have a few bonus events at the bottom of this email.

Druid City Brewing Company BrewHaHa: Featuring Reggie Junior

It’s time for one last BrewHaHa Showcase of 2019. Its been an amazing year for Tuscaloosa comedy and this BrewHaHa we bring you one of the most painfully and relentlessly hilarious comics around. Reggie Junior is a Memphis comic with an incredible talent for picking apart a room and making his audience wrench with laughter. Have some fun with Reggie along with some local Tuscaloosa and Birmingham comics like Zach Travis, Paige McBride, Mario Carreras, and making their BrewHaHa debuts Tyler Cooper and Brooks Bell. All hosted by Richard Lockhart. This will be a very fun show. So enjoy the longest-running show in Tuscaloosa and the birthplace of Stand Up Tuscaloosa.

Kentuck Art Night

Join Kentuck for the finale of their Year of Alabama Artists! This month they will be featuring “Energy” by Kentuck’s 12 Studio Artists, open artists’ studios, live music from Will McClelland, StoryTangle, extended Gallery Shop hours, pop up shops, and more! A curious addition to Kentuck’s universe is StoryTangle. StoryTangle is an experimental immersive arts space at Kentuck Art Center open on weekends in November. When you enter the space, YOU become part of the exhibit. YOUR JOB, as a participating part of the exhibit, is to search the art for clues to the catastrophe. Explore, discover, and create your personal experience within the exhibition.

First Friday Art Walk

The holiday season is operating full steam ahead, but you can take a break from the hustle and bustle of holiday preparations and enjoy all that Tuscaloosa has to offer with an art walk in downtown Tuscaloosa. There is an incredible lineup of featured artists spread out around town including Jerry Siegel and Lorrie Lane. Free and open to everyone, this event celebrates our thriving art scene with a great focus on staying local for a fun night out. Come to see all the new and continuing galleries and shows at places like the Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center or Paul R. Jones Museum.

Alabama Basketball vs Stephen F. Austin

The men’s basketball team is taking on Stephen F. Austin on Friday night in what should be an electric matchup. After bursting onto the scene with a major upset against Duke, Stephen F. Austin is looking to continue on that success in Tuscaloosa. A year ago, the Crimson Tide beat the Lumberjacks 79-69 in front of a sold-out crowd in Nacogdoches, Texas.  The first 1,000 fans will get a free t-shirt and there is a Toy Drive, Baby Reindeer Race, and more when they tip-off!

More Events

Hotel Capstone Jingle Bar – 12/5
Alabama Museum of Natural History Open House – 12/7
Making Alabama Bicentennial Traveling Exhibit
Who’s Sauce is Boss? – 12/7
8×8 Holiday Art Show – 12/7
Happy Birthday, T-Town! Children’s Hands-On Museum – 12/7
Holiday Whiskey Course – 12/8

We have a lot going on throughout the upcoming fall months and are excited to share more. Give us a follow on our social media pages (@visittuscaloosa) for more announcements and future events. We can’t wait to see you around Tuscaloosa!

The final home football game is upon us!. This weekend #5 Alabama takes on the WCU Catamounts in what will be a warm-up game for the Iron Bowl next week. Surrounding the matchup are some fun events taking place around town. A bicentennial book signing, live music, volleyball, and a day of fun at the Children’s Hands-On Museum will be happening all over Tuscaloosa!

Tuscaloosa 200 Community Book Experience

Come and enjoy an afternoon of fun and education featuring the author of “Tuscaloosa – 200 Years in the Making,” Guy Ward Hubbs. The program will feature a lively interview with Don Noble and Dr. Guy Hubbs, author of the first-ever history of our city. Guy Hubbs will be signing books after the program as you enjoy light refreshments. This will take place at the Tuscaloosa Federal Building and the United States Courthouse on November 21st from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Mama Dixie & the Prize Inside

Every game day weekend, Hotel Indigo entertains guests and locals alike from 3 – 5 PM in the Shoals Bar and Kitchen. You can grab yourself a beverage and relax with your friends to the smooth, sultry torch jazz sounds of Mama Dixie. Born out of the challenges of providing live music for burlesque performances, Mama Dixie & the Prize Inside knows how to bring jazz to your door! Whether you’re looking for traditional standards or modern jazz, Mama Dixie & the Prize Inside can provide!

Alabama Football vs Western Carolina University

This game comes at a great time for the Crimson Tide. It will be great to get Mac Jones and probably Taulia Tagovailoa some much-needed experience leading into the Iron Bowl. There is no denying that the offense will not be the same without Tua Tagovailoa. He is a generational player and a huge loss for the Alabama offense. With that being said, Alabama is still a high-powered offense and Mac Jones will be able to get the ball into the playmaking receivers’ hands. Najee Harris and Brian Robinson have been seeing more carries these last couple of weeks and will continue to do so. The offense will put up pretty good numbers against Western Carolina and the backups will do the same. This game will never be close and will hopefully get Mac Jones and others some much-needed confidence. As long as there aren’t any more injuries, this game will do its job of getting some much-needed experience to the young guys and some much-needed rest to the starters.

Autumn Cornucopia at CHOM!

The Children’s Hands-On Museum of Tuscaloosa creates an environment where children can explore, design, and discover every time they visit. When you hear “hands-on,” they really mean it! This Saturday, CHOM is hosting activities like cotton ball painting, turner baster relay race, and a mini scarecrow decorating! Learning through play is what the exhibits are all about, and kids are encouraged to touch, feel, and play in the displays. Three floors of fun wait for families and offer newborns through 13 years old’s a space perfect for them.

Alabama Volleyball vs LSU

Cheer on the Tide as they take on their rival LSU. This Sunday at 1 pm will be their “Bacon. Set. Spike!” match and Big Al’s Kids Club Day! Admission is free to fans with a ticket from the WCU football game and bacon will be free to fans! The team is 12-13 overall and 4-10 through conference play.

We have a lot going on throughout the upcoming fall months and are excited to share more. Give us a follow on our social media pages (@visittuscaloosa) for more announcements and future events. We can’t wait to see you around Tuscaloosa!

You can cut the tension in Tuscaloosa with a knife. This weekend #2 Alabama takes on #1 LSU in their biggest matchup since 2011 when LSU beat Alabama 9-6 in Bryant Denny. Surrounding the marquee matchup are some incredible events taking place around town. Frank Foster will be taking the stage at Druid City Music Hall, an evening with Bravo’s Austin Kroll, a 5K honoring veterans, and a day of fun at the Children’s Hands-On Museum.

Frank Foster at Druid City Music Hall

Frank Foster embodies musical independence at its highest level. He not only has taken the road less traveled, but the road seldom traveled. Acting as his own record label, management, booking agency, and publishing company, he has managed to find the success that some major label artists may never see. This rural Louisiana native and former oilfield man has taken his songs from the campfire to the coliseum seemingly overnight.

His musical journey started in 2011 with the release of his first album, “Rowdy Reputation”. Foster’s third album, “Southern Soul,” was released in 2013 and debuted at #11 on the Billboard Country Charts, confirming that his popularity was continuing to soar to new heights. His fourth album, “Rhythm and Whiskey,” was released in 2014 and debuted at #4 on the Billboard Country Charts, solidifying him as a real powerhouse in the industry. He followed that up with his fifth album, 2016’s “Boots On the Ground,” which gave him his second top 10 debuting albums in as many years. It entered the Billboard Country Charts at #7, further proving that Foster and his brand of the country aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. You can catch him at Druid City Music Hall tonight at 9 PM (doors @ 7:30).

An Evening With Austin

Southern Craft Beer magazine is excited to announce their new signature event “An Evening With” and will launch with Austen Kroll star of Bravo tv docuseries, Southern Charm at Hotel Indigo in Tuscaloosa tonight from 5–8 PM. “An Evening With” is a new event series in which Southern Craft Beer magazine pairs a celebrity or VIP that has a craft beer connection with a fabulous venue in a Southern city. “An Evening With” allows craft beer, celebrity and pop culture lovers alike the opportunity to interact and socialize with celebrities, VIPs and influencers.

Austen is a graduate of The University of Alabama Business School, and Kroll appears on Southern Craft Beer’s fall cover. Kroll’s company, King’s Calling Brewing Co., has released a new beer, Trop Hop. For the time being, Trop Hop is only available in Charleston SC, but that won’t stop him from sharing as much as he can about his brand. “An Evening with Austen” is free and open to the public, but guests will need to RSVP to events@quemedia.press. There is a cash bar, and guests will be able to order hor’s d ‘oeuvres and a few entrees as well as beer, wine, and cocktails.

Tuscaloosa Runs for Veterans

The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama Veterans Affairs Committee’s 4th Annual Tuscaloosa Runs for Veterans will be held to provide support to local charities. These include the Tuscaloosa Veterans Memorial Park, the Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center Homeless Shelter, and the University of Alabama/Shelton State Community College Emergency Relief Fund. 100% of entry fees will benefit these military-affiliated organizations. Registration will start at 7:00 AM, and the run will begin at 8:00 AM.

CHOM Rocks!

The Children’s Hands-On Museum of Tuscaloosa creates an environment where children can explore, design, and discover every time they visit. When you hear “hands-on”, they really mean it! This Saturday, CHOM is hosting a rock painting event to leave around town. The plan is to brighten someone’s day by finding a beautiful rock on their walk around town. Learning through play is what the exhibits are all about, and kids are encouraged to touch, feel, and play in the displays. Three floors of fun wait for families and offer newborns through 13 year old’s a space perfect for them.

Alabama Football vs. LSU

Times have changed. This won’t be the 9-6 battle of 2011, but don’t be stunned when the two defenses rise up and keep this from turning into a track meet. Bama has beaten LSU five of the last six times by double-digits and hasn’t lost in the series since that 2011 regular-season classic. But this is a much, much different Tiger team than anything Nick Saban’s program has had to face. The winner will assume front-runner status in the SEC West, the QB will enter the driver’s seat of the Heisman race, and stay in the top four of the College Football Playoff rankings. The loser will leave its margin for error razor-thin in the race for the meaningful postseason.

We have a lot going on throughout the upcoming fall months and are excited to share more. Give us a follow on our social media pages (@visittuscaloosa) for more announcements and future events. We can’t wait to see you around Tuscaloosa!

Things are cooling off here in the beautiful Tuscaloosa. Fall is in the air, and Alabama welcomes the Arkansas Razorbacks to Bryant Denny Stadium. The weekend is filled with homecoming festivities and incredible music. We have family-friendly events, legendary music, and plenty of Crimson Tide below in our weekend events breakdown. Tech or Treat 2019 Do you have a little princess, superhero, goblin, or ghoul who loves science and technology? Gather up your trick-or-treat enthusiasts, and join the City of Tuscaloosa for the fourth annual Tech or Treat on Thursday, October 24. Join us from 6 to 8 p.m. for games, candy and tech prizes. Wear your Halloween costume and meet us at The Gateway located at 2614 University Blvd. East! Tech or Treat is free and open to all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult. The Black Jacket Symphony The Black Jacket Symphony is back in Tuscaloosa this Friday with their newest presentation: Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Rumours’ live at the Bama Theatre! With tickets ranging from 25 – 35 dollars, you won’t want to miss this legendary album come to life in front of your eyes. On Sale Now Tickets are available at the Bama Theatre box office, 1-877-435-9849 or at Ticketfly. For more information about the artist, please visit HERE Homecoming Pep Rally and Bonfire The homecoming pep rally and bonfire is always a grand display of Crimson Tide pride. Before the fire is lit, you will often hear from coach Saban, Eli Gold, and football captains. The Million Dollar Band will be pumping in music to the festivities while the Crimsonettes and Cheerleaders hype up the crowd. After the pep rally, a bonfire will roar to life and Homecoming Weekend will officially kick off. This event starts at 7 pm this Friday. Homecoming Parade This year’s homecoming parade will be kicking off at 1 pm on Saturday. Kicked off by the Million Dollar Band, the participants will snake down Greensboro Avenue before turning onto University Boulevard. The route will head all the way to the center of campus allowing for plenty of perfect places to watch from the sidelines!  Alabama Football vs Arkansas The No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide will look to continue their winning ways when they host the Arkansas Razorbacks in an SEC West Division college football matchup on Saturday. The Crimson Tide (7-0), who lead the SEC West, are 4-0 at home, while the Razorbacks (2-5), who are in seventh place in the division at 0-4, are winless on the road. Kickoff from Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa is set for 7 p.m. ET. The Crimson Tide are averaging 48.7 points per game, while the Razorbacks are scoring an average of 24.7. The Tide are 31.5-point favorites in a game that should be a nice walk in the park for the homecoming crowd. We have a lot going on throughout the upcoming fall months and are excited to share more. Give us a follow on our social media pages (@visittuscaloosa) for more announcements and future events. We can’t wait to see you around Tuscaloosa!

We’re gearing up for another fun weekend in Tuscaloosa! All weekend long you can enjoy Steel Magnolias and the Native American Festival at Moundville Archaeological Park. On Saturday you can enjoy a live stream of the Alabama vs Texas A&M at Government Plaza. Finish off your weekend at Kentuck Arts Festival, rated one of the ten best events in Alabama!

Steel Magnolias

In celebration of the 30th anniversary of the movie premiere, Tuscaloosa Theatre brings this iconic story back to town. Truvy’s beauty salon in Chinquapin, Louisiana, is where all the ladies come to have their hair done. Truvy says, “Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion,” and there is plenty of both in this moving tale about the underlying strength that drives these Southern women. Theatre Tuscaloosa, one of the largest community theatres in the state, works in partnership with Shelton State Community College to provide quality theatrical experiences to the citizens of West Alabama through performances, workshops and classroom instruction. You can catch Steel Magnolias at Shelton State’s Martin Campus in the Bean-Brown Theatre. Buy tickets HERE!

Moundville Native American Festival

Now in its 31st year, the annual Moundville Native American Festival celebrates Native American culture through performers, vendors, demonstrators, living history teachers, and more.

Visit the tools and weapons range to learn how to throw an atlatl, or stop by the Native American stage to watch stomp dancers, social dancers, and the great hoop-dancer, Lyndon Alec. Don’t miss the fantastic music of GrayHawk Perkins and many others! Learn about traditional pottery firing, weaving, beadwork, and other crafts. Bring your children by the children’s area for face-painting and make-and-take crafts.

The festival kicked off yesterday and continues all the way through Saturday.

Live at the Plaza – Football Watch Party

The City of Tuscaloosa is hosting a Live at the Plaza Football Watch Party for the Alabama football game against Texas A&M on Saturday, Oct. 12. The game begins at 2:30 p.m. Viewing begins at 1 p.m. and lasts until the end of the game.

The event is free to the public, and Government Plaza will have a 16’ x 9’ LED screen for fans to view the competition. Food trucks will be on-site, and the entertainment district will be in effect.

Blankets, chairs, food and non-alcoholic drinks are allowed; however, tents, grills and personal alcoholic beverages are not allowed. Attendees may buy alcohol at participating downtown bars and restaurants and bring those items onto the Plaza.

Kentuck Arts Festival

Kentuck has a rich 48-year history as a nationally known crossroads of creativity and community. Every year, over 10,000 travel from across the United States to become immersed in a Southern experience of prolific creativity rarely found at other festivals. Having roots in folk art, the two-day festival features 270+ artists, live music, spoken word, activities for children, folk and contemporary craft demonstrations, food trucks, and local craft brews.​

Featured in numerous publications, Kentuck Festival of the Arts was most recently recognized by Alabama Department of Tourism as one of the top-ten events to attend in Alabama in 2018 and by Alabama Magazine as one of the “Best of Bama 2018.” Kentuck has also been featured in Smithsonian Magazine, Southern Living, American Style Magazine, and National Geographic Traveler. In 2018, the Festival was named 5th in the nation (based on artists’ self-reported sales) in the category of Classic and Contemporary Craft Shows by Sunshine Artists Magazine. 

We have a lot going on throughout the upcoming fall months and are excited to share more. Give us a follow on our social media pages (@visittuscaloosa) for more announcements and future events. We can’t wait to see you around Tuscaloosa!

Another great weekend is right around the corner! Start your weekend off with the Manhattan Short Film Festival. On Friday you can cruise down the river on the Bama Belle for their Low Country Boil. Alabama football is home again this week with a matchup against Ole Miss! Just two visits to Bryant Denny Stadium ago, the Black Bears shocked the world by defeating the #2 ranked Crimson Tide. The Children’s Hands-On Museum is the perfect place to take your child over the weekend. This Saturday is the Nickelodeon “Worldwide Day of Play.”

In continuation of the Bama Art House Film Series, the Bama Theatre will play host to the Manhattan Short Film Festival. Film lovers worldwide unite to view and judge the work of the next generation of filmmakers from around the world. This takes place in over 400 cities worldwide and Tuscaloosa will be a part of it this weekend! This is the only film festival of its kind. The Final Ten selections screen simultaneously across the world during a one-week period. Manhattan Short attendees vote for Best Film and Best Actor awards at each participating venue. By virtue of their selection by Manhattan Short, each short film is automatically Oscar-qualified. The Final Ten finalists hail from seven countries with films from France, Iran, Canada, Finland, and Germany alongside two films from the USA and a record three from the United Kingdom.

Your Friday night couldn’t start any better than heading down the black warrior on Tuscaloosa’s own Bama Belle. The Low Country Boil will have all the fixin’s and there will be plenty to go around. Alive Bargeron & Joe Terry will be playing music and providing the perfect backdrop for this relaxing evening! The trip should take about two hours and starts at 7 pm. You can find out their address and buy tickets on their website – bamabelle.org.

Alabama is back for the second week in a row in Bryant-Denny as they get ready to face the Ole Miss Black Bears. It’s not all that long ago that Ole Miss pushed Alabama as far as anyone has in the Nick Saban era. While it seems like an entirely different time, the Rebels beat the Tide in 2014, 2015 and came close in 2016. The Rebels then went on to lose the last two seasons by a combined score of 128-10. With Tua Tagovailoa hitting 78% of his throws with 17 touchdowns and no picks this year, it will take something very special for Ole Miss to repeat their 2015 shocker.

The Children’s Hands-On Museum is participating in Nickelodeon’s “World Wide Day of Play” and will be open from 9 am – 4:30 pm to celebrate. The day of play is an event designed to encourage children and parents to turn off their television and play together, especially outdoors. The event kicked off in 2004 and has been a huge hit every year since. Turn off the TV, get to CHOM, and enjoy a day of fun with your children!

We have a lot going on throughout the upcoming fall months and are excited to share more. Give us a follow on our social media pages (@visittuscaloosa) for more announcements and future events. We can’t wait to see you around Tuscaloosa!