So you're looking for 5 things to do in Huntsville this weekend and you're probably expecting a list of the same three museums everyone talks about. Look, I get it. We are the Rocket City. We have a massive Saturn V rocket poking the skyline like a giant white finger. But if you think Huntsville is just engineers in pocket protectors and space history, you’re missing the actual soul of the place.
Honestly, this particular weekend—January 17 and 18, 2026—is a weirdly perfect snapshot of how this town is changing. We’ve got high-brow symphony performances, a massive community parade, and a literal ghost hunt. It’s a lot. If you're just passing through or you've lived here a decade and are bored, here is how to actually spend your 48 hours without hitting the tourist traps that everyone else is clogging up.
1. Catch the MLK Day Celebration Parade
Most people forget that Huntsville has a deep, complex civil rights history that doesn't always make the "space race" brochures. This Saturday, January 17, the annual Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. MLK Day Celebration Parade is taking over downtown. It starts at noon.
The route is basically a loop around the heart of the city, but here is the pro tip: don't try to park right on Williams Avenue. The Huntsville Police Department is closing that stretch between Church Street and Dr. Joseph E. Lowery Boulevard starting at 8:00 a.m. If you show up at 11:45 a.m. expecting a spot, you’re going to spend the whole parade stuck in a one-way street loop. Park over by Clinton Avenue or the city garages and walk the few blocks. It’s worth it to see the local high school bands. They bring an energy that makes the standard "professional" parades look boring.
2. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban in Concert
If you’ve never been to the Mark C. Smith Concert Hall at the Von Braun Center (VBC), this is the weekend to go. The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra is doing a live-to-picture performance of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
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Basically, they play the entire movie on a giant high-def screen while a full orchestra performs John Williams’ score live. There’s a 2:00 p.m. matinee on Saturday, January 17.
Why does this matter? Because John Williams' score for the third movie is arguably the best in the franchise—it’s got that darker, medieval-jazz vibe. Hearing "Buckbeak's Flight" with 70+ musicians playing five feet in front of you is a completely different experience than watching it on your couch with a soundbar. Tickets aren't exactly cheap (some are hovering around $100-$150 depending on how close you want to be to the violins), but for a weekend activity, it’s the most "big city" thing happening in town.
3. Go to a Ghost Hunt at the Lowry House
Okay, this is for the people who want something genuinely different. While the rest of the city is at the symphony or the hockey game, you can head to the Historic Lowry House on Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. for an interactive ghost hunt.
The Lowry House is one of those spots that feels like it’s frozen in the 1800s. It’s an Italianate-style home that’s survived everything from the Civil War to the urban sprawl of modern Huntsville. They don't just tell you "it's haunted" and walk you through with a flashlight; they actually use equipment to track "activity." Whether you believe in ghosts or just like the creepy-cool atmosphere of an old Southern mansion at night, it’s a solid break from the typical Saturday night bar scene.
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4. Huntsville Havoc vs. Knoxville Ice Bears
You cannot claim to know Huntsville if you haven't been to a Havoc game. This isn't the NHL. It’s better. It’s the SPHL, and the fans in the Propst Arena are some of the loudest, most dedicated people you’ll ever meet.
They’re playing the Knoxville Ice Bears on Saturday, January 17, at 7:00 p.m.
Expect:
- Incredible "Chuck-a-Puck" contests.
- The loudest goal horn in the South.
- Grown men wearing full-body husky suits.
- Genuinely fast, physical hockey.
If you’re looking for a low-cost, high-energy way to spend a Saturday night, this is it. Plus, the VBC is right downtown, so you can grab a drink at Rhythm on Monroe (the rooftop bar) before the puck drops.
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5. Explore the "Open Studio" Vibe at Lowe Mill A&E
Sunday is for Lowe Mill. While it's technically open throughout the week, the weekend is when the building really breathes. It’s an old cotton mill turned into the largest privately owned arts facility in the country.
Right now, there are several exhibitions worth seeing, specifically Beth McKay’s "Depression Incarnate" on the First Floor Ramp Gallery and Alejandra González Díaz’s Puerto Rican art show "Seguimos Aquí."
What most people get wrong about Lowe Mill is thinking it’s just a place to buy expensive paintings. It’s not. It’s a place to watch people work. You can walk into Studio 127 for some journaling or just wander the third floor and smell the oil paints and sawdust. It’s the perfect antidote to the "high-tech" gloss of the rest of the city. Grab a coffee at Gold Sprint or a tea at Piper & Leaf, and just get lost in the hallways.
Actionable Advice for Your Weekend
If you're trying to hit more than one of these, you need a plan. Huntsville is a "car city," but the downtown area is increasingly walkable.
- Saturday Morning: Grab breakfast at Canadian Bakin (the bagels are non-negotiable) then walk over to the MLK Parade at noon.
- Saturday Afternoon: Walk the five minutes from the parade route to the VBC for the Harry Potter matinee at 2:00 p.m.
- Saturday Night: If you have the stamina, the Havoc game starts at 7:00 p.m. in the same building complex. Or, head 10 minutes east to the Lowry House for the ghost hunt.
- Sunday: Dedicate your afternoon to Lowe Mill. It takes way longer to see everything than you think it will.
Huntsville isn't just a space town anymore. It’s a weird, artsy, hockey-loving, historical hybrid. Just make sure you check the VBC box office early—the symphony and the Havoc games tend to sell out fast when they're on the same weekend.