All aboard for a day of family-friendly fun! Depot Days in Hartselle, AL returns September 19, 2026, celebrating Hartselle’s rich railroad heritage in the heart of historic downtown.



Depot Days Festival Day



The Depot Days Festival takes place on Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Historic Downtown Hartselle. Admission to the festival is free, and, with activities spanning throughout several blocks.

Depot Days is a celebration of Hartselle's historic depot and downtown district that helped shape the town, through showcasing local businesses, artists, organizations and community traditions.



Downtown Hartselle transforms into a bustling festival filled with things to see and do. From Main Street to the surrounding downtown streets, visitors can find arts and crafts, local businesses, food vendors, an art show, live entertainment, a car show, children's activities and more!

Shop More Than 100 Vendors



Depot Days brings together a large selection of exhibitors featuring arts and crafts, handmade goods, retail items, artwork, community organizations and local businesses.

Vendor areas extend throughout downtown, including:

• Main Street East
• Main Street West
• Sycamore Street
• Sparkman Street
• The Gathering Marketplace
• Life Church Market
• The Hartselle Farmers Market and Hickory Street area

Food vendors and food trucks will be stationed throughout the festival area, offering plenty of options for a festival-day meal or snack. The festival is expected to feature a wide variety of food offerings, with approximately 30 food booths listed in current festival information.

Menus vary from vendor to vendor, so come hungry and plan to try something new!

Kids Station



Kids Station: Family Fun All Day

Bringing along little ones? Make your way over to the Depot Days Kid Station at the Hartselle Farmers Market.

Presented by Cullman Regional Medical Center, this shaded, the family-friendly area is designed specifically for younger festival goers and will include:

• Inflatables
• Games
• Crafts
• Face painting
• Yard games
• Interactive activities
• Touch-a-Truck experiences
• More family-friendly fun



The Kid Station is free and open throughout the festival, making it an ideal place for families to take a break from adventuring though downtown. It's a convenient place to let kids burn off some energy while adults take a break in the shade.

Car Show

The Car Show is a traditional part of the Depot Days experience!

The Depot Days Car Show will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the First Methodist Church of Hartselle parking lot, 210 Hickory Street SE. The show will bring hundreds of vintage, classic and specialty cars to downtown Hartselle. Expect to see everything from classic cruisers and hot rods to muscle cars and antique vehicles!

The car show is free for spectators and is a favorite for families, & car enthusiasts.

Insider tip: Visit the car show earlier in the day, then work your way through the vendor areas afterward. It's an easy way to see two of the festival's biggest attractions without struggling to squeeze everything into the afternoon!

Cornhole Tournament

Depot Days is adding some friendly competition to the festival with its inaugural Depot Days Cornhole Tournament.

The tournament begins at 10 a.m., with preliminary games taking place at Eatin' in the Attic and Jefferson's before teams advance to the championship match on Railroad Street at 3:30 p.m.



The tournament is a two-person, single-elimination competition with a limited number of teams and cash prizes for the top three finishers.

Turn Up the Music



Live music is a major part of the Depot Days atmosphere, with performances taking place on the festival's main stage throughout the day.



The Depot Days Festival Coca-Cola Main Stage Music Lineup for the 2026 festival:

·     Makaila Campbell 8:30 AM

·     Free Range 9:30 AM

·     Trey Allred 10:25 AM

·     Huntsville Drumline 11:00 AM

·     Lucky 13 11:20 AM

·     Alabama Heathens 12:20 PM

·     Jacob Feltman 1:35 PM

·     Samuel Isaac Penn 2:30 PM

·     Kelvin Farrar 3:30 PM

Art Show



The Depot Days Art Show showcases original work from artists throughout the region.

Expect to find fine art, photography, handcrafted pieces and mixed-media work. Admission to view the art show is free, making it an easy addition to your festival itinerary. The show will be set up close to the Depot & Chamber of Commerce.



It's also a great place to find a one-of-a-kind souvenir to remember your visit to Hartselle!

Explore Historic Downtown Hartselle

One of the best parts of Depot Days is that the festival takes place right in the middle of Hartselle's historic downtown.



Take a break from the festival crowds & enjoy some air conditioning while exploring locally owned shops, restaurants, and businesses throughout downtown. Browse unique gifts, clothing, antiques, art and other local finds while supporting Hartselle's small-business community.

Parking

With thousands of visitors expected, parking is one of the most important things to plan ahead for.

Because Depot Days takes over several blocks of historic downtown, expect some street closures and limited parking immediately next to the festival footprint. Closed for the festival parking lots will be Chamber and Freight House Area, The Something Blue Shoppe & Jeffersons lot, Life Church Lot & Railroad Street, Main Street. Rather than waiting for the closest parking space, plan to park a little farther away and walk into the festival.



All other public parking will be available.

What to Bring



A little preparation can make your Depot Days experience much easier. Here are some Depot Days essentials:



• Comfortable walking shoes
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses and a hat
• Cash and/or a card for vendors
• A stroller if you're visiting with small children

Make the Most of Depot Days



Depot Days is more than a Saturday festival; there are several exciting events leading up to it that are sure to get you in the festival spirit!



Whether you're a longtime Depot Days fan or planning your first visit, Depot Days is the perfect time to experience the city of southern hospitality!

Rails to Recovery 5K & Fun Run/Walk



The Rails to Recovery 5k & Fun Run/Walk will take place on Saturday, September 12, 2026, with a start time of 7 a.m. at the Sparkman Civic Center on 406 Nance Ford Rd SW, Hartselle, AL 35640.



The race will begin in front of the SNAP Playground. Registration for the 5k & Fun Run/Walk is $30, and proceeds benefit local recovery resources and advocacy initiatives.

Community Worship Service



The Community Worship Service will take place at the First Methodist Church of Hartselle on Sunday September 13^th from 6-8p.m. Bringing together churches across the Morgan County, musicians, and families for an evening of worship, music and fellowship. The worship service will be a free event, and it is open to everyone in the community.

Landmarks & Legends: A Walk Down Memory Lane



This year a new event called “Landmarks & Legends: A Walk Down Memory Lane” will invite visitors to take a walk through Hartselle's history. Step back in time and embrace the rich history of Historic Downtown Hartselle like never before!

Join for an immersive, self-guided walking experience filled with live reenactments, storytelling, and interactive scenes that bring the 1920s-1940s to life. Discover the stories behind downtown storefronts, the people who helped build the community and some of the legends woven into Hartselle's past.



The “Landmarks & Legends” event will take place on Tuesday, September 15^th from 5-7p.m in Historic Downtown Hartselle. Participation in this event is free.

Light Up the Night: Youth Glow Night



On Wednesday, September 16^th starting at 6pm East Highland Baptist Church will host Light Up the Night: Youth Glow Night.

Youth groups from local churches will gather together for an evening of live music, fellowship and glowing fun. The event will be filled with high-energy, glow-in-the-dark event designed for teenagers and youth groups featuring a motivational speaker, worship, and live music!

For the latest information on Depot Days visit the Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce Page or Facebook, and for more upcoming events in Morgan County visit our Events Page.