Here in Huntsville

Huntsville, AL · Est. 2026
Huntsville Events · May 12, 2026 · 5 min read

Things To Do in Huntsville, AL This Week (May 12-18)

From a Juvenile concert and a nonprofit conference to free art-making and live music at Lowe Mill, here's what's happening in Huntsville the week of May 12-18.

HE
Here in Huntsville
Editor · Huntsville Events
Things To Do in Huntsville, AL This Week (May 12-18)

Huntsville is deep into Bike Month, Historic Preservation Month, and graduation season all at once - which means this week is packed with events that don't have much in common except being here. Whether you're headed to the Von Braun Center for back-to-back conferences or clearing your Saturday for the Lowe Mill market, there's plenty on the calendar May 12-18.

Tuesday, May 12

NAVIGATE Nonprofit Network Conference

8:30am-4pm · Von Braun Center Saturn Ballroom, 700 Monroe Street · $85/person (early rate through April 30; late pricing likely higher) · Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville

NAVIGATE Nonprofit Network Conference

The Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville's annual one-day conference for nonprofit board members, staff, and volunteers. Sessions cover leadership, nonprofit finance, Nonprofit 101, and professional development. Check the website for late-registration pricing.

Book Launch: Robert Bailey - The Mediator

6pm · The Snail on the Wall, 816 Wellman Avenue NE · $16.99 (includes copy of The Mediator) · The Snail on the Wall

Book Launch: Robert Bailey - The Mediator

Huntsville's own Robert Bailey - Wall Street Journal bestselling author and retired attorney - launches his twelfth novel, a legal thriller about a mediator whose son is held hostage. Ticket price includes a copy of the book. Seated book talk; no refunds.

Music Lab LIVE @ Rocket City Honky-Tonk

7pm · Rocket City Honky-Tonk, 617 Meridian St N · Rocket City Honky-Tonk

Music Lab LIVE @ Rocket City Honky-Tonk

An artist-development live music night billed as "not your dad's open mic." Signups start at 6:30pm, music kicks off at 7pm.

Wednesday, May 13

48th Aerospace Mechanisms Symposium

7am (runs through May 15) · Von Braun Center South Hall, 700 Monroe Street SW · Paid (registration via aeromechanisms.com) · Mechanisms Education Association (MEA), NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, Lockheed Martin Space

48th Aerospace Mechanisms Symposium

The world's longest-running conference dedicated entirely to aerospace mechanisms and tribology - design, fabrication, testing, and operational hardware. Hosted in cooperation with NASA Marshall Space Flight Center and Lockheed Martin Space. Thursday evening includes a banquet at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center under the Saturn V. Registration required.

Thursday, May 14

SMART 2026

8am · Von Braun Center East Hall, 700 Monroe St SW · Von Braun Center

A trade and convention show at the VBC's 24,000 sq ft East Hall. Check the event page for registration and program details.

COC Best Places to Work Awards

11:30am-1pm · Von Braun Center Saturn Ballroom, 700 Monroe St SW · $75 members / $150 non-members (individual); tables from $500 · Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County

COC Best Places to Work Awards

The Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County honours the area's top employers at this annual luncheon. Over 700 attendees, 150+ participating companies. Note: the registration deadline was May 6 - contact the Chamber to check availability.

Calhoun Community College Graduation

4pm · VBC Propst Arena, 700 Monroe Street SW · Free · Calhoun Community College

Calhoun Community College Graduation

Calhoun Community College's 2026 commencement ceremony. No tickets required - doors open 1.5 hours before showtime. Standard VBC bag policy applies.

Bike Month: HAMR Thursday Group Ride

5:45pm · Various trailheads (Monte Sano State Park, John Hunt Park, and others) · Free · HAMR / City of Huntsville Bike Month

Bike Month: HAMR Thursday Group Ride

Every Thursday in May, HAMR (Huntsville Area Mountain Bike Riders) runs a group ride departing at 5:45pm from rotating trailheads around the city. Free to join - check HAMR's schedule for this week's location.

Juvenile: Boiling Point Album Release Tour

8pm (doors open 7pm) · VBC Mars Music Hall, 700 Monroe St SW · Ticketed (via Ticketmaster; prices not publicly listed) · VBC Mars Music Hall

Juvenile: Boiling Point Album Release Tour

Cash Money bounce legend Juvenile brings his Boiling Point tour to Mars Music Hall with The 400 Degreez Band. A special guest opener kicks things off at 7:45pm. Tickets via Ticketmaster - VBC is a cashless venue.

Friday, May 15

SMART 2026 (Day 2)

8am · Von Braun Center East Hall, 700 Monroe St SW · Von Braun Center

The second day of SMART 2026 at the VBC East Hall. See Thursday's listing for details.

Artsy Tots: Van Gogh Starry Night Folk Paintings

10am-10:45am or 11am-11:45am · Huntsville Museum of Art, 300 Church Street SW · $12 adults / $5 children (6-11) / members and under-6 free · Huntsville Museum of Art - Isenberg Art Academy

Artsy Tots: Van Gogh Starry Night Folk Paintings

A 45-minute program for ages 2-3 combining short stories, gallery play, and an art activity inspired by Van Gogh's Starry Night. Registration required. Two session times available.

Open House at The Alcove

5:30pm-7:30pm (doors at 5:20pm) · The Alcove, 3312 Long Avenue SW · Free · The Alcove HSV

Open House at The Alcove

The Alcove is opening its doors so you can tour the space, meet local professionals and entrepreneurs, and check out available suites and event spaces. All ages, free parking, RSVP encouraged.

Concerts on the Dock: Jayne & the Huntsmen

6pm-9pm · Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment, 2211 Seminole Dr SW · Free ($10 on-site parking) · Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment

Concerts on the Dock: Jayne & the Huntsmen

Lowe Mill's free Friday night concert series continues on the historic loading dock stage beneath the water tower. This week's act is Jayne & the Huntsmen. Bring a blanket or lawn chair, leashed pets are welcome, and food and drink vendors are on site.

Bike Month: Bikes & Brews Friday Ride

6pm · Rocket Republic Brewing, downtown Huntsville · Free · City of Huntsville / BASC

Bike Month: Bikes & Brews Friday Ride

Every Friday in May, a social group ride departs from Rocket Republic at 6pm as part of the city's Bike Month celebration. Free to join.

Cheers to You Graduation Afterparty

10pm · Icon Ultra Lounge, 1204 Posey St NW · Icon Ultra Lounge

A ticketed graduation afterparty at Icon Ultra Lounge. Check Eventbrite for pricing and details.

Saturday, May 16

Military Vehicle Rally & Swap Meet

10am-4pm · U.S. Veterans Memorial Museum, 2060 Airport Rd SW (John Hunt Park) · ~$11 adults/teens; free for active-duty, reservists, National Guard, first responders · U.S. Veterans Memorial Museum / Dixie Division Military Vehicles Preservation Association

Military Vehicle Rally & Swap Meet

An Armed Forces Day tradition at the Veterans Memorial Museum. Owners display and trade historic military vehicles, parts, and memorabilia while admission covers the museum's indoor collection of 30+ restored vehicles - tanks, helicopters, a WWI Ford Pygmy jeep, and more. Free for active-duty military, reservists, National Guard, and first responders with valid ID (up to 5 family members).

Drop-In & CREATE: Puffy Clouds!

11am-1pm · Huntsville Museum of Art - ART LAB, 300 Church Street SW · Free · Huntsville Museum of Art Academy

Drop-In & CREATE: Puffy Clouds!

A no-reservation-needed hands-on art activity for the whole family in the Stender Family Interactive Education Galleries. One Saturday a month, free for parents and kids.

Outdoor Market at Lowe Mill

11am-4pm · Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment, 2211 Seminole Dr SW · Free · Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment

Outdoor Market at Lowe Mill

The weekly outdoor market runs every Saturday through October. Vendors sell handmade goods, second-hand finds, and locally grown produce across the Lowe Mill grounds.

Ceramics: Beginning Pottery Wheel - Final Session

1pm-5pm · Burritt on the Mountain, 3101 Burritt Dr SE · $230 total for the 4-week series · Burritt on the Mountain

Ceramics: Beginning Pottery Wheel - Final Session

The fourth and final session of a 4-week beginner pottery wheel series taught by Paul Wieland, co-founder of the Tennessee Valley Ceramic Arts Guild. Students glaze their pieces in this last class. All materials included; close-toed shoes required. Ages 19+.

Music: Irish Drumming - Learn to Play the Bodhran

1pm-3pm · Burritt on the Mountain, 3101 Burritt Dr · $25 (includes all supplies) · Burritt on the Mountain

A beginner/novice workshop on the bodhran (Irish frame drum) with Andy Kruspe, owner of The Irish Drum Center at Lowe Mill. You'll cover how to hold the drum, how to use the tipper, and work up to playing a simple Irish reel. All supplies included. Ages 19+. Registration deadline was May 9 - contact Burritt to check availability.

Ladies Night Saturdays at Vibes of Huntsville

8pm-2am · Vibes of Huntsville, 415 Church St NW · Free entry; drink specials from $5 · Vibes of Huntsville

Ladies Night Saturdays at Vibes of Huntsville

A weekly 21+ ladies night with free entry, $5 cocktails, $25 hookahs, and free booth reservations for birthdays (text 256-656-8857). Music runs until 2am.

Sunday, May 17

Sunday Brunch at Vibes of Huntsville

12pm · Vibes of Huntsville, 415 Church St NW · Free · Vibes of Huntsville

Sunday Brunch at Vibes of Huntsville

A weekly Sunday brunch with an old-school soundtrack, chicken and waffles, garlic parm wings, and more. Free entry, free sections with RSVP. 21+ venue.

The Castle Council: 5th Edition Improv Comedy

7pm · Shenanigans Comedy Theatre, 2650 Leeman Ferry Rd SW, Suite A · ~$10 (check Yapsody for current pricing) · Shenanigans Comedy Theatre

The Castle Council: 5th Edition Improv Comedy

Rated PG family-friendly improv comedy set in a fantasy city council meeting. Audience members play citizens who bring local issues to the council - who improvise solutions live on stage. It runs on a Dungeons & Dragons framework, but no gaming knowledge required.

Got an event we missed? Reply to this newsletter or send a note to the Here in Huntsville team and we'll get it on the radar for next week.

FAQ

What's free to do in Huntsville this week?
Several events are free this week: Calhoun Community College Graduation at the VBC (no tickets needed), Drop-In & CREATE at the Huntsville Museum of Art on Saturday, the Outdoor Market and Concerts on the Dock at Lowe Mill on Friday and Saturday, the HAMR Thursday group ride and Bikes & Brews Friday ride as part of Bike Month, and Sunday Brunch and Ladies Night at Vibes of Huntsville.
Are there family-friendly events in Huntsville this week?
Yes - Drop-In & CREATE: Puffy Clouds! at the Huntsville Museum of Art on Saturday is free and open to all ages. The Castle Council improv comedy show on Sunday is rated PG and works for families. The Military Vehicle Rally & Swap Meet on Saturday is also all-ages.
What live music is happening in Huntsville this week?
Juvenile plays VBC Mars Music Hall on Thursday night. Jayne & the Huntsmen perform at the free Concerts on the Dock at Lowe Mill on Friday evening. Music Lab LIVE runs at Rocket City Honky-Tonk on Tuesday night.
What's on at the Von Braun Center this week?
The VBC is busy all week - NAVIGATE Nonprofit Conference (Tuesday), the 48th Aerospace Mechanisms Symposium (Wednesday-Friday), SMART 2026 (Thursday-Friday), the Chamber's Best Places to Work luncheon (Thursday), Calhoun's graduation (Thursday), and Juvenile in Mars Music Hall (Thursday night).
Are there any events for young kids in Huntsville this week?
Artsy Tots at the Huntsville Museum of Art on Friday morning is designed for ages 2-3 and introduces toddlers to art through stories, gallery play, and a Van Gogh-inspired painting activity. Registration is required.
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