January 2026 Events in North Alabama

by Hollie Blackwood

A new year brings fresh routines, cozy winter days, and plenty of ways to stay connected right here in North Alabama. While January feels a bit quieter after the holidays, our communities are still full of meaningful events worth getting out for. From family-friendly activities and library programs to live music, educational talks, and seasonal experiences, there’s something happening all month long across Decatur, Hartselle, Madison, Huntsville, Cullman, and surrounding areas.

Whether you’re looking for an easy weeknight activity, something fun for the kids, or a reason to explore a nearby town, here’s a roundup of events happening in our North Alabama service areas this January 2026.

🪶 Festival of the Cranes 2026

📅 January 9–11, 2026

📍 Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge & Downtown Decatur

Experience one of North Alabama’s most iconic winter events! The Festival of the Cranes celebrates the annual winter migration of thousands of sandhill cranes and occasional whooping cranes. Activities include birdwatching, presentations, kids’ experiences, art displays, and more. Multiple partnering venues like the Princess Theatre, Cook Museum of Natural Science, and Decatur Public Library host activities during the weekend.

🔗 Learn More & View Schedule: https://www.friendsofwheelernwr.org/foc-2026 Wheeler Wildlife Refuge Association+1

📅 Jan. 2026 Rally Day

📅 Tuesday, January 6 | 10:30 AM

📍 Jaycee Community Building – Huntsville

Kick off the new year with community connections and local programming at Rally Day. This casual community event is a great way to reconnect after the holidays and learn about local classes, groups, and opportunities to get involved.

🔗 Event Details: https://patch.com/alabama/huntsville/calendar/event/20260106/720ebdf4-3380-440d-865c-521edbbb4901/jan-2026-rally-day Patch

📚 We the Readers – In Person

📅 Tuesday, January 6 | 1:00 PM

📍 Huntsville-Madison County Public Library

Join a friendly book club gathering to discuss great reads and share recommendations. This is a free community event open to all book lovers.

🔗 Library Calendar: https://hmcpl.org/event Huntsville-Madison County Public Library

🧗 Exploring the Waterfalls of North Alabama

📅 Tuesday, January 6 | 6:00 PM

📍 Madison Public Library

Learn about North Alabama’s beautiful waterfalls and plan your future nature outings. A great winter inspiration talk for outdoor lovers.

🔗 Library Calendar: https://hmcpl.org/event Huntsville-Madison County Public Library

✂️ Library Events Throughout January

📍 Huntsville-Madison County Public Library System

HMCPL branches host an array of winter programs this month including:

Sewing 101: Machine Basics
Game On! at the Library
Intro to Reading Journals
The MAD Movie-A-Thon-O-Rama (Jan. 8)

These are free and family-friendly opportunities to learn, play, and stay connected.

🔗 Full HMCPL Event Calendar: https://hmcpl.org/event Huntsville-Madison County Public Library

📖 Kids Read to a Therapy Dog

📅 Sunday, January 11 | 2:00 PM

📍 Madison Public Library

Children can boost confidence and reading skills by reading to a friendly therapy dog. Registration is typically required.

🔗 Event Info & Registration: https://patch.com/alabama/huntsville/calendar/event/20260111/9c37e671-c714-49fb-8fc6-37099d742f30/kids-read-to-a-therapy-dog Patch

🌿 Seasonal Highlight: Sandhill Cranes Viewing

📅 All Month – Throughout January

📍 Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge – Decatur

Even outside the festival weekend, January is prime time to see sandhill cranes as they winter in North Alabama’s wetlands. Birdwatchers and photographers often visit the refuge’s observation areas throughout the month.

🔗 Festival Site (best seasonal overview): https://www.friendsofwheelernwr.org/foc-2026 Wheeler Wildlife Refuge Association

✨ Wrapping Up

January in North Alabama may be a slower month, but it’s full of chances to stay active, connected, and learning in your community. Check the official event pages above as some activities require registration or have age/rsvp limits.