SEPT. 27 — BURGERS AND BADGES GRILL-OFF
This year’s Burgers & Badges Grill-Off will be held on Saturday, Sept. 27, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Opelika Municipal Park (Monkey Park). At the event, presented by the city of Opelika, firefighters and police officers will compete head-to-head. There will be food and games, as well as train rides from 10 a.m. until noon for $2 per ride. All proceeds will go to the United Way of Lee County.
SEPT. 27 — FALL NATURE WALK AT WOOD DUCK NATURE PRESERVE
Join the Fall Nature Walk at Wood Duck Nature Preserve of Opelika on Saturday, Sept. 27. This slow, casual walk, hosted by Friends of the Preserve, is around two miles but people may choose to leave at any time. Of special interest will be migrating warblers and migrating butterflies. Refreshments and coffee will be served beginning at 7:30 a.m., and the walk will start at 8 a.m. There will be several “loaner” binoculars available. Meet at the pavilion located on 3601 Waverly Parkway.
SEPT. 27-OCT. 27 — CHOCTAFAULA PUMPKIN PATCH
Choctafaula’s annual Pumpkin Patch will open to the public on Sept. 27 and will be open weekends through Oct. 27. Pick pumpkins, enjoy wagon rides, meet animals in the petting zoo and more at this family-friendly fall festival. Choctafaula is an agritourism destination located at 929 County Road 14 in Auburn.
SEPT. 30 — MASTERCHEF ALL-STARS LIVE!
Get ready, food lovers—MasterChef All-Stars Live! is bringing your favorite chefs straight from the MasterChef kitchen to the Gogue Center. This brand-new, high-energy stage show delivers the ultimate MasterChef experience — live, up close and personal. Witness epic head-to-head battles, thrilling challenges and jaw-dropping culinary creations right before your eyes. Hear from your favorite all-stars on what it’s like to cook in America’s famous kitchen and in front of its toughest judges, plus learn tips and tricks to take home to your own kitchen. The show begins at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 30. Tickets are available online at www.goguecenter.evenue.net/event/G25/AE0930.
OCT. 3 — ON THE TRACKS WINE TRAIL
Opelika Main Street will host On the Tracks on Friday, Oct. 3, from 6 to 9 p.m. Enjoy an evening of wine tasting, shopping, dining and music in historic downtown Opelika.
OCT. 4 – HARVEST MARKET
City Market will be back this fall! Auburn Parks and Recreation invites the community to join us at Town Creek Park on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 8 a.m. to noon for Harvest Market. The market will feature local farmers, growers and artists showcasing a variety of fresh produce and handmade products.
OCT. 9 — OPELIKA LIBRARY HOSTS AUTHOR GRADY HENDRIX
Join New York Times bestselling author Grady Hendrix at the Opelika Public Library on Oct. 9 at 6 p.m. to take a wild flight into the blackest night as we investigate the world of witchcraft in books and movies and witness an army of broomstick-brandishing, curse-hurling, world-destroying, unkillable, unstoppable, unbeatable witches! Tickets available at www.auburnoilbooksellers.com.
OCT. 14 — O GROWS FALL FARMERS MARKET
Join O Grows at Opelika’s Courthouse Square for four weeks of fresh produce, baked goods, meats and more. Vendors accept SNAP and the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program card, as well as Double Up Food Bucks to eligible community members. The market will be open 3 to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays, Oct. 14, 21 and 28 and Nov. 4.
OCT. 14 — AUBURN COMMUNITY ORCHESTRA CONCERT
The Auburn Community Orchestra (ACO) will perform its Fall Masterworks concert on Tuesday, Oct. 14, at 7 p.m. This concert will be held at the Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center. This concert is free, family-friendly and open to the public. Free tickets are available at www.gougecenter.evenue.net/event/G25/R1014.
OCT. 16 — SOWETO GOSPEL CHOIR: PEACE
With its concert “Peace,” the multi-Grammy and Emmy Award-winning Soweto Gospel Choir returns to North America to perform a joyful program of South African freedom songs, traditional spirituals and some classics. The inspirational concert also features the spirited music of Aretha Franklin, Harry Belafonte, Peter Gabriel, Kate Bush, Leonard Cohen and more. Formed in 2002, the Soweto Gospel Choir was created to celebrate the unique power of African gospel music. The choir excites audiences worldwide, uplifting the soul and spreading joy through its earthy rhythms, rich harmonies, brilliant costumes and infectious spirit—a concert experience ideal for the entire family. The Soweto Gospel Choir will perform on Thursday, Oct. 16 at the Jay and Susie Gouge Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. Tickets are available online at www.goguecenter.evenue.net/event/G25/CN1016.
OCT. 18 — FOOD TRUCK FRIDAY
The Opelika Chamber of Commerce will host Food Truck Friday in historic downtown Opelika on Oct. 18, featuring food, live music, local vendors and laid-back fun. The event begins at 5 p.m.,with many trucks serving until 10 p.m.
OCT. 19 — MANDY BARNETT SINGS PATSY CLINE
Mandy Barnett sings Patsy Cline has been rescheduled for Sunday, Oct. 19, at 7 p.m. at the Opelika Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are available at www.tix.com/ticket-sales/eastalabamaarts/6483/event/1380053.
OCT. 24-25 — AUBURN OKTOBERFEST
Auburn Oktoberfest 2025 will include a beer dinner on Friday, Oct. 24, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and the festival on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 2 to 6 p.m. For more information, visit www.auoktoberfest.com.
OCT. 30 — AUBURN TRICK-OR-TREAT
Auburn Downtown Trick-or-Treat will be held Thursday, Oct. 30, from 6 to 8 p.m. The event is free and open to the community. Attendees are encouraged to dress in costume, and prizes will be awarded for the best costumes in several categories. Neighborhood trick-or-treating will also be held on Thursday, Oct. 30, for safety during AU’s home football game weekend.
