ONGOING AND RECURRING EVENTS
MONDAYS — LUNCH AT THE CHAMBER: The Opelika Chamber is hosting “Lunch at the Chamber,” a weekly food truck and pop-up vendor event held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. each Monday at 200 S. Sixth St., Opelika.
MONDAYS — MAHJONG MONDAYS: Irish Bred Pub will host Mahjong Mondays each Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. The event includes open play, with Mahjong 101 offered on the second Monday of each month from 5:30 to 8 p.m. The pub is located in downtown Opelika. For more information or to sign up, visit www.bamboo-belles.bamgoodtime.com.
TUESDAYS — TUESDAYS IN THE GARDEN: Tuesdays in the Garden will take place at St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church, 136 E. Magnolia Ave., Auburn, from 2 to 4 p.m. each Tuesday. All are welcome to drop by the garden, relax and enjoy the green space. Seating will be provided.
THIRD TUESDAYS — NAMI East Alabama, the local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), will meet at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at Parkway Baptist Church, 764 East University Drive, in Auburn. Please enter by the double doors located directly to the left of the main entrance and go to the end of the hall. NAMI supports families dealing with mental illness through mutual support, education, and advocacy. There will be a time for sharing. The public is invited.
WEDNESDAYS — VFW POST 5404: VFW Post 5404, 131 E. Veterans Blvd., Auburn, next to Ray’s Collision off South College Street, is open Wednesdays from 8 to 11 a.m. for coffee, doughnuts, cake and conversation about military service and veterans benefits. All veterans and spouses are welcome.
THIRD WEDNESDAYS — LEE/RUSSELL COUNTY LOW VISION SUPPORT GROUP: The Lee/Russell County Low Vision Support Group meets from 1:30 to 3 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month at the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind Opelika Regional Center, 355 Dunlop Drive, Opelika. Monthly discussions focus on ways to make life more manageable for those living with low vision. For details, contact Shiquita Fulton at (334) 705-2024 or Melody Wilson at (256) 368-3258.
FRIDAYS — COME HOME TO THE CORNER: Come Home to the Corner is held each Friday night before an Auburn University home football game at Toomer’s Corner in downtown Auburn.
ONGOING — THE PENGUIN PROJECT: Opelika Community Theatre is recruiting artists with disabilities and peer mentors for its inclusive Penguin Project program. Participation is free. Penguin Pals is for ages 6-9, Penguin Troupe for ages 10-20 and Penguin Players for ages 21 and older. Classes meet Thursdays from 5 to 7 p.m. at 1220 Fox Run Ave. in Opelika. The spring 2027 production will be “Dare to Dream.”
NOW THROUGH DEC. 6 — JONTAY KAHM: PERSONIFIED EXISTENCE: The Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art at Auburn University will present “Jontay Kahm: Personified Existence,” the first museum exhibition of Plains Cree designer Jontay Kahm. The exhibition features nearly 20 sculptural garments, along with mixed-media works and video exploring themes of life, death, memory, identity and Indigenous knowledge systems. For museum hours and program information, visit jcsm.auburn.edu.
NOV. 13 — FREEDOM FEST CONCERT AND FOOD TRUCK FRIDAY: The city of Opelika will host a free outdoor concert from 5 to 10 p.m. in downtown Opelika, featuring Route 66, Tyler Short and The Ryan Waters Band. Food trucks will be available. Visit www.opelika-al.gov/freedomfest.
NOV. 14 — VETERANS BREAKFAST AND PROGRAM: A veterans breakfast will begin at 8 a.m. at First Baptist Church Opelika’s 3:16 Center. A public Veterans Day program will follow at 9 a.m., featuring retired U.S. Army Brig. Gen. David Phillips as keynote speaker.
NOV. 14 — HELPING VETERANS ACHIEVE A BETTER FUTURE: Greater Peace Missionary Baptist Church Veterans Ministry will host a free community event from 9 a.m. to noon at the church’s Family Life Center, 650 Jeter Ave., Opelika. The event will feature roundtable discussions on veterans benefits, mental health services, employment and educational opportunities. Veterans, families and caregivers are encouraged to attend. For information, call (205) 542-7064 or (334) 749-9487.
NOV. 14 — AUBURN HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION: Auburn residents may dispose of household chemicals, paint, batteries, automotive fluids and other accepted materials from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Environmental Services Complex, 4277 Wire Road. Electronic recycling and document shredding will also be available. Proof of Auburn residency is required, and advance registration is requested. Visit www.auburnal.gov/hhw.
NOV. 14 — OPELIKA VETERANS PARADE: The city of Opelika will host its Veterans Parade at 10:30 a.m. in downtown Opelika. The parade will include military units, marching groups, floats and special guests.
NOV. 14 — MEDAL OF HONOR MEET AND GREET: Following the Veterans Parade, the public is invited to the Bottling Plant Event Center for an opportunity to meet Medal of Honor recipients and other special guests. Visit www.opelika-al.gov/freedomfest.
NOV. 16-17 — BETTER TOGETHER AUDITIONS: Opelika Community Theatre will hold auditions for “Better Together: A Community Holiday Celebration” from 7 to 8 p.m. Nov. 16-17 at 1220 Fox Run Ave. in Opelika. Individuals and groups of all cultures and ethnicities are invited to audition with vocal, dance, musical or theatrical performances. The holiday showcase will be held Dec. 19.
NOV. 17-19 — A BEAUTIFUL NOISE: The Neil Diamond musical “A Beautiful Noise” will be presented at 7 p.m. each evening at the Woltosz Theatre in Auburn. Tickets are available.
NOV. 20 — ORNAMENT EXTRAVAGANZA DEADLINE: Local artists may donate completed ornaments to the Southside Center for the Arts through 1 p.m. Nov. 20 for the Ornament Extravaganza Fundraiser Exhibition. Artists may create up to three wooden ornaments. Participation is free. For information, call (334) 203-1017 or email SouthsideCenterManager@gmail.com.
NOV. 21 — THE PURPOSE GALA: WWAP Village will host The Purpose Gala at 203 S. Railroad Ave. in Opelika. The formal event will celebrate young people for leadership, talent, entrepreneurship, creativity, academics, service and community impact. The evening will include youth awards, live performances, a red-carpet experience, music, dancing and the crowning of a King and Queen of Purpose. The event time will be announced. For information, sponsorships or nominations, call (334) 740-1949 or (330) 806-1564.
NOV. 25 — THE LONGEST TABLE: The annual free Thanksgiving community meal will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Lee County Courthouse Square in downtown Opelika. Everyone is invited to share a traditional Thanksgiving meal and fellowship, with no tickets or registration required. Volunteers and donations are welcome. For more information, visit The Longest Table — Opelika on Facebook.
NOV. 26 — SOUTHERN OAK THANKSGIVING BUFFET: Southern Oak will host a Thanksgiving Day buffet with seatings at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. The buffet will feature prime rib, pork loin, roasted turkey, salmon, chicken, cornbread dressing, mashed potatoes, sweet potato mash, green bean casserole, seasonal salads, seafood selections, desserts and more. Cost is $87 per person, $40 for children ages 7 to 12 and free for children 6 and younger, exclusive of tax and gratuity. Reservations may be made through OpenTable or by calling (334) 737-2117.
DEC. 3 — ORNAMENT EXTRAVAGANZA RECEPTION: The Southside Center for the Arts will host an opening reception for its Ornament Extravaganza Fundraiser Exhibition from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Guests may meet participating artists, view the ornaments and enjoy light refreshments. Proceeds will support programs, educational opportunities and events at the Southside Center.
DEC. 4 — SNOPELIKA: SNOPELIKA will be held from 5:30 to 9 p.m. in downtown Opelika. The Christmas parade will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by downtown activities and the tree-lighting ceremony at 7:30 p.m.
DEC. 5 — AUBURN UNITED METHODIST CHRISTMAS MARKET: Auburn United Women in Faith will host its annual Christmas Market from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Auburn United Methodist Church, 137 S. Gay St. in Auburn. Shoppers can browse local arts, crafts, jewelry, home decor, baked goods, frozen casseroles and soups. Proceeds will support local missions through Auburn United Women in Faith. For more information, email aumcchristmasmarket@gmail.com.
SATURDAYS DEC. 12, 19 & SUNDAYS DEC. 6, 13 & 20 — BRUNCH WITH SANTA: Southern Oak Classic Southern Cuisine — Bring your little ones to Southern Oak Restaurant at the Auburn Marriott Opelika Resort and Spa for a delightful morning filled with joy and wonder. Join us for Brunch with Santa Claus, where children can share their holiday wishes, enjoy a delicious breakfast with more options than ever, watch a movie, make arts and crafts, and revel in the magic of the season. $45 for adults, $30 per child ages 6-12, children 5 and younger dine free. Seatings at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Book or call (334) 737-2117 for reservations.
DEC. 19 — BETTER TOGETHER: A COMMUNITY HOLIDAY CELEBRATION: Opelika Community Theatre will present “Better Together: A Community Holiday Celebration” at 2 and 6:30 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the OCT Scholarship Fund and Penguin Project.
JAN. 29-30 AND FEB. 5-6, 2027 — RED: Opelika Community Theatre will present “Red” by John Logan, winner of the 2010 Tony Award for Best Play. Additional details will be announced.
