October in Hoover: Monster Mash at the library Oct. 23, HalloweenFest Oct. 29, the Hoover Horror Picture Show Oct. 30 and library trick-or-treat Oct. 31.

Last checked Oct. 17, 2026. Rebuilt on the first of each month. Events come from the City of Hoover’s events calendar, the Hoover Public Library and Aldridge Gardens. Times are Central.

The rest of October in Hoover runs toward Halloween: a library party, the city’s HalloweenFest and a library trick-or-treat on the day itself. The Hoover Public Library is at 200 Municipal Drive (205-444-7800); Aldridge Gardens is at 3530 Lorna Road (205-739-6558). For weekend picks, see our things to do this weekend page, updated every Thursday.

Quick list

  • Friday, Oct. 23: Monster Mash at the library, 6:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, Oct. 29: HalloweenFest at the Finley Center, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., free
  • Friday, Oct. 30: Hoover Horror Picture Show, 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, Oct. 31: trick-or-treat at the library, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Nov. 7-8: Moss Rock Festival at the Hoover Met Complex

Halloween week

Monster Mash, Friday, Oct. 23, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Hoover Public Library. The library’s annual Halloween party for all ages; costumes encouraged. A sensory-friendly preview runs from 6 to 6:30 p.m.; register for it with the Children’s Department at 205-444-7830. Event page.

HalloweenFest: Heroes and Haunts, Thursday, Oct. 29, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., Finley Center. This year the city’s HalloweenFest and Public Safety Night Out are one event, inside and outside the Finley Center and its parking lot, according to the Hoover Police Department: trick-or-treating with local vendors, food, inflatables, a kids zone and a close look at police and fire vehicles. Costumes are encouraged and admission is free. Time from the city calendar.

Hoover Horror Picture Show, Friday, Oct. 30, 7 to 10 p.m., Hoover Public Library. The library’s adult Halloween party: a screening of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” (1975) with prop bags, shadowcasting, a costume contest and a craft station. Event page.

Trick or Treat, Saturday, Oct. 31, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Hoover Public Library. Event page. Neighborhood trick-or-treat hours and church trunk-or-treats are on our trick-or-treat hours page.

At the library

The library runs free programs most days. Coming up, from its events calendar:

  • Live on the Plaza, Saturday, Oct. 17, 1:30 p.m.: Blaine Goodwin performs British and Celtic folk songs on classical guitar.
  • Terror-iums of Horror, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 6 to 8 p.m.: build a small terrarium while “Little Shop of Horrors” (1986) plays.
  • All Hail the King, Saturday, Oct. 24, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.: a Stephen King triple feature, “Pet Sematary” at 10:15 a.m., “Misery” at 1 p.m. and “The Shining” at 3:15 p.m. All three are rated R.
  • Storytimes for babies, toddlers and preschoolers run Monday through Thursday mornings, with PJ Storytime on Thursday evenings.

Library hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Any resident of Hoover or Jefferson County can get a free library card.

Aldridge Gardens

The gardens open daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., unless weather or a special event closes them, according to Aldridge Gardens. Its October calendar lists Immersive Yoga at 10 a.m. Thursdays (Oct. 22 and 29), Mah Jongg open play at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, and volunteer garden work days Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Coming in November

  • Moss Rock Festival, Nov. 7-8, 10 a.m. Saturday to 4 p.m. Sunday, Hoover Met Complex. Tickets and parking on our Moss Rock Festival page.
  • Salute to Service, Tuesday, Nov. 10, 8:30 to 11 a.m., Finley Center.
  • Gifts of Art, Thursday, Nov. 19, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Aldridge Gardens.
  • Christmas tree lighting, Tuesday, Dec. 1, 6 to 8 p.m., Hoover City Hall. Details on our Christmas parade and tree lighting page.

Civic dates

  • Tuesday, Oct. 20, 6:30 p.m.: the city’s Town Hall Meeting, in the meeting room at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium, 5508 Stadium Trace Parkway.
  • Monday, Oct. 26, 6 p.m.: City Council meeting, Hoover City Hall, 100 Municipal Lane.

More in the season: fall festivals and pumpkin patches, Friday night football and parks and trails.

Frequently asked questions

What is there to do in Hoover in October?

The Hoover Public Library holds its Monster Mash Halloween party Oct. 23, a Rocky Horror screening for adults Oct. 30 and trick-or-treating Oct. 31. The city’s free HalloweenFest is 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, at the Finley Center.

When is Hoover HalloweenFest 2026?

Thursday, Oct. 29, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., inside and outside the Finley Center. It is combined with Public Safety Night Out this year, and admission is free.

When is the Moss Rock Festival in Hoover?

Nov. 7 and 8, from 10 a.m. Saturday to 4 p.m. Sunday, at the Hoover Met Complex, according to the city’s events calendar.

When is Aldridge Gardens open?

Aldridge Gardens, 3530 Lorna Road, opens its gates daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., weather and special events permitting. Call 205-739-6558 for details.