Downtown Open Is Now Open!

We invite you to join us for the 2024 Downtown Open! The event kicks off DHI’s 2024 event season and features 18 mini golf holes uniquely decorated by local establishments.

Users can play for free anytime now through April 30. Putters, balls, and scorecards are provided at BeeZr and Honest Coffee.

Experience Huntsville’s Comic and Pop Culture Expo

As the weekend approaches, the city buzzes with anticipation for one of its most beloved events: the Huntsville Comic and Pop Culture Expo. Held at the Von Braun Center from April 12th to 14th, this year's expo promises to be an unforgettable celebration of all things geeky and fantastic.

Huntsville Yoga Week Returns

Get ready for a week-long celebration of wellness as Light on Yoga Fitness partners with local businesses to offer free yoga classes across Huntsville. From May 6th to May 12th, North Alabama residents will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of all-levels classes set against the backdrop of some of Huntsville's most beloved locations.

DHI Gears Up For 2024 Event Season

Now that it’s finally April, we're thrilled to announce the lineup for our highly anticipated 2024 event season! Downtown Huntsville, Inc. is excited to bring you a series of unforgettable experiences in the Heart of Huntsville throughout the year.

Hop Into Spring Fun: Easter Events Happening in Downtown Huntsville

Spring has sprung in Downtown Huntsville, and many places are celebrating with fun Easter events. From egg hunts to festive brunches, the heart of Alabama's Rocket City is buzzing with excitement this weekend! So grab your baskets and bunny ears, because we're about to embark on an egg-citing adventure of Easter events happening in downtown.

Huntsville City FC Hosts Home Opener for 2024 Season

Excitement is building as the Huntsville City Football Club (HCFC) gears up for its home opener this Friday at Wicks Family Field.

Managing Director Chad Emerson offered a glimpse into the upcoming season, promising an unparalleled experience for Huntsville soccer fans.

8 Ways to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Downtown

St. Patrick's Day, a global celebration of Irish culture and heritage, is eagerly anticipated by millions around the world each year. Whether you're of Irish descent or simply love to join in the festivities, Downtown Huntsville offers a vibrant and spirited atmosphere for celebrating this iconic holiday. From lively parades to traditional Irish fare, here's a guide to how you can celebrate St. Patrick's Day in downtown.

Meet the Downtown Advocate of the Year

Our Advocate of the Year award recognizes an individual or organization that has made significant contributions to the revitalization and success of Downtown Huntsville. The Advocate of the Year is selected by the DHI Team, and the individual or organization must meet a certain criteria. When deciding the past year’s advocate, our team had one clear choice in mind.

Donna Castellano is the Executive Director of the Historic Huntsville Foundation. She has a strong love for Huntsville history and is committed to researching and bringing long-needed recognition to stories that were marginalized or forgotten.

DHI Hosts Annual Meeting and Downtown Awards

Downtown Huntsville, Inc. hosted its 2024 Annual Meeting and Downtown Awards event at Campus 805’s Stone Event Center on February 21, 2024. This event was presented by Bank Independent.

The Downtown Awards are an important part of our Annual Meeting that recognizes businesses, events, and projects that had a profound impact on Downtown Huntsville districts in the past year.

Celebrating One Year of Huntsville City Lifestyle

Huntsville City Lifestyle Magazine recently celebrated its one year anniversary of the publication, which highlights the vibrant essence of Huntsville and its residents.

Founded by Amy Bailey and a team of passionate individuals with deep roots in the community, Huntsville City Lifestyle Magazine aimed to fill a gap in local media by offering a platform that showcases the city's unique charm, diverse businesses, and remarkable stories of people who call it home.

6 Ways to Celebrate Mardi Gras 2024

Mardi Gras is more than just an excuse to eat, drink, and be merry. It's a celebration of community, culture, and creativity. From the colorful parades to the elaborate costumes, Mardi Gras is a chance for people from all walks of life to come together and celebrate what makes them unique. So whether you're a seasoned reveler or a first-time partygoer, there's an event for everyone to enjoy.

Plan the Perfect Date Night in Downtown

This February, we're challenging you to Show Your Love in various ways, whether that's supporting small businesses, attending events, or trying a new activity. To jump start this month, you can Show Your Love to your special someone by planning the perfect date night in downtown.

DHI Wins Best of Huntsville Awards

Downtown Huntsville, Inc. was excited to participate in the Best of Huntsville 2023 award ceremony hosted on Tuesday night by Huntsville EVENT Magazine and Huntsville Business Journal. The ceremony recognized the winners of the Best of Huntsville contest, which received over 110,000 votes from thousands of Huntsville residents, visitors, and fans.

With the votes officially in, we are thrilled to announce that Tinsel Trail won Best Festival and Downtown Huntsville won Best Attraction! These awards are incredible testaments to the work that we strive to accomplish as an organization, and we thank everyone who voted.

A Slice of Perfection

In celebration of National Pizza Week, pizza enthusiasts are in for a treat as we take a closer look at some of the most beloved pizza places in downtown. From traditional classics to innovative creations, these pizza hotspots promise a slice of heaven for locals and visitors alike.

Accomplish Your New Year’s Resolutions!

Did you make a New Year’s resolution this year? Do you need help sticking to it? Downtown Huntsville has some great spots to visit if you’re trying to work on resolutions related to fitness, reading, self-care, and more! Keep reading to find a good fit for you and your goals.

DHI’s 2023 Recap

Downtown Huntsville, Inc. is proud to reflect on a phenomenal past year, filled with exciting events, impactful initiatives, and strategic progress. We are incredibly grateful for the unwavering support of our partners, members, and the entire Huntsville community. Together, we are shaping the future of downtown Huntsville, creating a vibrant, thriving, and welcoming destination for all.

Through collaborative efforts, unwavering dedication, and a shared vision for a thriving downtown, we have achieved significant milestones that have transformed the heart of Huntsville.

Schoel Engineering Celebrates New Office in Downtown

Schoel Engineering celebrated the opening of its new downtown Huntsville office with a ribbon cutting on Tuesday afternoon, featuring Mayor Battle and other guest speakers.

Established in 1888, Schoel is a fifth-generation civil engineering firm responsible for several major projects across Huntsville, such as Stovehouse, Twickenham Square, and Mars Music Hall.

Get Ready to Rock Around the Rocket City

Downtown Huntsville, Inc. is excited to partner with the Huntsville Museum of Art for the first annual “Rockin’ Around the Rocket City,” which features three holiday attractions in Big Spring Park: Tinsel Trail, Skating in the Park, and the Rocket City Tree.

Tinsel Trail, presented by Meta, is a free event that showcases over 400 live Christmas trees decorated by local businesses, families, and organizations. This year, the trail also includes Mayor Battle’s new 25-foot Christmas tree, the Rocket City Tree, presented by Huntsville Coca-Cola.

Eight Restaurants, One Family

The Church Street Family is one of Huntsville’s most prominent collections of wining and dining establishments. The group consists of eight unique restaurants owned by Stephanie and Matthew Mell. Seven of these establishments are located in downtown districts.

The Mells chose to open the majority of their restaurants and bars in downtown Huntsville because they wanted to add unique dining experiences to downtown’s vibrant community.

Take a Ride Through Historic Downtown Huntsville

Tweed Ride Huntsville is back for the sixth year of its free, historic bike tour through downtown Huntsville.

For the ride, participants dress up in dapper attire, such as tweed pants, wool skirts, and bow ties, and take a bicycle ride through historic spots. This year’s route covers nearly seven miles of Northeast and downtown Huntsville. Riders will be joined by two local historians sharing stories at several of the stops.

Historic Huntsville Museum Listed to Reconstruction Era National Historic Network

The Historic Huntsville Museum, located inside Harrison Brothers Hardware store, is being acknowledged on the national level, with its listing to the Reconstruction Era National Historic Network.

The Reconstruction Era National Historic Network preserves, protects, and shares information regarding sites and programs that are affiliated with the Reconstruction Era.

DHI Releases Office Market Study

Downtown Huntsville, Inc. (DHI) is prioritizing growing the office market after a study released by DHI and Value Tech Realty Services revealed that tight vacancies and other challenges could be a threat to downtown Huntsville’s current market.

According to Rob Buddo, CEO of Downtown Huntsville Inc., a healthy office vacancy rate is around 10% to allow room for growth. The current downtown office landscape shows that there is only a 5.1% vacancy of office space, which means there is not a lot of available room for businesses who want to move to or expand their space in downtown. 

Broadway Theatre League Announces New Season

Broadway Theatre League announced its 2023-2024 season lineup, and it features some classic shows that theater and movie fans are sure to love.

Established in 1959, Broadway Theatre League brings in national, touring Broadway shows and concerts. It started its performances at the original Huntsville High School, before moving to the Von Braun Center to take the stage at Mark C. Smith Concert Hall.

The History of Maple Hill Cemetery

The oldest municipally owned cemetery in Alabama is located right here in downtown Huntsville. 

Maple Hill Cemetery was established in 1822 when the city of Huntsville purchased two acres of land from Leroy Pope, one of Huntsville’s first settlers, and it now extends to nearly 100 acres and holds more than 80,000 graves.

The Blind Tiger: Downtown’s New Luxury Event Space

A new luxury event center is now open in downtown Huntsville. The Blind Tiger is a conveniently located venue that can host corporate events, wedding shoes, happy hour socials, holiday parties, and more.

Owner Angela Panzica saw the demand for a downtown event center. Her other business, Stella’s Elixir Lounge, has branded itself as a destination location, and she did not want to change its structure, so she decided to create a new space with a unique atmosphere

The History of Harrison Brothers Hardware

Harrison Brothers Hardware is one of the oldest stores in Huntsville. It was established on the courthouse square in 1897 by brothers James B. and Daniel T. Harrison

The brothers started out with a tobacco shop on Jefferson Street in 1879 before deciding that there was a demand for a hardware store. They opened a brick and mortar on Southside Square, which is where the store is still located today. They began by selling hardware items but eventually expanded into a furniture store.

The Unique Art of Cigar Box Guitars

The only brick and mortar store in the world that focuses on selling cigar box guitars is located right here in Downtown Huntsville- in Lowe Mill Arts and Entertainment. The Cigar Box Guitar Store, owned by Jeff and Tara Mello, is unique in its art and history.

Cigar box guitars were created decades ago by people who wanted to play an instrument but could not afford to buy one. In 1865, the United States government required that cigars be sold in small boxes to aid in tax collection. The discarded boxes would be joined to a broom handle or other wooded stick. A wire, often from a window screen, was stretched across it to create a simple fiddle to pluck. The cigar box guitar was often a key instrument in a “jug band,” which was a band made up of a washboard bass, jug, harmonica, and sometimes spoons, combs or stovepipes.

The Washington Street Sisters

Those who frequent Downtown Huntsville are probably very familiar with Humphrey’s Bar & Grill and its next-door fine-dining sister-restaurant, The Bottle. 

Humphrey’s has been a popular spot to grab dinner and drinks for over 20 years, and The Bottle was established 10 years ago, bringing Southern Cuisine with a French influence to Downtown’s dining options.

Stringing Together the Story

When words fail, music speaks, and six strings can tell a powerful story.

Danny Davis is the owner of Tangled String Studios, but he’s better known for his masterfully designed and hand-crafted guitars. However, just like each guitar he creates, Davis has a unique story behind how he became the established artist and business owner he is today.

Women in Music Week is Back!

Due to overwhelming popularity, Huntsville Women in Music Weekend is now Huntsville Women in Music Week! The event returns to the Rocket City for its fifth year on September 15-24 as part of Huntsville Music Month

“Women in Music Week allows Huntsville to showcase over 50 women in the music industry over 10 days at various venues, and provides artists the opportunity to shine on stages throughout the city, " said Alli Johnson, Executive Producer of Women in Music Huntsville.

Got the Blues? Jazz in the Park Will Cheer You Up!

The summer may be winding down, but Jazz in the Park is kicking into full swing this weekend! The annual concert series is finally back with free performances happening every Sunday in September.

Since 2015, people have attended Jazz in the Park to experience the electric rhythms of trumpets, saxophones, violins, trombones, vocals, and more. This year, the lineup is bigger and better than ever, with a variety of seasoned professionals, Grammy nominated artists, and new names in the jazz world taking the stage each week. 

Bringing Art to the Heart of Huntsville

What is art? Is it confined to the walls of famous museums like the Louvre? Or is it as simple as the crayon pictures that live on fridge magnets? 

Art is everywhere, but sometimes it gets overlooked by the eyes of busy people heading to work, driving to the grocery store, or going to pick up kids from school. The Curated Gallery is an organization that is dedicated to shining a light on artwork in spaces that may otherwise be invisible.

Rocket City Classic to Bring Hoop Fans to Huntsville

The Rocket City will soon welcome sports fans from all over the South with two major basketball events coming to the Von Braun Center.

Mayor Tommy Battle and the Huntsville Sports Commission announced in a press conference last week that the Rocket City Classic is returning in December, and the city will also host the Conference USA tournament in March 2024.

The Mad Scientist's New Experiment ... Sandwiches!

Eight months ago, The Bakingtist brought their signature bread and pastries to Downtown Huntsville. Now, they’re bringing even more to the table with the launch of a full cafe experience.

Starting on Friday, August 11th, The Bakingtist will serve a variety of gourmet sandwiches, paired beautifully with their house-made bread. The inside of the restaurant will also be upgraded with a new sandwich station and beverage bar.