Overview The Madison Street Festival is a one-day street festival in Historic Downtown Madison, Alabama, run by a 501(c)(3) whose proceeds pay for grants to Madison schools and educational programs. Admission is free. It falls on the first Saturday in October, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine, and the 2026 edition was the 44th. The trains keep running, too: Norfolk Southern's line through downtown stays open while the festival is on. On site A parade opens the day. It steps off at 9 along Church, Front and Sullivan streets and finishes at Madison Elementary School, with schools, dance teams, cheer squads, mascots, businesses and community groups marching. Artist Alley on Church Street holds more than 50 juried artists and makers, and Crafters Cove at Church and Maple more than 60 sellers of handmade goods. Then there are the Community Showcase Stage, a student art area, children's and teen areas, food vendors and a sponsor row. Two drives run alongside: a LifeSouth blood drive in memory of Elbert Balch, and Stuff the Bus, which collects hygiene items, classroom supplies and snacks for Madison City Schools. Track record The festival's grant page lists 20 recipient programs, eight of them in elementary schools, covering STEM, literacy, music, drama, financial literacy and assistive technology. Brand presence Sponsor levels are named for the downtown streets, from Main Street and Church Street down to Front Street and Maple Street, with separate transportation, hospitality, digital sideline and media sponsors and a sponsor for the festival's information trailer. More than 30 sponsors were listed for 2026, among them Madison Hospital, Xfinity and Burn Boot Camp.