Your Huntsville Weekend Cheat Sheet (Nov 7-9): Volleyball, Caribbean Vibes & $2M Business Moves

Hey there, Huntsville!

Ready to make this weekend count? Whether you're hunting for family fun, craving some culture, or just want to know what's buzzing in the local business scene, I've got you covered. Let's dive into what's happening around town.

Friday, Nov 7 | 8pm-late

Forget the cold…Friday night is all about island vibes. The Camp is transforming into a Caribbean paradise with soca, reggae, and dancehall music flowing all night long. FREE admission, killer drink specials (think $5 frozen cocktails during happy hour), and the excuse to dress up and rep your heritage. Your Friday just got a whole lot more interesting.wearehuntsville​

📍 The Camp, 5909 University Dr NW
🎟️ FREE
🔗 More details

Nov 7-9 | All Weekend

Yes, you read that right, yes…beach volleyball championships. In Huntsville. In November. Watch 64 women's beach pairs and 4 men's teams compete for the national title at John Hunt Park Sand Volleyball Complex. This is elite collegiate athletics at its finest, and you can catch it live without leaving town.avca​

📍 John Hunt Park Sand Volleyball Complex, 2305 Airport Rd SW
🔗 Event schedule & details

Sunday, Nov 9 | 10am-5pm

Get a jumpstart on holiday shopping with local artisans, makers, and bakers at the Huntsville Botanical Garden. Handcrafted gifts, seasonal goodies, and unique treasures all while supporting small businesses and the Garden's mission. Shopping passes are just $5.rocketcitymom​

📍 Huntsville Botanical Garden
🎟️ $5/person
🔗 Shop local

Sunday, Nov 9 | 11am-4pm

If one holiday market isn't enough (and honestly, is it ever?), MidCity is hosting 150 local vendors, live music, Santa visits, and tons of food options. Free to enter, but bring cash for vendors and your walking shoes there's serious ground to cover.rocketcitymom​

📍 5909 University Drive
🎟️ FREE
🔗 Plan your visit

🔗 Full family event calendar

Big news just dropped: IPG Photonics opened a brand-new 14,000-square-foot facility in Huntsville on November 6th. This isn't just another office it's the headquarters for their IPG Defense division, focusing on laser defense tech including their CROSSBOW counter-drone system. Congressman Dale Strong even test-drove the system during the grand opening. investing​

Translation? More high-tech jobs, more defense innovation, and another reason Huntsville remains the go-to spot for cutting-edge aerospace and defense work.

🔗 Read the full story

Governor Kay Ivey just awarded HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology over $2 million for three groundbreaking projects. The funding supports agricultural tech partnerships with farmers, crop variety improvements, and forest conservation genomics. This positions Alabama and Huntsville as a leader in ag-tech and conservation science. hudsonalpha​

🔗 Learn more

Huntsville broke ground on a $9.8 million expansion of the U.S. Veterans Memorial Museum at John Hunt Park. The 35,000-square-foot addition will provide way more display space for military memorabilia spanning from the Revolution to today. A big win for history buffs and veterans alike. businessalabama​

🔗 City announcement

🔗 City economic development updates

Here's how I'd do it:

Friday: Kick things off with Caribbean Nightz at The Camp. Dance, drink, and embrace the island energy.

Saturday: Catch some beach volleyball action, hit the Lobsterfest, or explore the Round Top Folk Festival. Parents? Drop the kids at EarlyWorks for Parents Night Out and enjoy a breather.

Sunday: Hit BOTH holiday markets (MidCity in the morning, Botanical Garden in the afternoon). Get your shopping done early, support local makers, and maybe grab a Santa photo while you're at it.

Events:

Business News:

The Bottom Line? Huntsville is buzzing…literally and figuratively. From beach volleyball to defense lasers, holiday markets to job growth, there's never been a better time to live in the Rocket City.

Now get out there and make it a weekend to remember.

Until next time,
Rocket City RoundUp