The Alabama National Fair returns to Montgomery from Oct. 8 through Oct. 18, and this year's lineup includes four concerts at Garrett Coliseum that come at no extra cost beyond regular fair admission. Motown legends the Commodores open the run on Oct. 10, followed by a Taylor Swift tribute act, a Nashville-based duo fresh off a run on America's Got Talent, and a Montgomery-born norteño group closing out the fair's final weekend.
Four Nights, One Ticket
All four shows are included with fair admission, meaning fairgoers will not need to buy a separate concert ticket to see any of the acts, according to the Montgomery Advertiser. Regular daily admission after opening day runs $20 for visitors 13 and up and $10 for youth ages 5 to 12, per the same report. Parking is also included with admission, so attendees will not pay extra to leave their cars on the fairgrounds.
The fair itself blends agricultural exhibits, carnival rides and games, live entertainment and community events, according to WAKA, which also reports that tickets are priced lower this year and that new food options will join returning fair favorites. The station did not specify which new items would be on offer. Families seeking a quieter visit can also take advantage of Sensory Friendly hours from 1 to 3 p.m. on Oct. 11 and again on Oct. 18, as noted by Experience Montgomery.
The Commodores Bring Motown History to Garrett Coliseum
The Commodores take the Garrett Coliseum stage at 7 p.m. on Oct. 10, as confirmed by WSFA. The group formed in 1968 while its members attended Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, according to the station's report, and Berry Gordy later discovered the band, helping launch it into Motown stardom. Original members included Lionel Richie, William “Wak” King, Walter “Clyde” Orange, Thomas McClary, Milan Williams and Ronald LaPread.
Over the decades, the band has sold around 70 million albums and racked up seven No. 1 singles and five No. 1 albums, according to the group's own biography page. Their catalog includes “Brick House,” “Sail On,” “Easy,” “Three Times a Lady,” “Nightshift” and “Machine Gun,” per the same WSFA account. The current touring lineup features William “Wak” King, Brent Carter, Cody Orange and Colin Orange, with Carter having joined the group in early 2025 after J.D. Nicholas retired as the band's vocalist, WSFA reports.
A Swift Tribute and a Nashville Duo Follow
Let's Sing Taylor, an unofficial tribute to Taylor Swift's music, takes the stage at 4 p.m. on Oct. 11, with a setlist including “Shake It Off,” “Blank Space,” “Anti-Hero,” “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” and “Cardigan,” according to the Montgomery Advertiser's fair guide. Nearly a week later, on Oct. 17 at 7 p.m., Nashville-based duo Butter & Grit performs original songs including “Sweet South” and “That's Okay.”
The duo, made up of vocalist Luke Michael from Ohio and Montgomery native, Dove Award-winning songwriter and producer Laurel Taylor, describes itself as a genre-less act on its own website. Butter & Grit finished in the Top 5 of its quarterfinal as a contestant on Season 21 of America's Got Talent, and the pair has performed in prisons, recovery centers, schools, veteran communities and hospice facilities.
Jaguar Norteño Closes Out the Fair's Final Weekend
The fair wraps with Jaguar Norteño, a Montgomery-based group performing regional Mexican music in the norteño style, set to take the stage at 6 p.m. on Oct. 18. Popular songs in the group's repertoire include “Reynalda,” “Qué Vamos a Hacer” and “Se Te Olvidó.” The band has said that performing on the Alabama National Fair stage represents a dream slowly becoming reality.
With the Commodores' Motown pedigree, a pop tribute act, a rising Nashville duo and a hometown norteño band all booked for a single admission price, the 2026 fair offers a wider musical spread than past years, as detailed by the Miami Herald. Garrett Coliseum, where all four shows take place, sits at 1555 Federal Drive in Montgomery, according to Garrett Coliseum's own event listing.
