🧭 Hundred-Mile Happenings: Shop Scottsboro's Christmas Open House, Join a Library Nerf Battle in Calhoun, Watch Guntersville Light Its Harbor Tree, Stroll a Museum Full of Christmas Trees, Browse a Farmers Holiday Market and Hear Christian Music in Murfreesboro

Or: Six Easygoing November Outings, From a Foam-Dart Battle to a Lakeside Tree Lighting — Six New Trips Within About 100 Miles of Dunlap

By Thomas Seest, Dunlap.Today · Thursday, October 29, 2026

Good morning, neighbor. Grab your coffee. Here’s batch number eighty-eight of Hundred-Mile Happenings, our running list of unusual, family-friendly outings within about 100 miles of Dunlap. Same promise as always: when, where, how far, what it costs and who’ll love it, in plain words. And no repeats. Every one of these is new to the list.

This batch leans south into North Alabama, with one stop in Georgia and one in Middle Tennessee. On Saturday, Nov. 14, downtown Scottsboro throws its Christmas Open House, and the Calhoun library hands out foam-dart blasters for All-Ages Nerf Wars. On Thursday, Nov. 19, Guntersville lights its tree at City Harbor, and the town museum’s Festival of Trees season begins. On Saturday, Nov. 21, the Guntersville Farmers Market holds its “Farmers & Friends” Holiday Market. And on Saturday, Nov. 28, Hop Springs near Murfreesboro hosts the ANCHORED Christian Arts and Music Festival.

⏱️ Your 30-second trip list

• Sat., Nov. 14 (Central): Downtown Scottsboro Christmas Open House, Scottsboro, Ala. Free to stroll; spend $20 to enter a gift-basket drawing.
• Sat., Nov. 14, 12:45–5:15 p.m. our time (1:45–6:15 Eastern): All-Ages Nerf Wars, Calhoun-Gordon County Public Library, Calhoun, Ga. No cost posted.
• Thu., Nov. 19, 6 p.m. (Central): City Harbor Christmas Tree Lighting, Guntersville, Ala. Free.
• Starting Nov. 19 (Central): Festival of Trees, Guntersville Museum. Check hours and cost.
• Sat., Nov. 21 (Central): “Farmers & Friends” Holiday Market, Guntersville. Hours not posted yet.
• Sat., Nov. 28, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. (Central): ANCHORED Christian Arts and Music Festival, Hop Springs, Murfreesboro. Listed as free admission.

🕰️ The one thing to remember: Only Calhoun, Ga., is on Eastern time. Alabama and Murfreesboro are on our Central clock. For the Nerf battle in Calhoun, subtract one hour: the library’s 1:45 p.m. start is 12:45 p.m. our time. And don’t forget, daylight saving time ends this Sunday, Nov. 1, at 2 a.m. Set your clocks back an hour Saturday night.

🛍️ Stroll the Square at Scottsboro’s Christmas Open House

Downtown Scottsboro is inviting folks to come stroll the square for a day of shopping, food and hometown charm. It’s a one-day shop-local party. Here’s the fun part: spend $20 or more at any participating downtown business that day, and you’re entered to win a Big Holiday Gift Basket full of gift cards and goodies from local shops.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026 (Central time, same as ours). The city hasn’t posted hours. Check before you go.
• Where: Downtown Scottsboro, Ala., around the courthouse square. City Hall is at 316 S. Broad St.
• How far: About 64 miles, roughly 1 hour 25 minutes. That’s the closest trip on this list. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Free to walk around. A $20 purchase at a participating shop enters you in the drawing.
• Who’ll love it: Early Christmas shoppers, small-town browsers and anyone who likes a gift-basket drawing.
• Good to know: Scottsboro is also home to the famous Unclaimed Baggage store, so you can make a full shopping day of it.

👉 Read more (City of Scottsboro — Christmas Open House)

🎯 Grab a Foam Blaster for All-Ages Nerf Wars in Calhoun

Here’s one the grandkids will talk about for weeks. The Calhoun-Gordon County Public Library is hosting All-Ages Nerf Wars, where grown-ups and kids battle each other with soft foam darts to see who comes out on top. The library says blasters and darts are provided, or you can bring your own. Yes, Grandpa can play too.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, 1:45–6:15 p.m. Eastern. That’s 12:45–5:15 p.m. our Central time.
• Where: Calhoun-Gordon County Public Library, Calhoun, Ga.
• How far: About 79 miles, roughly 1 hour 50 minutes. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: No cost is posted. Library programs are often free, but check before you go.
• Who’ll love it: Energetic kids, playful parents, and any grandparent who wants to win one round.
• Good to know: It’s open to all ages. Comfortable shoes help. Call the library first if you want to know about sign-up or how long each round lasts.

👉 Read more (Northwest Georgia Regional Library — All-Ages Nerf Wars)

🎄 Watch Guntersville Light Its Tree by the Lake

Guntersville kicks off its holiday season down at City Harbor, right on the shore of Lake Guntersville. Listings say Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there, and Guntersville school choirs will sing before the big tree lights up over the water. A lit tree by a big lake is a pretty sight to end a day.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Thursday, Nov. 19, 2026, 6 p.m. Central (our time).
• Where: City Harbor, Guntersville, Ala.
• How far: About 90 miles, roughly 2 hours. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Free.
• Who’ll love it: Families with little ones, choir fans and anybody who loves Christmas lights on the water.
• Good to know: It’s a weeknight with about a 2-hour drive home in the dark. Make an afternoon of it by visiting the Festival of Trees first (see below), then eat supper at the harbor.

👉 Read more (Rocket City Mom — City Harbor Christmas Tree Lighting)

🌲 Walk Through a Museum Full of Decorated Trees in Guntersville

Every holiday season, the Guntersville Museum and Cultural Center fills its rooms with Christmas trees decorated by local businesses and organizations. It’s called the Festival of Trees, and it turns the museum into a quiet holiday wonderland. Every tree is a little different, which makes it fun to pick a favorite. The town’s calendar shows the 2026 season starting Nov. 19, the same day as the harbor tree lighting.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: The 2026 season is listed as starting Thursday, Nov. 19 (Central time). Last year it ran into early January. Last year’s hours were Tuesday–Friday 10 a.m.–4 p.m. and Saturday–Sunday 1–4 p.m., closed Mondays. 2026 hours aren’t posted yet. Check before you go.
• Where: Guntersville Museum, 1215 Rayburn Ave., Guntersville, Ala.
• How far: About 91 miles, roughly 2 hours. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: No cost is posted. Check with the museum.
• Who’ll love it: Seniors, decorating fans and anyone who wants a calm, indoor holiday stroll.
• Good to know: It’s indoors and easy on the feet. It runs for weeks, so you can save it for a day that fits you.

👉 Read more (Guntersville events calendar — Festival of Trees)

🥧 Shop Local Goodies at the “Farmers & Friends” Holiday Market

The Guntersville Farmers Market is throwing a holiday edition called the “Farmers & Friends” Holiday Market. It’s a good spot to pick up homegrown and homemade gifts for the holiday table, and to meet the folks who make them.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Saturday, Nov. 21, 2026 (Central time). Hours haven’t been posted. Check before you go.
• Where: 880 Sunset Drive, Guntersville, Ala.
• How far: About 91 miles, roughly 2 hours. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: No admission fee posted. Bring cash for vendors.
• Who’ll love it: Home cooks, gift hunters and anyone who likes buying straight from the grower.
• Good to know: The city has only posted the date and address so far. Markets like this often start early in the morning, so look for updated hours the week before.

👉 Read more (City of Guntersville — “Farmers & Friends” Holiday Market)

🎵 Hear Christian Music and Shop Handmade Gifts at the ANCHORED Festival

On the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the ANCHORED Christian Arts and Music Festival brings together local Christian artisans, churches and faith-based businesses at Hop Springs, east of Murfreesboro. Organizers promise handmade items to shop, live performances by independent Christian musicians and a chance to meet neighbors who share your faith. A listing also mentions food vendors.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Saturday, Nov. 28, 2026, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Central (our time), according to the organizer. One listing says 9 a.m., so check before you go.
• Where: Hop Springs, John Bragg Hwy., Murfreesboro, Tenn. The organizer lists 6790 John Bragg Hwy.; another listing says 6980.
• How far: About 68 miles, roughly 1 hour 40 minutes. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: A listing says free admission. Bring money for crafts and food.
• Who’ll love it: Church friends, gospel and worship music fans, and anyone shopping for meaningful handmade gifts.
• Good to know: It’s a good way to start Christmas shopping the weekend after Thanksgiving, with no big-box crowds.

👉 Read more (Anchor Events — ANCHORED Christian Arts and Music Festival)

✅ Remember These Dates

• Sat. night, Oct. 31: Set the clocks back one hour. Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 1.
• Sat., Nov. 14: Downtown Scottsboro Christmas Open House. Spend $20 to enter the gift-basket drawing.
• Sat., Nov. 14, 12:45 p.m. our time: All-Ages Nerf Wars, Calhoun, Ga. (1:45 p.m. Eastern).
• Thu., Nov. 19, 6 p.m.: City Harbor Christmas Tree Lighting, Guntersville.
• Starting Nov. 19: Festival of Trees, Guntersville Museum.
• Sat., Nov. 21: “Farmers & Friends” Holiday Market, Guntersville.
• Sat., Nov. 28, 10 a.m.: ANCHORED Christian Arts and Music Festival, Murfreesboro.

✅ Trip-planning checklist

• ✅ Only Calhoun is on Eastern time. Subtract one hour from the library’s times.
• ✅ Closest to home: Scottsboro, about 1 hour 25 minutes. Farthest: Guntersville, about 2 hours.
• ✅ Pair your Guntersville trip: the Festival of Trees in the afternoon, then the harbor tree lighting at 6 on Nov. 19.
• ✅ Three events haven’t posted hours yet (Scottsboro, the Festival of Trees and the holiday market). Check the week before.
• ✅ Bring cash for market vendors and craft booths.
• ✅ Fill up and grab a biscuit before you leave the Valley. Find local stops on Dunlap.Directory.

Remember: check the clock, check the weather, and pick the outing that fits your crew. A good day trip gets you home tired and happy, not worn out.

— Dunlap.Today

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Are these events already on earlier Hundred-Mile Happenings lists?

No. We keep a covered-events list and skip anything we’ve already featured. All six of these are new for article #88.

Why do some say “check before you go”?

Scottsboro, the Festival of Trees and the Farmers & Friends market have posted dates but not hours. The ANCHORED festival’s listings disagree a little on start time and street number. We’d rather tell you that than guess.

Which ones are easiest if I don’t walk far?

The Festival of Trees is indoors and easy on the feet. The City Harbor tree lighting lets you stand or sit in one spot. The Scottsboro open house and the two markets mean some walking between booths or shops, so wear comfortable shoes.

Is Nerf Wars safe for little kids and grandparents?

The library says it’s open to all ages, and Nerf darts are soft foam. Kids may want to bring eye protection if they have it. Call the library with any questions.

Eastern or Central: which clock do I set?

Scottsboro, Guntersville and Murfreesboro are on Central time, like Dunlap. Calhoun, Ga., is on Eastern time, one hour ahead. And remember, daylight saving time ends this Sunday, Nov. 1.

How do you pick these events?

We look for one-of-a-kind, family-friendly outings within about 100 miles of Dunlap, and we check each one against the organizer’s own page whenever we can. When a detail isn’t posted, we say so. We keep a list so we never repeat an event. If you know a hidden gem, tell us at Dunlap.Today.

🔗 Other Resources

• City of Scottsboro
• Northwest Georgia Regional Library System
• Lake Guntersville Chamber of Commerce
• City of Guntersville
• Anchor Events
• National Weather Service Morristown: Valley forecast
• Dunlap.Directory: Local businesses for gas, food and supplies

🌅 Take Your Time This November

There’s no prize for squeezing in the most outings. A stroll around a small-town square, a laugh during a foam-dart battle, a tree lighting by the lake. Simple days like these are what folks remember. Pick one, write it on the calendar, and enjoy the drive.

Keep exploring, keep it easy and keep reading. Read Dunlap.Today for more Hundred-Mile Happenings, and find the Valley businesses that’ll fuel your trip on Dunlap.Directory.