11 Summer festivals in Huntsville you don’t want to miss

Whether you like to keep it cool or bask in the Alabama summer heat, we’ve rounded up 11 of the biggest summer festivals in Huntsville so that you can start your summer off with a bang. From film to fried food, there is a festival that is perfect for everyone!

1. Southern Fried Film Festival

Calling all film buffs! Grab your popcorn and join MidCity Drive-In as they re-imagine one of their favorite summer festivals in Huntsville in a one-of-a-kind socially distanced film festival featuring new films, DJs, local music and immersive filmmaker panels. Between films, guests can enter giveaways, eat at local food trucks and enjoy everything the drive-in has to offer. If you’re feeling the need to stretch out, there’s plenty of lawn space available as long as participants are 6 feet apart.

• Time: Friday and Saturday, June 11-12, 6PM-12AM
• Location: 5901 University Dr, Huntsville, AL 35806
• Cost: FREE, but donations are encouraged
• Contact: Website | 256.384.3753

2. Field Day-Rocket City Pride

Who doesn’t love an old-fashioned field day? Come celebrate Pride Month with Rocket City Pride as you and your friends compete in classic games such as corn hole, potato sack races, giant Jenga, paint stations and kickball. Later, enjoy a softball game featuring the local Pocket Rockets. The best part? Admission is free!

• Time: Saturday, June 12, 2:30PM-7PM
• Location: Brahan Spring Park Pavilion #6, 3771 Ivy Ave SW, Huntsville, AL 35805
• Cost: FREE
• Contact: Website | Facebook

3. Summer Ability Craft Fair

Support the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind as you browse for handcrafted art, jewelry and textiles crafted by local makers. Located at the Salty Nut Brewery, you can grab a craft beer and food from the Comin In Hot food truck in addition to the market. All proceeds of the event go back to the makers.

• Time: Saturday, June 19, 3PM- 6PM
• Location: Salty Nut Brewing, 2404 Clinton Ave W, Huntsville, AL 35805
• Cost: FREE
• Contact: Website | Facebook

4. Greater Huntsville Juneteenth Freedom Festival

A car and motorcycle show with live entertainment to celebrate Juneteenth? Sign us up! Join the Huntsville/Madison County NAACP Branch as they celebrate with fun and informative activities such as food and merchandise vendors, a health fair and free voter registration as well as college representatives and social service agencies.

• Time: Saturday, June 19, 11AM-6PM
• Location: Lakeside United Methodist Church, 3738 Meridian St N, Huntsville, AL 35811
• Cost: FREE
• Contact: Facebook | 256.536.9400

5. Midsommar’s Festival at Leigh Acres

Outside Huntsville’s city limits, experience an event linked to years of tradition. This year’s Midsommar Festival celebrates the zenith of the sun and the start of new beginnings with fire, song and dance. With festive fires, scheduled musical performances and vendors, this is the perfect way to celebrate the season of summer. Guests of all ages are encouraged to wear white or floral attire and bring their own percussive or acoustic instruments to join in making music. Camping spots are available and reservations can be made online.

• Time: Saturday, June 26, 5PM-10:30PM
• Location: Leigh Acres, 5655 Maysville Rd, New Market, AL 35761
• Cost: $7 online, $10 at the door, $32 for general admission + camping site reservation
• Contact: Facebook | Eventbrite

6. Spirit of America Tour

Three cheers for the red, white and blue. Celebrate the Fourth of July with one of the largest free Independence Day festivals in the state. Complete with live entertainment and a firework show that is sure to be a crowd pleaser, this 54 year long tradition is back after its year of absence, and we are here for it.

• Time: Saturday, July 3, 10AM-6PM and Sunday, July 4, 9AM-12PM
• Location: Point Mallard Park, 2901 Point Mallard Dr SE, Decatur, AL 35601
• Cost: FREE
• Contact: Facebook | 423-650-1388

7. Summerland Tour

The Summerland tour is officially coming to Huntsville! Head to the Von Braun Center for a night filled with Rock ‘n Roll. Featuring bands such as Everclear, Living Colour, Hoobastank, and Wheatus, Summerland is every Rock lover’s dream.

• Time: Friday, July 30, 7PM
• Location: Von Braun Center’s 3rd Rock, 700 Monroe St SW, Huntsville, AL 35801
• Cost: Tickets start at $39
• Contact: Website | Facebook

8. Whistlestop Weekend

What’s more classic than an Alabama barbeque competition? Leave it to the professional pitmasters in the KCBS competition, or try your hand in the amateur Shadetree competition. Either one you choose, it is bound to be a good time. Registration is currently open to compete, so fire up those smokers and sign your team up today. For those who just want to observe and sample, music and entertainment will be provided.

• Time: Friday, August 13 and Saturday, August 14
• Location: John Hunt Park, 2151 Airport Rd SW Huntsville, AL 35801
• Cost: FREE to attend, $275-300 to compete
• Contact: Website | Facebook | 256.564.8100

9. Huntsville Coffee and Tea Festival

I’ll take an oat milk chai latte, please! Coffee and tea lovers unite with this sensory experience benefiting Make A Wish Alabama. Become a brew master with their brew lab experience including a latte art crash course and various demonstrations. With different local vendors, samples and live music, this Huntsville festival will be a ‘can’t miss’ for all of us who can’t go a morning without our favorite caffeinated beverage.

• Time: Sunday, August 29, Morning Session: 10AM-12:45PM | Afternoon Session: 2PM-4:45PM
• Location: TBD
• Cost: $10 for general admission, $50 for VIP
• Contact: Website | Facebook

10. Alabama Women in Jazz and Blues Festival

Celebrating eight years of women in Jazz, Valley Arts and Entertainment seeks to provide performance opportunities for female performers. Be ready for some good tunes and join them for a weekend of live jazz and blues music across the city with food trucks and vendors.

• Time: Friday, September 10 and Saturday, September 11, Time TBD
• Location: City wide venues coming soon
• Cost: $15
• Contact: Website | Facebook | 256.262.7911

11. Monte Sano Art Festival

Painting, photography and pottery, oh my! For over two decades, Monte Sano Art Festival has been a classic festival in Huntsville that features creative and expressive art. Anything you could want, you can find. Complete with 100 local art and food vendors, guests are encouraged to explore the beautiful Monte Sano State Park in addition to the festival.

• Time: Saturday, September 18 from 9 AM-5 PM and Sunday, September 19 from 9AM-4PM
• Location: Monte Sano State Park, 5105 Nolen Ave. Huntsville, AL 35801
• Cost: FREE to attend | Parking is $5-10 in cash only
• Contact: Website | Facebook

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