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

Golden Hour At The U.s Space &Amp; Rocket Center In Huntsville!
Golden hour at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville! Photo courtesy of Gerrit Burke @sparrowdronehsv

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

Southern Fried Film Festival
Experience all things film and fun. Photo via 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.

2. Field Day-Rocket City Pride

On Your Mark, Get Set, Go! 2020 Rocket City Field Day.
On your mark, get set, go! Photo via 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!

3. Summer Ability Craft Fair

Alabama Institute For The Deaf And Blind Huntsville Regional Center
Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind Regional Center in Huntsville. Photo via AIDB

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.

4. Greater Huntsville Juneteenth Freedom Festival

Juneteenth Freedom Festival
Mark your calendars! Juneteenth is on June 19. Photo via Huntsville/Madison County NAACP

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.

5. Midsommar’s Festival at Leigh Acres

Midsommar'S Festival At Leigh Acres
Experience the zenith of the sun and new beginnings at the Midsommar Festival. Photo via Obed Edom

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.

6. Spirit of America Tour

Fireworks Light The Night At Point Mallard Park.
Fireworks light the night at Point Mallard Park. Photo via Dan Busey

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.

7. Summerland Tour

Summerland Concert Series
What goes together better than summer and concerts? Photo via Summerland.net

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.

8. Whistlestop Weekend

Whistlestop Weekend, Huntsville, Alabama
The pitmasters in action! Photo via 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.

9. Huntsville Coffee and Tea Festival

Huntsville Coffee And Tea Festival
HSV coffee and tea? Say less! Photo via 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

Alabama Women In Jazz Festival
Get ready for a toe-tappin’ good time! Photo via Valley Arts Entertainment

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

Monte Sano Art Festival
Local vendors in Monte Sano State Park. Photo via Jeff White

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.

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Olivia Moses
Olivia Moses
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