Reviewed by: Callie Morrison
14 awesome festivals happening in Alabama this spring
ByCallie Puryear
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Reading time: 5 minutes
Spring in Alabama means a season of festivals is on the way. Read on for 14 fun festivals to add to your calendar this spring—from fun foodie events to unique cultural celebrations.
1. Orange Beach Seafood Festival and Car Show
The Orange Beach Seafood Festival is a full day of yummy food, 100 arts and crafts booths, live music and a huge car show featuring antique, classic and hot rod vehicles.
- When: February 24
- Where: The Wharf, 23101 Canal Rd, Orange Beach, AL 36561
- Website
2. Annual Fort Morgan Oyster Fest
The Fort Morgan Oyster Fest is held the last weekend of February each year and celebrates all things oysters. Tickets include all-you-can-eat oysters made several ways—including raw on the half shell, charbroiled, Rockefeller, garlic butter, Bearnaise and “Bacon me crazy.”
There will also be live music, craft vendors and more.
- When: February 24-25
- Where: The Beach Club Resort and Spa, 925 Beach Club Trail, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
- Website
3. Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee
This exciting festival commemorates the 59th Anniversary of Bloody Sunday, the Selma-to-Montgomery March and the signing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Enjoy cultural festivities, music, art and performances that celebrate Black culture.
- When: March 1-3
- Where: 1410 Water Avenue, Selma, AL 36703, USA
- Website
4. Annual Fairhope Arts & Crafts Festival
Attend this arts & crafts festival to support over 200 local artists, enjoy food and live music and stroll down the streets of Downtown Fairhope. This public event is perfect for all ages.
- When: March 15-17
- Where: 18 N Church St, Fairhope, AL 36532
- Website
5. Ballyhoo
Ballyhoo in Gulf Shores is a can’t-miss art festival. This two-day event draws huge crowds each year with incredible art, food vendors, live music and a fiddle and banjo competition.
- When: April 6-7
- Where: The Lake Shelby Picnic Area inside Gulf State Park, 20115 State Hwy 135, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
- Website
6. Alabama Medieval Fantasy Festival
Renaissance lovers, don’t miss this fun festival to see history come alive with costumed characters, music, theater, food, artisan demonstrations and games.
- When: March 2-4
- Where: 4776 Fort Dale Rd. Greenville, AL 36037
- Website
7. Hanceville Irish Heritage Festival
Get ready for Irish music and dancing, arts and crafts, good food and Irish drinks at the Hanceville Irish Heritage Festival. Plus, there will be a doggie parade and a kids activity area.
- When: March 16
- Where: 112 Main Street Southeast Hanceville, AL 35077
- Website
8. Bob Sykes BBQ and Blues
Enjoy legendary Bob Sykes BBQ, award-winning national and local blues musicians performing and activities for the entire family.
- When: April 20
- Where: DeBardeleben Park, 1623 2nd Avenue North Bessemer, AL 35020
- Website
9. Waverly “Old 280” BOOGIE
The annual spring “Old 280” Boogie started in 2001 celebrating the anniversary of Highway 280. Enjoy fantastic live music, local food vendors and great southern vibes.
This is the perfect time to fully experience Standard Deluxe, one of the coolest venues in Alabama.
- When: April 19-20
- Where: 1015 Mayberry Ave, Waverly, AL 36879
- Website
10. West Alabama Food and Wine Festival
Enjoy Tuscaloosa’s best food and wine from local chefs, restauranteurs and food and wine enthusiasts. This year’s festival benefits the West Alabama Food Bank and Turning Point.
- When: April 21
- Where: Downtown Northport, Main Avenue, Northport, AL 35476
- Website
11. Magic City Art Connection
One of the most highly anticipated art festivals in Alabama is celebrating its 41st year in April. Magic City Art Connection showcases work from amazing local artists including, clay, acrylic paintings, drawing, mixed-media, jewelry and metalwork.
- When: April 26-28
- Where: Sloss Furnaces, 20 32nd St N, Birmingham, AL 35222
- Website
12. 5th Annual Opelika Songwriters Festival
This May, the 5th Annual Opelika Songwriters Festival will feature over 80 shows in 7 venues throughout Downtown Opelika. PLUS—restaurants, bars, a distillery and an inn will become intimate listening rooms.
- When: May 16-19
- Where: Downtown Opelika
- Website
13. Hangout Music Festival
Hangout Music Festival is always an unforgettable event and this year will be no different. Featuring over 50 artists and every genre, Hangout’s 2024 lineup is star-studded, including Lana Del Ray and Zach Bryan.
- When: May 17-19
- Where: 101 E Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
- Website
14. Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Classic
Over 40,000 people show up each year to Point Mallard in Decatur to attend Alabama’s largest and oldest hot air balloon festival, the Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Classic.
This annual celebration features traditional and tethered balloon rides, a beautiful night glow display with over 50 balloons lighting up the sky, live music and a firework show.
- When: May 25-26
- Where: Point Mallard, 2901 Point Mallard Cir SE, Decatur, AL 35601
- Website
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