21 spring festivals to look forward to across Alabama

As the weather starts to warm up, everyone is eager to get back outside and enjoy some fun festivals. Good news—there are plenty popping up across the state this spring. Read on and mark your calendars for these 21 festivals happening in Alabama, now through May.

1. 31st Annual Orange Beach Seafood Festival & Car Show | Feb. 25

• What: Come enjoy a family-friendly day full of tasty food, live music on two stages, over 125 arts & crafts vendors, kid’s activities and a huge car show featuring antique, classic and hot rod vehicles. Plus, catch the festival’s first ever Makos on Main parade with students and a Mako Mudbug Mania crawfish-eating contest. 
• When: Saturday, February 25 | 10AM-4PM
• Where: The Wharf | 23101 Canal Rd, Orange Beach, AL 36561
• Price: Free admission
• Details

2. Montgomery Jewish Food Festival & Treasure Market | Feb. 26

• What: Enjoy delicious ethnic food at Montgomery’s annual Jewish Food Festival, featuring dishes like rugelach, strudel, kugel, beef brisket and stuffed cabbage.
• When: Sunday, February 26 | 10AM-2PM
• Where: 2246 Narrow Lane Road, Montgomery, AL 36106
• Price: Free admission
• Details

3. Bridge Crossing Jubilee—Selma | March 2-5

• What: Join in on a weekend of music, art and historical remembrance at the Bridge Crossing Jubilee, the largest annual Civil Rights Commemoration event in the world. You’ll commemorate Bloody Sunday and the struggle for the right to vote by gathering at the foot of the Edmund Pettus Bridge with hundreds of civil rights leaders and thousands of attendees.
• When: Thursday March 2-Sunday, March 5 | Visit website for event schedule
• Where: 1410 Water Avenue, Selma, AL 36703
• Price: Ticket prices vary—buy here
• Details

4. 2023 Monroeville Literary Festival—March 3-4

• What: Gather in the courtroom made famous by To Kill a Mockingbird for a festival of captivating readings, enlightening discussions, amusing conversations and more. You’ll discover new authors, make friends and celebrate your favorite writers and Southern literature lovers.
• When: Friday, March 3-Saturday, March 4 | View schedule of events
• Where: 31 N Alabama Ave, Monroeville, AL 36460
• IMPORTANT NOTE: Readings, workshops and discussions are free, but registration is required using Eventbrite. Although most events are free, all ticketed events must be reserved and paid in advance no later than Monday, Feb. 27, 2023.
• Details

5. 2X Monster Trucks and All Sports Expo—Andalusia | March 11

• What: This family owned-and-operated event is perfect for thrill lovers. See the biggest and most popular names in monster trucks, get autographs and pictures at the pre-show meet & greet pit party and even take the ride of your life in a real, full-size monster truck.
• When: Saturday, March 11 | View schedule of events
• Where: Covington Center Arena, 24000 AL-55, Andalusia, AL 36420
• Price: Starting at $17, buy tickets
• Details

6. Orange Beach Festival of Art—Orange Beach | March 11-12

• What: An extraordinary festival featuring more than 100 vendors showcasing award-winning art in a variety of mediums including clay, glass, oils, watercolor, jewelry, wood, photography and more. There’ll be hands-on art projects for kids of all ages, local eats and plenty of fun.
• When: Saturday, March 12, 10AM-5PM | Sunday. March 13, 10AM-4PM
• Where: 26389 Canal Rd, Orange Beach, AL 36561
• Price: Free admission
• Details

7. Mobile Azalea Trail Festival—Mobile | March 15-31

• What: Did you know Mobile is known as the Azalea City? Each spring, Mobile comes to life with thousands of azaleas in full bloom. To celebrate, the city hosts some of its biggest events, including the Mobile Azalea Trail Run, Festival of Flowers and LoDa Artwalk.
• When: Wednesday, March 15-Friday, March 31 | Explore each event
• Where: Royal St, Mobile, AL 36602
• Details

8. Annual Fairhope Arts & Crafts Festival—Fairhope | March 17-19

• What: An Eastern Shore tradition spanning more than 70 years, explore talented art from more than 200 artists across the country, live entertainment and delicious cuisine, plus stroll through the charming streets of downtown Fairhope.
• When: Friday, March 17-Sunday, March 19 | 10AM-5PM
• Where: Fairhope Ave, Fairhope, AL 36532
• Price: Free admission
• Details

9. Voltage Music and Arts Festival—Scottsboro | March 24-26

• What: This weekend-long festival is a creative marketplace by day and a murder mystery party by night.. After the mystery is solved, you’ll dance the night away to awesome bands! Enjoy daily events like a Nintendo tournament, Bob Ross paint along, axe throwing, food trucks and daylight haunted house tours.
• When: Friday, March 24-Sunday, March 26 | 10AM-1AM
• Where: Voltage Music Hall, 109 N Houston St, Scottsboro, AL 35768
• Price: Starting at $15—buy tickets.
• Details

10. Alabama Medieval Fantasy Festival—Greenville | March 25-26

• What: Lover of all things Renaissance? You’ll have a blast at this fun festival where history comes alive with hundreds of costumed characters, music, comedy and theater, food and drink, fine hand-made arts and crafts, artisan demonstrations, games and rides.
• When: Saturday, March 25-Sunday, March 26 | 10AM-5PM
• Where: 4776 Fort Dale Rd. Greenville, AL 36037
• Price: Adult – $15 | Kids 5-12 – $7 | Kids <5 – Free. Buy tickets.
• Details

11. Mudbugs & Margaritas Festival—Foley | April 1

• What: Come out and enjoy delicious crawfish dishes from several food vendors, plus margaritas, craft beer, live music, arts & crafts vendors, all-day contests and a huge kid’s entertainment area.
• When: Saturday, April 1 | 10AM-7PM
• Where: Heritage Park, 200 N McKenzie, Foley, AL 36535
• Price: $5 per Adult, 12 and under free. Buy Tickets.
• Details

12. Shop Black Fest—Huntsville | April 1

• What: Attend this festival to celebrate 150+ Black-owned Huntsville businesses, including food trucks, a DJ, vendors, music, performances, a Greek step show and more.  antiques, gourmet food, handmade crafts and specialty items. 
• When: Saturday, April 1 | Noon-7PM
• Where: 2620 Clinton Ave W, Huntsville, AL
• Price: Free admission
• Details

13. North AL Spring Pickers Market—Rogersville | April 15-16

• What: This huge market will feature vendors of all kinds, both inside and outside the ole Cotton Gin at Roberson Farms. Vendors will feature antiques, gourmet food, handmade crafts and specialty items. Plus, this year there will be meet and greets with some of the Dukes of Hazzard cast, the LuLu Coltrane-Hogg pie baking contests, “Duke” look-a-like contests, a Dukes of Hazzard Car Show and so much more.
• When: Saturday, April 15-Sunday, April 16 | 10AM-4PM
• Where: The Cotton Gin, 6810 County Road 91 Rogersville, AL 35652
• Price: General Admission – $10 in advance, $15 at gate | Kids ages 3-12 – $5. You may choose Saturday or Sunday event entry. Buy tickets.
• Details

14. MudBottom Revival Music Festival—Mobile | April 23

• What: Come together for an outdoor concert hosted on Dog River in Mobile to raise money for Dog River Clearwater Revival. You’re invited to bring coolers, picnic blankets and chairs to enjoy an afternoon of live music. There will be food, drinks, local vendors and more family-friendly fun.
• When: Sunday, April 23 | 2–6PM
• Where: 33619 Riviere Du Chien Rd, Mobile, AL 36693
• Price: $35 (Price increases to $45 beginning April 16) | Kids <12 – Free. Buy Tickets.
• Details

15. Magic City Art Connection—Birmingham | April 28

• What: Operating for over 30 years, MCAC is a three-day contemporary arts festival that brings art, culture, creativity and more to The Magic City. The festival spotlights juried, fine artists from around the country alongside Corks & Chefs: A Taste of Birmingham, Imagination Festival art workshops for kids, performances on stage, sculpture installations, special exhibitions & features, a cafe with food trucks and more.
• When: Friday, April 28, Noon-6PM | Saturday, April 29, 10AM-6PM | Sunday, April 30, 10AM-5PM
• Where: Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark, 20 32nd St North, Birmingham, Alabama, 35222
• Price: $13 in advance | $15 at gate
• Note: The festival will only be offering a 3-Day Weekend Ticket option in 2023. Advance tickets will go on sale in March/April.
• Details

16. Bob Sykes BBQ and Blues—Bessemer | April 29

• What: A family-friendly day full of award-winning blues musicians, Bob Sykes BBQ, a kid’s corner and vendors offering wonderful goods that you’ll want to see for yourself.
• When: Saturday, April 29 | Noon-8PM
• Where: DeBardeleben Park, 1623 2nd Avenue North Bessemer, AL 35020
• Price: Adults – $20 | Kids <8 – Free with ticketed adult. Buy Tickets.
• Details

17. West Alabama Food and Wine Festival—Northport | April 30

• What: Enjoy local tastes of food and wine in downtown Northport, where local chefs, restauranteurs and distributors present some of the areas finest food, beer and wine offerings to attendees.
• When: Sunday, April 30 | 4:30-7:30PM
• Where: Downtown Northport, Main Avenue, Northport, AL 35476
• Price: $60 – Early Bird General Admission, $85 – VIP Early Bird General Admission. Buy Tickets.
• Details

18. 19th Annual Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival—Foley | May 4-6

• What: This unique, family-friendly event will feature high-flying hot air balloons, (weather permitting) tethered balloon rides, balloon glows, children’s activities, artisan and food vendors and live music.
• Where: OWA Parks & Resort, 1501 S OWA Blvd. Foley, AL 36535
• When: Thursday, May 4, 5-9PM | Friday, May 5, 2-10PM | Saturday, May 6, 11AM-10PM
• Price: Free with select activities available for an additional charge.
• Details

19. Taps & Tunes Brewfest—Albertville | May 13

• What: It doesn’t get better than brews and fun live music! Enjoy over 130 different beers and ciders, games, live music, food trucks, and more in this fun event’s 3rd annual year.
• When: Saturday, May 13 | 2-6PM
• Where: Sand Mountain Amphitheater, 700 SMPA Blvd. Albertville, AL 35950
• Price: Ticket prices vary, buy here.
• Details

20. Hangout Music Festival 2023—Gulf Shores | May 19-21

• What: Music lovers won’t want to miss this popular three-day festival on the white sand beaches of Gulf Shores. This year’s star headliners include The Red Hot Chili Peppers, SZA, Calvin Harris, Paramore and Lil Nas X.
• When: Friday, May 19-Sunday, May 21 | View lineup
• Where: 101 E Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
• Price: Ticket prices vary, explore options here.
• Details

21. Rocket City BBQ and Soul Fest—Huntsville | May 20

• What: Think you’re a pitmaster? Load up your grill, tie on your apron and bring your best to this family-friendly festival. The day is full of food, live music, fun and sunshine—fusing the vibe of a backyard bbq with competition, soul and a touch of luxury.
• When: Saturday, May 20 | 10AM-11PM
• Where: NSS Conference Center, 6001 Pulaski Pike NW Huntsville, AL 35810
• Price: $20+ | Kids <12 – Free with ticketed adult. Buy Tickets.
• Details

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