26 summer festivals across Alabama you don’t want to miss

The world is reopening around us, which means this summer is all about making plans and venturing out. If you missed festival season last summer, bust out your happy jig and check out these upcoming festivals happening around Alabama, May-August. 

May 2021

1. Darter Festival in Birmingham

What to Expect: live music, beer, food and family fun to support educational programs at Turkey Creek Nature Preserve. More info.

When: Sunday, May 23 | Noon-5PM
Where: Avondale Brewing Co., 201 41st St S, Birmingham, AL 35222
Admission: General – $15 | VIP – $60
Tickets

2. RXR Fest in Alexander City

What to Expect: a Memorial Day Weekend event with live music from talented local bands from Alexander City including The Bank Walkers. More info.

When: Friday-Saturday, May 28-29 | 6:30-9:30PM
Where: Town Green at Russell Crossroads, 27 Russell Farms Rd, Alexander City, AL 35010
Admission: FREE

3. 24th Annual Old School & Blues Festival in Harvest

What to Expect: an all-day music festival of pop, rock ’n roll, blues and more. Artists include: The Manhattans, The Barkays, Ying Yang Twins and more.More info. 

When: Saturday, May 29 | 11AM
Where: Huntsville Dragway, 502 Quarter Mountain Rd, Harvest, AL 35749
Admission: $65
Tickets

4. Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Ballon Classic in Decatur

What to Expect: 60 hot air balloons from around the US, plus: food and retail vendors, kids’ activities, live acts and shows, local and regional bands, arts and crafts show, auto show and more. More info.

When: Saturday-Sunday, May 29-31
Where: Point Mallard Park, 2901 Point Mallard Dr SE, Decatur, AL 35602
Admission: FREE

June 2021

5. St. Elias Lebanese Food and Cultural Festival in Birmingham

What to Expect: a virtual festival celebrating Lebanese food and culture. Food is available via drive thru and take out only. An online silent auction will also take place featuring a variety of items to bid on. 25% of all festival proceeds benefit local charities. More info.

When: Friday-Saturday, June 11-12 | 10AM-7PM
Where: St. Elias Maronite Catholic Church, 836 8th St S, Birmingham, AL 35205
Admission: FREE

6. SummerNight Downtown Art in Auburn

What to Expect: an art-filled event featuring the work of local and regional artists, live musicians, street performers, food, children’s activities and parade. More info.

When: Friday, June 11 | 6-10PM | Starting Line Party + Parade begins at 5PM at Pebble Hill
Where: Main Event – Downtown Auburn Entertainment District, 100 N College St, Auburn, AL 36830 | Parade begins at Pebble Hill, 101 S Debardeleben St, Auburn, AL 36830.
Admission: FREE

7. Alexander City Jazz Fest in Alexander City + Eclectic

What to Expect: a two-part jazz festival with live music. Night one takes place at Strand Park in downtown Alex City; Night two happens at The Amp on Lake Martin. More info.

When: Friday, June 11, 6-10:30PM | Saturday, June 12, 6-10PM
Where: Stand Park, Park Pl, Alexander City, AL 35010 | The AMP On Lake Martin, 8878 Kowaliga Rd, Eclectic, AL 36024
Admission: FREE

8. Southern Fried Film Festival in Huntsville

What to Expect: an annual event celebrating films from around the world. Films can be watched from your vehicle or via chairs/blankets. More info. 

When: Friday-Saturday, June 11-12 | 6PM-Midnight
Where: MidCity Huntsville, 5901 University Dr, Huntsville, AL 35806
Admission: FREE

9. Magic City Brewfest in Birmingham

What to Expect: a premier beer event that showcases craft beers from breweries across the state of Alabama. Check here for participating breweries. More info.

When: Saturday, June 12 | 4-8PM
Where: Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark, 20 32nd St N, Birmingham, AL 35222
Admission: May 1-22 – $32 | May 23-June 11 – $37 | $45 at gate | *You can also buy tickets at select local retailers and save on online fees starting May 23
Tickets

10. Together We Rise Central Alabama Pride Fest in Birmingham

What to Expect: live entertainment, drag and food + drinks. More info.

When: Saturday, June 12 | Noon-7PM
Where: 41st St, Avondale, AL
Admission: FREE

11. CreekFest in Mobile

What to Expect: 5th annual celebration with local artists, small business owners, food trucks, live music and more. More info.

When: Saturday, June 12, 10AM-3PM
Where: Tricentennial Park, 2121 Lake Dr, Mobile, AL 36617
Admission: FREE

12. Alabama Blueberry Festival in Brewton

What to Expect: a 40th annual festival with live entertainment, food, kids’ activities, arts and crafts vendors, car show and locally grown blueberries and blueberry bushes for sale.

When: June 19, 8AM-3PM
Where: Jennings Park, 201 St Nicholas Ave, Brewton, AL 36426
Admission: FREE

13. Summer Music Celebration in Springville

What to Expect: 3 bands–one night. Enjoy live music from Deputy 5, Shootin You Straight: The Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute Band and Departure: The Journey Tribute Band. More info.

When: Friday-Saturday, June 18-19 | Gates open at 3PM
Where: Homestead Hollow, 1161 Murphrees Valley Rd, Springville, AL 35146
Admission: Advanced tickets – $20 | At gate – $25
Tickets

14. Euphonious in Birmingham

What to Expect: a new tech-minded music festival with artist like: Moon Taxi, Sister Hazel, Soul Inscribed, Drew and Ellie Holcomb and Hawthorn Street. More info.

When: Saturday, June 19 | 5:30PM
Where: The Birmingham Zoo, 2630 Cahaba Rd, Birmingham, AL 35223
Admission $99-$500
Tickets

15. Juneteenth Celebration in Montgomery

What to Expect: a Juneteenth celebration hosted by the Rosa Parks Museum to celebrate African American freedom, plus food and merchant vendors, live music and complimentary tours of the museum. More info.

When: Saturday, June 19 | 11AM-6PM
Where: In the 200 block on Montgomery Street in downtown Montgomery, AL 36104
Admission: FREE

16. Juneteenth Celebration Bessemer

What to Expect: a celebration honoring African American history and heritage with food, shopping, live music, performances and more. More info.

When: Saturday-Sunday, June 19-20 | Noon-8PM
Where: 1826 Alabama Ave, Bessemer, Al 35020
Admission: FREE

17. Father’s Day Blues Fest

What to Expect: a don’t-miss blues festival with D J Trucker, Jeter Jones, Jeff Floyd, Big Ro Williams, Summer Wolfe and Tasha Mac. More info.

When: Sunday, June 20, 2-8PM
Where: Holiday Raceway, 20105 US-11, Woodstock, AL 35188
Admission: $25
Tickets

18. Helen Keller Festival

What to Expect: one of the largest annual events in North Alabama celebrating the life os Helen Keller with live music, food and market vendors, a parade and historic trolley rides. More info.

When: Thursday-Sunday, June 24-27
Where: Spring Park, 300 N Commons St W, Tuscumbia, AL 35674
Admission: Friday-Saturday $5 | Sunday – FREE | Kids 10 and under – FREE
Tickets

19. Birmingham Margarita & Taco Festival

What to Expect: Birmingham’s most delicious taco vendors competing for the coveted Best Taco Awards + some of The Magic City’s most talented mixologists shaking it up to win the award for Birmingham’s Best Margarita. More info.

When: Saturday, June 26 | 4-8PM
Where: Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark, 20 32nd St N, Birmingham, AL 35222
Admission: Advance Admission – $5 | At Gate Admission – $10 | Kids 6 and under – FREE | *Admission does not include beverages or food.
Tickets

July 2021

20. Arti Gras

What to Expect: the 10th annual event with artisans and patrons from across the Southeast. Find a vast display of handmade goods like jewelry, soaps, paintings, pottery, woodwork and more. More info.

When: Friday-Saturday, July 2-3 | 9AM-4PM
Where: Russell Crossroads, 27 Russell Farms Rd, Alexander City, AL 35010 
Admission: FREE

August 2021

21. Rock the South 2021

What to Expect: a country and Southern rock music festival with musicians Miranda Lambert, Lynyrd Skynrd, Luke Combs, Nelly and more. More info.

When: Friday-Saturday, August 13-14, 1PM
Where: 1871 Co Rd 469, Cullman, AL 35057
Admission: $100+
Tickets

22. Secret Stages Music Discovery Festival

What to Expect: an annual Magic City concert devoted to under-exposed artists from both Alabama and around the country. Proceeds benefit Scrollworks Youth Music School. More info.

When: Friday-Saturday, August 6-7
Where: Avondale
Admission:
Tickets

23. Restaurant Week in Birmingham

What to expect: 18 days of culinary and beverage deals from Birmingham restaurants, bars and food trucks. More info. 

When: Thursday, August 12- Sunday, August 29
Where: 60+ Local Restaurants, Bars and Food Trucks in Birmingham, Alabama
Admission: FREE | Pre-fixe meals – $5-$50

24. Shoals Southern Soul Music Festival in Florence

What to Expect: the first Shoals Southern Soul Music Festival with headliner Calvin James, food trucks and vendors. More info.

When: Saturday, August 14 | 12:30-9PM
Where: McFarland Park, 200 James M Spain Dr, Florence, AL 35630
Admission: $45-$75
Tickets

25. Sidewalk Film Festival in Birmingham

What to Expect: an annual film festival highlighting Alabama’s independent filmmakers in Birmingham’s Theatre District. More info.

When: Monday-Sunday, August 23-29 | Times TBD
Admission: Sidewalk Film Center + Cinema, 1821 2nd Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203
Tickets

26. 2nd Annual Birmingham Dragon Festival in Birmingham

What to Expect: dragon boat races across East Lake Park, festival activities and food trucks. Proceeds benefit Mitchell’s Place. More info.

When: Saturday, August 21 | 8AM-1PM
Where: East Lake Park, 8101 4th Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35206
Admission: FREE

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