2015 Summer Festivals, Fairs, and Carnivals in North Alabama

Many of you have already planned your summer within an inch of its life, but we’d like to encourage you to take a few days to enjoy the simple pleasures of summer. Stroll down a fairway, ride the ferris wheel, enjoy a game of cornhole, or just soak up some tunes while eating your weight in cotton candy. Below is a listing of area festivals, fairs, and carnivals happening this summer. Enjoy!

[themify_box style=”lavender rounded” ]For even more FREE family-fun this summer, check out our 2015 Summer Fun Guide. Filled with information on free outdoor concerts, free indoor and outdoor children’s activities, free summer movies, pools and splashpads, and so much more!  Your children will not be bored this summer! [/themify_box]

Rocket City Fair

Location: Joe Davis Stadium (map)
Date(s)/Times: May 21-May 25
Cost: $7 (adults), $5 (5-12), 4 and under FREE
More Info: Website 

In addition to the carnival rides and games, there will be a petting zoo and lots of various shows and attractions including a “Lady Houdini”, motorcycle acts and a “Stunt and Thrill Show”.

Daikin Festival

Location: Morgan Co. Fairgrounds, Decatur (map)
Date(s)/Times: May 22, 6:30-9:30PM
Cost: FREE
More Info: Facebook

Every year, Decatur-based industry Daikin America hosts a community party in celebration of the company’s Japanese heritage. The annual Daikin Festival is held in May at the Morgan County Fairgrounds and features live entertainment, hot-air balloon rides, Japanese cultural displays and art contest. The festival is free and very family-friendly.

Alabama Jubilee

Location: Point Mallard, Decatur (map)
Date(s)/Times: May 23-24
Cost: FREE
More Info: Website

A Memorial Weekend staple, the Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Classic is the largest balloon race in Alabama. Now in it’s 38th year, it features 60 balloons from around the country flying 6:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday (weather permitting). Alabama Jubilee also features: food & merchandise vendors, live music, arts & crafts show, classic car show, tractor show. MOM TIP: Parking is free but can be far away so bring a few dollars to ride the shuttle ($1 per person).

Smith Lake Memorial Day Festival

Location: Smith Lake Park, Cullman (map)
Date(s)/Times: May 23-24 from 10:00AM – 5:30PM
Cost: FREE
More Info: Website

Join us for the Annual Memorial Day Festival in Cullman! There will be Arts and Crafts Vendors, Food Vendors, Music and Entertainment. There will also be a golf cart and bike parade, milk chugging and ice cream eating contest and much more.

Babypalooza

Location: VBC North Hall (map)
Date(s)/Times: Sat. May 30, 10:00AM-2:30PM
Cost: FREE
More Info: Website

First there’s the Bridal Show and then there’s Babypalooza! Babypalooza will help you connect to all of the wonderful resources, services, and boutiques in your area to help you with the newest member of your family. From health services to childcare centers you will be able to find everything you need under one roof in one day! There is always great vendors with lots of door prizes to be had.

Florence Frontier Days

Location: Pope’s Tavern Museum, Florence (map)
Date(s)/Times: June 6 & 7th
Cost: FREE
More Info: Website

Step back in time on the grounds of historic Pope’s Tavern Museum and see basket weaving, woodcarving, wool spinning, broom making, pottery making, quilting, chair caning and much more – all by artisans in costumes typical of the frontier period. Listen to local dulcimer players and walk through the museum free to complete your journey to the past. Pope’s Tavern Museum once served as a stagecoach stop, tavern and inn during the early years of Florence, It also served as a hospital during the Civil War. Hours are Saturday 10AM-4PM and Sunday 1-4PM.

Family Fun Festival and Expo

Location: VBC South Hall (map)
Date(s)/Times: Sat. June 6, 10AM-6PM
Cost: FREE
More Info: Website

This brand new family festival will feature a full day of facepainting, inflatables and kids activities as well as many area businesses that cater to families. There will be live performances and free health screenings in addition to the children’s activities.

Heritage Day in Rogersville

Location: Downtown Rogersville (map)
Date(s)/Times: Sat. June 6, 10AM-8PM
Cost: FREE
More Info: Website

A day full of community events, live music, arts & crafts, and delicious food!

Taste the Spirit of Madison Family Fun Festival

Location: Insanity Skate Park (map)
Date(s)/Times: June 13, 11AM – 10PM
Cost: Kids under 12 are FREE
More Info: Website

Taste the Spirit of Madison by joining the Madison Chamber of Commerce in a family-friendly festival showcasing the best foods, BBQ cook off challenge, old fashioned pie & preserves contest, bazaar shopping, live music & a menagerie of Food Truck, kid’s activities, and tents. The Bites & Brews portion of the event offers you a sampling of incredible food from area restaurants and exciting brews at $15.00 per person or $25 a pair.

NASA on the Square

Location: Courthouse Square, Huntsville (map)
Date(s)/Times: Sat. June 20, 10AM-4PM
Cost: FREE
More Info: Website

“NASA Day on the Square” will be a celebration of the amazing past, present, and future programs and missions that NASA has, is, and will conduct in Huntsville.  Live music, themed food, free activities (for all ages), chats with astronauts, and even some unique “surprises” (how about a 30ft. inflatable NASA’s Space Launch System rocket?).

Rocket City Pride Community Festival & Parade

Location: Huntsville Depot Roundhouse (map)
Date(s)/Times: Sunday, June 21 from Noon-5PM
Cost: FREE
More Info: Website

Join thousands of individuals and families from diverse communities and dozens of organizations as Huntsville celebrates diversity and equality! There will be Food Trucks, live entertainment, community vendors, kid’s activities, and the 4th annual parade!

Athens Kiddie Carnival

Location: 309 E Forrest St., Athens (map)
Date(s)/Times: June 25-August 1 (Th,Fri,Sat) from 6:30-9:30PM
Cost: $.50 per ride
More Info: Website

A carnival just for kids? Yes, you heard us right and it is NOT TO BE MISSED. Seriously, read our review and you’ll be lining up. Tokens to ride are just $.50 each and all monies go to local charities. A North Alabama tradition that needs to become your family’s summer tradition.

Spirit of America Festival

Location: Point Mallard, Decatur (map)
Date(s)/Times: July 3-4
Cost: FREE
More Info: Website | Facebook

Now in it’s 48th year, this event will kick things off with the North Alabama Food Trucks and Frances Band at 6pm on July 3. Then local acts at 7:00 p.m. Trick Zipper band and 8:00 p.m. The Wheelers. At 9:30-11:00 p.m. the Nationally Acclaimed Group Resurrection: Journey Tribute Band will perform. In 2015 on July 4th the first events will begin at 9AM with Children events, parades and various events on the stage. Entertainment groups begin at noon and the Battle of the Bands will be from 3PM to 7PM. Special Entertainment begins at 7PM and the Awards Ceremony will be begin with the first ever Veterans Walk, followed by the largest fireworks celebration ever seen in the city of Decatur, Alabama. This spectacular show will delight and dazzle as the night sky is illuminated and the embers are reflected over the beautiful Tennessee River.

WC Handy Music Festival

Location:  Varies (Florence/Muscle Shoals Area)
Date(s)/Times: July 17-26
Cost: Many events are FREE or cheap ($5 or less)
More Info: Website

This 10-day long series of primarily music events occurs in and around the Shoals and honors William Christopher “W.C.” Handy.  The Festival is presented by the Music Preservation Society and is intended as part of the Music Preservation Society effort to preserve, promote, and present the musical heritage of the Shoals in Northwest Alabama. There are many events designed specifically with children in mind, such as ABC’s of Blues, Jazz & Beyond; Kidz Jamm; GeoBlues; End of Summer Reading Program; Blues-N-Bread Pudding; Musical Jazz Spelling Bee; events at the Children’s Museum and libraries; and the Youth Conference.  

Madison Business Expo & Kids Day

Location:  Hogan Family YMCA (map)
Date(s)/Times: Saturday, July 25th from 10AM-2PM
Cost: FREE
More Info: Website

The Madison Chamber of Commerce presents their original, signature event – The 23rd Annual MCC Business Expo & Kids Day – a FREE, FAMILY-FRIENDLY event. Community organizations & businesses will be exhibiting at the Expo, showcasing their products and services to the Madison community. A unique element of the MCC Business Expo is entertaining the youngsters throughout the day with FREE activities such as face painting, balloon art, stomp rockets, tours of the Madison SWAT unit and Mobile Command Post, HEMSI ambulance and Madison fire truck as well as everyone’s favorite inflatables! It also features free hotdogs for everyone in attendance as long as they last!

Main Street Music Festival

Location:  Main Street, Albertville (map)
Date(s)/Times: August 7-8
Cost: FREE
More Info: Website

Billed as the premier music festival in North Alabama, this event includes notable acts such as 38 Special, Tracy Lawrence, and Exile. Previous years have included a children’s inflatable water park, dog show, petting zoo, cooking competitions and demonstrations in addition to the music.

 

 

 

Photo Credit: “Taking Off” by Kevin Stephenson is licensed under CC BY 2.0