2016 Spring Parades and Festivals in Huntsville and North Alabama
If you’re looking for fun, you’ve come to the right place! We’ve got all the 2016 Spring parades and festivals in Huntsville & North Alabama in one place. Peruse this list and then make your plans. Fun is in your future.
Ready for more spring related fun? Check out our full 2016 Spring Activities Guide sponsored by the Heart of the Valley YMCA.
March
[themify_hr color=”orange” width=”50%” border_width=”2px” ]Community Kite Festival
When: Saturday, March 5 from 11AM-3PM
Where: John Hunt Park (map)
Cost: FREE! Bring your own kite, chairs & blankets welcome
More Info: www.ashakiranonline.org
AshaKiran and the City of Huntsville invite you to the 4th Annual Community Kite Festival. Once again the theme is “Soaring for Social Justice,” and dozens of non-profit organizations will be showcased who who selflessly provide aid to marginalized demographics in our local community. Enjoy a beautiful afternoon filled with kite-flying, scrumptious foods, fellowship and entertainment while learning more about the wide-range of services offered throughout the city of Huntsville. More than 5,000 people are expected to attendthis year’s festival.
UCP’s 18th Annual “An Irish Evening”
When: Friday, March 11 at 6PM-11PM
Where: Downtown Huntsville, parade route here (map)
Cost: $25 each; one free child per adult ticket
More Info: ucphuntsville.org | 256-859-4900.
Let the luck of the Irish be with you this St. Patrick’s Day! The 18th annual UCP “An Irish Evening” to benefit United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of Huntsville is Friday, March 11, 6 p.m., at the Huntsville Depot Roundhouse. This casual, charitable St. Patrick’s Day event will feature samples of Irish-themed food and drinks from a variety of local vendors, live performances by Bourbon & Shamrocks and the Fitness Arts Center Irish step dancers, a kids’ area, St. Patrick’s Day photo booth hosted by Your Perfect Party, exciting games with the Irish Society of North Alabama, and one of the best silent auctions in town!
Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade
When: Saturday, March 12 at 11:30 AM
Where: Downtown Huntsville, parade route here (map)
Cost: FREE to observe & march!
More Info: www.huntsvillestpatricksday.com | Parade Facebook Page
The 39th annual Huntsville St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be held on Saturday, March 12th at 11:30am in downtown Huntsville! Presented by the Irish Society of North Alabama, this annual tradition is a celebration of Irish culture & heritage in a positive family atmosphere. The parade route for 2016 is essentially the same as last year, except going in the opposite direction. Check out the new route on the website.
Huntsville Comic & Pop Culture Expo
When: Saturday, March 19 at 10AM-5PM
Where: Jaycee Community Building (map)
Cost: $10 at the door for adults ; $5 for kids 4-12. Kids under 4 are FREE with paid adult; adults who come in costume will get in for half price!
More Info: Facebook | Website
North Alabama’s biggest one day comic and pop culture expo! This will be a family friendly event with proceeds going to the Kids to Love organization. Featuring vendors, artists, authors, special vehicles, live music, cosplayers, door prizes, silent auctions, raffles, entertainment, food trucks and much more.
April
[themify_hr color=”orange” width=”50%” border_width=”2px” ]8th Annual “Battle of the Buffalo” Chicken Wing Festival
When: Saturday, April 9th from 12PM-7PM
Where: Big Spring Park (map)
Cost: $15
More Info: Website | Facebook
Battle of the Buffalo is an annual chicken wing festival held at Big Spring Park in Huntsville, AL. This April, for the eighth year in a row, local restaurants and amateur cooks will compete with their tastiest wings in an effort to be crowned best of the Tennessee Valley. Last year, with the help of our generous restaurants and sponsors, Battle of the Buffalo brought together more than 2,200 community members, served over 40,000 wings, and presented the Russel Hill Cancer Foundation with $20,000. This year, in its fourth year as a Downtown Huntsville Inc. Featured Event, Battle of the Buffalo will boast wing entries from more than 20 local restaurants, a celebrity judging panel that includes Huntsville mayor Tommy Battle, an entire afternoon of live music, and a kid-friendly fun zone.
Bloomin’ Festival
When: Saturday & Sunday, April 16-17 from 9AM-5PM
Where: St. Bernard School & Abby (map)
Cost: $5 donation suggested; Children 5 & Under FREE. No pets please!
More Info: Website | Facebook
Bloomin’ Festival is a two day juried arts festival attracting thousands of visitors to the beautiful campus of St. Bernard Abbey and Prep School. Located adjacent to the school is the world famous Ave Maria Grotto. The picturesque landscape of stone cut buildings on the grounds of Alabama’s only Abbey provides a backdrop for the out-of-doors show. More than 140 booths are filled with artists demonstrating and exhibiting their work. The festival is the largest fundraiser annually for the operation and maintenance of the school.
Heads N Tails Crawfish Boil
When: Saturday, April 23rd – 3PM-9PM
Where: VBC South Hall (map)
Cost: FREE; food available for purchase
More Info: Website | Facebook
Enjoy great food, craft beer, zydeco music and entertainment with friends and family at this year’s Heads N Tails Crawfish Boil! Food choices will include crawfish, various types of seafood, funnel cakes and more. There will be a Beer Garden as well as music by Buckwheat Zydeco. This family friendly event is not just for adults – activities for kids will also be available, such as face painting, balloon art, inflatables, and a Moon Pie eating contest.
28th Annual St. Ann’s Seafood Festival and Big Fish Car Show
When: Saturday, April 23rd – 10AM-6PM
Where: Annunciation of The Lord Catholic Church in Decatur (map)
Cost: FREE; food available for purchase; $8 to participate in car show
More Info: Facebook
This year will mark the 28th anniversary of the St. Ann’s Seafood Festival! This long-standing Decatur event will again be held on the grounds of Annunciation of the Lord Catholic Church at 3910 Spring Ave. in Decatur. The culinary offerings will include seafood gumbo, catfish, shrimp pasta salad and hushpuppies. A selection of pastries and ice-cream will also be available. While the seafood is available in ‘to go’ containers, shaded outdoor seating areas will be available for those who want to dine in, taking advantage of the live music from area bands and allowing time to check out the adjacent Big Fish car show. This will be the inaugural year for the Big Fish car show and will serve to make the Seafood Fest more of a destination event for Decatur and the surrounding areas. The show is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. and will continue through 4 p.m.
Panoply Arts Festival
When:Fri., April 29 5PM–9:00PM; Sat., April 30 10AM–9PM; Sun., May 1 12PM–7PM
Where: Big Spring Park, Huntsville (map)
Cost: Tickets are $10/day and children 12 and under receive FREE admission.
More Info: www.artshuntsville.org | (256) 519-ARTS (2787)
Each spring in the heart of the Rocket City the arts are in full bloom at the Panoply Arts Festival. The Festival celebrates music, dance, theatre, and the visual arts, making Panoply (as defined by Mr. Webster) a “magnificent, impressive array”! Three days of musical and visual arts, children’s activities, and performances – an experience that should be on every family’s Must List! Bring your favorite outdoor seating!
MAY
[themify_hr color=”orange” width=”50%” border_width=”2px” ]WhistleStop Weekend
When: Friday, May 6 4PM-11PM and Saturday, May 7 10AM-11PM
Where: Huntsville Historic Depot (map)
Cost: TBA
More Info: Website
Come have a toe-tappin, barbeque-eatin’ good time and best of all it’s all for a good cause. Activities include professional, amateur, and kids’ BBQ competitions, music, and the AL Corn Horn Championship! All proceeds benefit EarlyWorks Children’s Museum and educational programs for area children.
Cullman Strawberry Festival
When: Friday, May 6 4PM-10PM & Saturday, May 7 8AM-4PM
Where: Downtown Cullman (map)
Cost: FREE
More Info: Website
Cullman StrawberryFest features the best strawberries and produce in North Alabama. Along with our outstanding music venue, classic car show, arts and crafts, and scrumptious food vendors, visitors can plan to spend the whole day shopping in the unique stores in our downtown district, dancing to a variety of music playing at the Festhalle or visiting our historic districts via guided tours provided by the Cullman County Museum.
9th Annual Good Day Kids Fest
9th Annual Good Day Kids FestWhen: Saturday, May 7 from Noon – 4PM
Where: Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment (map)
Cost: Free or a donation to the Playground Fund, $2 parking
More Info: www.lowemill.net
Time to get your Good Day on! This annual kid’s festival is full of live music, demonstrations, hands-on activities, and tons of FUN. This year is all about BIRTHDAYS – Lowe Mill is celebrating 10 years, and Rocket City Mom is turning five. Help us celebrate with all things birthday, including cake, ice cream, crazy games, a NERF WAR in the back field, and a children’s concert on the back dock.
Babypalooza
When: Saturday, May 14 from 10AM-2PM
Where: VBC (map)
Cost: FREE
More Info: Website
The BlueCross BlueShield of Alabama Babypalooza Baby & Maternity Expo 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!
Bluegrass, Classic Car and Tractor Jamboree
When: Saturday, May 14 from 11AM-6PM
Where: Sharon Johnston Park (map)
Cost: $5; FREE for kids 12 and under
More Info: Facebook | 256-379-2868 | [email protected]
Spend a fun day outside with bluegrass music at the stage and pavilions! Featuring Gary Waldrep Band with Solid Blue, Rocket City Ridge, Cumberland Mountain Boys, as well as opening act Cindy Musselwhite and Dennis Parker. A Classic Car and Tractor Show will be held in the area behind the playground. Food vendors and door prizes will be available; bring your lawn chairs!
SoulStock
When: Saturday and Sunday, May 20 and 21
Where: Point Mallard (map)
Cost: FREE
More Info: www.soulstock.com
SoulStock is an annual outdoor Christian music and worship event in Decatur, Alabama. Completely free for the general public to attend, SoulStock is sponsored by churches, businesses, and individuals mostly in the surrounding communities. The event is a time each year for people to come together listen to great music, celebrate God, and hear the message of Jesus. The ultimate goal of Soulstock is to reach out to all individuals with God’s good news though the ministry of music.
Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Classic
When: May 28 – 29
Where: Point Mallard in Decatur (map)
Cost: Free
More Info: www.alabamajubilee.net
The Alabama Jubilee Hot-Air Balloon Classic is held annually on Memorial Day weekend in Decatur, Alabama. Each year the Jubilee hosts about 60 local and national hot-air balloons at Point Mallard Park. Public admission is free of charge, and the weekend boasts many fun and exciting activities.
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