The arrival of spring means warmer weather and more things to do! Check out these fun events and festivals in north Alabama, and let us know which ones are your favorite.
Magic City Art Connection
Taste. Sip. Repeat. This spring, Corks & Chefs: A Taste of Birmingham is toasting its 26th year. Join us April 29 & 30, 2023 under the main Casting Shed at Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark for this highly anticipated tasting experience held in conjunction with the FAB 40th Magic City Art Connection. C&C looks forward to spotlighting talented local tastemakers as it presents culinary dishes for patrons to pair with select wines, craft beer, spirits, cocktails, seated tasting seminars, and a beloved contemporary art festival.
April Walking Tours
All across Alabama in the month of April, you’ll find free walking tours through the quaint downtown areas. You’ll learn about the history of the area, architecture, and see beautiful gardens.
3rd Friday Downtown Decatur
From April to October, downtown Decatur comes alive every third Friday! On Second Avenue throughout the spring, summer, and fall, you’ll find lots of food trucks, vendors, live music, and downtown shops open later. It’s a great time to get out and eat, shop, and catch up with friends.
Panoply Arts Festival
Panoply is the Southeast‘s premier arts weekend where Huntsville’s innovative spark shines through a festival of art, music, and more! Panoply takes place in downtown Huntsville on April 28-30 at Big Spring Park.
Panoply kicks off at 5pm on Friday, April 28 and during the three-day event, over 30 local and regional musical acts in a variety of genres – jazz, rock, R&B, indie rock, blues, pop and more – will entertain the crowd on Panoply’s two stages. Friday’s lineup features a homegrown favorite, The Wanda Band. Wanda made her solo debut at Panoply in 2012 as a Panoply Homegrown Talent Winner and in 2019 she debuted her band at Concerts in the Park. She was recently named one of the “5 Huntsville Bands with the best shot to become Famous” by Matt Wake, entertainment reporter with Alabama Media Group.
On Saturday, the music starts when the gates open at 10am and closes out with Huntsville’s own Rob Aldridge and the Proponents. Uncut Magazine wrote in 2022 that “Rob is an Alabama native who is finally starting to get noticed as a songwriting frontman capable of gnawing a hook and a finely weighted turn of phrase,” and NPR calls them “an Alabama rock & roll band you need to know.” Sunday’s lineup features local favorite and up-and-coming performers.
Birmingham Walking Tours
Birmingham Walking Tours are offered on select Saturdays and Sundays in April and May, and visitors, and locals alike can experience the history and beauty of Birmingham in a fun, invigorating way.
There are two new tours offered this spring, “Breathing Life into Landmarks” and “City Walk | Linn Park”. In addition to the return of a local favorite, “Parkside”. Presented by The Caring Foundation of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, Spire, and Stone Building Company, the two-hour tours guided by Allison Vosicky, Cheryl Morgan, David Fleming and Gary Bostany, focus on the redevelopment of some of Birmingham’s most cherished landmarks, details of the new City Walk, and the new vision for historical Linn Park.
Registration is $20 for Vulcan Park and Museum members and $30 for non-members. There is special discounted pricing for pairs of two. Tour groups will not exceed forty participants. Reservations and payment are required in advance.
