What are the best Music Festivals in Alabama?

There are plenty of music festivals throughout the year in Alabama, but we've highlighted some of the best to help with your holiday planning! 

February

• Mardi Gras: The city of Mobile celebrates in style each February with a Mardi Gras festival that proudly claims to pre-date its more famous counterpart in New Orleans. Festivities begin two and a half weeks before Shrove Tuesday, as the Port City comes alive with elaborately themed floats and lively marching bands. These vibrant parades wind their way through downtown Mobile and surrounding neighbourhoods, delighting nearly a million revellers each year.

March

• Opelika Songwriters Festival, late March: The 2026 edition ran from 26 to 29 March in historic downtown Opelika. The shows take place in intimate listening rooms across several downtown venues. The 2026 line-up included Paul Thorn, Shawn Mullins, and Charlie Starr and Benji Shanks of Blackberry Smoke. It would sit nicely alongside Frank Brown as a songwriting theme, and it fills the currently empty March slot.
• Wilson Pickett Music and Arts Festival, Prattville, March: This festival links to the soul heritage and Muscle Shoals.
• Wiregrass Blues Festival, Dothan: Taking place at The Plant.

April

• Bob Sykes BBQ and Food Festival: The best blues music combined with legendary Bob Sykes BBQ at the beautiful DeBardeleben Park located in historic downtown Bessemer.

May

• Cigar Box Guitar Festival, Huntsville, late May: This is billed as the world's longest running cigar box guitar festival, and 2026 was its 22nd year. It runs over two venues, Lowe Mill and the Orion Amphitheater, and most of the events are free. It's quirky, has a great story behind it and gives Huntsville a proper entry, which matters now that Camellia has gone.

June

• The Hank Williams Festival: Celebrating the life of the Country Music legend in his boyhood hometown, Georgiana, with a weekend of live country music.
• Rock the South Festival: This is the biggest party in the South and features three incredible days of fun in Cullman, Alabama.

July

• The W.C Handy Music Festival: Tens of thousands attend to honour the ‘Father of the Blues’ in a celebration of Blues and Jazz, held every July in Florence.
• MOB Music Fest, Mobile, July: This is a free family festival over three days in Cathedral Square in downtown Mobile. It covers everything from bluegrass and brass bands to soul, blues and hip hop.
• Gulf Coast Ethnic and Heritage Jazz Festival, Mobile, late July: This festival gives Mobile a jazz story beyond Mardi Gras.

September

• Bernard Blues and BBQ, Cullman: Held in September at St Bernard Abbey, this festival ties in with the Ave Maria Grotto.

October

• The Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival: The festival is a series of events over 10 days at venues along the Gulf Coast of Alabama and Florida, dedicated to the memory of Frank Brown. It inspires songwriters, musicians and performers to participate and provides a stage for all types of music.
• Furnace Fest: An American music festival held over three days at the Sloss Furnaces National Historical Landmark in Birmingham.
• Shoalsfest, Florence: A music festival led by Jason Isbell that celebrates various musical genres and highlights both local and national artists.
• The Whistle Stop Festival: A fun-packed weekend of beer, food and live music in the Huntsville Mid City District.

 For more information on music festivals email alabama@deep-south-usa.com to request a travel guide.