Fun things to do in Alabama

A curated list of the best upcoming events in Alabama.

Bloomin’ Festival

April 20–21 St. Bernard Abbey and Prep School’s Bloomin’ Festival showcases arts and crafts from more than 100 talented creators across the southeast. The outdoor event, featuring music, festival food, and family-friendly entertainment, attracts thousands in search of unique pieces. $10 donation. Cullman.

Panoply

April 26–28 Panoply Arts Festival unfolds over 3 days at Big Spring Park. More than 70,000 attendees can enjoy art, demonstrations, hands-on activities, 2 nights of fireworks, and live music featuring 30-plus local and regional acts on 2 stages. Day passes purchased in advance, $10; day passes purchased at the door, $15; weekend passes, $18. Huntsville.

Flora-Bama Mullet Toss

April 26-28 What started as simply a reason to have a good time has become one of the biggest beach parties in coastal Alabama. Mullet tossers throw a dead mullet over the state line between Florida and Alabama. The fish that goes the farthest wins. $20 to toss. Daily adult spectator tickets, $10. Orange Beach.

Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival

FREE! May 2–4 More than 40 hot air balloons will illuminate OWA’s green space this May. The festival weekend includes family fun such as children’s activities, artisan and food vendors, live music, and tethered balloon rides (adults, $20). Balloons fly at dawn and dusk each day, wind and weather permitting. Foley.

Rockin’ the River

FREE! May 4 Celebrate all things river life during this annual festival. There will be live music, art demonstrations, vendors, exhibitions, crafts, a 5K, a sidewalk chalk competition, the annual rubber ducky race, and the Foggy Bottom Cruisin’ Car Show. Elba.

Limestone Sheriff’s Rodeo

May 17–18 The largest outdoor rodeo east of the Mississippi features 2 days of intense cowboy and cowgirl competition, with $50,000 in prize money for the taking. Adult admission, $15 in advance; $17 purchased at the gate. Athens.

Hangout Music Festival

May 17–19 Gulf Shores is known for powdery white-sand beaches, incredible seafood, and its award-winning Hangout Fest, offering much more than just chart-topping music. Fans can also take advantage of festival activities including beach volleyball, a Ferris wheel, and Gulf-front hammocks. General admission starts at $279; prices vary for other ticket levels. Gulf Shores.

Coalfest

FREE! May 24–25 Main Street in Brilliant is bustling again for its annual Coalfest. The North Alabama town pays tribute to its roots in the coal-mining industry with this free 2-day festival. Events include live music, games, crafts, children’s activities, and coal-mining history. Brilliant.

Tallapoosa River Fest

June 4 This 6-mile canoe and kayak float down the beautiful Tallapoosa River in Tallapoosa County is a fun, family-friendly event that travels through a lush setting. All participants must bring their own water vessels. Capacity is limited to 200 people. $40 registration fee. Dadeville.

Zelda in the Backyard

June 13–30 Alabama Shakespeare Festival proudly presents the world premiere of Zelda in the Backyard. The play centers around Libby, who inherits a wrecked 1961 Rolls-Royce and names it after one of Alabama’s most famous residents. She sets off on a journey to reassemble the car, which opens her eyes to more than just auto repair. Tickets start at $26. Montgomery.

Barbarian Challenge

FREE! June 15 Are you a thrill-seeking athlete who isn’t afraid of a little mud? If so, join fellow enthusiasts for the Barbarian Challenge obstacle course and race. Considered one of the South’s most scenic courses, the 6-mile-long route includes challenging obstacles and tough terrain through Black Creek Gorge and Noccalula Falls. Gadsden.

MLB at Rickwood Field

June 20 In honor of baseball living legend Willie Mays, Major League Baseball will host a special regular-season game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the San Francisco Giants at Birmingham's Rickwood Field. The field is the oldest professional ballpark in the United States and was once home to the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Leagues. Birmingham.

HydroFest

June 29–30 In addition to its NASCAR superspeedway, Alabama is also developing a reputation for its liquid track thanks to the annual Guntersville Lake HydroFest. The 2-day event offers several classes of racing, including H1 Unlimited, Grand Prix America, and Pro-Lite series. State-of-the-art boats race on a 2.5-mile oval course and achieve speeds up to 200 miles per hour. Unlimited passes start at $30. Guntersville.