Special “Spring Has Sprung” Events

Spring has sprung all over Alabama, and pleasant temperatures plus pretty, blue-sky days are calling us to get out of the house to go, see and do. This time each year, the state’s event calendar is jam-packed with fun, fresh-air, family friendly, and often, free, happenings and activities. From food and art to gardens and more, there’s something to match almost any interest. And we’ve rounded up a few favorites here. So, scan the list, and make plans to experience some of what this season has to offer.

Festival of Flowers
Mobile
March 23-26

Come March in Alabama, colorful, fragrant blooms are already bountiful in many parts of the state. But the pretty petals on display at the annual Festival of Flowers are prolific; it’s the largest outdoor flower show in the Southeast. Get your fill of an array of blossoms as you wander through life-size gardens created by sought-after landscape architects and designers. This year, the event has a zen theme, so get ready to get relaxed.

Magic of Marble
Sylacauga
April 11-22

The small town of Sylacauga boasts multiple charms, but an aspect that makes it unique is the vein of madre cream marble running just underground; it’s the largest known deposit of the material in the world. This milky white stone has long been prized by sculptors (the bust of Lincoln in the rotunda of our nation’s capital was carved from Sylacauga marble), and the Magic of Marble festival showcases what skilled and creative hands can do with it, while also sharing the history of marble in the area.

Eufaula Pilgrimage
March 31-April 2
Eufaula

This event, now in its 55th year, promises plenty of Southern hospitality and prides itself on being Alabama’s oldest tour of homes. Step back in time as you walk through opulent mansions—including the extravagant Shorter Mansion and famed Fendall Hall—cozy cottages and everything in between.

Montgomery Zoo Weekend
March 25-26
Montgomery

Enjoy live entertainment, games, train rides, a petting zoo, live animal presentations and more, all amid the Zoo's 40 acres of amazing animals from around the world at this fun, family event that’s been raising funds for the Zoo and all it offers for decades.

Pepper Place Market Days
NOW
Birmingham

The Market at Pepper Place brings Alabama’s best farmers, brewers, food producers and artisans to downtown Birmingham on Saturdays to sell their wares. Stock up on fresh produce, jellies, pickles, baked goods, teas and more from a variety of vendors. And enjoy special events and entertainment, too. This year, a scaled-down version of the market opened in January, but on April 15, it will double in size. Find an up-to-date list of each week’s vendors on the market’s website.

Panoply Arts Festival
April 28-30
Huntsville

Featuring live performance stages, interactive arts experiences for all ages, a juried Art Marketplace with more than 80 visual artists, the Creative Play Space, craft beer and much, much more, this premier art event at downtown Huntsville's Big Spring Park has something for everyone.

Cullman Strawberry Fest
May 6
Cullman

This sweet event draws more than 20,000 folks to quaint Cullman. The crowds come to dig into delicious, ruby-ripe strawberries as well as other fresh produce, plus outstanding live music, a classic car show, arts and crafts, a kids’ play area, a strawberry bake-off, scrumptious food vendors, shopping in the unique stores of the city's downtown district and the crowning of Miss Strawberry Festival.