Ahhh, May, you bring with you warmer weather, fun festivals, and lots of delicious homegrown fruit and veggies! Check out these fun (and even delicious) festivals and make plans to live your best life in May in north Alabama.
Moulton Strawberry Festival
Now in its tenth year, the Strawberry Festival is set for May 2-3 with activities taking place at the Moulton Recreation Center.
From sweet strawberry treats to unique arts and crafts, there’s something for everyone at this celebration of all things strawberry. Attendees can enjoy a variety of activities, including agricultural displays, a K-9 show, classic car/truck/motorcycle show, antique tractor show, variety of art and craft vendors, food vendors/trucks, live performances and strawberry-themed treats. Trail Life USA Troop AL-0356 and AHG Troop AL-0256 will host a Strawberry Car Derby both days from 12pm-2pm. More information and official race rules can be found here. Bring the little ones as there will be entertainment geared especially to children such as free inflatables and a petting zoo.
In addition to these activities, Saturday’s lineup includes a cornhole tournament, the Little Miss Strawberry Beauty Pageant, a fishing derby, a bicycle parade and tours of LouAllen Farms strawberry patch, all beginning at 9 a.m., and a meet and greet and special presentation by the Auburn University Raptor Center slated for 10am.
Mouthwatering strawberries, the highlight of the two-day event, will be available to purchase and organizers suggest arriving early to purchase the berries before supplies run out. Farmers will be on hand to offer tips and suggestions for storing and preparing.
Festival goers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs as ongoing live music fills the air both days. Featured entertainment includes Tremayne on Friday evening with a spectacular fireworks show wrapping up the day’s activities at 9 p.m. and Saturday’s lineup consists of The Kellys, The Ray Sparks Band, Cherry Lane, Phil & McKayla Stacey and The Flashbacks. The festival also showcases gospel groups, bands and dance teams from local high schools and rising stars from across the county.
Festival hours are 9am-9pm Friday and 9 am-7pm Saturday. All activities take place at the Moulton Recreation Center located at 13550 Court Street in Moulton unless otherwise noted. Admission is free. For more information, visit the event on Facebook at www.facebook.com/StrawberryFestivalMoulton or contact Event Director Stan Johnson at 256.566.4410.
Recall LaGrange’s Distillery Raid on the Mountain
The reenactment of a law enforcement raid on a moonshine still will take place May 3, 2025 at the LaGrange College Site Park located in Leighton. Recall LaGrange’s Distillery Raid on the Mountain offers a day of living history events, Civil War displays and demonstrations, arts and crafts, musical entertainment and more. The event commemorates the 196th anniversary of the LaGrange College and Military Institute, Alabama’s first college.
Recall LaGrange’s Distillery Raid on the Mountain features a period correct living history centering on a Prohibition Era raid on a suspected moonshine still. A group of lawmen will descend on the pioneer village of LaGrange and will engage in a brief skirmish with the locals. The skirmish is slated for 2 p.m.
While the highlight is the prohibition era raid on a moonshine still, the day-long event offers other important historical accounts, Civil War collections and fun activities for the family. The First Impression Cemetery Drama will take place from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. and there will be art/crafts demonstrations, a fundraiser bake sale, food trucks and displays of antiques and fragments of period moonshine stills. The observatory and the pioneer and log buildings located in the park will be open for tours and there will be tours of Dawson Distillery located near the park.
There will be antique buggy and wagon rides (donations accepted) to historic LaGrange Cemetery. This antebellum Civil War cemetery is listed on the Register of Landmarks and Heritage and is within walking distance of the LaGrange College Site. Of particular interest is the marker for the Petrified Lady, Annie Vinson Ford, who was discovered petrified after being removed from her burial plot to another plot in the cemetery.
Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Donations will be accepted at the gate for up-keep of the historic park and cemetery.
Distillery Raid on the Mountain takes place at the LaGrange College site located in northwest Alabama, eight miles southeast of Muscle Shoals, off Highway 157 at 1491 LaGrange College Road, Leighton, Ala. For more information, visit https://www.lagrangehistoricsite.org/attractions/recall-lagrange/ or call (256) 702-6953 or contact Colbert County Tourism at (256) 383-0783.
Belle Mont Mansion Celtic Festival
For one day in May, the historic Belle Mont Mansion in the North Alabama town of Tuscumbia opens its doors and lawn for a cultural celebration of its Celtic heritage. The fourth annual Celtic Festival is set for Saturday, May 10, 2025, and during the day-long event, there will be music, demonstrations, arts and crafts, food and more to create a true Celtic cultural experience for the community and visitors. Special activities are also lined up for Museum Day on Friday, May 9th along with free admission to the historic museum.
Celebrating the historical significance of the Scottish heritage of people for whom Belle Mont was built in the early 1800s, the Belle Mont Celtic Fest is an outdoor festival featuring world-class Celtic musicians, performing the music of Scotland and Ireland. Along with live music, there will be demonstrators of Celtic life-skills and arts, activities for children, arts and crafts vendors, food vendors, a shaggy Highland cow to pet and photograph, Celtic merchandise by Near and Far Scottish Supply and more.
Headlining this year’s festival is the Seán Heely Band. Based in Washington, D.C., the band showcases the exceptional fiddle talents of Seán Heely who has captivated audiences worldwide. In addition to the Seán Heely Band, returning to the stage will be the high-energy Piper Jones Band, the Alabama Pipes and Drums, featuring an array of bagpipers wearing their signature kilts, and the Alabama-based duo, Chambless and Muse, whose performances are popular with Shoals audiences. Festival goers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets.
Inside the Belle Mont Mansion for festival goers to enjoy on Saturday will be exhibits and demonstrations of basket weaving, loom weaving and dulcimer music. Festival goers are welcome to walk through the house using a self-guided tour and speak to docents stationed throughout the rooms to learn more about Belle Mont's history. Additionally, the Tennessee Valley Scottish Society and several Scottish clans will be present to provide insights into ancestry and help attendees connect with their Scottish heritage. Rain location is Northwest-Shoals Community College gymnasium located at 800 George Wallace Boulevard in Muscle Shoals.
Springfest
Guin’s popular two day festival transforms its downtown area into a hub of free family-friendly activities, attracting thousands of visitors to the wholesome North Alabama community. During Springfest, festivalgoers are treated to live music, a car and bike show and plenty of good food. Hosted by the City of Guin, the event is set for May 9-10, 2025.
Springfest gets underway, Friday, May 9 at 6 p.m. and the music lineup features headliner The Fabulous Tip Tops. On Saturday, May 10, there will be a car and bike show from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., a dog show and more live music from local artists. As music fills the air, festival goers can shop among the art and craft vendors and a variety of concessions will keep bellies full both days of the festival.
Mayfest takes place at 7500 US Highway 43 in downtown Guin. Hours are 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, May 9 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 10. Admission is free. For more information, visit https://www.guinal.org/festivals-events or call Guin City Hall at 205-468-2242.
Oakville Indian Mounds Multicultural Indian Event
Don't miss the 36th Annual Oakville Indian Mounds Multicultural Indian Event on Saturday, May 10 from 10am-4pm at the Oakville Indian Mounds Education Center. There sill be Native American music, drum, dance, living history displays, museum open, food trucks and fry bread, arts & crafts vendors, free atlatl station, free stickball station, $5 Canoe Rides, $5 parking donation, live ladybug & butterfly release, flintknapping, copper display, plant/herb walking tours, chair caning, corn hole, and much more!
Limestone Sheriff's Rodeo
Plenty of rodeo action is expected to hit the dirt in May when the annual Limestone Sheriff’s Rodeo returns to the north Alabama town of Athens. Now in its 43rd year, the Limestone Sheriff’s Rodeo is set for May 16-17, 2025, and along with two days of high impact rodeo competition, organizers look to engage the community by offering several family-friendly events in the week leading up to the rodeo.
Rodeo week kicks off at 6 p.m., Tuesday, May 13 with the Cast Products, Inc. street dance on the east side of the Limestone County Courthouse Square and live music. In addition to dancing and music, restaurants and merchants around the downtown area will be open for business.
Slack competition for team roping contestants and contestant overflow will take place at the arena located on Alabama Highway 99 on Thursday, May 15. Gates open at 8 a.m. and the competition begins at 9 a.m. Admission is $5.
The annual Exceptional Needs Rodeo will take place Friday, May 16 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the arena. This rodeo is specifically for community individuals with special needs. Participants are expected to attend from the entire north Alabama region.
The main events of the rodeo are scheduled to take place May 16 and 17. Gates open at 6 p.m. both nights with competition starting at 8 p.m. Competitive events lined up for both nights include bareback bronc riding, calf roping, break-away roping, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, barrel racing and bull riding. As cowboys and cowgirls compete for prize money, the crowd is also entertained with professional rodeo clowns including International Professional Rodeo Association Barrelman Mighty Mike Wentworth in action and specialty acts, chuckwagon races and other performers.
Daily ticket prices are adults $15 (advance by May 1) or $20 (gate) and children 4 to 12 years old are $8 (advance by May 1) or $12 (gate). Tickets may be purchased in advance at Limestone County Sheriff’s office and online (convenience fee charged) at www.limestonesheriffrodeo.com.
The Limestone Sheriff’s Rodeo is produced by the Lone Star Rodeo Company and is held at the Limestone Sheriff’s Rodeo Arena located on Alabama Highway 99 west of Athens. All proceeds are used to purchase equipment for the Limestone County sheriff’s office. Call 256.232.0111 or visit www.limestonesheriffrodeo.com for more information.
Arley Day Festival
Year after year, the Arley Day Festival creates excitement in one small North Alabama town with a day filled with free fun. Set for May 17, 2025, this beloved community event is a celebration of the town of Arley and promises a day full of family-friendly activities, local entertainment and opportunities to support local businesses and artisans.
Presented by the Arley Women’s Club, Inc, the 52nd annual Arley Day Festival begins at 8 a.m. with a fun parade through town ending at Meek Baptist Church. Activities lined up for the day include arts and crafts vendors, a car show, children’s games, water slides, horseback rides, a silent auction and more. For the sports-minded, there will be a 3-on-3 basketball tournament and a pickleball tournament beginning at 9 a.m. and 8 a.m., respectively.
For those who enjoy a hearty breakfast, arrive early for the pancake breakfast, hosted by the Arley First Baptist Church, at the Arley Fire Station, located directly across from Hamner Park from 7 to 8:30 a.m. Donations are welcomed and will benefit the Arley Volunteer Fire Department. For those who skip breakfast, there will be food vendors and free hotdogs for kids.
The Arley Day Festival takes place at D. H. Hamner Memorial Park located on Helicon Road/Highway 77 in Arley. Festival hours are 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Admission is free. All proceeds from the event go back into community schools, fire departments, library, park and others. For up-to-date information, visit https://www.facebook.com/ArleyWomensClub/.
Alabama Jubilee Hot-Air Balloon Classic
The Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Classic, one of the Southeast’s most beloved Memorial Day weekend traditions, is set to return to Decatur’s Point Mallard Park for an unforgettable celebration of hot air balloons, live entertainment, arts and crafts and family-friendly activities. Taking place May 24-25, 2025, this free-admission event promises a weekend filled with exciting experiences for visitors of all ages.
The Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Classic begins bright and early Saturday, May 24, at 6:30 a.m., with the hare and hound balloon race: one balloon flies off and the others try to follow to see which pilot can get closest to a target put down by the hare balloon.
Additional activities on Saturday include a hands-on historical tool area, antique tractor show, an antique and classic auto expo (from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.); and a tractor parade (10 a.m.). A pedal tractor park for kids 6 years old and under, along with tractor games, opens at 11 a.m. Beginning at 5:30, some balloons will lift off for an evening flight and the Balloon Glow at 8:15 p.m. is a must see as towering balloons of all colors light up Point Mallard Park.
Another round of friendly competition between the hot-air balloon pilots is scheduled on Sunday, May 25 with the Lynn Layton Key Grab Balloon Race. Balloons should start flying into the Jubilee field starting about 7 a.m. in order to grab a ring from the top of a tall pole. A secondary goal is to drop a bean-bag marker at the center of an 'X' that is also placed at the pole. Another fun flight is set to launch at 5:30 p.m. and free tethered rides will be available starting at 6:30 p.m. The two-day event concludes with a fireworks show at 9:30 p.m.
The popular Decatur Art Guild arts and crafts show will be open Saturday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and again Sunday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the soccer fields and there will be live music in the late afternoon and evening both days. Stay tuned to the festival’s website for the latest updates.
Admission to and parking at the Alabama Jubilee are free. Blankets and lawn chairs are encouraged. For safety reasons, smoking is not permitted on the launch field and pets are strongly discouraged due to the loud noise caused by the balloons and the large number of people present. All balloon activities are weather permitting. Balloons do not fly, tether or glow in the rain or if wind on the ground is stronger than about 8 mph or if there are thunderstorms nearby. During festival hours, Point Mallard Park is a “No-Drone Zone” according to FAA regulations.
All activities take place inside Point Mallard Park, a 750-acre municipal park providing year-round recreation facilities in Decatur, Ala. For more information and a schedule of events, visit www.alabamajubilee.net.
Coalfest
Each year, the North Alabama community of Brilliant pays tribute to its roots in the coal mining industry with a free festival filling the downtown area with two days of family fun. Set for May 23-24, CoalFest offers live music, games, a look into the coal mining days, activities for children, arts and crafts and more throughout Main Street in downtown Brilliant.
Musical guests include The Band Loula, The Whiskey River Band, Dixie Mafia and Coal Town Sound. Friday night enjoy Free Bird, Carl and the Road Dogs. As music fills the air, festival goers can learn about the early history of coal mining in Brilliant with a guided tour of the historic Train Depot located in City Park (donations accepted). Brilliant Methodist Church, located on Main Street, will also be open for tours. A stop on the North Alabama Hallelujah Trail, Brilliant Methodist Church was built by local coal miners and remains an iconic cornerstone of the town.
Shuttle service will be provided free of charge from the downtown area to City Park, Brilliant Methodist Church and the Train Depot. Admission to the festival is free. A nominal fee is charged to participate in some of the children’s activities. For more information, call 205-465-2281.
