Looking for the biggest and best music festivals in Alabama in 2023? Well, you’ve come to the right place, as I’ve put together this fun guide to 10 of the state’s coolest events.
Alabama hosts a number of music festivals annually to bring together the gigantic fan base of country music (as well as other genres). The sounds of the Yellowhammer State come lively at the music festivals to honor superstars. Below you will find a list of top 10 music festivals in Alabama which will keep you thrilled throughout the year, and if there are any specific festivals missing from the list – please do leave a comment or shoot me an email!
Top 10 Alabama Music Festivals in 2023!
Also, be sure to read my guides on Festival Hydration Backpacks, Festival Camping Packing List, Festival Shoes, and Festival Gadgets to help you make the most of your time for future festival fun!
Credit: Hangout Music Festival
1) Hangout Music Festival 2023
There is no doubt that Hangout Fest is the BEST Alabama Music Festival
When: May 19-21, 2023
Where: Gulf Shores, Alabama
https://www.hangoutmusicfest.com/
Hangout is the ultimate kickoff to summer, a weekend defined by dancing in the sand with your best friends while listening to your favorite pop, dance, and rock artists at one of North America’s most beautiful beaches.
It’s a place to gather your group of friends, throw on your favorite bathing suit and hit the beach for some sun, fun, and a great time.
Hangout is easily the biggest and most iconic music festival in Alabama, and brings some of the world’s top artist’s to the Gulf Shores for 3 days of incredible music, fun, and sun.
2023 Festival Lineup Highlights: Red Hot Chili Peppers, SZA, Calvin Harris, Paramore, Lil Nas X, Flume, Skrillex, The Kid LAROI, AJR, Alison Wonderland, Ashe, The Backseat Lovers, Big Wild, COIN, FERG, GloRilla, Gryffin, John Summit, Kevin Gates, Noah Kahan, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, REZZ, Russ, Sabrina Carpenter, Said The Sky, Thundercat, Tove Lo, Yung Gravy
Join the Hangout Music Festival Alabama 2023 for more info!
2) Rock the South Festival
When: July 20-22, 2023
Where: Cullman, Alabama
“Rock the South” is a festival celebrating our recovery, our commitment to one another, and our Southern way of life.”
“Originally intended to be a one-year celebration of recovery from the tornadoes that rocked the area on April 27, 2011, Rock the South has continued to expand to become a massive celebration of everything Alabama has to offer.
Since the first event in 2012, Rock the South has given over $639,000 to multiple community partners including Cullman City Parks and Recreation, The Link of Cullman County, Cullman Caring for Kids and many more.”
It’s called the Biggest Party in the South for a reason! Head to Cullman, Alabama every summer for a weekend packed with live country music, good people, and good times. From classic artists to today’s biggest stars, there’s always an all-star lineup. Grab your hats and boots—it’s time to party!
3) Wilson Pickett Music and Arts Festival
When: April 1, 2023
Where: Prattville, Alabama
https://www.wilsonpickettfestival.com/
It’s the 60th anniversary of Wilson Pickett’s Music!
“The Wilson Pickett Music and Arts Festival is an annual event held at Pratt Park in Downtown Prattville, Alabama, celebrating the arts and the legacy of Wilson Pickett, a Prattville native. Festivities include an entertainment stage, food vendors, children’s activities, and an artist village, featuring local and regional artists representing a variety of media.
We are accepting artist applications for the 2022 Wilson Pickett Music and Arts Festival which will be held on April 2, 2022. Artists and makers are encouraged to apply.”
4) Buttahatchee River Fall Fest
When: October 28, 2023
Where: Hamilton, Alabama
“Join the Hamilton Area Chamber of Commerce for the 15th Annual Buttahatchee River Fall Fest on October 29, 2022. The festival, held in the newly renovated downtown Hamilton, Alabama, on and around the Court Square, features the arts and crafts, food, live music, antique tractors, classic cars, motorcycles, and general vendors. This family friendly event offers free admission and fun for the whole family.
The arts and crafts portion of the festival is coordinated by the Northwest Alabama Arts Council. The section features a great variety of items such as hand-made traditional folk pottery, gourd art, bird houses, iron works, glass, handmade jewelry, and more. The Arts Council donates the profits from the arts and crafts section to the local schools in the form of grants for art education.”
5) WhistleStop Weekend Festival
When: September 2023
Where: Huntsville, Alabama
https://whistlestopweekend.com/
“A foot-stompin’, pig-chompin’ two-day festival on the grounds of the John Hunt Park. Live entertainment, Family Fun Zone, and professional and amateur BBQ cooking competitions.”
WhistleStop is a unique and exciting community gathering. True community spirit, combined with great food, live music, good friends and a “little” competition have helped create this award winning two day event. Proceeds from this beloved event support the STEM education initiatives of the EarlyWorks Family of Museums. We would love to have your help at this exciting and fun-filled Festival! Volunteers are needed for many areas.
6) Rakkos Revival Music & Arts Gathering
When: May 2023
Where: Steele, Alabama
https://www.facebook.com/cukorakko/
That “magic feeling on the mountain” continues like nowhere else in the Southeast!
“Rakkos Revival Music & Arts Gathering continues the tradition of music, mixed-media art and fellowship on the beautiful Horse Pens 40 property. It has long been our opinion the best value in the music and camping arena is the smaller boutique event!!
That “magic feeling on the mountain” continues like nowhere else in the Southeast! Come join us on May 13-15, 2022 as we celebrate our third year of spring and fall festivals. Held at the beautiful Horse Pens 40 in Steele, Alabama, this friends and family event features 3 days of music and mixed media arts. Enjoy yoga, rock climbing, glass blowing, blacksmithing, disc golf with a PDGA tourney, camping, hiking, kid’s activities, food and drinks, crafts and more.”
7) Bob Sykes BBQ & Blues Festival
When: April 29, 2023
Where: Bessemer, Alabama
https://bobsykes.com/blues-festival/
Barbecue and Blues are a great combination, so don’t miss out on the 11th Annual Bob Sykes Bar B Q & Blues Festival. GOOD TIMES & GREAT BBQ!
“Bob Sykes Bar B Q is a family owned local tradition since 1957. Founders Bob and Maxine Sykes opened an ice cream and hamburger stand in Central Park area of Birmingham, Alabama. This was about the time Bob built his first pit and began to cook the barbecue he remembered so fondly as a child growing up in the hills of western Tennessee.
8) Opelika Songwriters Festival
Credit: Opelika Songwriters Festival
When: October 2023
Where: Opelika, Alabama
https://www.opelikasongwritersfestival.com/
Opelika Songwriters Festival is produced by The Sound Wall and Russell Carter Artist Management (RCAM). RCAM has produced the 30a Songwriters Festival for the past 10 years on the Northwest Florida Coast. 30a Songwriters Festival is considered to be one on of the most prestigious songwriter festivals in the country.
Opelika Songwriters Festival consist of multiple venues in downtown Opelika that are transformed into listening rooms and host over 40 songwriters from our local artist to Grammy award winning songwriters.
Last year, festival goers came from all over Alabama, Georgia and Florida to listen! Your festival pass gets you access to every venue giving you the opportunity to experience many different locations and songwriters over the weekend.
9) Frank Brown International Songwriters’ Festival
When: November 9-19, 2023
Where: Multiple Locations in Alabama
https://www.frankbrownsongwriters.com/
“The annual Frank Brown International Songwriters’ Festival will feature more than 200 nationally acclaimed songwriters in venues along the Florida / Alabama Gulf Coast from November 3-13, 2022.
The festival is an opportunity for seasoned and aspiring songwriters and musicians from all over the world to have their songs heard, and for the public to learn the stories behind the lyrics that only the song’s author can express.
During this exciting 11-day festival, performers will be hosted in over two dozen venues from Downtown Pensacola and Perdido Key, Florida, into Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, Bon Secour and Silverhill, Alabama.
The festival is dedicated to the late Frank Brown, who was night watchman at the Flora~Bama for 28 years, and whose moral values, integrity and strength of character still endure. Mr. Frank, as he was known by all, (was 91 years old when he retired) was featured on Paul Harvey’s syndicated radio show, “The Rest of the Story.”
10) Hank Williams Festival
When: June 2-3, 2023
Where: Georgina, Alabama
http://hankwilliamsfestival.com/
“The 2022 Festival Will Be Held June 3-4. Make Plans to Attend. A Special Thanks to The Alabama Dept. of Tourism For Their Past Support. Last Year’s Lineup of Stars Included T. G. SHEPPARD, MARK WILLS and SHANE HARRELL BAND. The Festival Wants Your Input The Board of Directors and Selection Committee are asking you to help them select the 2022 lineup of entertainers.
PLEASE NOTE that The Hank Williams Festival is an outdoor event. NO RESERVED SEATING! Bring your lawn chairs. No lounge chairs, coolers, food, drinks, or pets can be taken into park.”
AM I MISSING ANY ALABAMA FESTIVALS 2023?
If you’ve heard of any cool festivals, events, or concerts that deserve a place on this list, be sure to reach out!
I’d love to keep my list of music festivals in ALABAMA as up to date as possible!
LOOKING FOR MORE INCREDIBLE FESTIVALS IN THE USA?
Check out some of my favorite posts below for more incredible live-music events and festivals around the world!
- Top 11 Music Festivals in Georgia
- 37 California Music Festivals That’ll Keep You Dancing All Year Long
- Top 20 San Diego Music Festivals | The Ultimate SD Festival Bucket List
- The Best 25 Music Festivals in Texas To Experience Before You Die
- The Top 25 Music Festivals in Arizona To Experience Before You Die
- The Best 25 Music Festivals in Florida To Experience Before You Die
- The 13 Best Music Festivals in New York to Experience Before You Die
- The Top 10 Music Festivals in Colorado To Experience Before You Die
- Top 21 Music Festivals in Las Vegas To Experience Before You Die
- 15 Epic Music Festivals in Michigan To Experience Before You Die
- 20 Vancouver Music Festivals To Add To Your Bucket List
- Top 10 Music Festivals in Arkansas For Your Bucket List
- Top 12 Music Festivals in Wisconsin For Your Bucket List
- Top 10 Music Festivals in Missouri For Your Bucket List
- Top 10 Music Festivals in New Jersey
- Top 10 Music Festivals in Maryland
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!