Springtime is prime time for festivals celebrating Alabama food and drink. Whether it’s Middle Eastern food, Southern barbecue, or good old gumbo, you won’t leave hungry.
There are gatherings to enjoy chocolate, grits, wings, tacos, and even poke salat. Quench your thirst with margaritas, beer, wine, and mimosas. You’ll find something to tickle your tastebuds in this roundup of events in April and May.
4th Annual Deep South Rodeo and Crawfish Festival
April 5-6 in Jemison
Steer wrestling, barrel racing, and bull riding competitions are supplemented by arts and crafts vendors and food trucks.
Tickets: $15, free for 3 and under. Gates open at 5 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. Saturday.
April 6 in Foley
Set for Heritage Park, music and local beer share the bill.
Tickets are $5 plus fee; 12 and under free. Open 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Ozark Crawdad and Music Festival
April 6 in Ozark
Set for the square downtown, the festival is open 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Admission is free.
St. Elias Food & Cultural Festival
April 12-13 in Birmingham
Held at St. Elias Maronite Church in Forest Park, the event includes music and dancing, a 5k race, and church tours. But the Middle Eastern food is the star, and both walk-up and takeout orders are available.
Admission is free. Open 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
April 13 in Birmingham
Hosted by Cahaba Brewing Company, it benefits the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama.
Tickets are $15 each, and $50 for VIP access. Open noon-4 p.m.
April 13 in Calera
Held at Corbin Farms Winery, it is the rare festival that features grape-stomping, along with the more typical vendors, music, and food. Hours are 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Tickets are $27 for ages 21 and over, $8 for under 21.
April 13 in Mobile
The benefit for Penelope House is now in its 14th year.
Tickets are $10 for above 12, $5 for ages 4-12; under 4 free. Open a.m.-3 p.m.
April 13 in Birmingham
The benefit for Episcopal Place is set at Ghost Train Brewing.
Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Hours are noon-4 p.m.
April 14 in Birmingham
Another celebration showcasing the Magic City’s long-established congregations, the Jewish Food and Cultural Fest bills itself as one of Birmingham’s favorite outdoor fests. Braised brisket, giant corned beef sandwiches rugelach, and matzo ball soup are just the start of the food available for purchase.
Admission is free. Open 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Bob Sykes BBQ and Blues Festival
April 20 in Bessemer
Hear some of the best blues music this side of the late lamented Bessemer joint Gip’s Place. Now in its 13th year, it is barbecue scion Van Sykes thank you to the city where Bob Sykes Bar-B-Q opened in 1957.
Tickets are $25. The festival is at DeBardaleben Park, from noon to 8 p.m.
April 20 in Birmingham
The homage to the ultimate brunch libation is set for Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark from noon to 4 p.m.
Tickets are $55, plus fee. 21 and over only ID required.
West Alabama Food and Wine Festival
April 21 in Northport
This year’s festival in downtown Northport supports West Alabama Food Bank and Turning Point nonprofits.
Tickets are $75 plus a fee in advance, and $100 plus a fee for VIP. Open from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. (People with VIP tickets are admitted at 3:30).
Smoke on the Water Festival & BBQ Contest
April 27 in Florence
Benefitting Shoals Scholar Dollars, it will be held at McFarland Park.
Admission is $5 per person; $20 maximum for families. Vote for your favorite barbecue for $5. Open from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
April 27 in Albertville
Set downtown at the farmers market parking lot, look for music, beer—and team dodgeball.
General admission tickets, available online, are $35 plus fee. Open from 4 p.m.-8 p.m.
April 27 in Childersburg
Shrimp and grits are the thing at the annual homage to ground hominy corn at the Kymulga Grist Mill and Park.
Admission is free. Open from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
April 27 in Vestavia Hills
The charity fundraiser sponsored by Leadership Vestavia Hills will be held on the Vestavia city hall lawn.
Tickets are $12 advance plus a fee via Eventbrite, and $15 at the gate ($10 with non-perishable food donation). Children 10 and under are free. Open from 4 p.m.-7 p.m.
April 27-28 in Birmingham
One of the premiere events of spring, the opportunity to sample local restaurants and breweries, and sip wine at Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark.
Ticket information TBA. Open from noon-3 p.m.
May 9 in Trussville
Taste of Trussville is the launch for Trussville Restaurant Week, May 10-26, and will take place at Trussville Civic Center.
Tickets are available via the Trussville Chamber of Commerce office. Open from 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
May 11 in Birmingham
A portion of the ticket price supports Railroad Park.
General admission tickets are $55, VIP tickets are $85, and they offer a $20 Designated Driver ticket. Open from 6 p.m.-9 p.m.
May 18 in Huntsville
Look for the fun at the National Speleological Society conference center on Pulaski Pike.
Tickets start at $25 plus a fee. Open from 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
May 18 in Arab
The festival is named for the Southern dish made from the leaves of pokeweed, which is foraged and must be properly prepared to stave its toxicity.
Admission is free. Times TBA. The event starts with a morning 5k race.
May 19 in Birmingham
The 7-year-old celebration of Birmingham’s rich taco offerings will take place at Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark.
Advance tickets are $10 plus a fee and $15 at the gate. 12 and under are free. Open from 1 p.m.-7 p.m.
