If you are feeling a little lost on how to spend your week, you have come to the right place. We have done all the research to find a few of our favorite events we think our readers will enjoy, so you don’t have to. All of you foodies out there will enjoy the bites-based festivals across the state, and our more green-thumbed friends will be thrilled to see some of the exhibitions on the list. Whatever your passion, Alabama is sure to be hosting something that you will enjoy!
Mountain Brook Village Spring Soiree
May 14th
Mountain Brook Village is bringing a full day of shopping, seasonal specials, and in-store experiences to one of Birmingham’s most charming neighborhoods. Local businesses throughout the village will be hosting pop-ups, refreshments, and special events, giving visitors the perfect excuse to spend the day strolling through the area and pick up a few goodies as well!
25th Annual Catfish Festival-Scottsboro
May 16th
Head over to Jackson County Park for a full day of family-friendly fun and good eating. Eat your fill of fresh catfish, listen to some great live music, shop with the arts and crafts vendors, and admire the car show. Along with these activities, there will be plenty for the kids to do, with inflatables, pony rides, and train rides. Spend the day fishing at the park while enjoying a more laid back North Alabama weekend.
Birmingham Taco Fest-Sloss Furnace
May 17th
Bare Hands’ Taco Fest is returning to Sloss Furnaces on May 17 with an afternoon full of taco tastings, margaritas, live music and friendly competition — all in support of Birmingham nonprofit Bare Hands, Inc. The organization, which serves the city’s unhoused community through outreach and support programs, hosts the festival as both a fundraiser and a celebration of local food and community connection. Throughout the event, visitors will be able to sample tacos from competing vendors as restaurants battle it out for festival bragging rights, giving guests the chance to try a wide variety of flavors and styles all in one place. Along with the taco competition, the festival will also feature live entertainment, local artists, vendors and interactive activities set against the backdrop of Birmingham’s historic Sloss Furnaces.
Cahaba Lily Festival- West Blocton
May 16th
Nature lovers can head to West Blocton for the annual Cahaba Lily Festival, a celebration of one of Alabama’s rarest and most recognizable native flowers. Held at the Cahaba Lily Center, the festival gives visitors the chance to experience the Cahaba lilies during their short spring bloom season while also learning more about the river ecosystem that supports them. Guests can enjoy canoe trips offering an up-close look at the lilies along the Cahaba River, as well as local vendors and environmental exhibits. The festival has become a longtime tradition for outdoor enthusiasts and conservation advocates alike, so come experience Alabama’s natural beauty and enjoy the community it creates!
Creole Comforts-Auburn
May 12th
Creole Comforts is bringing the rich flavors of the Gulf Coast to Auburn with an interactive culinary experience at the Tony & Libba Rane Culinary Science Center. During the live demonstration, Chef Chris Wilton will guide guests through the preparation of a New Orleans classic — Shrimp Creole — while also serving up coastal favorites like West Indies salad and scratch-made pralines. Along with the three-course dinner, attendees can enjoy cocktail pairings inspired by the vibrant flavors of Creole cuisine while hearing stories from Chef Wilton’s upbringing in the kitchens of Baton Rouge and New Orleans. The event offers guests the chance to learn authentic cooking techniques while experiencing the bold flavors and hospitality that define Creole cooking.
Mobile Master Gardeners 2026 Tour of Gardens-Mobile
May 15th-17th
Plant lovers can spend the weekend surrounded by blooms and backyard inspiration during the Mobile County Master Gardeners 2026 Tour of Gardens, taking place across Mobile. The self-guided tour features eight gardens located throughout Downtown and Midtown Mobile, Spring Hill and West Mobile, and South Mobile County, giving visitors the chance to explore a wide variety of landscapes and gardening styles. Designed and maintained by Master Gardeners, each stop offers practical “how-to” ideas for both small and large gardens, along with expert insight on plants suited for sun, shade and coastal Alabama growing conditions. Whether guests are seasoned gardeners or simply looking for a little inspiration for their own backyard, the tour offers a colorful weekend filled with flowers, landscaping ideas and plenty of Southern charm.
Pizitz Concert in the Courtyard-Birmingham
May 17th
Pizitz Food Hall’s Concert in the Courtyard series is continuing on May 16 with a performance from Birmingham artist Cashmere Williams. The free weekly series invites guests to kick back in the Pizitz courtyard with live music, food hall favorites and a laid-back downtown atmosphere that has quickly become a go-to Friday afternoon hangout. Known for blending soulful vocals with smooth R&B and jazz influences, Williams will bring another energetic set to the rotating concert lineup while visitors grab dinner, drinks and enjoy an easy start to the weekend in the heart of Birmingham.
Whether you’re in the mood for tacos at Sloss Furnaces, live music in downtown Birmingham, fresh Gulf Coast flavors or a weekend surrounded by flowers and gardens, Alabama is packed with ways to get out and explore the things you love. Grab your friends, your appetite, or your sunhat and enjoy all that Alabama has to offer this week!
