Events in Montgomery

Events & Festivals in Montgomery

Your complete guide to what's happening throughout the year

Montgomery's calendar pulses with events that mirror its place in American history and its living Southern culture today. Commemorative gatherings sit alongside raucous music and food celebrations. The city keeps a steady beat. Many events develop downtown, along the riverfront and in historic districts. Combine them with museum visits. Plan around theater, local sports, or seasonal markets. You'll connect more with the city.

Peak event periods
  • Jubilee CityFest weekend in May
  • Fourth of July celebrations at Riverfront Park
  • Alabama Shakespeare Festival season opening in September
  • Montgomery Marathon weekend in November
  • Holiday events throughout December
Public holidays in Montgomery: 27 September 2026 to 26 September 2027
  • 12 October 2026 Columbus Day
  • 12 October 2026 Indigenous Peoples' Day
  • 11 November 2026 Veterans Day
  • 26 November 2026 Thanksgiving Day
  • 25 December 2026 Christmas Day
  • 1 January 2027 New Year's Day
  • 18 January 2027 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
  • 15 February 2027 Washington's Birthday
  • 26 March 2027 Good Friday
  • 31 May 2027 Memorial Day
  • 18 June 2027 Juneteenth National Independence Day
  • 5 July 2027 Independence Day
  • 6 September 2027 Labor Day
Banks, offices and some attractions may close, and transport and prices can change around these dates.

January

⚽Montgomery Boat and Outdoor Show

Dates vary yearly Garrett Coliseum
sports

This indoor show displays the latest boat models, fishing gear, and outdoor equipment from regional dealers. Winter draws fishing enthusiasts and families plotting summer adventures. Seminars cover techniques and boating safety.

Tip: Weekend mornings see smaller crowds. Check seminar times for specific skills.

🎭Alabama National Fair Livestock Show

Dates vary yearly Garrett Coliseum
Free cultural

This livestock competition centers on 4-H and FFA youth, bringing agricultural exhibits and animal shows to town. Watch prize-winning cattle, swine, and goats up close. Learn about Alabama's farming roots.

Tip: Public viewing times for livestock shows are limited. Check the daily schedule at the coliseum entrance.

February

🎵Montgomery Symphony Orchestra Pops Concerts

Dates vary yearly Davis Theatre for the Performing Arts
Book Ahead music

The Montgomery Symphony Orchestra delivers lively pops concerts with thematic programs. Broadway tunes and film scores feature heavily. These shows stay casual. They draw wider crowds than classical nights.

Tip: Popular concerts sell out fast. Book ahead. The balcony seats sound excellent.

🎭Black History Month Parade and Festival

Dates vary yearly Downtown streets, ending at Riverfront Park
Free cultural

A community parade rolls through downtown Montgomery, launching a day of local music, dance, food vendors, and historical exhibits. The event recognizes the city's central Civil Rights role.

Tip: Grab a spot along Dexter Avenue early for parade views. The festival area gets crowded by midday.

March

No major events typically scheduled for March. Check back for updates.

April

🎭Alabama Book Festival

Dates vary yearly Alabama State Capitol grounds
Free cultural

The Alabama State Capitol grounds host the state's largest literary gathering. Author readings, panel discussions, book signings, and children's activities fill the schedule. Southern writers and storytellers take center stage.

Tip: Pack a folding chair or blanket for outdoor presentations. Signing lines run long. Prioritize your must-see authors.

⚽Montgomery Dragon Boat Festival

Dates vary yearly Riverfront Park
Free sports

Local businesses and organizations race traditional dragon boats on the Alabama River. Team tents, food vendors, and live music line the riverbank. The community turns out in force.

Tip: Riverfront Park's amphitheater seating offers prime viewing. Arrive before the first race.

May

🎉Jubilee CityFest

Dates vary yearly Downtown Montgomery
festival

This large multi-day festival ranks among Montgomery's signature events. Nationally recognized music acts play across several stages. An arts and crafts market, carnival midway, and food vendors pack downtown.

Tip: Advance tickets cost less. Use the park-and-ride shuttle from outlying lots. Avoid downtown traffic.

🍽️Montgomery Greek Festival

Dates vary yearly Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church
food

A local Greek Orthodox church hosts this festival with authentic food, pastries, live music, and folk dancing. Church members prepare gyros, baklava, and spanakopita. The community packs in.

Tip: Arrive early for pastry selection. Popular items disappear fast. Saturday lunch hour draws the biggest crowds.

🛒River Region Farmers Market

Dates vary yearly Forest Avenue Marketplace
Free market

This weekly outdoor market runs spring through fall. Local farmers sell fresh seasonal produce directly. Plants, herbs, honey, baked goods, and handmade crafts appear too. Locals shop here regularly.

Tip: Arrive early for popular items like tomatoes and peaches. Many vendors take cash only.

June

⚽Southern League Baseball at Riverwalk Stadium

Dates vary yearly Riverwalk Stadium
Book Ahead sports

The Montgomery Biscuits play minor league baseball at Riverwalk Stadium all summer. Family-friendly atmosphere rules. Quirky between-innings entertainment keeps crowds laughing. The downtown skyline frames the field.

Tip: Friday nights end with fireworks. General admission lawn seats save money. Bring a blanket.

🎭Juneteenth Unity Festival

Dates vary yearly Old Alabama Town
Free cultural

This Juneteenth community festival celebrates African American history and culture through music, spoken word, local food, and educational exhibits. Reflection and unity drive the spirit.

Tip: The event usually happens outdoors. Wear a hat. Bring water. Old Alabama Town opens for tours during the festival.

July

🎉Independence Day Celebration at Riverfront Park

Dates vary yearly Riverfront Park
Free festival

Montgomery's official Fourth of July brings live music and a major fireworks display over the Alabama River. Families picnic on Riverfront Park lawns while waiting.

Tip: Arrive hours early for amphitheater hill spots. Downtown parking fills fast. Walk from nearby hotels instead.

🎭Shakespeare in the Park

Dates vary yearly Blount Cultural Park
Free cultural

A local theater company stages free outdoor Shakespeare in a relaxed park setting. Bring lawn chairs or blankets. The casual format welcomes all ages.

Tip: Shows begin at dusk. Pack insect repellent. Intermission donations support the free production.

August

🎭Montgomery Film Festival

Dates vary yearly Capri Theatre
Book Ahead cultural

This festival spotlights independent films, Southern filmmakers and regionally relevant stories. Screenings include Q&A sessions with directors and actors. The process opens up.

Tip: Festival passes deliver the best value for multiple films. Individual tickets release shortly before the event.

🎉Back to School Bash

Dates vary yearly Cramton Bowl Multiplex
Free festival

This large community event distributes free school supplies to children alongside family entertainment, health screenings, and information from local organizations. The new school year starts with celebration.

Tip: Supplies are limited. First come, first served. Arrive at the very start if you need them.

September

🎉Montgomery Pride Parade and Festival

Dates vary yearly Parade on downtown streets, festival at Riverfront Park
Free festival

This LGBTQ+ celebration has a colorful downtown parade followed by a park festival with live music, vendors, food trucks, and booths from supportive local organizations.

Tip: The parade route runs along Dexter Avenue. Festival grounds get sunny. Bring sunscreen. Pack a refillable water bottle.

🎭Alabama Shakespeare Festival Season Opening

Dates vary yearly Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Blount Cultural Park
Book Ahead cultural

The nationally well-known Alabama Shakespeare Festival opens its annual season of classic and contemporary plays. The theaters in Blount Cultural Park deliver excellent performances in Montgomery.

Tip: Subscriber packages save money over single tickets. Preview performances early in the run cost less.

🎵Hank Williams Birthday Commemoration

Dates vary yearly Oakwood Cemetery
Free music

Hank Williams fans meet at his Oakwood Cemetery gravesite for a morning memorial on his birthday. Musicians and admirers attend. They play his songs. The tribute stays simple and respectful.

Tip: The ceremony is brief. It happens in the morning. Remember this is an active cemetery. Visit the Hank Williams Museum downtown afterward.

October

🎉Montgomery Mullet Toss

Dates vary yearly Riverfront Park
festival

Participants throw a mullet fish for distance in this lighthearted competition. It celebrates the region's quirky side. Live music plays. Coastal food cooks. The casual atmosphere draws crowds.

Tip: Register early to compete in the toss. Wear clothes you won't mind getting fishy.

🛒Harvest Market at the Farm

Dates vary yearly Local farm in Pike Road area
market

This seasonal market operates at a local farm outside Montgomery. Pumpkins, fall decorations, produce, jams, and crafts fill the stalls. Hayrides and corn mazes attract families.

Tip: Late October weekends are busiest. Wear sturdy farm shoes. Bring cash for some vendors.

⚽Deep South Air Show

Dates vary yearly Montgomery Regional Airport
Free sports

Military and civilian pilots perform aerial stunts with precision. Static displays let visitors examine aircraft closely and meet pilots. Jet engines roar overhead.

Tip: Bring ear protection. Children need it most. Parking is off-site. Shuttle buses run. Allow extra travel time.

November

⚽Montgomery Marathon

Dates vary yearly Race starts and finishes downtown
Book Ahead sports

Regional runners compete in full marathon, half marathon, and 5K races through Montgomery streets. The course passes historic sites. Community support runs strong.

Tip: Road closures are extensive. Check the course map before driving across town on race morning. Best viewing is near the start/finish line or Old Cloverdale.

December

🎉Christmas Lighted Boat Parade

Dates vary yearly Alabama River, viewed from Riverfront Park
Free festival

Decorated boats cruise the Alabama River in a nighttime parade. Viewers line the Riverwalk to watch illuminated vessels pass. Caroling happens. Hot chocolate vendors sell warm drinks.

Tip: Dress warmly. Riverside weather gets cold. The upper Riverwalk Amphitheater offers excellent views above the crowd.

🎭Old Alabama Town Christmas Candlelight Tours

Dates vary yearly Old Alabama Town
Book Ahead cultural

Old Alabama Town's historic buildings wear holiday decorations for special evening tours. Guides in period dress demonstrate 19th-century Christmas traditions, music, and crafts by candlelight.

Tip: These tours sell out fast. Book early. The walking covers uneven historic paths. Wear proper shoes.

🎉New Year's Eve Moon Pie Drop

Dates vary yearly Downtown Montgomery, often at the RSA Tower
Free festival

Montgomery drops a giant electronic Moon Pie down a downtown building on New Year's Eve. Live music plays. Families welcome. The countdown happens at midnight.

Tip: Crowds gather here. For easier viewing, stand a block or two from the main staging area.

Tips for Attending Events

Practical advice to help you get the most out of local events and festivals.

1

July and August events get extremely hot and humid. Wear light, breathable clothing. Bring a hat. Carry water.

2

Downtown parking challenges visitors at Jubilee CityFest or July 4th fireworks. Try ride-share services. Use hotel shuttles if available. Or park early in a garage and walk.

3

Book Alabama Shakespeare Festival and Montgomery Symphony tickets early. Prime seating disappears fast.

4

Check official websites and social media for last-minute changes. Outdoor events may shift due to rain or extreme heat.

5

Free community festivals attract families and crowds. Watch your children closely. Pick a meeting point in case you separate.

6

Winter and early spring events escape summer heat. But nights turn cool. Layer your clothing. This helps at the Christmas boat parade or outdoor fall theater.

Event Categories

Browse events by type to find what interests you.

🎉
festival

Major community celebrations span multiple days. These large public gatherings mix entertainment, food, and activities.

🎭
cultural

Arts, theater, history, literature, and educational experiences fill these events. They reflect Montgomery's heritage and creative life.

⚽
sports

Athletic competitions, races, and spectator events happen here. Professional minor league games and community races both occur.

🛒
market

Local vendors sell produce, crafts, and goods at these seasonal or regular gatherings. Many operate in open-air settings.

🙏
religious

Faith traditions inspire these observances. Public festivals, services, and commemorations may occur.

🎵
music

Orchestral concerts, music festivals, and outdoor concert series bring live performances to audiences.

🍽️
food

Culinary experiences dominate these events. Specific cuisines, local specialties, and gatherings of multiple food vendors appear.

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