Are you in festival mode yet? April is a great time to enjoy outdoor events that offer arts, crafts, live music, children’s activities and more. Here are 10 festivals to satisfy your spring fever, all in the Birmingham area or within easy driving distance.
PATTON CREEK FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS
When: April 8 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m
Where: Patton Creek Shopping Center, 4445 Creekside Ave., Hoover.
What to expect: Works by more than 50 fine artists and craftsmen, plus music, food and hands-on activities. Presented by the Artists Guild of Central Alabama.
Admission: Free of charge.
More info: The Facebook page of the Art Festival.
MT LAUREL SPRING FESTIVAL
When: April 8, 10:00-15:00 (NOTE: This event was canceled due to heavy rain and other weather issues.)
Where: City of Mt Laurel, 5 Mt Laurel Ave., Birmingham.
What to expect: Craft Fair, Farmers Market, Live Music, Food Trucks, Inflatables, Kids Activities.
Admission: Free of charge.
More info: Mt Laurel website.
MONTEVALLO ARTS FEST
When: April 15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m
Where: Orr Park, 277 Park Drive, Montevallo.
What to expect: Artist booths, live music, food and activities for kids.
Admission: Free of charge.
More info: Facebook page of Arts fest.
JACKIE ROBINSON DAY STREET FESTIVAL
When: April 15, 11 a.m.-2 p.m
Where: Birmingham Negro League of the South Museum, 120 16th St. South, Birmingham.
What to expect: Meet and greets with major league players, monologue portraits of greats like Robinson and Satchel Paige, live music, food trucks, vendors, children’s activities and more.
Admission: Free of charge.
More info: Museum website.
FIDO FEST
When: April 15 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m
Where: The Summit Mall, 214 Summit Blvd., Birmingham. In the parking area near the AMC theater.
What to expect: Live music, vendors, food, craft beer, face painting, balloon twisting, photo booth, pet and people caricatures. Proceeds benefit the Greater Birmingham Humane Society.
Admission: Free, pets welcome.
More info: Fido Fest Facebook List and Summit Facebook Page.
GARDENDALE MAGNOLIA FESTIVAL
When: April 21, 5-10 p.m.; April 22 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m
Where: Gardendale Civic Center, 857 Main St., Gardendale.
What to expect: Midway carnival, 150 vendor booths, car show, puppy parade, two stages of entertainment and much more.
Admission: Free of charge.
More info: Magnolia Festival Facebook page.
HELENA UNITED FESTIVAL
When: April 22 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m
Where: Helena Amphitheater Park, 4151 Helena Road, Helena.
What to expect: Vendors, food trucks, live entertainment and children’s activities. Hosted by the Helena Diversity & Inclusion Board.
Admission: Free of charge.
More info: Diversity and Inclusion Board website.
MAGIC CITY ART CONNECTION
When: April 28-30. Festival opening hours 12:00-18:00 Friday, 10:00-18:00 Saturday, 10:00-17:00 Sunday.
Where: Sloss Furnaces, 20 32nd St. North, Birmingham.
What to expect: Works by artists and artisans, workshops for children, music and dance performances, sculptural installations, food trucks, taps and chefs: Taste of Birmingham and much more. (Corks & Chefs open from 12:00pm to 3:00pm Saturday and Sunday.)
Admission: Three-day tickets this year only, $13 in advance, $15 at the door; free for those age 15 and younger. Corks & Chefs tickets $50 in advance, includes festival admission and more.
More info: Art Connection website.
GRAND RIVERFEST
When: April 29 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m
Where: Grand River Outlet Stores, Front Parking Lot, 6200 Grand River Blvd. East, Leeds.
What to expect: Arts and crafts vendors, face painting, balloon art, bounce houses, photos with characters like Spider-Man, Rapunzel and Tinkerbell.
Admission: Free of charge.
More info: Outlet Shops at Grand River website.
BOB SYKS BARBECUE AND BLUES FESTIVAL
When: April 29, 12:00-8:00 p.m. Gates open at 11:00 a.m.
Where: DeBardeleben Park, 1623 Second Ave. North, Bessemer.
What to expect: Live music, BBQ, drinks, family activities. The lineup includes Kat Riggins, Jose Ramirez, Gemini Dragon, Big Al & the Heavyweights, Dynasty and more.
Admission: $20 in advance, $25 the day of the festival.
More info: Bob Sykes’ website.