Montgomery Events, Things to Do and Festivals 2014 / 2015

(Montgomery, Alabama - AL, USA)

The events scene here in Montgomery is surprisingly comprehensive and most months feature more than a few choices. Starting the year is the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, which takes place at the Carolyn Blount Theater and is followed by the Mardi Gras Parade in nearby Prattville.

Visitors arrive in their thousands during the middle of March, ready to watch the cowboy themed shows at the Southeastern Livestock Exposition and Rodeo at the Garrett Coliseum. First held way back in the late 1950s, the SLE Rodeo features all of the traditional events and shows that you would expect, such as calf roping, bull riding, steer wrestling and barrel racing, amongst many others.

As the year progresses and the weather warms up, open-air music events and gatherings start to draw crowds to local parks around Montgomery, such as the Wynton M. Blount Cultural Park. Held towards the end of May, the Riverbend Brewfest and River Jam is especially notable, being staged at the Riverfront Park.

In August, the Dragonboat Race and Festival is another highlight at the Riverfront Park, while the Buckmasters Expo is to be found taking place at the Montgomery Convention Center. Families looking for things to do towards the end of the summer will enjoy the Broadway Under The Stars performances in September, along with the Alabama National Fair the following month.

Montgomery Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015

January

• Alabama Shakespeare Festival - held at the Carolyn Blount Theater, with performances of Shakespearean and classical plays staged throughout the year.
• Mardi Gras Parade - held in late January, in Prattville, within 30 minutes drive of Montgomery. Spectators enjoy a carnival atmosphere whilst watching decorated floats crawl through the downtown district.

February

• Jewish Food Festival - held at the Temple Beth Or, visitors to the food fest will have the chance to experience a variety of Jewish cuisine, including potato latkes (pancakes), quajado (cheese, egg and vegetable casserole), stuffed cabbage, challah (braided bread) and much more.
• George Washington and Thomas Jefferson Birthdays - third Monday in February, a public holiday remembering the lives of these two former presidents. Washington's birthday is on February 22nd, while Jefferson's birthday is actually not until April 13th, although it is included in this holiday throughout Alabama.

March

• SLE Rodeo (Southeastern Livestock Exposition and Rodeo) - held at the Garrett Coliseum in mid-March, with livestock exhibits, a horse show and rodeo competitions.

April

• Alabama Book Festival - established in 2006, this literary event includes talks and readings from authors and publishers, as well as exhibitors and vendors, and an activity area for children.

May

• Southern Makers - early May, a craft-based festival centered around art, farming, food, literature and textiles, with workshops, talks, tastings and demonstrations.
• Montgomery Quidditch Tournament and Festival - early May, at the Blount Cultural Park. Spectators can watch teams play an interpretation of a Quidditch tournament, the fictional game created by J. K. Rowling in her Harry Potter books. There is also the chance to visit vendors on 'Diagon Alley'.
• Flimp Festival - a celebration of art at the Museum of Fine Arts. Activities include chalk art, professional artists in action, a treasure hunt, interactive music circles and much more.
• Riverbend Brewfest and River Jam - mid-May, at the Riverfront Park and Riverwalk Amphitheater. The Brewfest is a chance for visitors to taste speciality ales and beers during the afternoon, followed by an evening cruise and a free staged music event with local and regional performers.

June

• Jefferson Davis Day - first Monday in June, a public holiday in Alabama to commemorate the life of Jefferson Finis Davis, who was born on June 3rd 1808 and famously held the position of the only President of the Confederate States of America (between the years 1861 to 1865).

July

• Independence Day - July 4th, lots of celebrations on this national American holiday, including a family picnic on the banks of the Alabama River and evening fireworks.

August

• Dragonboat Race and Festival - held at the Riverfront Park and established in 2010. This fundraising event sees around 70 teams competing, watched by approximately 10,000 spectators.
• Buckmasters Expo - held at the Montgomery Convention Center, this expo is for lovers of hunting, with highlights including a sale of hunting merchandise and the Buckmasters Top Bow Indoor World Championship.

September

• Ballet and the Beasts - held at the Montgomery Zoo and the Mann Wildlife Learning Museum. This is a free annual open-air performance by the Montgomery Ballet Company.
• Broadway Under The Stars - an outdoor event held in front of the Alabama Shakespeare Festival theater. Free performances of show tunes are played by the Montgomery Symphony whilst families picnic.
• Zoobilation - held at the Montgomery Zoo and the Mann Wildlife Learning Museum. Zoobilation is an adult-only annual fundraiser auction with dancing and live music.

October

• Alabama National Fair - a ten-day event featuring concerts, rides and entertainment.
• Zombie Walk and Prom - attendees dress as zombies and lurch their way around downtown Montgomery before dancing the night away. This is a fundraiser for the Montgomery Area Food Bank.
• Riverwalk Wine Festival - mid-October, over 100 wineries are represented at this wine fest that includes live music and a wine cruise on the Alabama River.
• ZooBoo - a family friendly celebration of Halloween, with a Haunted Hay Ride and the Pumpkin Pull wagon ride.

November

• Thanksgiving Day - late November, this day has been a national holiday all over America since 1863. Families typically get together around the dinner table, enjoying a sumptuous turkey banquet and then an afternoon of each other's company, perhaps watching the New York Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade on television.

December

• Governor's Mansion Christmas Open House Tours - early December, a chance for visitors to see this glorious mansion bedecked for the Christmas season.
• Montgomery Zoo's Christmas Lights Festival - visitors enjoy the zoological gardens decorated and festooned with seasonal lights.