Y’all… It’s Festival Season
Throwback photo of Franklin’s Main Street Festival, circa 2011
It’s officially spring and you know what that means… mark your calendars because festival season is upon us. Whether it’s Mule Day in Columbia, Main Street Festival in Franklin or Strawberry Fest down in Cullman, and everything in between, there’s truly something for everyone. No matter where you choose to go, it’s time to get out and enjoy all that our communities have to offer.
If you love the sound of a classic record spinning on an old Wurlitzer, then Record Store Day needs to be on your list. This nationwide celebration of all things vinyl is happening April 18, 2026, and there’s no better place to experience it than Variety Records & Entertainment in downtown Columbia. Expect exclusive releases, live performances and a whole lot of music lovers in one place. And trust me… don’t skip the bargain bin.
Art lovers, this one’s for you. The 4 Bridges Arts Festival returns to Chattanooga April 18–19, bringing in over 140 artists from across the country. It’s one of the top-ranked fine art festivals in the nation, and once you walk through it, you’ll understand why. From paintings and sculpture to jewelry and mixed media, it’s the kind of place where you find something you didn’t even know you needed. If you’re feeling fancy, the Preview Party on Friday night is a great way to kick things off.
Now let’s talk about one of the biggest weekends of the season along the I-65 corridor… it’s basically an event-a-thon.
Up in Nashville, the Music City Food & Wine Festival takes over April 24–26 at Centennial Park, with the fun actually starting earlier in the week thanks to their Intimate Dinner Series. Think chef collaborations, one-night-only menus and some seriously good pairings.
Our sister restaurant Deacon's New South is hosting an Intimate Dinner on Thursday, April 23 as part of that series, and it’s going to be something special. If you love a thoughtfully curated, chef-driven experience, this is your moment. You can learn more and grab your seat right here.
Then on Friday, don’t miss the Southern Fried Hootenanny, one of the festival’s signature events. Great food, live music, craft cocktails and yes… Puckett’s will be there serving up Shrimp & Grits.
Head just a little south and you’ve got the Main Street Festival in historic downtown Franklin, happening April 25–26. Now in its 42nd year, this one is a staple. Over 200 vendors, tons of food, live entertainment and more people than you thought could fit on Main Street. Locals love it and people come from all over for it.
Keep heading south and you’ll land in Cullman for the Alabama Strawberry Festival, one of the state’s longest-running traditions. It’s free, it’s packed with vendors, live music and family fun and yes… strawberries everywhere. This year’s lineup is stacked, featuring Ernest on the main stage Friday night and y’all… I’ve seen him at the Ryman and LOVED his performance. If you’re into traditional country music like I am, you will absolutely love him. He puts on such a great show. The full lineup is strong, (hey Puckett’s alum, Greylan James, we see you!) and did I mention it’s FREE?!
Whew… what a weekend, y’all. I don’t know how I’m going to split my time, but I know it’s going to be a blast no matter how I slice it.
But don’t think we’re done… we’re rolling right into May.
The Hendersonville Arts Festival takes over Sanders Ferry Park May 9–10, bringing together artists from across the country along with food vendors, live music and plenty for the kids. It’s one of those easy, stroll-around kind of weekends that just feels good.
Then on May 16, head to Murfreesboro for Gallagher Fest. Now this one? This is my kind of day. Bluegrass is my absolute favorite, and this festival leans all the way in. Live music, flat-picking contests, workshops and that toe-tapping energy that just makes you want to stay all day.
And new for 2026, Summer Fest kicks off May 28–30 in Pigeon Forge. It’s a big indoor-outdoor event at the LeConte Center with hundreds of vendors, food trucks, family activities and plenty of ways to start your summer off right.
And of course, we can’t forget Mule Day. Columbia showed out this year for the 52nd annual celebration on April 9–11, and if you missed it, go ahead and circle April 1–3, 2027 on your calendar now. It’s one of those traditions that just gets better every year… THE parade, crafts, music, food and yes, plenty of mules.
So… where are you headed first? Honestly, I’m still trying to figure out how to be in three places at once. No matter where you land, you really can’t go wrong this time of year. Good music, good art, good food and good people… that’s kind of the whole point, right?
Wanna see some other festivals happening across our communities? Check out tnvacation.com and visitcullman.com for more!
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Written by: Amy Whidby
Creative Director, A. Marshall Hospitality
Amy has been part of the AMH family since 2004, when she first came on board as a freelance designer. When she’s not bringing our brands to life, she’s likely playing with her golden retrievers or planning her next camping trip with her husband, Joe.