events - Visit Tuscaloosa

Every year, spring arrives in Tuscaloosa already in full swing, calling everyone outside to shake off our winter somber and awaken the spirit of the Druid City. Filled with festivals and races, good times and good food, spring kicks off the high energy bonanza Tuscaloosa is known for.

There’s always plenty to enjoy with a lively downtown and lake activities galore, but if you’re looking for something extra to take part in, here’s some of what’s on our calendar for Spring 2024.

March 23

Lace up your shoes, or boots, and take on the challenge of two of the area’s best known races. If you’re really a glutton for punishment, test your mettle at both. There’s still time to register for each of the races!

The Visit Tuscaloosa Half Marathon starts at 7:00 a.m. and takes a beautiful jaunt from downtown, along the river and around The University of Alabama campus before finishing at the starting point.

If obstacles and challenges are more your speed, get ready for the mud at Tuscaloosa Gauntlet! On your own or with a team, and with divisions for all ages, this is a race that will have you yelling for more… or your mom.

April 5 & 6

The Druid City Arts Festival is back for its fifteenth year, and it just keeps growing better. Stroll the artists’ booths to the rhythm of live music performances, take in demonstrations, sample the food trucks or maybe make some of your own art. This is a free family affair with a kid zone to introduce your budding artist to different mediums in a fun, easygoing weekend. DCAF is also a great way to whet your appetite for the Kentuck Festival of the Arts coming this fall. Don’t miss it!

April 7

Join the West Alabama Multicultural Alliance at the River Market for WAMA Fest, the Tuscaloosa Heritage Festival, on Sunday, April 7. This fun event celebrates the many different cultures that make West Alabama home, drawing our roots together to share and enjoy what makes each culture unique. Entertainment, food and fun are promised for this afternoon as well as door prizes and scavenger hunts!

April 13

For the first time since 2007, Crimson Tide fans will descend on the A-Day Spring Football Game to watch someone other than Nick Saban lead the team. With plenty of interest and intrigue surrounding the spring debut of new head coach Kalen DeBoer, expect fan energy to be high around campus and throughout the city for this free, non-ticketed exhibition and surrounding activities.

April 18

West Alabama’s premiere chocolate-tasting event invites you to an evening of decadence, all in the name of service! Death by Chocolate attendees will have the chance to sample and judge unique chocolate creations, all while supporting Family Counseling Service Tuscaloosa.

April 21

The 2024 West Alabama Food and Wine Festival is a guaranteed crowd pleaser, with more than 30 local restaurants and beverage vendors available to sample their wares. Held in downtown Northport, it’s sure to be a beautiful Southern evening of enchanting company, tantalizing amuse-bouches and free-flowing spirits, bottled or otherwise. Be sure to place your bet on a bottle at the Wine Wall, and join us for our favorite way to raise funds for local nonprofits.

April 27

If you were born to run, Tuscaloosa is the city for you! The Tuscaloosa Mayor’s Cup 5K for Pre-K is open for registration to runners and walkers. This highly attended race raises awareness and funds for local at-risk preschoolers through the Tuscaloosa Pre-K Initiative. It’s a great way to support a local need while adding to your medal wall and try your best to beat Mayor Walt Maddox to the finish line.

As always, make the most of your visit by booking your stay now with one of our many local hotels and enjoy all that Tuscaloosa has to offer in the bloom of spring.

Thank you to our partners at Townsend Nissan and Townsend Honda for sponsoring this content!

The T-Town Edition

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in and around the Tuscaloosa and Northport area! While we had one of the most beautiful fall seasons, the leaves have now fallen and there’s a slight chill in the air. We now turn to some of our most beloved holiday events of the year. In this edition, we’ll share a few of our favorite festivities, so get your scarves, grab your friends and family, and get ready to have a magnificent time!

Tuscaloosa Tinsel Trail
benefiting Tuscaloosa’s One Place

Beloved by all, the Tuscaloosa Tinsel Trail has become a hallmark of the holiday season in West Alabama. Nearly 200 festive trees, combined with the ice skating rink at Government Plaza, allow anyone who visits the opportunity to create traditions that make you feel right at home. Feel the joy of the holiday spirit and select your favorite trees as you stroll through Government Plaza. The Tinsel Trail runs through January 17th.

Check out all of the fun activities taking place along the trail and learn more here!

Location: Government Plaza – 2106 6th St, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Parking: Free parking is available on-site in the City’s parking deck.

Holidays on the Plaza
ice skating fun and more

Skate the night away and cherish this delightful cold weather with your friends and family in style. Whether it’s your first-time skating or you’re a seasoned professional, you’re bound to have a blast out on the ice as you overlook the Tinsel Trail – all located within Government Plaza. We are so thankful that the City of Tuscaloosa hosts this for all to enjoy this time of year!

For more information, hours, and tickets, click here.
Tip: Don’t forget to bring socks for the skates that are provided.

Location: Government Plaza – 2106 6th St, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Parking: Free parking is available on-site in the City’s parking deck.

45th Annual West Alabama Christmas Parade
super heroes celebrating Christmas

The 45th annual West Alabama Christmas Parade is happening at 6:30 pm on Monday, December 6th. This parade, put on each year by the Tuscaloosa County Park and Recreation Authority, is one of the biggest Christmas parades in the state! Get bundled up and prepare for an amazing parade through Downtown Tuscaloosa. This year’s grand marshals include Jheovanny Gomez, Nancie Blewitt, and Pam Parker.

A tree lighting ceremony will take place on the steps of the Tuscaloosa County Courthouse prior to the parade at 5:15 pm.

To get all the details, visit their website here!
To view the parade map, click here.

Dickens Downton
a victorian Christmas celebration in historic downtown Northport

Dickens Downtown is hosted by the Merchants of Historic Downtown Northport, and it is a FREE family event celebrating the Christmas spirit and the joy of giving. At 5 pm on December 7th, attendees can expect live caroling performances, Father Christmas, snow machines, a tree lighting, and live artist demonstrations. In addition, excerpts of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens will be read at Shirley Place and hundreds of people will be dressed in Victorian-era costumes inspired by the popular novel.

For more information about Dickens Downtown, check this out!
Location: Main Avenue in Historic Downtown Northport

Hotel Capstone’s Jingle Bar
a hotel bar filled with the Christmas Spirit

Get toasty with the elves at Hotel Capstone. Join them for a SELFIE-worthy explosion of Christmas decor, elf-approved holiday cocktails, and magical moments with friends! Book your office party or just grab a group of loved ones for a festive evening of holiday cheer! This will be open until January 2!

For more information visit here.

Check Out These Additional Events!

– Dec. 5 at 3 pm: Tinsel Trail Pet Night
– Dec. 10 at 6 pm: Tinsel Trail Family Night
– Dec. 10 at 7 pm: Alabama Choir School Winter Concert, Moody Music Bldg. Purchase tickets here.
– Dec. 12 at 2 and 6:30 pm: The Nutcracker, presented by the Tuscaloosa Community Dancers at
the Bama Theatre
– Dec. 13 at 7 pm: Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra Annual Holiday Concert, UA School of Music.
Purchase tickets here!
– Dec. 16 at 6 pm: Movie by Moonlight Drive-In, supporting DCH Foundation. Learn more here.

Tuscaloosa welcomes a variety of events this weekend. From now through Friday, May 31^st, the Alabama Blues Project Art Exhibit features works by local artists at the Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center. County music fans will have something to really be excited about this Friday as Kenny Chesney’s Songs for the Saints Tour comes to the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater. The show starts at 7:00 p.m. Saturday begins at the Childrens Hands On Museum celebrating S.S. CHOM-Parker Towing Family Day from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. followed by the Druid City Dames roller derby bout at 5:30 p.m. at Super Skate. Saturday’s events wind up with Carson Carlisle performing at Rhythm and Brews.

Alabama Blues Project Art Exhibit

The Alabama Blues Project Exhibit runs May 22-31, at the Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. It features paintings, jewelry, and crafts donated from local artists including Emily Pickert, Mojo Fabrics & Quilts, Bruce Andrews, and Kim Deals. All items are for sale, with the proceeds benefiting the Alabama Blues Project, a nonprofit organization aimed at promoting and preserving the Blues as a traditional art form with focus on Alabama’s musicians. Click here for more information, https://cac.tuscarts.org/

Kenny Chesney: Songs for the Saints Tour

Kenny Chesney is unarguably one of the top country music singers in the country. The winner of six Academy of Country Music Awards and eight Entertainer of the Year Awards brings world-class entertainment to Tuscaloosa’s Amphitheater, Friday, May 24, at 7:00 p.m. Chesney is a well-established country singer known for large-scale shows, playing in huge arenas to over a million people each tour. The 2019 tour takes a different route as it strives to bring more intimacy to the fans. Chesney wants this tour to have an “at-home-in-the backyard” kind of feeling. Tickets are still available at Ticketmaster.

S.S. CHOM Parker Towing Family Day

CHOM is the hands-on museum of Tuscaloosa, which allows kids to touch and feel moments from our history. It is a unique experience that kids will remember and enjoy. CHOM welcomes children of all ages Saturday, May 25, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and will offer half price admission for the first 75 guests. CHOM invites you to try your hand at towboat duties, race balloon boats, trace the river highways of Alabama, and pilot The “Captain Tim Parker” towboat! Click here for more information http://www.chomonline.org/

Druid City Dames v. Tragic City Rollers Allstars

Druid City Dames Roller Derby is having a home bout at Super Skate. They invite you to come support Tuscaloosa’s very own roller derby team as they take on the Tragic City Rollers All-Stars, Saturday, May 25, at 5:30 p.m. Druid City Dames roller derby is an all-girls team with the aim of getting fit and building strong relationships while competing for one goal. Roller derby is one of America’s top growing sports and is booming here in Alabama with our local squad. For more information visit http://www.druidcitydames.com/

Carson Carlisle

Carson Carlisle and his band are taking the town’s music scene by storm. Carson and company perform country and southern rock for fans in over 50 shows per year. A Tuscaloosa native and student at UA, he and his band and will bring their sound to Rhythm and Brews, Saturday, May 25. The show starts at 9:00 p.m.

In the Near Future

2019 Live at the Plaza

The fifth annual Live At The Plaza summer concert series is back for 2019! Live At The Plaza will offer free concerts every Friday night throughout June and July, featuring local bands as well as bigger name artists! The first concert is June 7, 6:00 p.m. to 9 p.m., at Government Plaza. For more information, and a list of artists, please visit the event page at https://visittuscaloosa.xyz/events/

As the weekend approaches, we say goodbye to the month of May and hello to June. Fortunately for our community, this weekend is packed with exciting events to start the month out right. From live music, crawfish boils, and art walks, we’ve got it all covered. We love summer because it provides the freedom to enjoy time spent with friends and loved ones. This weekend in Tuscaloosa is full of opportunity for you to do so.

Live at the Plaza
What a wonderful way to spend a summer evening! Every Friday night in June and July, Government Plaza will host live music by the best performers and bands in our area. The first concert of the summer will be this Friday, June 1st, from 6-9 pm featuring the John Wilson Band. The event is free and will be accompanied by various food truck and vendors. Bring a picnic blanket or lawn chair, gather up your friends and family and head out to the plaza for an evening of live entertainment. Oh, and don’t forget to bring your pets!

First Friday
For all of the art lovers out there, this event is just for you. “First Friday” is held on the first Friday of each month in downtown Tuscaloosa. Local art galleries, businesses, and restaurants are open in the evening for the community to enjoy. You can hop from gallery to gallery, stop for a bite to eat, and enjoy the nightlife that Tuscaloosa has to offer. First Friday not only showcases the work of professional artists but of local and regional artists as well. This is a way for Tuscaloosa locals to come together and enjoy a night of art and community. The event will begin the evening of Friday, June 1st.

The Little Mermaid
The beloved story of The Little Mermaid will be sweeping the stage this weekend in Tuscaloosa. The Actor’s Charitable Theatre (ACT) will be putting on the production this weekend at The Bama Theatre. ACT is known for their exceptional quality of performances, and their newest production will be no exception. Come see Ariel and her friends this weekend June 1-4. The performance times are as follows: Friday, June 1st at 7:30, Saturday, June 2nd at 2:00 and 7:30, Sunday, June 3rd at 2:00 and 7:30, and Monday, June 4th at 7:30.

Low Country Boil
The Bama Belle is a riverboat attraction that has been operating in Tuscaloosa since 2001. The Bama Belle hosts a series of events for the community- just last week was the Bama Belle BBQ cruise. This weekend, The Bama Belle is hosting the Low Country Boil. While you eat, you’ll get to enjoy live music and a scenic cruise down the river. Make reservations at www.bamabelle.org for the Low Country Boil on Friday, June 1st from 7:00PM-9:30PM for $35.

Women of Color Art Exhibit
This Friday will mark the opening of the “Women of Color” exhibit by local artist LaShonda Scott Robinson at the Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center. The exhibit will display Robinson’s work in watercolor on paper. As a self-taught artist, all of Robinson’s work is inspired by personal experience. Robinson’s work has been displayed in art galleries all over the world, from Switzerland to New York City. Additionally, a reception honoring Robinson will take place on June 1 from 5-8 pm during the First Friday art walk.

The Alabama football team may be headed to New Orleans, but there is a lot going on in Tuscaloosa this New Year’s weekend. Both Alabama basketball teams begin conference play in Coleman Coliseum against ranked foes, and Holidays on the River gives you a chance to experience Tuscaloosa’s winter wonderland with ice skating and more. Don’t forget to tag @VisitTuscaloosa on Instagram when you post your holiday adventures around Tuscaloosa. We may use your photo and give you a shoutout!

It’s going to be another perfect winter weekend for ice skating and fun at Holidays on the River. If you haven’t tried ice skating before then now is your chance to experience something new and different. The rink will be open from 2 pm -10 pm on Friday and 11 am – 9 pm on Saturday. There will also be a New Year’s Eve celebration on Sunday. Buy your tickets at now at http://www.holidaysontheriver.com/

After an 8-4 start against non-conference opponents, the Alabama men’s basketball team begins SEC play Saturday with a visit from the #5 Texas A&M. The Aggies come into Tuscaloosa with an 11-1 record and looking like the team to beat in the SEC. An Alabama win would be huge for the program and the season, as the Tide have struggled toward the end of their non-conference schedule. This is one of the biggest games in Coleman in a long time. The atmosphere will be electric with the Tide’s 5-star talent trying to knock off a top 5 opponent. You won’t want to miss this one! Get tickets now at RollTide.com for this 5 pm tipoff.

New Year’s Eve is all about fun, and the Children’s Hands-On Museum wants to make sure kids get the full, festive experience. From 10 am – 12 pm on Saturday the 30th CHOM will host the New Year’s Eve for Kids and will pull out all the stops to make sure kids ring in the new year right. This includes hats, horns, tiaras, a balloon drop at 11 am, and a New Year’s toast. Go to CHOMOnline.org for more information, and Happy New Year!

The men’s basketball squad isn’t the only team entering SEC play this weekend. The women’s team will continue their special season against #16 Missouri on Sunday at 2 pm. Alabama is on a five-game winning streak and has posted a 9-3 record on the season thus far. They are a perfect 7-0 at home, so maybe that home cooking will help knock off the 12-1 Tigers. Come be a part of what could be a statement win of the 2017 season. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at RollTide.com.

We have tons more going on so check out our great upcoming events at visittuscaloosa.xyz/events, and follow us on our social media pages (@visittuscaloosa) for more announcements.

There have been great events in Tuscaloosa all summer long and this weekend is no different! Start your weekend off this Friday with a title fight! After a great event earlier this year, Skyy Promotions Inc. Pro boxing will be at the Belk Center Friday night starting at 7 PM. Deon Nicholson, Thomas Knox, and Robert Alfonso with other local talent will continue their climb in the pro ranks. The tickets start at $25 and the last event was packed! This will be a can’t miss event!

Kick off your Saturday at the Tuscaloosa Farmer’s Market! Vendors set up ripe red tomatoes and famous Chilton County peaches. Musicians sit propped up against the door, playing guitars as you walk in, and freshly brewed iced tea is for sale to help battle the heat. Additionally, local Food Trucks, bakers, artists, and craftsmen gather here to sell their gourmet grub, fresh-baked yeast rolls, homemade jams and jellies and hand-carved cutting boards. Popular summer foods include tomatoes, Chilton County peaches, squash, corn, and local honey. The market opens at 7 am and lasts until noon!

Take your kids out for a good time at the Children’s Hands-On Museum. The Super Mario Blowout will include games, arts & crafts, and prizes! Be sure to come dressed as your favorite Nintendo character! With three floors of fun, CHOM is packed with 25 fun exhibits that teach children about different topics! Children all the way through age 13 will enjoy spending time playing in all of the exhibits and when they say “hands-on” they really mean it!

Finish off your Saturday at Midtown as they present Disney’s “Moana” this Saturday at 8 pm. Their Screen on the Green, Midtown Village’s Free Summer Movie Series, always brings in a big crowd to enjoy a movie on the big screen! Movies are shown on The Green by the Children’s Play Area at Midtown Village. Bring the kids, your lawn chairs, blankets and enjoy movies under the stars!

We have tons more going on so check out our great upcoming events, and follow us on our social media pages (@visittuscaloosa) for more announcements and events. Tell your friends and we can’t wait to see you around the One and Only Tuscaloosa!

There’s another great weekend coming up in the One and Only Tuscaloosa! Kick off your weekend tonight with the 4^th Annual Pizza Pie Eating Contest at Heat Pizza Bar! This event is hosted by United Way Young Leader’s Society and after the contest pizza and cocktails will be served! All for a good cause and all in good fun, the person who eats their pizza the fastest wins! One twist is that contestants won’t be able to use their hands! This is sure to be a blast this year as fierce competitors battle it out for the title!

This event keeps making it into our top 5 because it never disappoints! Live at the Plaza will be featuring Plato Jones! The band is a Tuscaloosa staple that you can’t miss! Since their debut in January 2005, the band has played over 600 shows in Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida! The band themselves would call themselves a high energy jam band if they had to put a name to the style they play. This Friday you can expect Government Plaza to be filled with the sounds of Funk, Southern and Classic Rock, as well as a few others!

Music continues on into Saturday as Band of Brothers Brewing Company plays host to Soul Tide, another great Tuscaloosa band! Rick Henson, the band’s founder, decided to start his own group after years of experience with other bands. If you see them just once, you’ll know that they are truly an R&B, Funk, and Soul melting pot with each member of the band adding uniquely to this style! With great beer and great tunes, this is definitely a good mix for a fun night!

Finally, finish off your weekend at the Bama Theater! This weekend you can catch a screening of “Camp Nichols”! A fun and touching film about summer camp, friendship, and second chances! For $2 you can catch the screening as well as a Q&A session after with some of the cast and crew! With only one screening so far in Los Angeles, Tuscaloosa gets the unique opportunity of a first look at what seems to be an incredible project!