W.C. Handy Music Festival
A ten-day series of primarily music events occurring in and around the Shoals which honors William Christopher “W.C.” Handy and the musical legacy of the “Hit Recording Capital of the World.” The talented musicians of the Muscle Shoals are among the very best. Come and experience the sound for yourself.
When:
July 16- 26, 2025
Where:
in and around the Shoals
The Festival features tons of free concerts and live music; here’s a sample of some of the most kid-friendly events offered:
Wednesday, July 16
Handy On The Plaza – National Hot Dog Day
Starts: 6:00 PM | Ends: 10:00 PM
Location: Mobile Plaza, Florence, AL
Join us on Mobile Plaza for local bands, wiener dog races, a hot dog eating contest, a dunking booth, prize raffles, and so much more! Don’t miss the fun!
Featuring: Local Brand, Weston Harris Hill, DJ Pedialyte
Thursday, July 17
Handy On The Plaza – Thursday Night Downtown Florence Celebration
Starts: 5:30 PM | Ends: 10:00 PM
Location: Mobile Plaza, Florence, AL
Come and hang out in downtown Florence! Free! Rain or Shine.
Featuring: Ghost River Revival, Lucie Tiger, North Mississippi Allstars
Friday, July 18
Jazz It Up With Your Trash – Sheffield Public Library
Starts: 10:00 AM
Location: Sheffield Public Library, 316 N. Montgomery Ave., Sheffield, AL
Bring the kids of all ages and join the Microwave Dave Band! Bring your own recyclable plastic bottle or can, shoebox, or coffee can to make musical instruments and play with Microwave Dave’s impromptu band! For ages 3 and older.
Featuring: Microwave Dave
Luther Jarmon’s Line Dancing Friday Class!
Starts: 11:00 AM
Location: Michael Community Center, 1001 SE 17th St., Sheffield, AL
Put YOUR boots on the ground with Luther Jarmon, Jr., choreographer and instructor from Birmingham, Alabama. Bring the family for fun exercise, with healthy snacks and water provided by Joyous Line Dancers. And kids who have swimwear and towels can play on the slip and slide in the playground area provided by Double D Entertainment!
Saturday, July 19
DaDooRunRun – 5K and 1 Mile For Fun Run
Starts: 6:00 AM
Location: W.C. Handy Home & Museum, 620 W. College St., Florence, AL
The DaDooRunRun is back!!! 5K and 1 mile Fun Run with awards, door prizes, and special Handy shirts for participants. Race Day Registration begins at 6:00 a.m. 5K Run is at 7:00 am, and 1 Mile Fun Run (or Walk!) is at 8:00 a.m. Advance Registration for the 5K Run is $20, and for the Walk is $15.
Featuring: Florence High School Jazz Band
W.C. Handy Festival Shoals Car & Truck Show
Starts: 8:00 AM | Ends: 2:00 PM
Location: McFarland Park – Florence Harbor, 1050 Clayborn Liles Dr., Florence, AL
This event will again be in McFarland Park!!!
Luther Jarmon’s Saturday Line Dancing Class!
Starts: 11:00 AM
Location: Michael Community Center, 1001 SE 17th St., Sheffield, AL
If you missed the chance to do it Friday, or even if you did let’s do it again, let’s put YOUR boots on the ground with Luther Jarmon, Jr., choreographer and instructor from Birmingham, Alabama. Bring the family for fun exercise, with healthy snacks and water. And kids who have swimwear and towels can play on the slip and slide in the playground area!
Monday, July 21
Jazz It Up With Your Trash – Florence Library
Starts: 10:00 AM
Location: Florence-Lauderdale Public Library, 350 N. Wood Ave., Florence, AL
Bring your own recyclable plastic bottle or can, shoebox, or coffee can to make musical instruments and play with Microwave Dave’s impromptu band! For ages 3 and over, but everyone will enjoy this!
Featuring: Microwave Dave
Check Out the Blues
Starts: 4:00 PM | Ends: 6:00 PM
Location: Florence-Lauderdale Public Library, 350 N. Wood Ave., Florence, AL
Free to enjoy the music. Fun games for small kids! Come early to find books by your favorite authors.
Featuring: Jazz Allstars
Tuesday, July 22
Kidz Jamm
Starts: 10:00 AM
Location: Grace Episcopal Church, 103 Darby Avenue, Sheffield, AL
Featuring: Shoals Area piano students with bassist Terry Richardson and drummer Quinn Stanphill.
Jazz It Up With Your Trash – Rogersville Library
Starts: 10:30 AM
Location: Rogersville Public Library, 74 Bank St., Rogersville, AL
Bring your own recyclable plastic bottle or can, shoebox, or coffee can and make musical instruments to play with Microwave Dave’s impromptu band! For ages 3 and older.
Featuring: Microwave Dave
ABCs of Blues & Jazz with the Jazz Allstars!
Starts: 1:30 PM
Location: Mt. Moriah P.B. Church, 818 West Irvine St., Florence, AL
For children of all ages – the young, and the young at heart! Come and learn how instruments work together to make beautiful music with the one and only Handy Jazz Allstars! You’ll see and hear the trumpet, the vibes, the guitar, the bass and more!
Featuring: Jazz Allstars
Wednesday, July 23
Jazz It Up With Trash – Helen Keller Library
Starts: 11:00 AM | Ends: 1:00 PM
Location: Helen Keller Library, 511 North Main St., Tuscumbia, AL
Bring your own recyclable plastic bottle or can, shoebox, or coffee can to make musical instruments and play with Microwave Dave’s impromptu band. For ages 3 to 103 and older.
Featuring: Microwave Dave
Thursday, July 24
Jazz It Up With Your Trash – Muscle Shoals Public Library
Starts: 10:30 AM
Location: Muscle Shoals Public Library, 1918 Avalon Ave., Muscle Shoals, AL
Bring your own recyclable plastic bottle or can, shoebox, or coffee can to make musical instruments and play with Microwave Dave’s impromptu band! Designed for ages 3 and up.
Featuring: Microwave Dave
Friday, July 25
Jazz At The Cove
Starts: 4:00 PM | Ends: 6:00 PM
Location: Cypress Cove, 200 Alabama Ave., Muscle Shoals, AL
Fun for the entire family. Bring your lawn chairs, Food trucks on site!
Featuring: Ariella, Jazz Allstars
Riverside Jamz
Starts: 6:30 PM
Location: McFarland Park – Florence Harbor, 1050 Clayborn Liles Dr., Florence, AL
Riverside Jamz offers the widest variety of musicians performing on one stage including: Cadence Baker, Shelly Williams Band, Deja Vu, the Jazz Allstars, and The Shoal Nuff Band! And, thanks to R&B Services, there will again be free hot air balloon rides starting at 7 p.m. until they run out of fuel! Float along with Mike Hanson, commercial balloon pilot with 35 years of experience with his balloon and basket. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. Delicious food from vendors on site!
Featuring: Cadence Baker, Deja Vu, Jazz Allstars, Saxman Shelly Williams, The Shoal Nuff Band
For additional information or to see the full 10-day schedule:
Visit the W.C. Handy Music Festival.
