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 15- 25, 2026
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 15, 2026
Handy On The Plaza – National Hot Dog Day
Starts: 5:30 p.m. | Ends: 10:30 p.m.
Location: Mobile Plaza, Florence, AL
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: DJ Pedialyte • Weston Harris Hill • Bold Bloom
Free
Thursday, July 16, 2026
Starts: 5:00 p.m. | Ends: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Sheffield Public Library, 316 N Montgomery Ave, Sheffield, AL
Featuring: Dillon Hodges, Nate Pruitt, & Rick Vandiver
Sponsored by: City of Sheffield * Sheffield Public Library
Free to enjoy the music! Come early to find books by your favorite author!
Handy on the Plaza – Thursday
Starts: 5:30 p.m. | Ends: 10:30 p.m.
Location: Mobile Plaza, Mobile St Plaza, Florence, AL
Featuring: JRNL • Seratones • Lamont Landers
Free! Come join the fun!
Starts: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Rocker Gallery, 319 Raleigh Ave, Sheffield, AL
Featuring: Mary-Victoria Voutsas
Free to enjoy!
Friday, July 17, 2026
Starts: 11:00 a.m.
Location: Michael Community Center, 1011 East 17th Street, Sheffield, AL
Featuring: Luther Jarmon, Jr.
A little sweat and a whole lot of energy, but otherwise free!
Handy on the Plaza: – Friday
Starts: 5:30 p.m.
Location: Mobile Plaza, Mobile St Plaza, Florence, AL
Featuring: Taylor Hollingsworth • Sunny War • Cedric Burnside
Free! Come join the fun!
Starts: 6:00 p.m. | Ends: 8:00 p.m.
Location: Sheffield Public Library, 316 N Montgomery Ave, Sheffield, AL
Featuring: Tennessee Valley Masters of Jazz
Free to enjoy the music!
Starts: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Wilson Park, Wilson Park Fountain, East Tuscaloosa Street, Florence, AL
Featuring: The Midnighters
Free to enjoy!
Saturday, July 18, 2026
Starts: 8:00 a.m. | Ends: 2:00 p.m.
Location: McFarland Park – Florence Harbor, 1050 Clayborn Liles Dr, Florence, AL
Featuring: Classic cars from all eras!
Free to attend. $20 registration per vehicle for show.
Handy on the Plaza – Saturday
Starts: 5:30 p.m. | Ends: 11:00 p.m.
Location: Mobile Plaza, Mobile St Plaza, Florence, AL
Featuring: Sam & The Big Boys • Parlor Greens • Funk Brotherhood
Free! Come join the fun!
Starts: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Pocket Park, 1118 N Wood Ave, Florence, AL
Featuring: The Swinging River Jazz Band
Free for everyone so come enjoy some fun live music!
Starts: 7:00 p.m. | Ends: 10:00 p.m.
Location: Wilson Park, Wilson Park Fountain, East Tuscaloosa Street, Florence, AL
Featuring: Rewind of the Shoals
Free to enjoy!
Monday, July 20, 2026
Starts: 10:00 a.m.
Location: Florence-Lauderdale Public Library, 350 N Wood Ave, Florence, AL
Featuring: Grammy Nominated Singer, Songwriter Producer Alvin Garrett
Free – especially for kids!!!
Starts: 12:00 p.m.
Location: Helen Keller Library, 511 N Main St, Tuscumbia, AL
Featuring: Jazz Allstars
Free!
Starts: 4:00 p.m. | Ends: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Florence-Lauderdale Public Library, 350 N Wood Ave, Florence, AL
Featuring: Jazz Allstars
Free to enjoy the music.
Starts: 6:30 p.m.
Location: The Ritz Theater, 111 W 3rd St, Sheffield, AL
Featuring: The Shoals Big Band
Free!
Starts: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Mobile Plaza, Mobile St Plaza, Florence, AL
Featuring: CC Jags
Free!
Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Starts: 10:00 a.m.
Location: Grace Episcopal Church, 103 Darby Avenue, Sheffield, AL
Featuring: Shoals Area piano students with bassist Bob Wray and drummer Anthony Ingram
and piano students of the Shoals Area Music Teachers Forum:
and piano students of the Shoals Area Music Teachers Forum:
Free!
Starts: 10:30 a.m.
Location: Rogersville Public Library, 74 Bank St, Rogersville, AL
Featuring: Grammy Nominated Singer-Songwriter-Producer Alvin Garrett
Free – especially for kids!!!
Starts: 1:00 p.m.
Location: Alabama Music Hall of Fame, 617 U.S. 72, Tuscumbia, AL
Featuring: St. Louis Blues (movie)
Free
Starts: 5:00 p.m. | Ends: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Sheffield Public Library, 316 N Montgomery Ave, Sheffield, AL
Featuring: Russell Mefford, Mitch Mann, Scott Todd
Free!
Starts: 7:00 p.m. | Ends: 9:00 p.m.
Location: St. Florian Amphitheater, 83 St Florian Rd, Florence, AL
Featuring: Pine Hill Haints
No cost to attend
Wednesday, July 22, 2026
Starts: 10:00 a.m.
Location: Helen Keller Library, 511 N Main St, Tuscumbia, AL
Featuring: Grammy Nominated Singer-Songwriter-Producer Alvin Garrett
Free – especially for kids!!!
Starts: 1:00 p.m.
Location: Alabama Music Hall of Fame, 617 U.S. 72, Tuscumbia, AL
Featuring: St. Louis Blues (movie)
Free
Starts: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Wilson Park, Wilson Park Fountain, East Tuscaloosa Street, Florence, AL
Featuring: Jazz Allstars • Kimble Funchess • Alvin Garrett
Free!
Thursday, July 23, 2026
Starts: 10:30 a.m.
Location: Muscle Shoals Public Library, 1918 East Avalon Avenue, Muscle Shoals, AL
Featuring: Grammy Nominated Singer, Songwriter Producer Alvin Garrett
Free – especially for kids!!!
Friday, July 24, 2026
Starts: 10:00 a.m.
Location: Sheffield Public Library, 316 N Montgomery Ave, Sheffield, AL, USA
Featuring: Grammy Nominated Singer, Songwriter Producer Alvin Garrett
Free – especially for kids!!!
Starts: 1:00 p.m.
Location: Alabama Music Hall of Fame, 617 U.S. 72, Tuscumbia, AL
Featuring: St. Louis Blues (movie)
Free
Starts: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Renaissance Shoals Conference Center, 10 Hightower Place, Florence, AL
Featuring: Rewind of the Shoals
Free
Friday, July 24, 2026
Starts: 10:00 a.m.
Location: Wilson Park, Wilson Park Fountain, East Tuscaloosa Street, Florence, AL
Featuring: High School Bands and Local DJs
Free to participate in the parade, registration requested.
Starts: 1:00 p.m.
Location: Alabama Music Hall of Fame, 617 U.S. 72, Tuscumbia, AL
Featuring: St. Louis Blues (movie)
Free
Starts: 6:00 p.m. | Ends: 9:00 p.m.
Location: Willie Green Recreation Center, 609 South East Street, Tuscumbia, AL
Featuring: Kimble Funchess Band • Pinkie
Free
Starts: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Wilson Park, Wilson Park Fountain, East Tuscaloosa Street, Florence, AL
Featuring: Swinging River Jazz Band
Free
For additional information or to see the full 10-day schedule:
Visit the W.C. Handy Music Festival.
