HUNTSVILLE — Art and music come together the last weekend in April for a three-day celebration in downtown Huntsville.
Now in its 42nd year, the annual Panoply Arts Festival takes over Big Spring Park April 26-28, offering three days of live music, shopping for original works of art, demonstrations and hands-on activities along with two nights of fireworks.
Panoply kicks off at 5 p.m. April 26 and during the three-day event, more than 30 local and regional musical acts in a variety of genres – jazz, rock, R&B, indie rock, blues, pop and more – will entertain the crowd on Panoply’s two stages.
The opening night lineup features young singer-songwriter Delaney Faulds who debuted on Panoply’s Indie Stage in 2023, but this year she is bringing her full band to the festival Showcase Stage. Local pop powerhouse The Dawn Osbourne Band will rock audiences and close out the festival’s Friday night lineup.
A full day of music April 27 starts when the festival opens at 10 a.m. Returning favorites are in the music mix throughout the day, as bands like Little and the Giants return to Panoply with their sweet contemporary folk sound. On Saturday night, Soul Lit Band warms up the crowd before Huntsville’s favorite progressive funk rock band, Quantaphonics, takes the stage. This 13-piece band is known for their energetic improvisation, on-stage chemistry and killer original music.
Panoply’s closing day stage lineup features an array of jazz, R&B and soul from many of Huntsville’s favorite local singers and songwriters, duos and instrumentalists. Full programming schedule is available on artshuntsville.org.
As music fills the air, festivalgoers can shop, participate in hands-on activities and watch demonstrations. Local artists will offer demonstrations of their craft at Panoply’s Arts in Action tents, allowing festivalgoers to try their hand at fiber arts with yarn or silk dying or learn to play music with cigar box guitars.
The juried Art Marketplace, one of the most popular features of the festival, showcases the works of more than 100 visual artists from 23 states, with some traveling from as far as Colorado and Massachusetts. The Art OutLoud Stage features spoken word performances from local literary figures and poets and STEAM Street and Creativity Corner will have several special hands-on activities that all ages can partake in.
New to Panoply this year is “The Big Swim” interactive art installation. Festivalgoers of all ages will immerse themselves in a kaleidoscope of color as they walk through a tunnel-like art installation designed exclusively for Panoply. The interactive art piece is created by local artist Susie Garrett.
Festival patrons are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets to enjoy the entertainment each day and Friday and Saturday evenings conclude with a spectacular fireworks display.
Along with a diverse array of art and music, the Craft Beer and Wine Tent returns featuring local beer from Yellowhammer and Straight to Ale and there will be a great assortment of local tastes from 17 food trucks.
Arts Huntsville is offering a Panoply weekend pass available online in advance for $20. Day passes are $15 and can be purchased online or at the gate. Admission is free for children 12 and under.
Festival hours are 5-9 p.m. April 26; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. April 27; and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. April 28. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://www.artshuntsville.
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