Every April, Huntsville’s Big Spring Park transforms into a vibrant celebration of art, music, and creativity during the Panoply Arts Festival. Whether you’re a devoted art lover or just looking for a fun weekend in the city, this three-day event offers everything from live performances and hands-on crafts to a marketplace featuring works from over 100 creators. 

To help you make the most of the festival, here’s a full itinerary packed with artsy adventures both at Panoply and in the city beyond.

Panoply - Street View

All About Panoply Arts Festival

The Panoply Arts Festival brings dozens of artists to downtown Huntsville’s Big Spring Park for a weekend packed with creative energy. In addition to the Art Marketplace, the event will include two music stages with more than 30 performers, interactive art experiences for kids, and food trucks with some of the city’s favorite flavors.

Panoply Weekend Itinerary

 

Day 1 

  • Friday Panoply Hours: 5 pm to 9 pm

Morning/Afternoon Activity: Huntsville Art Tour

You can start your cultural tour before Panoply opens by heading to some of Huntsville’s art hotspots. Start with Downtown Huntsville’s Secret Art Trail, which includes stops like the Clinton Row Color Walk and the “Galactic Portal” mural on Holmes Avenue.

Afterward, head over to Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment, a former textile factory turned creator hub with more than 150 working studios. Tons of classes are offered here (think blacksmithing, pottery, embroidery, and graphic art), but check the schedule in advance to see if you need a reservation.

Evening Activity: Panoply Arts Festival

Panoply starts at 5 pm at Big Spring Park in downtown Huntsville. Since it’s only open in the evening today, this is a great opportunity to grab dinner from one of the food trucks on site while you explore the grounds and listen to live music on two different stages. 

Night Activity: Music and Drinks 

The fun doesn’t have to end when Panoply closes for the evening. Head over to Campus 805 for drinks and entertainment at spots like Straight to Ale, Yellowhammer Brewing, or Pints and Pixels, all open late on Fridays and Saturdays. The Camp, a bar and live music venue at MidCity is another fun late-night spot to hang out.

Day 2 

  • Saturday Panoply Hours: 10 am to 9 pm (Art Market closes at 7:30 pm)

Morning Activity: Panoply Art Marketplace

Panoply kicks off in the morning on Saturday, so head over after breakfast to stroll the Art Marketplace. You can spend as long as you want here browsing artwork for sale, making community art projects and kids' crafts, and catching the performance lineup of over two dozen acts. There will be tasty food trucks on site, so you don’t even need to leave for lunch!

Afternoon Activity: Huntsville Excursion

If you’re ready to take a break from Panoply and check out some of Huntsville’s other popular attractions, Saturday afternoon is a great time to do so. 

  • Stroll the Huntsville Botanical Garden to see the new Mother Earth Troll Garden.

  • Explore the Space and Rocket Center for the world’s largest space museum.

  • Visit Burritt on the Mountain for a historic mansion and reenactment village on Monte Sano. The Burritt Folk School also has several art workshops scheduled for Saturday if you want to learn skills like blacksmithing, pottery, and folk dance (some are in the morning, so check the schedule and make a reservation).

Evening Activity: Live Entertainment 

This evening, you can either head back to Panoply, keep the artsy fun going with a ticket to the Broadway Theater League’s showing of the touring musical “Peter Pan” at the Von Braun Center (April 22-27), or catch a Rocket City Trash Pandas baseball game.

 

Day 3 

  • Sunday Panoply Hours: 11 am to 6 pm

Morning Activity: Sunday Brunch

Since Panoply starts a little later on Sunday, this is the perfect opportunity to have a relaxed brunch before heading back to the park for more browsing and live music.

There are tons of great Huntsville brunch spots, including Commerce Kitchen and the Standard Social Market downtown.

Afternoon Activity: Panoply Shopping and Entertainment

Make those final art purchases you’ve been thinking about all weekend during your last stroll around Panoply on Sunday. The event closes at 6 pm, so there is plenty of time for a late lunch or early dinner from one of the food vendors before you go.