Don’t ever let anyone tell you there’s nothing to do in the summer in Alabama.

Even though it’s hot outside, there are so many festivals each weekend that you’ll never run out of things to do.

That’s why we here at AL.com decided to highlight a few of ‘em so you can go ahead and mark your calendar. This by no means is a list of every great festival across the state, so let us know which ones you think we missed!

Cigar Box Guitar Festival in Huntsville

May 30- June 1, multiple venues, cigarboxguitarfestival.com

“That a place that’s so technically oriented would find so much joy in celebrating funky homemade instruments is kind of strange,” Huntsville blues legend Microwave Dave Gallaher told al.com in 2014. “In a good way.” Gallaher was referring to Huntsville – known, of course, as the Rocket City for its aerospace engineering prowess – hosting the Cigar Box Guitar Festival, the world’s longest-running event of its kind. The fest turns 20 this year, with performances at Lowe Mill, AVIQ and Orion Amphitheater. Gallaher’s Lowebow is the fifth one Memphis maker John Lowe ever made. “This is the most unique voice in cigar box guitars, in my opinion,” Gallaher said in 2017. “When you hear one of these you recognize it.” — Matt Wake

Alabaster CityFest

June 7, Thompson High School, 1921 Warrior Parkway, alabastercityfest.com

Alabaster CityFest aims to please folks of all ages, with live music, family-friendly games, arts and crafts activities, face painting, bungee jumping, a car show and vendors galore. This year’s music lineup features Parmalee, Maddie & Tae, Five for Fighting, Eric Essix and more. Everything happens on the grounds of Thompson High School and comes courtesy of the Alabaster Arts Council. Bring lawn chairs and blankets; pets and coolers are not allowed. And did we mention that admission is free? Free parking is available at the high school, as well. If parking areas are full, shuttles will run to the festival from Thompson Middle School and Alabaster Municipal Park. — Mary Colurso

Slocomb Tomato Jamboree

June 21, Slocomb Rec Park, 375 Cox St., facebook.com/Slocombmaters/

Considering I go between having a BLT and a tomato sandwich for lunch almost every day during the summer months, a summer festival celebrating Slocomb tomatoes, which many would argue are the best tomatoes of them all, feels right up my alley. The 35th annual Slocomb Tomato Jamboree, slated to take place June 21 at Slocomb Rec Park, is the kind of free small-town event that people look forward to year-round, and for good reason. It’ll have live music — this year’s headliner is Crews Wright, who appeared on the most recent season of “American Idol”— local artisans selling their handmade goods, a large kids play area and plenty of food likely featuring (what else?) Slocomb tomatoes. The whole thing kicks off with a parade through the town and ends with a giant fireworks show, offering a full day of activities, fun and good food for the whole family. — Amber Sutton

Rocket City Pickle Fest

June 29, Orion Amphitheater, 701 Amphitheater Drive N.W., orionhuntsville.com.

During Orion Amphitheater‘s first three years, headliners included the likes of Stevie Nicks, Robert Plant, Snoop Dogg, Jack White and Neil Young. In year four, Orion’s bringing in something arguably more beloved than any of those music legends: pickles. For the inaugural Rocket City Pickle Fest, Orion’s website promises attendees will “have the brine of your lives.” That involves “live music, pickle-inspired eats and drinks, games, local vendors.” — Matt Wake

Pensacola Air Show

July 12. Casino Beach, Pensacola Beach, Fla.

Technically, the Pensacola Beach Air Show isn’t an Alabama event – but the Blue Angels are a familiar sight over Alabama’s beaches, especially when they’re practicing for something like this event, and hordes of Alabama viewers attend. This year’s show takes place Saturday, July 12, following a Blue Angels rehearsal Thursday, July 10, and a full dress rehearsal Friday, July 11. The Blue Angels will be joined by a wide variety of aerobatic and military units, from the “Red Bull Air Force Team” to a U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer. For tips on how to enjoy the event, see Visit Pensacola’s answers to Frequently Asked Questions and its“Insider’s Guide.” (There’s no admission charge, but getting to prime viewing areas before they fill up requires some planning.) — Lawrence Specker

Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo on Dauphin Island

July 18-20, 531 Lemoyne Drive, adsfr.com

While it’s not exactly a festival, the Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo is a great excuse to go check out the charms of Dauphin Island. There’s certainly a festival atmosphere at the Rodeo site, where admission is free and spectators are welcome to view what the anglers are bringing in. One ever-popular feature is a display case where observers can see some of the beautiful, rare, or just plain weird species that have been caught. For curious kids, it nicely complements a visit to the Alabama Aquarium (or to the island’s beaches). — Lawrence Specker

READ MORE: 10 things we love about Dauphin Island

Gulf Coast Ethnic & Heritage Jazz Festival in Mobile

July 24-27, The Temple Downtown, 351 St. Francis St. gcehjazzfest.wordpress.com

Summer is a slow season for festivals in coastal Alabama, and it’s no mystery why: It’s hot. But for many years now, Mobile’s Gulf Coast Ethnic & Heritage Jazz Festival has bucked that trend, and it’s back for 2025. Key components include the Marcus Johnson Summer Jazz Camp for young musicians, July 14-15; the always-surprising Evening of Poetry, hosted by Huggy Bear da Poet July 24 at the Historic Avenue Cultural Center ($10); the Hosea London Jazz Music & Education Awards Gala July 25 at the Temple Downtown ($40); and a concluding concert July 27 at Kazoola’s ($25). The centerpiece Jazz in the City concert, to be held July 26 at the Temple Downtown ($25), will feature Roman Street; a tribute to Quincy Jones from the Mobile Big Band featuring Fred Wesley Jr.; and Tonya Boyd-Cannon with Keep it Live. — Lawrence Specker

Sidewalk Film Festival in Birmingham

Aug. 18-24, Various locations downtown, https://sidewalkfest.com.

The Sidewalk Film Festival is a jewel in Birmingham’s crown — not to mention the largest film festival in the state. Screenings of more than 200 movies are planned this year at several venues downtown, along with filmmaker talks, panel discussions, workshops, parties and more. Wondering what you can see? The first 31 films have been announced for the 2025 lineup, including “Forward, Ever,” a documentary about the closing of Birmingham-Southern College and its impact on the school’s baseball team. Sidewalk, in its 27th year, is a beloved institution here, presented by a nonprofit organization that executive director Chloe Cook calls “small but mighty.” Sidewalk recently found out that its $25,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Artsis has been withdrawn, so the festival needs support from moviegoers, now more than ever. Weekend passes for the festival are on sale, priced at $100-$250. Tickets to specific “spotlight” films are on sale, as well, and cost $15 per screening. — Mary Colurso

Monte Sano Arts Festival in Huntsville

Sept. 20 -21, Monte Sano State Park, 5105 SE Nolen Ave. artshuntsville.org

Man-made visual art is displayed inside a natural work of art at Monte Sano State Park. Volunteers from the eclectic mountain neighborhood founded the Monte Sano Art Festival in 1999. This year, the fest presents more than 100 visual artists, local food trucks and live music. Monte Sano Arts Festival is done by Arts Huntsville, the same non-profit behind Panoply, Huntsville’s signature festival. — Matt Wake