The birds are chirping, the flowers are blooming and the events are happening in the South this spring. With so many anticipated events and festivals, our calendars are packed. Enjoy the best of everything Southern at any of these fantastic happenings.
Celebrate the partnership between sister cities at the Cherry Blossom Festival! Image: Visit Virginia Beach
19 Southern Events & Happenings: April 2020
April 3 – 5, 2020: Delray Affair – Delray Beach, FL
Peruse downtown Delray Beach at the largest arts and crafts fair in the Southeast. The Delray Affair is an exhibition of art from around the world, and it displays everything from fine art to funky crafts. This free event takes place from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. For more information, visit delrayaffair.com.
April 3 – 5, 2020: Poteet Strawberry Festival – Poteet, TX
Gather your family and head to the much-anticipated Poteet Strawberry Festival! For over seven decades, the festival has celebrated and supported the city’s prized crop. In addition to strawberries available for purchase, enjoy live music and rodeo entertainment on any of the fourteen stages. Additionally, enjoy fair food provided by local non-profit, civic, school and church organizations. The festival takes place on Friday from 6 p.m. until 12 a.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. until 1 a.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. until 11 p.m. For adults and children 13 years and up, tickets purchased online are $5 on Friday and $15 on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets purchased at the gate are $10 on Friday and $20 on Saturday and Sunday. For more information, visit the festival website.
April 4, 2020: Austin Crawfish Festival 2020 – Austin, TX
Enjoy a variety of crawfish dishes from local chefs and restaurants at the Austin Crawfish Festival. Carson Creek Ranch hosts the festival, and proceeds go towards Texans fighting poverty. The event runs from 3 p.m. until 9 p.m. Tickets are $7, and children 12 years and under are free admission. VIP tickets are $40 and include early access, all you can eat crawfish, and a VIP bar area. To purchase tickets, visit the ticket page. For more information on the festival, visit the event page.
April 4, 2020: Cherry Blossom Festival – Virginia Beach, VA
Celebrate peace, goodwill, and sisterhood with the Cherry Blossom Festival. Sister cities Virginia Beach, VA and Miyazaki City, Japan share a partnership dating back to 1992. As a result, over 150 Yoshino Cherry Blosson trees adorn Red Wing Park. Enjoy music, dance, crafts, and a martial arts demonstration at this free event. Additionally, food and concessions are available. This festival lasts from 12 pm until 4 pm. For more information, check out the event page.
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April 6, 2020: Wine by the Water – Charleston, SC
Cheers to Wine by the Water by the Charleston Harbor! With over 23 years of wine experience, Maria Donovan hosts the wine tasting complete with complimentary hors d’oeuvres. Tickets to the 21+ event are $45, and the tasting runs from 5:30 p.m. until 7 p.m. For more information, check out the event page.
April 11, 2020: Atlanta Spring Wine Festival – Atlanta, GA
Head over to the Historic Fourth Ward Park for the Atlanta Spring Wine Festival! Enjoy over 50 wines, beers, and ciders in addition to food vendors and live music. Additionally, take home a complimentary festival wine glass. This 21+ event takes place from 1 pm until 5 pm. Tickets are $45 until April 6th, $50 until the event, and $60 on the day of the festival. For more information, visit atlantawinefestivals.com/spring.
April 16 – 19, 2020: Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend – Hendersonville, NC
Hop from one brewery to another during the Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend. Enjoy the fresh blooms of apple season while sipping on a cider or wine. Eight local wineries and breweries host tasting spots, including Bold Rock Hard Cider, Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards, and more. Each location offers unique brews and food pairings. The weekend kickoff celebration takes place at The Horse Shoe Farm from 5:30 pm until 10 pm. A full weekend schedule can be found here. Price varies per location. For more information, check out the event page.
April 17 – 19, 2020: 4 Bridges Arts Festival – Chattanooga, TN
Join Chattanooga locals and visitors for the 20th year of the 4 Bridges Arts Festival (4BAF). Over 150 artists showcase their art to the public at the First Tennessee Pavillion as part of the initiative to cultivate an appreciation for the visual arts. Adult tickets to this family-friendly event are $5, and children 12 years and under are free admission. For more information, visit the event page.
April 18, 2020: Atlanta Grilled Cheese Festival – Atlanta, GA
Taste dozens of gooey grilled cheeses at the Atlanta Grilled Cheese Festival! Atlantic Station hosts the festival where over 30 restaurants offer their unique grilled cheeses to attendees. As you taste, enjoy beer, wine, Bloody Mary’s, and live music. The 21+ event runs from 11:30 am until 6 pm. Choose between the early session, which grants you access at 11:30 am, or the afternoon session, which grants you access at 2 pm. Tickets to both sessions are $24, which include three complimentary grilled cheese samples, access to a game zone and Bloody Mary Garden, plus an event koozie. For more information, visit the event page.
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April 18, 2020: Cars & ‘Q for a Cause – Atlanta, GA
Enjoy a BBQ dinner, drinks, and a silent auction at Cars & ‘Q for a Cause. As you eat, drink, and bid, enjoy live music. Cars & ‘Q raises money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and in its 11th year, the event has raised over $2 million! Come for the food, donate, or enter your car into the show. Tickets are $40 for dinner and drinks, and $20 for just dinner. This event at 8200 Roberts Drive runs from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m For more information, visit the event website.
April 18, 2020: 20th Annual Earth Day Savannah Celebration – Savannah, GA
Celebrate 50 years of Earth Day at Daffin Park. The Savannah Earth Day Festival hosts a variety of exhibits, from local government initiatives to youth groups, which showcase the environmental issues and efforts affecting different parts of the city. The free festival takes place from 12 pm until 4 pm. For more information, visit earthdaysavannah.org.
April 18, 2020: Montpelier Wine Trail Spring Festival – Culpeper, VA
Enjoy the wines from charming, family-owned wineries at the Montpelier Wine Trail Spring Festival. Grab your friends and your picnic blanket, and get ready to sample from local wineries, including Chateau Merrillanne and Hammerstone. Tickets are $20 for purchase at the gates of Mountain Run Winery. In addition to wine samples, enjoy food vendors, live music, and art displays throughout the evening. For more information, visit the event page.
April 18 – 19, 2020: Sandy Springs Artsapalooza – Atlanta, GA
Explore local artists at the Sandy Springs Artsapalooza. The free two-day event hosts over 150 artists and craft vendors. As you walk around the Arlington Memorial Park area, enjoy music, interactive art stations, and a children’s play area. The festival runs from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday, and from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, visit sandyspringsartsapalooza.com
April 24 – 26, 2020: Tampa Bay Seafood & Music Festival – Tampa Bay, FL
Feast on an impressive spread of seafood dishes, including oyster raw bars, Cajun-style crawfish, lobster, and award-winning Tuna Poke. Additionally, the Tampa Bay Seafood & Music Festival includes live music at the Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. This family-friendly event takes place from 4 p.m. until 10 p.m. on Friday, from 10 a.m. until 11 p.m. on Saturday, and from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $5, and children 12 years and under are free admission. For more information, visit the event page.
April 25, 2020: 6th Annual South Carolina Food Truck & Beer Festival – Colombia, SC
Food Truck Festivals of America continues its country-wide tour and stops in Colombia, SC in April! Enjoy more than 25 local food trucks and more than 50 local breweries at the South Carolina State Fairgrounds. This family-friendly event includes live music, food, drinks, lawn games, and more. The festival runs from 12 p.m. until 5 p.m. for general admission, and from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. for VIP. General admission tickets are $5 online and $10 at the gate, and children 12 years and under are free admission. VIP tickets for early access, three beer tickets, and $1 off brews are $30. To purchase tickets, visit the online ticket page. For more information, visit the event website.
April 25, 2020: 8th Annual Arlington Festival of the Arts – Arlington, VA
Stroll down North Highland Street and enjoy the artwork of over 100 artists. The 8th Annual Arlington Festival of the Arts showcases artwork, pottery, glasswork, jewelry, and more. The free festival takes place on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. While you are in the area, enjoy a variety of Arlington restaurants and shopping areas. For more information, visit the event page.
April 25 – 26, 2020: 37th Annual Main Street Festival – Franklin, TN
The 37th Annual Main Street Festival is taking place once again in Franklin! Enjoy live music, food vendors, crafts, children’s activities, and more on Franklin’s Main Street. Grab your friends and family for the free event that is expected to attract about 100,00 people! The festival takes place from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. For more information, visit williamsonheritage.org.
April 26, 2020: Alabama Vegan Fest 2020 – Birmingham, AL
Head to the Cahaba Brewing Company Taproom for Alabama Vegan Fest. Vegans, vegetarians, healthy eaters, and non-vegans alike are welcome! Listen to educational lectures and enjoy vegan and vegetarian food truck dishes. This event is free and requires RSVP– use this link to confirm your attendance. This event takes place from 1 p.m. until 7 p.m. For more information, visit the event website.
Through May 21, 2020: Biltmore Blooms – Asheville, NC
During your next visit to the Biltmore, enjoy the fresh blooms of spring! Over 80,000 flowers of pinks, purples, and yellows adorn the Walled Garden. Additionally, enjoy the blooming azaleas, mountain laurel, and rhododendron against the North Carolina mountain landscape. The display is included in admission, which is $79 for adults and $34.50 for youth between 10 and 16 years. Children 9 years and under are free admission. The garden is open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. For more information, visit the event page.
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