New Whistlestop Festival music lineup includes local, national artists

Whistlestop Festival
The 2023 Whistlestop Festival has a new venue and new music lineup. (Michael Seale/Hville Blast)

The new version of Huntsville’s popular Whistlestop Festival is happening in just a few weeks, and festival-goers will have a full slate of live music to enjoy throughout the event.

Festival officials announced this week the live music lineup for the event, a mix of local and national musicians.

Who’s playing the 2023 Whistlestop Festival

Whistlestop festival
JJ Grey & Mofro are headlining this year’s festival (“JJ Grey & Mofro” by makelessnoise is licensed under CC BY 2.0)

The Whistlestop Festival is known for having some fantastic live music booked throughout the years, including Gin Blossoms, Marshall Tucker Band, The Rembrandts and dozens more.

This year’s lineup includes:

  • JJ Grey & Mofro
  • Eric Michael Taylor
  • Silver Silos
  • Carver Commodore
  • The Stepdads
  • Ben Loftin & the Family
  • Joslyn & the Sweet Impressions

Music begins Friday, Oct. 21 at 4PM and continues throughout the evening and all day Saturday.

A new era for the Whistelstop Festival

whistlestop festival map 2023
For the first time, the Whistlestop Festival will be held at MidCity. (Whistlestop Festival)

This festival has been a beloved North Alabama tradition since 2001. As a primary fundraising event for the EarlyWorks Children’s Museum, the festival raises funds allowing EarlyWorks to expand its offerings and better serve the community over the years.

The EarlyWorks Foundation announced last year that Huntsville’s decades-old BBQ and music festival was coming to an end, but this summer arrangements were made to keep the event going at a new venue.

Here is what the 2023 version of the festival has in store:

  • 10+ local food vendors offering unique food options
  • Signature WhistleStop cocktails & cold beers
  • Snack vendors such as kettle corn and hot boiled peanuts
  • A tailgate zone to watch your favorite football team
  • A kid zone for the little ones to run around
  • Curated market vendors

The two-day festival happens Oct. 21-22 at MidCity, and all proceeds benefit EarlyWorks Children’s Museum and educational programs for area children. You can get tickets here.

Want to stay in the know about what’s new and happening in and around Huntsville? Follow Hville Blast on FacebookTikTok and Instagram, and be sure to subscribe to our newsletter.

Michael Seale
Michael Seale
Articles: 1446