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Your ultimate guide to 17 May events in Huntsville you don’t want to miss
We’re quickly nearing the beginning of May, and as the weather heats up so does the slate of events on the calendar for the month.
Below, we’ve rounded up all the events you don’t want to miss, from special observations at the Huntsville Botanical Garden to festivals, sports and more.
1. Bazaar at the Belle
The Electric Belle at the Stovehouse will be hosting its first bazaar this May. Admission for shoppers is free, and the fee for vendors is $10. Apply online to be a vendor.
- When: Sunday, May 1 | 2-8PM
- Where: The Electric Belle at Stovehouse, 3414 Governors Dr SW Suite 310, Huntsville, AL 35805
- RSVP
2. Peak Butterfly Season in the Purdy Butterfly House
May marks the beginning of peak season at the Huntsville Botanical Garden Purdy Butterfly House. The season lasts through September, so you’ll have all summer to enjoy it.
- When: Starts Sunday, May 1 | Garden is open Sunday 11AM-6:30PM, Monday-Thursday 9AM-6:30PM, + Friday-Saturday 9AM-6PM
- Where: Huntsville Botanical Garden Purdy Butterfly House, 4747 Bob Wallace Ave SW, Huntsville, AL 35805
- Get tickets
3. The Golden Hour
The Golden Hour is back at the Huntsville Botanical Garden. Starting Wednesday, May 4 (which, coincidentally, is my birthday), you’ll be able to enjoy the beauty of the garden at the most magical time of day—golden hour. Food, drinks and entertainment will be available.
- When: Wednesdays May-August | 5-7:30PM
- Where: Huntsville Botanical Garden, 4747 Bob Wallace Ave SW, Huntsville, AL 35805
- Get tickets
4. Toybox’s Annual May the 4th Celebration
You don’t have to leave the planet to celebrate Star Wars Day. At Toybox Bistro, you’ll find a special, one-day-only menu with delicacies typically only found in a galaxy far, far away. Don’t miss it.
- When: Wednesday, May 4 | 11AM-7PM
- Where: Toybox Bistro, 511 Jordan Ln NW, Huntsville, AL 35805
- RSVP
5. HATCH: HudsonAlpha Tech Challenge
Win up $5,000 at the 2022 HudsonAlpha Tech Challenge, a hackathon for local high school students, college students and professionals. Cost is $10 per participant. Enter together with a group of friends, or enter individually and let event organizers place you on a team.
- When: Friday, May 6-Sunday, May 8
- Where: HudsonAlpha Paul Propst Center, 800 Hudson Way, Huntsville, AL 35806
- Sign up
6. PorchFest Five Points
With the first Saturday in May comes PorchFest, the annual music festival in Five Points. Bring a lawn chair (and a friend) to Pratt Avenue to hear musicians from near and far and enjoy an evening of community.
- When: Saturday, May 7 | 6-10PM
- Where: Five Points Neighborhood, Huntsville, AL 35801
- RSVP
7. 13th Annual Mayor’s Bike Ride
Grab your bike and meet Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle and the Huntsville Police Department bike unit at Big Spring Park on Church Street next Saturday for the Mayor’s Bike Ride. Make sure to get there early to visit all the vendors—previous years featured local businesses like Gold Sprint Coffee, Blevins Bicycle Company and Black Girls Do Bike.
- When: Saturday, May 7 | 10:30AM-12PM (bike ride begins promptly at 11)
- Where: Big Spring Park, Church St SW, Huntsville, AL 35801
- RSVP
8. Rocket City Brewfest 2022
Redstone Arsenal Morale, Welfare and Recreation is partnering with Free the Hops to put on Rocket City Brewfest, a craft beer festival that will take place on the Redstone Arsenal Activity Field. No security clearance is needed to attend this community event. Buy tickets online or at one of the following local spots:
- The Casual Pint
- Das Stahl Bierhaus
- The Open Bottle
- Liquor Express and Craft Beer Store
- The Nook
- The Stem & Stein
Here are the details:
- When: Saturday, May 7 | 3-7PM
- Where: Redstone Arsenal Activity Field, 3732 Aerobee Rd, Huntsville, AL 35805
- RSVP | Buy tickets
9. Rocket City Kittypalooza/The Yarn Ball
Cat people, this one’s for you! Lowe Mill will host Rocket City Kittypalooza to raise awareness for local rescues during “kitten season,” a time when shelters tend to fill up. The event will feature:
- Multi-rescue adoption event: 11AM-2PM
- 20 minute quick cuddles in the Cattyshack lounge: 11AM-5PM
- T-shirt making: 11AM-5PM
- Kitten yoga at the Cattyshack: 6PM-7PM (Reserve your spot now)
- The Yarn Ball at Dragon’s Forge: 6PM-9PM
Adopt a kitten of your own, or support local rescues with a donation.
- When: Saturday, May 7
- Where: Lowe Mill Arts & Entertainment, 2211 Seminole Dr SW, Huntsville, AL 35805
- RSVP
(This one has me wishing I wasn’t allergic to cats—unfortunately, my nose is itching just writing about it.)
10. Huntsville AL Exotic Pet Expo
For just $3 per person, you’ll be able to see all kind of unique pets in Huntsville this May. Head to the exotic pet expo to see lizards, snakes, sugar gliders, spider and more, plus grab supplies for your exotic pets.
- When: Saturday, May 7, 9AM-5PM-Sunday, May 8 10AM-4PM
- Where: Jaycee Community Building, Airport Road Southwest Airport Rd SW, Huntsville, AL 35801
- RSVP
11. Family Campout in the Garden
The Huntsville Botanical Garden is hosting another family campout this May. Don’t miss this opportunity for hot dogs, s’mores over the campfire, story time and a guided night hike through the garden.
- When: Friday, May 13 5PM-Saturday, May 14 8AM
- Where: Huntsville Botanical Garden, 4747 Bob Wallace Ave SW, Huntsville, AL 35805
- Register
12. Camp to Amp Festival
You’ve heard about the First Waltz at Orion Amphitheater, featuring Alabama artists like Brittany Howard, Jason Isbell and St. Paul and the Broken Bones. (You can still grab single-day tickets here!) But, did you know there’s another festival happening right outside the gates? The Camp is hosting the Camp to Amp Festival, featuring local bands like Carver Commodore, Pond Diver, Them Damn Dogs and more.
- When: Saturday, May 14 | 12-6PM
- Where: The Camp, 5909 University Dr NW, Huntsville, AL 35805
- RSVP
13. Fido Fest 2022
Bring you pup to Bridge Street Town Centre to support the Greater Huntsville Humane Society at Fido Fest 2022. The event will feature vendors for you and your furry friend. Inquire about becoming a vendor online.
- When: Saturday, May 14 | 11AM-2PM
- Where: North end of Bridge Street Towne Center, near Cinemark, 365 The Bridge St, Huntsville, AL 35806
- RSVP
14. Rocket City BBQ & Soul Fest
The National Speleological Society is hosting a festival in North Huntsville featuring delicious barbecue, entertainment and more. The highlight of the event will be the presentation of the inaugural Gwendolyn Baldwin Scholarship to a local graduating senior.
- When: Saturday, May 14 | 10AM-10PM
- Where: National Speleological Society, 6001 Pulaski Pike NW, Huntsville, AL 35810
- RSVP | Buy tickets
15. 3rd Thursdays on Main
Main Street in Madison is about to be your go-to destination on Thursday nights this summer. Starting May 19, the city will host Third Thursdays, highlighting the great businesses on Main Street.
- When: Thursday, May 19 | 6-8PM
- Where: Main Street, Madison, AL 35758
- RSVP
16. Huntsville Water Lantern Festival
We’ve previewed the Huntsville Water Lantern Festival already, but the event is so exciting that we think it deserves a second mention. The festival will feature food trucks, music, and–of course–beautiful lanterns.
- When: Saturday, May 21 | 6-7:45PM
- Where: Big Spring Park, 420 Church St SW Huntsville, AL 35801
- Buy tickets
17. Slide into Summer at Ditto Landing
Head to Ditto Landing for two days of summer fun complete with water slides, vendors and more. Wristbands are $5, and you’re invited to bring your own water blasters and toys.
- When: Saturday, May 21, 10AM-4PM-Sunday, May 22 12PM-4PM
- Where: Ditto Landing, 293 Ditto Landing Rd SE, Huntsville, AL 35803
- RSVP
What event are you RSVPing to? Let us know, and don’t forget to tag @hvilleblast and use #hvilleblast!