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W.C. Handy Music Festival

W.C. Handy Music Festival

July 15th, 2026 - July 26th, 2026Varies by Event. Visit website for event schedule.

Florence

The W.C. Handy Music Festival is a weeklong celebration of the musical heritage of northwest Alabama, honoring Florence native, W. C. Handy, "Father of the Blues." Over 200 events take place during the week, ranging from mini-concerts to headliner concerts, plays to art exhibits, picnics to restaurants and clubs. We are located almost equidistant from Nashville, Memphis and Birmingham. The area known as "The Shoals," where the majority of the events take place, includes the cities of Florence, Sheffield, Tuscumbia and Muscle Shoals.

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    W.C. Handy Music Festival

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    • East Tombigbee Street
    • Florence, AL 35630
    Personalized Directions

    Directions

    The Shoals

    Region

    Florence is located in the The Shoals Area of the North Alabama Region

    Fees

    Varies by event

    Where to Stay

    Limestone House Bed & Breakfast

    Limestone Bed & Breakfast sets just a 5 min. walk from old downtown Florence, Alabama and just one block from the UNA campus. The Limestone House was built in 1915 by Col. CW Ashcraft. Close to almost everything, it is a great location to stay when ...

    McFarland Park

    Not provided

    Holiday Inn Express

    Not provided

    Shoal Creek Gibbons Home

    Wilson Lake Vacation Rental Home

    Quality Inn

    Book a room at the Quality Inn hotel in Florence, AL

    Renaissance Shoals Resort & Spa

    Take center stage at the new Renaissance Shoals Resort & Spa, located in northwest Alabama, where chart-topping hits are recorded! The resort if thoughtfully curated to showcase the area's musical heritage and immerse you in the place that Keith Ric...

    The Stricklin Hotel

    Nestled among the rich history and beauty of downtown Florence, The Stricklin Hotel guests will enjoy southern charm and hospitality as well as an atmosphere of timeless elegance, making every guest feel like The Stricklin is their home away from hom...

    Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown Florence

    Conveniently located in the heart of the Shoals area, we are within walking distance of fantastic shops, restaurants and the historical district. From the rushing waters of the Tennessee River to the tranquil beauty of historic Florence, our convenie...

    GunRunner Boutique Hotel

    A 9 room Boutique Hotel in an historic building full of charm and character. It features a large common area perfect for corporate meetings, retreats and privacy. Suites are themed for area attractions and Alabama makers, like fashion designer Billy...
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    Where to Eat

    Rosie's Cantina

    Rosie's Mexican Cantina serves traditional Tex-Mex cuisine in a festive atmosphere and boasts several locations in Huntsville. In addition to its reputation for serving breast meat chicken and homemade tortillas, Rosie's is known for its special hous...

    Big Bad Breakfast-Florence

    Every morning we serve families, old friends catching up, business meetings, students on their way to school, and college football fans headed to the game. We love being a place for you to gather together and fuel up for the coming day. And don’t ...

    The Factory Cafe

    The Factory is home to Alabama Chanin's flagship store and a full-service café, along with the Alabama Chanin design and production studios and Building 14 Design + Manufacturing services.

    Milla's Place

    Milla's Place is a family owned and operated diner serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner in downtown Florence, AL.

    Ricatoni's Italian Grill

    Chicken and pasta, shrimp and pasta or lots of pizza that's Ricatoni's at its finest.

    Smokin' On The Boulevard

    Alabama Food's 2014 "Quest for the Best BBQ" Champion. Dry-Rub Hickory Smoked BBQ Meats. Carryout only. Thurs., Fri & Sat

    Dick Howell's Barbecue

    Barbecue restaurant in Florence, Alabama

    Singin' River Brewing Co.

    We love to celebrate the variety of song that the Singing River brings with our brews for every taste. You will find a full range of beers including the smooth flavor of the Handy’s Gold and the rich, full taste of our Porter.

    Odette

    Odette is a neighborhood eatery and shop in historic downtown Florence, Alabama serving elevated American fare with southern and international influences.
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    What to See & Do

    Ye Ole General Store

    A unique store that has been featured in Elle, Men's Journal, GQ, Men's Vogue, and The Wall Street Journal.

    Blackberry Trail Golf Course

    Steven Plumer design. Rolling fairways, fairway and green-side bunkers, undulating Bermuda grass greens, wetlands.

    Wheeler Lake

    67,100 acres extending 60 mi. between Wheeler Dam in Rogersville and Guntersville. Great fishing.

    Alabama Barn Quilt Trail

    A colorful treasure hunt! The Alabama Barn Quilt Trail is a collection of hand painted renderings of traditional patchwork quilt blocks displayed on barns all across Alabama. Take a drive through the beautiful Alabama countryside and tour the trail.

    Waterfront Marina & Dry Storage

    Not provided

    Norton Auditorium

    Norton Auditorium is a 1,600+ seat auditorium on the campus of the University of North Alabama. Note: Norton does not have an elevator.

    Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts

    Gallery exhibits showcasing contemporary artists, rotated constantly to make each visit a rediscovery.

    Florence Indian Mound Museum

    Largest domiciliary mound in Tennessee Valley. Native American relics found in area. Chronological displays and explanations of artifacts from Paleo to historic Native American ages.

    George S. Lindsey Theater

    The George S. Lindsey Theater is an intimate "black box" theater.
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