Panoply to fill next weekend with art, music and imagination
HUNTSVILLE – Art, music, and more collide next weekend as the Panoply Arts Festival returns. The festival continues to evolve, blending the technical precision of Huntsville with vibrant innovation to create the Southeast’s premier three-day arts destination. Presented by Mazda Toyota Manufacturing, the festival officially takes over Big Spring Park from April 24–26.
For more than four decades, Panoply has grown into a oneof- a-kind, three-day experience showcasing the city’s artistic energy. From the juried Art Marketplace to the high-tech STEAM interactives, Panoply is more than a tradition—it’s a dynamic showcase of the creativity that powers North Alabama.
The celebration begins at 5 p.m. on Friday, April 24, launching a full weekend of regionally acclaimed musical performances, the fan-favorite juried Art Marketplace, STEAM Street, interactive art experiences, craft beer and wine, local food trucks, and more.
Tickets, Festival Entrances and Services
For ease of convenience, Panoply 2026 will feature three entrances presented by Huntsville Utilities. Guests may enter on Church Street near the crosswalk to Big Spring East Park, on Williams Avenue at Big Spring Park, or on Monroe Street across from the Von Braun Center.
Arts Huntsville is offering a $20 weekend pass, available online and at Panoply ticket booths through Saturday at 8:30 p.m. The weekend pass provides an affordable way to enjoy all the entertainment and activities throughout the festival. Day passes are $15 and may be purchased in advance online or at the festival ticket booths, presented by Redstone Federal Credit Union. Children 12 and under are admitted free. Tickets are on sale now at artshuntsville.org.
Featured Music
Panoply 2026 brings together a vibrant musical lineup showcasing the very best in local and regional talent, with 17 bands performing throughout the weekend.
Set on one massive stage in the heart of Big Spring Park, the Panoply Showcase Stage, co-presented by Pepsi and Food City, will deliver an unforgettable mix of soulful jazz, electrifying rock, smooth R&B, and catchy pop, offering something for every musical taste. Friday night’s headliner is Jazz McKenzie, fresh off her impressive run as a finalist on The Voice. Saturday evening features The Otis Walker Band, a high-energy roots and blues powerhouse. Their latest album, Forward, debuted at #30 on the Roots Rhythm Top 50 Blues Rock chart and #2 on the Top 30 Alabama Roots Music chart. Toward the end of Saturday’s set, Otis Walker will be joined on stage by local musicians for a special tribute and jam session honoring the late Microwave Dave — a longtime Panoply performer and supporter — on what would have been his birthday. On Sunday, Panoply welcomes Double Barrel, a rising act that made its Concerts in the Park debut last summer. Formed two years ago at Jacksonville State University, the Southern rock group brings raw energy, soulful riffs, and timeless melodies to every performance.
Arts Huntsville is proud to celebrate and elevate the city’s thriving local music scene, and the Huntsville Music Office will host Panoply musicians throughout the weekend at the festival’s Relaxation Station Green Room.
Art Marketplace: The Panoply Art Marketplace, presented by the Athens State University, provides prime shopping across Huntsville’s picturesque and beloved Big Spring Park. This year the juried Art Marketplace will welcome more than 115 visual artists. One of the festival’s most popular features, the 2026 Art Marketplace will showcase longtime festival artists and 33 first-time Panoply exhibitors. This year’s artists come from 22 states. (Full list of artists available on artshuntsville. org.)
Panoply Poster Artist
Each year, Arts Huntsville commissions an artist to create an art piece that captures the festival’s spirit and the community. This year’s Panoply poster artist is Vanessa Miller. Vanessa Miller was born and raised in South Africa, and in 2001 she relocated to the United States with her American-born husband. While raising twin boys, Vanessa explored her love of painting and began to work locally as a portrait artist. She went on to study with North America’s great impressionists and en plein air artists from California to Canada and Arizona to New Hampshire. Vanessa’s subject matter includes still life, street scenes, landscapes and interiors. Her works have been juried and accepted into the American Impressionist Society (AIS) and the Plein Air Salon, winning best in show in the outdoor still life category. Her 2026 Panoply artwork, titled “Panoply Fireworks” celebrates a festival memory from the return of Panoply in 2021 after its hiatus due to COVID.
“Vanessa Miller is a longtime festival favorite at Arts Huntsville’s Panoply and Monte Sano Art Festivals, and we are thrilled to celebrate her work as our 2026 Panoply poster artist,” said Arts Huntsville Executive Director Allison Dillon-Jauken. “As a former art educator, Vanessa has also exhibited her student’s artwork at Panoply thru the years, and she had many memories of the festival to draw from for this year’s artwork. We’re excited to share her exquisite Panoply oil painting that captures the special moment at the end of the festival day – fireworks over Big Spring Park.”
Vanessa Miller will sell her original paintings at Panoply, and festivalgoers can purchase merchandise featuring her artwork at the Panoply Store, presented by Georgia Pacific.
Student Art Tent and Face Painting Tent
Children and adults will discover budding local artistic talent at the Panoply Student Art Tent, presented by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Alabama. This popular Panoply destination features artwork from students of all ages who attend public and private schools in Madison County. Right next to the Student Art Tent and beside the Travelers II public art installation, festivalgoers can celebrate their creative side at the Panoply Face Painting Tent – a festival favorite – presented by Mirabel Chan and the Pei Ling Charitable Trust.
Hands-on Activities Panoply Arts Festival is a colorful exploration of the arts for everyone. Festivalgoers of all ages will also get to stretch their creative muscles with hands-on community art activities.
Community Art
Festivalgoers will have ample opportunities to participate in hands-on community art activities throughout the weekend including fan favorite “Paint the Panoply Letters” presented by SCHOEL. The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild will present its popular “Discover Music” experience, sponsored by Publix Charities, introducing young people to a variety of musical instruments through interactive exploration. The First Baptist Church Huntsville Arts Team returns to Panoply this year to collaborate with attendees on an original mosaic installation that will later be presented to the Huntsville Fire Department. In addition, Unclaimed Baggage will bring their interactive Love Luggage Project to the festival, inviting guests to handpaint suitcases that will be donated to foster children as they transition into new homes.
Military Salute Night
The Panoply tradition of Military Salute Night, presented by Leidos, continues Friday, April 25th. All active- duty military and Armed Forces Reserves and their dependents are welcomed to the park for a free evening of entertainment. Military personnel will be asked to show their current military ID at the entrances.
Panoply Food, Treats, Beer & Wine
Panoply’s popular Craft Beer and Wine Tent returns, featuring select wine and local craft beer from Yellowhammer and Straight to Ale. Panoply will also showcase a great assortment of the festival food you’ve come to expect with lemonade, shaved ice, funnel cake, kettle corn, gelato and more from over 18 food trucks and vendors.
Fireworks
Friday and Saturday night end with a stunning fireworks display presented by Delta Research. In support of Panoply, The Trilogy Hotel will offer Panoply inspired drinks specials all month long and a one-of-a-kind view of the Panoply fireworks in its Vesper Lounge on Friday and Saturday night with the cover charge proceeds benefiting Arts Huntsville.
For more information, volunteer sign-up, and to purchase tickets, visit the Arts Huntsville website at https://www.artshuntsville.org/ panoply-arts-festival/. Follow @ ArtsHuntsville on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates leading up to Panoply Arts Festival.
