Multiple venues throughout the Shoals area
The Handy Music Festival spreads across parks, restaurants, stores, libraries, museums, art galleries, sidewalks, parking lots and lawns throughout the Shoals area, and has grown from a single weekend headlined by Dizzy Gillespie into a ten day festival with nearly 200 events. It runs in summer so families can bring children along, with events such as Kidz Jamm, GeoBlues and a Youth Conference built around them.
Before you go
- Official site
- wchandymusicfestival.com
- Next festival here
- W.C. Handy Music Festival, Jul 21 to Aug 1, 2027
Festivals here
Venue basics: Ten days, nearly 200 events · Spread across the whole Shoals area · Built around summer school holidays.
Getting there and parking
We don't yet have confirmed information about parking at Multiple venues throughout the Shoals area. The venue's own pages are the place to check: wchandymusicfestival.com.
Accessibility
We don't yet have confirmed information about accessibility at Multiple venues throughout the Shoals area. The venue's own pages are the place to check: wchandymusicfestival.com.
Camping
We don't yet have confirmed information about camping at Multiple venues throughout the Shoals area. The venue's own pages are the place to check: wchandymusicfestival.com.
Food, water and what you can bring
The Handy Festival is held in summer so families with children can attend together, and it includes events designed for children such as ABC's of Blues, Jazz & Beyond, Kidz Jamm, GeoBlues, the End of Summer Reading Program, Blues-N-Bread Pudding, a Musical Jazz Spelling Bee, and a Youth Conference.
Quick answers
Where does the W.C. Handy Music Festival take place?
At locations throughout the Shoals area in northwest Alabama, including parks, restaurants, stores, libraries, museums, art galleries, sidewalks, parking lots and lawns.
Is the W.C. Handy Music Festival good for kids?
Yes. It runs in summer so families with children can attend together, and it includes events built for children, such as Kidz Jamm, GeoBlues and ABC's of Blues, Jazz & Beyond.
How long does the W.C. Handy Music Festival run?
It has grown into a ten day festival with nearly 200 events.
Who headlined the first W.C. Handy Music Festival?
Dizzy Gillespie headlined the first festival, a long weekend of music.
Is the W.C. Handy Music Festival at one venue?
No. It spreads across many locations throughout the Shoals area rather than one site.
Are there events for kids at the W.C. Handy Music Festival?
Yes, including Kidz Jamm, GeoBlues, a Musical Jazz Spelling Bee and a Youth Conference.
A little history
The festival began with the help of Sheffield native Willie Ruff and Dr. David Mussleman, who helped present the first festival, headlined by Dizzy Gillespie. It has since grown into a ten day festival with nearly 200 events held at locations throughout northwest Alabama, including parks, restaurants, stores, libraries, museums, art galleries, sidewalks, parking lots and lawns.