CULLMAN, Ala. – The Alabama Strawberry Festival has been recognized as Alabama’s Best Music Festival in the 2026 Best of Bama Awards by Alabama Magazine.
The Best of Bama Awards celebrate outstanding attractions, events, restaurants, businesses and destinations across Alabama, recognizing organizations and experiences that exemplify the very best the state has to offer.
“Held each April in downtown Cullman, the Alabama Strawberry Festival has grown into one of Alabama’s premier destination events, blending nationally recognized entertainment with local agriculture, family-friendly attractions, artisan vendors, food and community traditions. In 2026, the festival welcomed nearly 70,000 guests from 35 states, demonstrating its growing reputation as both a statewide and regional tourism destination,” said a media release announcing the award.
“Featuring nationally recognized artists, more than 125 vendors, carnival attractions, contests, agricultural traditions and family-friendly entertainment, the Alabama Strawberry Festival has become one of the Southeast’s fastest-growing spring festivals while celebrating the agricultural heritage that inspired its creation.”
“This recognition belongs to our entire community,” said Nathan Anderson, executive director of Cullman Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism. “Receiving this honor from Alabama Magazine is incredibly meaningful because it reflects what so many people have worked tirelessly to build.
“The Alabama Strawberry Festival has become much more than a weekend event. It has become an economic driver, a tourism asset and a source of tremendous community pride. Welcoming nearly 70,000 guests from 35 different states this year demonstrates that people aren’t just coming for a concert — they’re coming to experience Cullman. This recognition belongs to every volunteer, sponsor, employee, vendor, performer, public safety partner and community member who has helped make this festival one of Alabama’s very best.”
Cullman Mayor Woody Jacobs said the statewide recognition reflects years of intentional investment in creating experiences that strengthen the community while attracting visitors from across the country.
“The Alabama Strawberry Festival has become one of the signature events not only for Cullman, but for the entire State of Alabama,” Jacobs said. “It showcases everything that makes our community special — our hospitality, our partnerships, our downtown and our commitment to creating experiences that improve quality of life while supporting local businesses and tourism. We’re honored to receive this statewide recognition, and I couldn’t be more proud of everyone who has helped make the Alabama Strawberry Festival such an incredible success.”
Harmony Heard, executive director of Cullman Area Tourism, said the festival continues to elevate Cullman’s reputation as one of Alabama’s leading travel destinations.
“Tourism is about creating experiences that inspire people to visit, stay longer and return,” Heard said. “When tens of thousands of visitors from 35 states choose Cullman for a weekend, the impact reaches every corner of our community — from our hotels and restaurants to our retail shops and local attractions. Recognition like this helps introduce even more travelers to everything Cullman has to offer and reinforces Cullman’s reputation as one of Alabama’s premier destinations.”
Festival Manager Daniel Wyatt said the honor reflects the dedication of countless individuals who spend months preparing for the annual event.
“Every year we challenge ourselves to raise the bar,” Wyatt said. “Whether it’s securing outstanding entertainment, improving the guest experience, coordinating vendors or adding new attractions, our focus is creating an experience families want to come back to year after year. Being recognized as Alabama’s Best Music Festival is incredibly rewarding because it reflects the experience our guests have helped us build together.”
Since its inception, the Alabama Strawberry Festival has grown into one of Alabama’s largest free festivals and an important economic driver for Cullman, generating increased visitation for local restaurants, retailers, hotels, attractions and small businesses while introducing thousands of first-time visitors to the community each spring.
With this recognition, the Alabama Strawberry Festival joins Cullman Christkindlmarkt among Alabama’s most celebrated events. Earlier this summer, Cullman Christkindlmarkt was named the Alabama Tourism Department’s 2026 Event of the Year, meaning two of Cullman’s signature festivals have now received statewide recognition in 2026.
The next Alabama Strawberry Festival will be held in late April 2027 at Depot Park in historic downtown Cullman.
