Firework shows across Alabama are back in full swing and promise to deliver an unforgettable experience for all. As the Fourth of July approaches, it’s time to explore Alabama’s top firework shows that will leave you awe-inspired. From breathtaking pyrotechnics to synchronized music and vibrant celebrations, let’s dive into the spark-filled world of Alabama’s finest firework shows.

Top firework shows in Alabama

1.THE ANNUAL FIREWORKS SHOW AT VULCAN PARK AND MUSEUM

City: Birmingham
Date: Tuesday July 4th
Status: Starts at 9 p.m.
Location: Vulcan Park & Museum
Cost: Free

Thunder on the Mountain at Vulcan Park and Museum is one of the state’s largest firework shows. Not only are there many vantage watching points around Birmingham, the colorful fireworks light up the sky behind the Vulcan Statue making this one of the most memorable and breathtaking shows you will see. It truly shows why Birmingham is The Magic City. Just find your favorite spot, sit back in your camp chair or blanket, relax, and enjoy the show. The show is free to the public and will last approximately 20 minutes. 

Prime viewing locations include Five Points South, Homewood, Vestavia, Mountain Brook, and the UAB campus, among others. We recommend finding a place to view the show well in advance of the 9 p.m. show. 

Please note: That Vulcan Park & Museum will close at 6  p.m. No spectators will be allowed inside the park or at the entrance to Vulcan Trail.

2. GULF SHORES FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS CELEBRATION

City: Gulf Shores
Date: Tuesday July 4th
Status: Starts at 9 p.m.
• 7 a.m. – The Gulf State Park Pier will close to the public for firework setup.
• 12 p.m. – The pier will reopen to the public 100 feet north of the firework launch site.
• 8:30 p.m. – The Fire Marshal will close the pier and on-site restaurant.
• 9 p.m. – The fireworks show begins.
Location: 20800 E. Beach Blvd.
Cost: Free

Due to ongoing construction, fireworks will be shot from the center of the pier this year. This means that Gulf State Park and the eastern area of the Gulf Shores Public Beach are ideal spots to watch this spectacular show. The beach + fireworks? We’re in. Check out more information here. 

• For other Independence Day celebrations around Gulf Shores and Orange beach, click here.
• For information about Mobile’s Downtown Independence Day extravaganza, click here!

3. TRUSSVILLE FREEDOM CELEBRATION

City: Trussville
Date: Tuesday July 4th
Status: The celebration starts at 5 p.m. and fireworks begin at 9 p.m.
Location: Mall in historic downtown Trussville
Cost: Free

The celebration will include food vendors like Cousin’s Maine Lobster, Rodney Scott’s BBQ, Bendy’s Ice Cream, and many more! There will also be live music throughout the celebration by DJ Platinum at 6pm and Act of Congress taking the stage at 7:30pm to get you ready for the firework spectacular. The fireworks show begins at 9 p.m. and the celebration is free to the public. Come see what Trussville is all about!

Parking is available all around the historic downtown area so arrive early to get a good spot. The best way to find the Mall in the historic downtown is to put the Cahaba Elementary (301 Parkway Drive) into your GPS and it will lead you right to the event.

4. SHOALS SPIRIT OF FREEDOM CELEBRATION

City: Florence
Date: Tuesday July 4th
Status: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Location: McFarland Park 200 James M Spain Drive, Florence, AL 35630
Cost: Free

The 40th Annual Spirit of Freedom Celebration is one not to miss as it is said to be one 0f the largest in the Southeast. Spend the day celebrating at McFarland Park with your family. Food vendors will be onsite and opening at 11 am and live music performances starting at 4pm.

4:00 – Austin Bohannon
5:00 – Taylor Grace
6:00 – CONNR
7:00 – Gary Nichols
8:00 – Boomtown Saints

End the celebration relaxing back and watching the fireworks light up the sky over the Tennessee River. The firework show will begin at 9pm.

5. FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS AND CONCERT AT LAKE MARTIN

City: Eclectic
Date: Tuesday July 4th
Status: Concert begins at 6:00 p.m., Firework show begins at 9p.m.
Location: The AMP on Lake Martin (Lake Martin Amphitheater)
Cost: $10

After a day on the lake, head on over to the Lake Martin Amphitheater for an evening of good music and a phenomenal firework show! Doors open at 5:30 p.m. so be sure to get there early to get a good spot. Remember to bring your blankets and camp chairs for a relaxing evening on the lawn of the amphitheater. You will get to listen to tunes from Andrew Jannakos at 8pm and opening with The Bank Walkers at 6:00 pm. End the evening with a stunning firework display over the lake. Tickets are only $10 and you can buy them here.

Lake Martin’s 4th of July celebrations will begin Saturday July 1st with KBecks July 4th celebration, live music starting at 5pm and a firework show on the dock beginning at 9pm. For a list of all celebrations click here.

6. FIREWORKS OVER LAKE GUNTERSVILLE

City: Guntersville
Date: Tuesday July 4th
Status: Concert begins at 6:00 p.m., Firework show begins at 9p.m.
Location: Guntersville Civitan Park, along the water’s edge behind the Dixie Boys/Bill Moore Baseball Fields parking lot and Dog Park area on Sunset Drive.
Cost: Free

Mountain Valley Arts Council will host a free concert featuring Jed Eye at the Jeff Cook Stage located at Civitan Park beginning at 6:00pm. The firework show will begin at 9pm and they say the best viewing spots will be from Civitan Park and Sunset Drive from Hwy 69 towards Lurleen B Wallace Drive and back past the Recreation Center.

For a list of all events and 4th of July celebrations in the Huntsville are, click here.

Other 4th of July fireworks tips

Keep in mind that event plans could change depending on weather, so be sure to check on the day of the event to confirm an event is still scheduled and begins at the same time.

We recommend:

• Packing a cooler with your favorite snacks, bring a blanket, and comfortable chairs for ultimate firework gazing.
• Finding a remote spot with a decent view of the show and having a picnic.
• Planning a backyard barbecue and watching the fireworks from home! Get some sparklers and have a safe celebration at home.

Looking for Independence Day essentials? We can help! Alabama Outdoors wants everyone to enjoy the outdoors, and we work to build loyalty one connection at a time. Visit one of our stores or take advantage of our shipping or in-store pickup! #BeOutdoors

Looking for a new July adventure? How about a trek to see a field full of sunflowers? 

The sunflower field in Autaugaville that draws visitors from across the state and beyond will open July 1st just in time for the long, holiday weekend. 

Todd and Kim Sheridan own field along Alabama Highway 14 and plant about million sunflower seeds each May, according to an AL.com article. The field opens again July 1, 2023 at 6am, and blooms typically last for about 10 days, but there will be blooms for about 3 weeks. This year they also have a new wagon ride to make this experience even more fun for just $5!

Tips for visiting the Sunflower Field

The owners ask that visitors don’t bring pets. There is no charge to enter the field or take photos of your own children with your phone or camera. However, professional photographers must pay $20 per client/session in the field. 

You can even bring home a bucket of the cheery flowers. We recommend you bring your own cutters for safety reasons, although the farm has some available. Buckets are also available in the field, and you can put up to 14 flowers in a bucket for $10. 

You can also buy a single flower for $1 each. 

Field owners also sell T-shirts, tea towels, and sunflower seed packets.

To find the fields, Use 3301 Hwy 14 W, Autaugaville AL 36003. The field is open from sunrise to sunset. 

Days of bloom + others tips and reminders from the field

“We sprout ‘em, grow ‘em and watch ‘em bloom.” Keep updated on closures and other bloom dates throughout the season via their Facebook page here.

Important before-you-go tips:
1) Field opens July 1 at 6am
2) NO PETS – NO EXCEPTIONS
3) Credit/debit is now accepted but cash is still suggested as internet access is new for the field
4) Hours: Mon-Thur 8am – 8pm, Fri- Sun 6am – 8pm
5) There is one porta-potty on site for emergencies – they HIGHLY recommend making a stop to use the restroom before you get there.
6) There are lots of bees in the field. If you are allergic, please be aware. They generally keep to themselves and do their jobs!
7) Bring your own clippers if you can. There are some onsite, but people tend to walk off with them like ink pens.

Special event: Dog Days of Summer
From their Facebook page, “On the last two days of the season, we are going to allow dogs. Dogs only, no other pets. We expect this to be July 21 and 22. These dates may change subject to the flowers. All dogs must be leashed and you MUST pick up after your dog. This is only for the last two days. No pets allowed any other time.”

Like most activities nowadays, it’s best to check before you go to ensure the field is still open to visitors and any safety measures in place. You can follow the Sunflower Field on Facebook for current updates and other information. For more information, please visit thesunflowerfield.net

Find all your summer fun essentials at Alabama Outdoors. We want everyone to enjoy the outdoors, and we work to build loyalty one connection at a time. Visit one of our stores or take advantage of our shipping or in-store pickup! #BeOutdoors

With four national forests and 21 state parks, Alabama offers infinite opportunities to spend a weekend in the great outdoors—whether you prefer to find a campsite in the woods or pitch a tent practically on the beach. Alabama’s state parks typically play host to tons of amenities, often including restaurants, lodges, equipment rentals, and nature centers or museums; many state parks also provide access to incredible backcountry experiences.

Other public land—encompassing nearly 667,000 acres of Alabama—boasts much of the same fascinating history, much of it with the Civilian Conservation Corps, but in the company of fewer other visitors.

Regardless of where you plan to pitch your tent (and whether you plan to drive, hike, bike, or boat there) the time to hit the trail is now: Temperatures are cooling off, bugs have dissipated, and the fall camping season is in full swing. The wilderness is awaiting adventurers—and if you’re a camping newbie, here’s a rundown of some of the best spots for camping in Alabama.

Oak Mountain State Park

With over 11,000 acres, Oak Mountain is Alabama’s largest state park—and whether you’re looking for a relaxing getaway or a more rugged, off-the-beaten-path experience, this park has you covered. Oak Mountain boasts tent and RV sites, along with excellent hike-in backpacking sites for parties of up to eight.

It’s not just great camping: In addition to its hiking trails, this park’s mountain bike trail system was named to the international Epic Trail list by the International Mountain Bicycling Association in 2010. Oak Mountain rents canoes and SUPs for use on one of two 85-acre lakes—and, for those not ready to quite give up the summer, a beach specifically for campground guests.

Open Pond Recreation Area

Looking to skip the crowds? Open Pond Recreation Area has fewer amenities than many of Alabama’s state parks, but it also sees far fewer visitors each season—and, at just $8/night for a tent site, it’s a bargain. Sites boast panoramic views of the area’s namesake pond, as well as access to fishing, boating, biking, and hiking on the Conecuh Trail, which covers 20 miles of Conecuh National Forest. The trail—built by the Youth Conservation Corps—is open to backpackers, though it’s crucial to coordinate backcountry trips with the District Office to avoid scheduled deer hunts in the adjacent wildlife management area.

Cheaha State Park

Alabama’s oldest state park is also one of the best spots for great views—it encompasses the 2,413-foot Cheaha Mountain, the highest point in the state. The Civilian Conservation Corps built a stone observation deck on the summit of Cheaha in the park’s early days; visitors can still take in the sights from Bunker Tower today. Cheaha is also the starting point for the 335-mile Pinhoti National Recreation Trail, which winds through Talladega National Forest on its course to the Appalachian Trail.

The park’s semi-primitive tent sites allow campers to park adjacent to their spot along the Picnic Trail, while primitive sites feel isolated from the hustle and bustle of the park. Reserve either type in advance for the best spots.

Cathedral Caverns State Park

Cathedral Caverns is no longer called “Bat Cave,” but the moniker is still appropriate: The park’s main feature is its limestone cave system, which contains a forest of stalagmites—including Goliath, one of the world’s largest at 45 feet tall and 243 feet in circumference.

The park offers both improved and primitive campsites—no reservations required, and, unlike many state parks, no minimum stay, even on weekends—along with a backcountry site on Pisgah Mountain. Save a few bucks thanks to Cathedral Caverns’ cheaper camping fees (a benefit of its off-the-beaten-path nature), and splurge on a 90-minute cave tour, offered several times daily year-round.

Magnolia Branch Wildlife Reserve

With 12 miles of waterfront, Magnolia Branch is one of the best spots in the state to enjoy kayaking, canoeing, swimming, fishing, or tubing just steps from your tent. The reserve does have RV hookups and 15 tent sites with water. For folks looking to plan a last-minute trip, Magnolia Branch doesn’t put a limit on the number of primitive campsites—meaning you’re virtually guaranteed a spot, even on a busy weekend.

DeSoto State Park

This state park gets plenty of points for biggest variety both in terms of overnight options and daytime activities. In addition to its improved, primitive, and backcountry sites, DeSoto State Park is home to a wall tent site, four rustic CCC cabins, and the primitive Pioneer Cabin.

Start the morning off on the right foot by attending an hourlong session of outdoor yoga (schedule here; $5/person), then spend your days canoeing or kayaking a section of flatwater above 107-foot Desoto Falls—the park rents single sit-on-top kayaks for $15/hour or $25/hour for tandem—or hiking on the park’s 35 miles of trails.

Gulf State Park

Located on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, the aptly named Gulf State Park is home to 2 miles of white sand beaches, along with over 28 miles of hiking and biking trails in the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail Complex, which covers six distinct ecosystems.

The developed campground at Gulf State Park is enormous—it offers nearly 500 sites with hookups—but the park has also added 11 primitive campsites for a more intimate experience, and 3 glamping sites. Along with myriad other forms of wildlife, this park is home to alligators, and though attacks on humans are rare, park management asks that visitors stay aware of their surroundings while in the park.

Featured image provided by Alan Cressler

When the dad in your life insists that he doesn’t need anything for Father’s Day, it’s time to get creative and show him how much you care. Explore our handpicked gift guide, featuring this year’s top gifts that will help you make memories together outdoors while also giving him the opportunity to replace or upgrade some of his trusted essentials. 

For the dad who likes to chill in the summer, and tailgate in the fall.

We know what you’re thinking- dad has a cooler. Hear us out. Make dad the envy of the crew with the feature-packed Yeti Tundra Wheeled Cooler. With two durable and puncture resistant tires, and a long aluminum-welded towing arm, dad will be rolling up in style whether his adventures are at the tailgate, or on the beach. This is the perfect gift so dad can spend less time hauling and more time chilling. If dad could use a smaller cooler or some more Yeti Ice’s for his current setup, shop all Yeti here. 

For the dad who deserves some r&r in nature.

Elevate dad’s camping adventures, or should we say elongate, with the epic Kelty Lowdown Couch. With 3 seats, there is enough room for the family or for dad to stretch out and unwind after a long hike. Because when it comes to enjoying nature, comfort should never be compromised. Does he need a more lightweight option? Check out all of our outdoor chairs here.

For the dad who’s impossible to shop for.

Gift him the impossible-to-resist with Goodr Sunglasses. Goodr Sunglasses offer a blend of style, functionality, and affordability, making it an easy choice and a high chance he needs a fresh pair.

 For the dad who’s always on the go.

Celebrate the adventurous spirit of the dad who’s always on the go this Father’s Day. Gift him a pair of shoes that will keep up with his active lifestyle and be the foundation of cherished memories shared with you, whether at the gym, around town, or in the great outdoors. Shop our top footwear gifts that match his lifestyle here.

 For the dad who loves activities and quality time.

Pickleball is having its moment and has been quickly gaining popularity across all age groups, and it’s a game that brings people closer together while having a lot of fun. With the Nettie Pickleball Set, you’ll guarantee endless hours of enjoyment for the whole family. Whether he’s a seasoned player or new to the sport, it’s an easy sport to pick up and perfect for all levels. Game on! Shop Nettie Pickleball Sets here.

Still looking for more ideas for the dad in your life? Click here for our full Father’s Day Gift Guide. We want everyone to enjoy the outdoors, and we work to build loyalty one connection at a time. Visit one of our stores or take advantage of our shipping or in-store pickup! #BeOutdoors