3rd Friday Downtown Decatur, AL

Downtown Decatur is the place to be every third Friday of the month from March through October. The event is from 5:00 – 9:00 pm and admission is free.

3rd Friday Downtown is a large-scale block party featuring live music, arts and crafts, local food, kids activities, special attractions, and many in-store events.

Decatur’s Downtown Merchant’s Association began 3rd Fridays several years ago to increase traffic in the downtown district. With the recent approval of the Arts and Entertainment District and the addition of several new restaurants and businesses downtown, the 3rd Friday events have brought the best crowds yet in 2014.

The monthly event now stretches across both major downtown areas of Decatur (Bank Street and 2nd Avenue), and spills over onto adjoining streets as well.

If You Go

Both Bank Street and 2nd Ave. are blocked off to traffic, but parking is available on adjoining streets and in downtown parking lots.

Shuttle transportation is available between Bank Street and 2nd Ave. for $1 per ride (shuttle locations are beside Tammy Eddy on Bank Street, and by the Alabama Center for the Arts on 2nd. Ave.).

Downtown shops are open late, and many host special in-store events.

Food is available in downtown restaurants, or if you want to eat on the go, the Bank Street Food Court will have a variety of local options.

Horse-drawn carriage rides will be available, and there are several kid-friendly activities including the Kids Zone play area (near Bank Independent) and art activities sponsored by the Carnegie Visual Arts Center.

Classic and antique cars line the streets, and artists and vendors are set up throughout downtown with an array of products available for purchase.

Live music will fill downtown with the Al Keith Band on the main stage (Bank Street) from 6:00 – 8:00 pm.

Other musicians will be scattered throughout downtown, including

Kim Stone
Michael Barber
Haden McLean
Correy MacIlveen
Wes Woodard
Morgan County Dulcimer Association

Several restaurants will also have live music inside, including Moe’s Original BBQ, Back Alley Bistro, and Simp McGhee’s.

Special Events

This month’s special events include:

Fashion show sponsored by A Beautiful Edge Salon and Goody 2 Shoes – 7:00 pm
Sorytelling with Joyce Billingsley from NPR at The Echo Gypsy
Live blacksmithing demonstrations and an “Alabama Scoundrels” book signing at The Cupboard
Jewelry trunk show and WildTree sampling at Mimi’s
Chalk Art Challenge contest, hosted by the Carnegie, for the best street art on Bank Street

Don’t miss this great family event this Friday, and every third Friday!