We can’t wait for Panoply Arts Festival 2023!

Make sure it’s on your calendar for April 28 – 30, 2023, in Big Spring Park. Here’s everything you need to know to make plans for the Southeast’s premier arts weekend. 

What is Panoply?

Hosted by the incredible team at Arts Huntsville, the Panoply Arts Festival has evolved into a premiere arts weekend showcasing Huntsville’s innovative spark through a three-day celebration of art, music, and more.

Panoply’s 41st celebration kicks off at 5 p.m. on Friday, April 28, showcasing regionally celebrated bands and musicians, the fan-favorite juried Art Marketplace, art and STEAM interactives, a large-scale community art project, craft beer and wine, food trucks and more. This year the festival will again span across Church Street and into Big Spring Park East.

Panoply Details for 2023

Two Entrance Gates 

Have you noticed all the new construction in downtown Huntsville? Quite a lot of it has been happening around Big Spring Park. With a new hotel under active construction, Monroe is still sidelined. 

This year, Panoply will again take up most of its traditional Big Spring Park footprint while also crossing Church Street and over into Big Spring Park East. 

A portion of Church Street will be closed, and quite a bit of the Art Marketplace will be set up there again this year. 

The two entrance gates will be available this year, one on Church Street near Huntsville Utilities and one on Williams by the Museum. 

There will be no entrance on Monroe Street this year. 

3 Performance Stages

Panoply 2023 will feature 30+ bands and musicians that make Huntsville the place to be for music today. Performers from all genres — jazz, rock, R&B, indie rock, blues, pop, and more – will entertain festivalgoers throughout the weekend. 

The Panoply showcase stage will once again be behind the Huntsville Museum of Art. 

The Indie Stage has found its home in Big Spring Park East, on the small concrete pad that is at the top of the slope behind the current city municipal building. The Indie Stage will feature solo artists and duets for a more intimate performance space. 

Back for 2023 is the spoken-word stage – Art OutLoud. It will fire up with poets, authors, and other spoken word performances during the transitions between bands on the Showcase stage. 

UNITY is Back

Six years ago, Panoply introduced the “UNITY” art activity, a larger-than-life structure that celebrates what ties us together. Nancy Belmont created “UNITY,” an interactive public art project, to raise consciousness about the labels we give ourselves and others. 

If you attend Panoply this year, be sure and take part in “UNITY”. At the end of the festival, the community will have made something truly special. 

PLUS it will be a great place to take a selfie or video! 

2023 Also Features…

• The Student Art Tent
• Face Painting
• Arts in Action
• STEAM Street
• Creativity Corner
• Food Vendors
• Military Salute Night
• 2 Nights of Fireworks
• 100 + artists
• $18 Weekend Tickets
• and more

If you are a Panoply regular, we’ll see you in the park. If you’ve never been to Panoply, this is the year you MUST put it on your calendar. With 41 years of staying power, you know it is something special. 

PANOPLY HOURS

• Friday, April 28 from 5:00 to 9:00 pm
• Saturday, April 29 from 10:00 am. to 9:00 pm
  • Art Marketplace closes at 7:30 pm on Saturday
• Sunday, April 30 from 11:00 am to  6:00 pm

Day passes to the festival are only $10 in advance; kids 12 and under get in free! Weekend passes are available for $18 online only through Friday, April 29 at 4:00 pm. On-site ticket prices are $15 all weekend (at the gate and online).

Remember: bring your own chairs or blankets, but leave your dogs at home. 

For more information, visit Arts Huntsville.