Sweet Home 250 Festival
Alabama's official celebration of America's 250th birthday — a two-day festival of music, history, food, and fireworks at American Village.
In 2026, the United States celebrates its 250th birthday — the semiquincentennial of American independence. Alabama’s official observance of this once-in-a-generation milestone is the Sweet Home 250 Festival, held July 3–4 at American Village in Montevallo.
A Once-in-a-Generation Event
This is not an annual festival. The Sweet Home 250 is a singular celebration — a two-day event designed to mark a moment that comes only once every 250 years. American Village, with its meticulous replicas of Independence Hall and other founding landmarks, is the most fitting venue in Alabama for this occasion.
Performers
The musical lineup reflects the depth of Alabama’s cultural heritage:
- Blind Boys of Alabama — legendary gospel and R&B group, one of the most celebrated Alabama acts of the 20th century
- Taylor Hicks — American Idol winner and Alabama native
- Myles Morgan — regional artist performing alongside national names
Activities Across Both Days
The festival goes far beyond concerts:
- Battle reenactments — living history performances of Revolutionary War engagements
- Chef demonstrations — culinary programming celebrating Alabama and American food traditions
- Art exhibitions — visual art celebrating the nation’s history and heritage
- Stunt dogs — crowd-pleasing performances for families
- Historical programming — the full American Village experience across both days
- Grand fireworks over Independence Hall — the July 4th finale, set against the backdrop of American Village’s replica of Philadelphia’s most famous building
When
July 3–4, 2026 at American Village, 3727 Highway 119, Montevallo. All day both days. Visit americanvillage.org for ticketing, the full schedule, and the latest announcements.