The weather is certainly cooperating for Tallahassee’s spring festival fever. It’s the perfect time for enjoying art, music, food and meeting up with friends at the Chain of Parks downtown and events all around town.
The American Legion features blues artists Victor Wainwright and Frank Bang this weekend and down at the coast, the SGI Brewfest taps dozens of breweries for its 9th annual festival.
In Downtown Tallahassee, thousands of people strolled through the 25th annual Chain of Parks Art Festival that featured street art, live entertainment and more on Saturday, April 26, 2025.
Here’s a roundup of entertaining events around Tallahassee, culled from emails, press releases, the Council on Culture & Arts, online listings and elsewhere.
Restaurant specials: Tallahassee’s Chain of Parks Art Festival adds new dining week
1. Shop the Chain of Parks Art Festival
The 26th Annual Chain of Parks Art Festival spreads out along Park Avenue downtown from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, April 18, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, April 19.
The long festival weekend kicks off with a special ticketed event and presentation featuring nationally recognized painter Noah Verrier at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 16, at the Moran Center in partnership with FSU’s Opening Nights. Tickets $15-$30.
Set under the majestic live oak trees of downtown Tallahassee’s Bloxham, Lewis, and Randolph “Chain of Parks,” the two-day event will welcome thousands of visitors to view and purchase unique works of fine art from over 160 national juried artists, while enjoying a weekend filled with live 3-D street art, folk and heritage art, live local entertainment, musical processions, children’s art activities, local cultural re-enactments, community connections, delicious local food, craft beer, and more.
In Downtown Tallahassee, thousands of people strolled through the 25th annual Chain of Parks Art Festival that featured street art, live entertainment and more on Saturday, April 26, 2025.
On Saturday, April 18, at 2:30 p.m., visitors can witness a whimsical theatrical procession of larger-than-life puppets and masks envisioned by renowned local artist Linda Hall, accompanied by musicians and community artists. This performative parade will wind through the parks, concluding with an interactive play in the Children’s Park. On Sunday, April 19, the energy continues at 2:30 p.m. with a celebratory performance by the Rickards High School Marching Raider Band, showcasing the immense talent of local Leon County students.
Beer festival: Head to the coast for 9th year of St. George Island Brewfest
2. Two days, two blues acts light up American Legion
Bluesman Victor Wainwright and Friends Band will perform live at the American Legion Post 13 in Tallahassee on Friday, April 17, 2026.
A Grammy nominated roots musician and producer boogies into Tallahassee this weekend when MacDaddy Blues Productions presents Victor Wainwright and Friends Band live at the American Legion Post 13, 229 Lake Ella Drive, at 8 p.m. Friday, April 17. Wainwright is a Blues Music Award winning performer and boogie woogie blues keyboard player.
Tickets are available at macdaddyblues.com and are $30 advance and $35 day of show. Limited VIP tables for four available at $35 per seat. His piano is an extension of his blues heart and soul, with a discography including “Pianna From Savannah,” “Beale Street To The Bayou, “Lit Up,” “Easy Livin,” “Boom Town” and “Memphis Loud.”
Frank Bang.
American Legion stays hopping on Saturday, April 18, with a Camp Jam 2026 show at 6:30 p.m. featuring Frank Bang, former Buddy Guy guitarist. Opening acts are Dennis Fiorini, Mechanical Lincoln and Brett Wellman and the Stone Cold Blues Band. The Sunrise Tallahassee Rotary in cooperation with Mac Daddy Blues Productions presents the show. Food available on site. Tickets are $20 advance and $25 day of show.
3. Bill Wharton throws a CD Release Party at The Hub
Sauce Boss With Extra Sauce will play at The Hub at Feather Oaks on April 18, 2026, featuring songs from their new CD.
Longtime Tallahassee blues man and gumbo chef extraordinaire Bill Wharton is having a CD release party from 5-8 p.m. Saturday, April 18, at the Hub at Feather Oaks, 6500 Miccosukee Road.
“The Sauce Boss with Extra Sauce” is being released on April 17 and the band — Neal Goree, Bill Wharton, Kendrick Jacobs and Brett Crook — will celebrate songs from their spicy new CD. Free gumbo for all.
Here’s a description from their news release: “The Extra Sauce is slathered all over these Bill Wharton tunes. And also a couple of traditional songs are drippin with the stuff. Neal Goree (guitar), Kendrick Jacobs (bass), and Brett Crook (drums) give the album the flavor not unlike my Liquid Summer Hot Sauce. Especially when you dump Liquid Summer into your BBQ sauce. The umami of that hot, sweet and sour, describes the Extra Sauce just fine.”
4. SportsAbility Expo for everyone
De’Ayja Arnett, second from left, Adrian Gordon, and Destyne Arnett, tube on the water during SportsAbility, at Maclay Garden State Park Saturday, April 13, 2019. The 2026 SportsAbility adventure day is April 18 at Maclay Gardens.
People of all abilities are invited to SportsAbility, a free two-day event that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by promoting active living and providing first-hand access to resources and activities designed to encourage participation on April 17-18.
This 2-day event kicks off from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, April 17, with a resource expo and indoor accessible recreation at the Tallahassee State College. Representatives from local and state organizations will provide information and services for individuals with disabilities. SportsAbility’s outdoor adventure day at Maclay Gardens is from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, April 18. Participants will be able to try everything from sit water-skiing to rock wall climbing, boat rides, lawn games, horseback riding, EcoRovers and more. The events are free, but registration is required at sportsability.org.
5. Faustlandia rises on South Monroe Street
The Mickee Faust Club is presenting “The Rise of Faustlandia” at their new clubhouse on South Monroe Street April 17-18 and April 23-25, 2026.
After two years of upheaval, heartbreak, and high-quality chaos, Mickee Faust is back — with a brand new home and a brand new show introducing the Mickee Faust Clubhouse, now open at 2011 South Monroe Street.
“The Rise of Faustlandia” opens at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 17-18, and April 23-25. Tickets are $20 general, $15 for students and seniors. Show contains adult language, partial nudity, and suggestive content. Visit mickeefaust.com.
“When that tornado smashed our old theater to smithereens we thought we were goners,” confessed Mickee Faust (Terry Galloway), erstwhile leader of Faust, which opens its first show in the new home — a spring cabaret bursting with comedy, music, mayhem, and the particular brand of theatrical trouble that Faust has been unleashing on Tallahassee audiences for decades
Bonus event: Days of Dance leaps into spring
Florida State University’s School of Dance presents its annual Days of Dance concerts April 17-18 and April 24-25, 2026.
Florida State University School of Dance presents two weekends of Days of Dance at the Nancy Smith Fichter Dance Theatre, 130 Collegiate Loop, Montgomery Hall.
The two weekends of dance, featuring work by School of Dance Faculty and Students, are divided into Program A and Program B. The performances for Program A will be at 7:30 p.m. April 17, 2 p.m. April 18 and 7:30 p.m. April 25. Program B will be at 7:30 p.m. April 18, 7:30 p.m. April 24 and 2 p.m. April 25.
Tickets are $20-$12. Visit dance.fsu.edu.
Bonus event: Music fest at FSU Union Green
Jacob Da Costa of Tallahassee band The Weatherboys, is one of the producers of “Lei’d Out Loud,” music festival to Florida State University’s Union Green on April 18, 2026.
A new music festival, “Lei’d Out Loud,” featuring local indie bands, will make a splash on Florida State University’s Union Green from 3-11 p.m. Saturday, April 18.
Attendees can catch the Weatherboys and a host of other bands gathered at Union Green on FSU’s campus, next to the Oglesby Union. The event is sponsored by the FSU College of Music, the Student Union, and Club Downunder, but the festival is open to all. Visitors will catch local and regional indie bands Hello Sister, Sofia Camille, Stellus, Walking Blue, the Nancys, Buko Boys, Rohna, and Edgehill, along with a mystery opener to be selected by a panel of judges.
Bonus event: Lake Street Dive pulls into The Adderley
Lake Street Dive is headed to Tallahassee for a concert at The Adderley Amphitheater on April 23, 2026.
Bring on the seemingly casual harmonies and laidback vibe when the band Lake Street Dive (the name comes from an old hang-out) makes an appearance at the Adderley Amphitheater in Cascades Park at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 23. Tickets are $64, $88 and $99. Visit theadderleyamphitheater.com.
OTHER EVENTS
Amicus Brewing: STAC Charity Tap Event with The Sevens, 6-9 p.m. Friday, April 17, 717 S Gadsden St. Rachel Hillman, 7-10 p.m., April 18.
Lexi Long performs at the Blue Tavern along with Durham & Skene at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 18, 2026.
Blue Tavern: Two Clever starts the weekend at Blue Tavern, 1206 N. Monroe St., at 5 p.m. Friday, April 17, followed at 8 p.m. by the Will Fulkerson Trio (Will Fulkerson, Abnerm Gonazalez, Lawrence Turner) playing the music of Robert Glasper. $10 cover. Traditional Irish Session starts at 4 p.m. Saturday, April 18. Check in at 8 p.m. for a double header with Lexi Long with Durham & Skene. Originating from Florida’s Space Coast, Lexi Long is a multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter whose words dance with a catchy melody. Brian Durham and Chris Skene, founding members of Blue Begonias, are both successful musicians in their own right with their respective bands, The New 76ers (Durham) and Revival (Skene). Together, they create a sound that audiences have described as “familiar” and perfectly blended. A special guest is confirmed. $10 cover. Joe First plays happy hour piano at 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 21, followed at 8 p.m. by JC and the Backscratchers. $5 cover. Rad Reading happy hour at 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, followed at 8 p.m. by Open Mic Night. Happy hour with the Bottom Dollars Boys at 5 p.m. Thursday, April 23, followed at 8 p.m. by Taylor Hollingsworth. The Birmingham, Alabama, based solo songwriter and guitarist became established playing guitar and co-writing songs with Conor Oberst in The Mystic Valley Band project. $10 cover.
Crooked River Lighthouse: The Crooked River Lighthouse continues its Country Farmers Market from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, April 18, followed by a wild weed walk from 1-2 p.m. This outdoor market is a great chance to shop small, shop local, and discover unique gifts and goods while supporting area vendors, artists, bakers, artisans and crafters. For more details, visit CrookedRiverLighthouse.com.
Dukes and Dottie’s: Two Foot Level, 9-11 p.m. Friday, April 17, 1122 Thomasville Road.
Due South 2026 with JJ Grey & Mofro: 6-10 p.m Saturday, April 18, The Ritz Amphitheater131 South Stevens Street, Thomasville, Georgia. Due South, an annual concert to benefit Thomasville Center for the Arts. Concert is sold out.
First Responders Fun Day: Presented by Leon County Sheriff’s Office and FSU Center for Autism, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, April 18, North Florida Fairgrounds, 441 Paul Russell Road.
The Getaway Grille and Bar: 7-10 p.m. Friday, April 17, Boom Chick Ramblers, 2386 Allen Road. JC & the Backscratchers, 7-10 p.m. April 18.
Hot Tamale will be entertaining for the “Mermaids & Mimosas”fundraiser at the Gulf Specimen Marine Lab in Panacea, from 4-7 p.m. Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Gulf Specimen Marine Lab: Hot Tamale will be entertaining for the “Mermaids & Mimosas”fundraiser at the Gulf Specimen Marine Lab in Panacea, from 4-7 p.m. Sunday, April 19. In addition to the usual fabulous exhibits of sea life, there will be great food and real-life mermaids. Tickets are a $40 donation to support the work of the Marine Lab.
NorthFlora Collective: Magnolia School Earth Day Jam with Two Foot Level, 2-5 p.m. Sunday, April 19, 609 Railroad Square.
Tucker Civic Center: The outspoken and profane comic Katt Williams is back for more high-pitched hilarity in concert at 7 p.m. April 17 at The Tucker Civic Center. Tickets range from $82 to $318. Visit civiccenter.com.
Have an event coming up? Email details to limelight@tallahassee.com.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Top 5 fun things to do around Tallahassee this weekend