Exciting Spring Events in Tallahassee
Spring in Tallahassee comes alive with a robust lineup of open-air concerts, festivals and events surrounded by vibrant arts, culture and natural beauty. Plan your getaway to Florida’s Capital City to experience these wonderful events.
Pride in the Park
March 1
Tallahassee PRIDEFEST is an annual celebration designed to promote peace and understanding among diverse cultures, races, creeds, genders and sexual identities. Come to Cascades Park, in the heart of downtown Tallahassee, and join us as we celebrate pride! Entertainment all afternoon on the main stage, food and vendors throughout the park, a Kids Zone, and more! With a family-friendly atmosphere, it’s free and open to everyone!
Grove Day
March 8
Celebrate spring and Florida Archaeology Month at The Grove Museum with a day of special programs. Go “beyond the trowel” to learn about cutting-edge technology used by archaeologists to study the past. Enjoy archaeology demonstrations and tours, musical performances, outdoor games and activities, special museum tours, and more. Grove Day 2025 is free and open to the public!
Tasha Cobbs Leonard and Kirk Franklin Performing at Jubilee Gospel Festival
March 21-22
Prepare for two-days of unparalleled gospel music at the 2nd annual Jubilee Gospel Music Festival featuring Tasha Cobbs Leonard and Kirk Franklin on March 21 – 22, 2025, at the Adderley Amphitheater at Cascades Park.
On Friday, March 21, 2025, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, named Billboard’s Top Gospel Artist of the Decade, will take the stage. Known for her powerhouse vocals, Leonard reimagines classic hymns on her latest album, HYMNS, blending gospel, worship, and R&B, with collaborations including Jennifer Hudson and Mary Mary. Special guest Pastor Shirley Caesar, the “Reigning Queen of Gospel,” will also perform on Friday. Caesar has captivated audiences for over six decades, from her early days with the Caravans to her extraordinary solo career. With 12 Grammy Awards, 18 Dove Awards, 14 Stellar Awards, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Pastor Caesar remains a monumental force in gospel music.
On Saturday, March 22, 2025, Kirk Franklin, a 20-time GRAMMY® Award-winning gospel artist, will headline the event. Franklin’s revolutionary blend of gospel, hip-hop, R&B, and contemporary Christian music has inspired millions for over 30 years. In March 2023, Franklin made history by spending 100 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Gospel Songwriters Chart, becoming the first person to reach the 100-week milestone on a songwriters chart. His most recent album, Father’s Day (2023), explores themes of love, faith, and resilience. Special guest Pastor John P. Kee, a gospel icon since the late 1980s, will join Franklin on Saturday. Known for his redemptive message and passionate praise, Kee has earned multiple Stellar, Soul Train, and Billboard Awards.
Springtime Tallahassee
March 28-29, 2025
Springtime Tallahassee is the area’s free flagship spring event and one of the largest and most celebrated parades in the Southeast. Spanning two days, Friday night’s Music Festival at Kleman Plaza features a national act, followed by Saturday’s Grand Parade and Jubilee in the Park bringing art, crafts, local cuisine and boutique vendors to downtown Tallahassee.
Violent Femmes Performing with the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra
April 4
The Friday night opener for the Word of South festival, Violent Femmes with the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra, will perform their self-titled debut album at the Adderley Amphitheater at Cascades Park on Friday, April 4, 2025.
Pioneering 1980s folk-punk outfit, the Violent Femmes, join forces with the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra for a fully symphonic rendition of their self-titled debut album. Released in 1983, the album features classic tracks like “Blister in the Sun,” “Gone Daddy Gone,” and “Add It Up.” Formed in 1981 in Milwaukee, Violent Femmes gained a dedicated following with their distinctive blend of punk and folk rock. The band’s raw sound and honest lyrics have resonated across generations, earning them critical acclaim and a place in alternative music history. With their influential self-titled debut album going platinum, Violent Femmes have consistently delivered energetic, unforgettable live performances and continue to captivate audiences worldwide over the past 40 plus years, with their authentic, genre-defying style.
Word of South
April 4-6
Word of South, a Festival of Literature and Music returns with a live exploration of writers and musicians at Cascades Park. Set amongst the backdrop of the Capital City skyline at Cascades Park, Word of South features authors who write about music, musicians who also are also authors and everything in between. The family-friendly event also boasts a children’s ‘Literacy Lane’ offering tales from local authors, as well as literary and musical performances on multiple stages.
The Friday night opener for the Word of South festival, Violent Femmes with the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra, will perform their self-titled debut album at the Adderley Amphitheater at Cascades Park on Friday, April 4, 2025.
Wilco with Waxahatchee Live at the Adderley Amphitheater
April 26, 2025
The Chain of Parks Art Festival weekend is set to begin with an unforgettable night of live music as Wilco, with special guest Waxahatchee, takes the stage at The Adderley Amphitheater on Friday, April 26th. As one of the most celebrated indie rock bands of the past three decades, Wilco has captivated audiences worldwide with their genre-defying sound and innovative artistry. Their special guest, Waxahatchee, brings a raw and heartfelt energy that perfectly complements the evening’s atmosphere.
LeMoyne Chain of Parks Art Festival
April 26-27, 2025
LeMoyne Chain of Parks Art Festival turns the city’s iconic downtown Chain of Park into a natural art gallery with one-of-a-kind works of art from all over the United States. As North Florida’s premier outdoor fine arts festival, visitors will find unique pieces from more than 150 artists, as well as chalk art, local food and craft beer vendors, children’s art activities and live entertainment.
Alison Krauss & Union Station Featuring Jerry Douglas
April 30, 2025
Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, with special guest Willie Watson, will perform at the Adderley Amphitheater at Cascades Park on Wednesday, April 30, 2025.
Alison Krauss & Union Station, featuring legendary dobro player Jerry Douglas, have redefined bluegrass music with their innovative blend of tradition and contemporary influences. Krauss, a 27-time Grammy winner, is celebrated for her angelic vocals and virtuosic fiddle playing, while Union Station’s world-class musicians, including Douglas, bring unmatched energy and expertise to their performances. With timeless albums like New Favorite and Lonely Runs Both Ways, they continue to captivate audiences worldwide.
Shakespeare in the Park Festival
May 8-11, 2025
The Southern Shakespeare Company will host its 10th annual Free Shakespeare in the Park Festival from May 8-11, 2025, at Cascades Park. The four-day event, modeled after New York City’s iconic Free Shakespeare in the Park, is expected to draw up to 10,000 attendees.
This year’s festival features performances of Henry IV, Part 1, directed by Broadway’s Conner Wilson (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child), alongside guest appearances from acclaimed actors Wil Johnson (The House of the Dragon, Outlander), Kelsey Scott (12 Years a Slave, The Walking Dead), and comedian Kevin McDonald (The Kids in the Hall, Lilo & Stitch).
The festival also includes the Bardlings’ youth performance of Twelfth Night, presented Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
Guests can enjoy family-friendly entertainment, food, and beverages under the stars in Florida’s capital city. Admission is free, and audiences from across the Southeast and beyond are welcome to experience the magic of Shakespeare in this open-air event.
For more information, visit https://southernshakespearefestival.org/free-festival/
Emancipation Day
May 20
Recognizing Emancipation Day on May 20, Tallahassee holds a weeklong celebration, rejoicing freedom in Florida’s Capital City. While today news of a single event can be transmitted across the planet in seconds, this was not the case in April 1865. More than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued, word reached Tallahassee on May 20, 1865, nearly a full month before finally reaching Texas on June 19 (Juneteenth). In partnership with the Knott House Museum and the John G. Riley Museum, each year on May 20, a celebration is held on the steps of the Knott House Museum with performances, speakers, and a historical reenactment of Union General McCook’s reading of the Emancipation Proclamation.
