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Every year, the Bridge Crossing Jubilee, or simply Jubilee, takes place in Selma, Alabama. Held in the first week of March, Jubilee commemorates the event known as “Bloody Sunday,” which occurred on March 7, 1965. It marked protestors’ first attempt to march to the state capitol in response to the death of Jimmie Lee Jackson in nearby Marion, Alabama. Read more about Bloody Sunday.
Upcoming Jubilee: March 5 - 8, 2026
Jubilee is a festival of remembrance. Activities, speakers, and musical performances are held over the course of the week, leading up to the finale on Sunday, when attendees cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge. In previous years, the U.S. President or Vice President, among other important figures, have been keynote speakers prior to the bridge crossing.
Two of our Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail Visitor Centers will be open specifically for Jubilee Sunday, 9:00am - 4:30pm.
Left image
Jubilee 2023
Credit: NPS Photo
Right image
Bloody Sunday 1965
Credit: courtesy of Alabama Department of Archives and History
What to Expect
If you visit during Jubilee, you will see Selma at its busiest. Visitors come from all over the world to commemorate Bloody Sunday and the Voting Rights Movement of 1965.
Tips for Jubilee Sunday
Many people attend a Sunday morning church service at one of several historic churches in Selma, such as Brown Chapel AME, Tabernacle Baptist Church, or First Baptist Church. These services commemorate the Sunday services at Brown Chapel AME that marchers attended before the Selma to Montgomery marches in 1965.
Speakers at the Sunday services often include foot soldiers, civil rights figures, and members of Congress. Parking and seating is limited for these services.
Crowds begin to gather for the bridge crossing on Broad St. several hours in advance of the afternoon commemorative walk. If there are government officials in attendance, there may be checkpoints, metal detectors, and specific entry locations. Restrooms may not be readily available in this area, and there is no seating provided.
While the majority of the crowd will cross the bridge soon after the keynote speakers conclude, other coordinated groups, such as historic Black fraternities and sororities, will make their way across together after the initial crowd disperses.
Following the Bridge Crossing, festivities continue with food and music on Water Avenue. Souvenir vendors are typically set up downtown before and after the bridge crossing.
To get the most out of your Jubilee visit, create an itinerary of programs you’d like to attend. Events are also held in surrounding communities such as Marion and Montgomery. Check out Montgomery’s list of events.
Visit us at one of our Interpretive Centers, which are all open throughout the week of Jubilee. Park exhibits, short films, and rangers can provide background information about the local voting rights movement, events leading up to Bloody Sunday, and the final Selma to Montgomery march.
5 day Kingian Nonviolence Training with Dr. Bernard LaFayette
Monday - Friday
Selma Center for Nonviolence, Truth & Reconciliation, 8 Mulberry Rd. Admission fee for non-Dallas County residents Registration Link
Monday, 9:00am - 11:00am
2026 Alabama Poet Laureate: Dr. Jacqueline Trimble
Montgomery Interpretive Center, 1521 Harris Way, Montgomery
No Admission Fee
Friday, 8:30am - 12:00pm
Wallace Community College, 3000 Earl Goodwin Parkway 36701
Presenters: Dr. Robert White, Ted Quaint, Dr. John Heard, Anthony Browder, and Cicely Curtis.
No Admission Fee
Saturday
8:00am - 9:30am
R.B. Hudson Steam Academy, 1701 Summerfield Road
For more information, contact: Footsoldier, Kirk Carrington, (404)904-7706. Admission Fee: $15 per person or $150 for a table of 8
9:30am - 10:30am
Begins at Concordia College 1712 Broad St. and ends at the National Voting Rights Museum
No Admission Fee
1:30pm - 4:00pm
Location: Water Avenue Stage
Featuring: RSB Woo, John Boy, Pastor Troy, Mykko Montata, DJ Smooth, Homebwoi, DJ Oscar, and Mr. Smoke.
Admission is free with registration
Sunday
10:00am - 12:00pm
Various Locations: Tabernacle Baptist Church, Clinton Chapel, Brown Chapel Church, First Baptist Church
No Admission Fee (some churches request pre-registration)
11:30am - 1:30pm
Starts at Brown Chapel AME Church (410 Martin Luther King St.) and ends at the Foot of the Edmund Pettus Bridge, the walk is 7 city blocks.
No Admission Fee
1:30pm (time is approximate)
Edmund Pettus Bridge
No Admission Fee
All Events
Check out the full 2026 Jubilee Schedule of events throughout Selma for Monday, March 2 - Sunday, March 8.
Hotel options are limited in the city of Selma. Reserving a hotel room in advance is recommended; many visitors stay in surrounding cities as well, including Montgomery (1 hour away) or Birmingham (1.5 hours away). Hotel prices are often higher than usual during Jubilee dates.
Street parking throughout Selma is free of charge, but spaces close to the bridge fill up quickly on Jubilee Sunday. Also keep in mind that the Edmund Pettus Bridge will be closed to vehicles starting early Sunday morning, and there may be unannounced bridge closures for short periods in the days prior.
If you’re driving from Montgomery during a bridge closure, the best route to downtown Selma is to turn right on Main St. to stay on 80W and onton 41N rather than continuing straight on 80W Business. Then, take the Water Ave. exit, turn left onto Water Ave., and continue into downtown Selma. As you approach downtown, there may be roads blocked off to traffic; heading north will take you away from street closures.
Depending on keynote speakers, attendees should expect to stand for a while before the bridge crossing.
On Saturday and Sunday, there are food trucks and vendors along Water Ave. Many will sell bottled water. Be wary that some stands are cash-only!
Weather & Safety
Weather in Alabama in March fluctuates from year to year. It may be in the 70s and sunny, or it may be cool and raining. Check the forecast in the days leading up to your visit!
If you’re attending the bridge crossing on Sunday afternoon you may be standing for a while on the crowded street. In past years, dehydration and heat stroke have been concerns. It’s recommended to bring bottled water with you, as it’s difficult to leave the bridge crossing staging area once you’re there, but bear in mind that entry checkpoints may not allow drinks to be brought into the area. Water is not usually available for sale at this point.
All three of Trail Visitor Centers have bookstores on-site, which sell postcards, magnets, mugs, t-shirts, a selection of books, and more. Both our Lowndes and Selma visitor centers will be open everyday during Jubilee, 9:00am - 4:30pm. The Montgomery Interpretive Center will be open Mon-Sat, 9:00am - 4:30pm.
Vendors will have items available for sale along Water Ave. Saturday and Sunday, and Broad St. and the surrounding area immediately after the bridge crossing on Sunday. Some stands may be cash only.
Last updated: February 26, 2026
Park footer
Contact Info
Mailing Address:
7002 U.S. Highway 80 West
P.O. Box 595
Hayneville,
AL
36040
