2021 Birmingham Festivals

The variety of annual events nourishes the Birmingham vibe. Here are some of the festivals and events on the schedule for 2021. As some festivals have cancelled or postponed during these times, please check the individual festival website to check the status:

Mercedes Marathon– Tentatively moved to Spring 2021. The Mercedes-Benz Marathon Weekend of events has become a Birmingham tradition. The event has helped raise millions of dollars for local charities throughout its 18 year history. Check the website for updates.

Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama– April 9-11. Barber Motorsports Park. The only Indy Series event in the Deep South, this motorsports event draws tens of thousands of race fans every year.

Gumbo Gala– April 10. Sloss Furnace. This spicy event has grown into one of the city’s most popular cooking competitions. Proceeds benefit Episcopal Place, which provides affordable, independent living for seniors and disabled adults.

Gardendale Magnolia Festival– April 16-17. Gardendale Civic Center- A kid friendly event with face painting, inflatables, a rock wall and sensory-friendly stations. Enjoy a midway carnival, 150 vendor booths, three stages of live entertainment, a pooch parade, a 5K run/fun run and much more.

Magic City Art Connection– Spring 2021. Linn Park. Birmingham’s largest art festival spotlights 200 juried, fine artists from around the country in all mediums alongside Corks & Chefs: A Taste of Birmingham, Imagination Festival workshops for kids, two performance stages, a cafe’ and more.

Bob Sykes BBQ and Blues Festival– April 24. This annual event will combine the best of blues music and legendary Bob Sykes BBQ at the beautiful DeBardeleben Park located in historic downtown Bessemer from 12noon- 8pm. The music line-up features Bobby Rush, 2017 Grammy
winning blues legend, Blues Hall of Famer, and 12x Blues Music Award winner of the B.B. King Entertainer of the Year!

The Exceptional Foundation Chili Cook-Off– May 1. Brookwood Village. The previous Chili Cook-Off featured 150 cook teams and was attended by over 12,000 people, benefiting The Exceptional Foundation. Enjoy live music, beverages, a kid-zone and all the chili you can eat! Mmm!

Regions Tradition– May 5-9. Greystone Golf and Country Club. Annual PGA Golf Tournament benefitting local charities.

Homestead Hollow Arts & Crafts Festival– May 14-16. Springville. See wood carving, blacksmithing, wood stove cooking, quilting, whiskey making at our original working still, tour our original cabins as they were built by the early settlers. Enjoy great food, music and children’s activities.

Do Dah Day Festival– May 2021. Rhodes and Caldwell Parks. Benefitting animal rescue services, this is one of the city’s most wonderful and wacky events. Homemade floats and animals dressed in costume parade the streets of Highland Avenue.

Slicefest– June TBD. Lakeview District. 29th St. South outside Slicefest Pizza & Brewhouse. Birmingham’s favorite pizza party is back! This day-long block party features local and regional music artists, craft beers and specialty pizzas.

Juneteenth Celebration– June TBD. Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. The annual Juneteenth celebration, commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, is presented by the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.

Sidewalk Film Festival– August TBD. Downtown Birmingham Theatre District and other walkable locations. This showcase for independent film has gained wide notoriety in film and consumer publications for its tight organization, range of subject matter and good ol’ weekend fun.

Taste of 4th Avenue Jazz Festival– August TBD. Historic 4th Avenue Business District, downtown Birmingham. Enjoy live music, spoken word and vendors at this year’s Taste of 4th Avenue Jazz Festival! Free and open to the public, this event runs from 12 noon-10pm.

Homestead Hollow Arts & Crafts Festival– September 24-26. Springville.  See wood carving, blacksmithing, wood stove cooking, quilting, whiskey making at our original working still, tour our original cabins as they were built by the early settlers. Enjoy great food, music and children’s activities.

Fiesta– September TBD. Linn Park. Alabama’s largest celebration of Hispanic culture is a colorful event in downtown Linn Park. Learn about the many Hispanic countries and their cultures through art, music food and dance. From tortas to tacos and jerk chicken to pupusas, this fest puts on the spread. Here, you’ll find Salvadorian, Caribbean, and Brazilian food, from warm plantains, tapiocas, and quesadillas, to tamales, and corn cups. You can almost smell the homemade tortillas cooking. Come hungry!

Annual Whistle Stop Festival– September TBD. The Outlet Shops at Grand River, Leeds. Nothing makes us think “Alabama” better than fried green tomatoes. And if what you love about fried green tomatoes includes Fannie Flagg’s novel, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, well, then you might want to check out this local favorite held annually in the charming little downtown of Irondale just east of Birmingham.

Bluff Park Art Show– October 2. Bluff Park Community Center. Some of the finest artists in the country show at this annual event in the Bluff Park neighborhood of Birmingham.

Greek Food Festival– October TBD. Holy Trinity-Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral. Begun in 1972, this widely popular festival embraces the Greek zest for living through food, music, dance and a market of souvenirs.

The Alabama Butterbean Festival– October TBD. Pinson. This down-home gathering tempts you with butterbeans prepared in all sorts of ways, and then offers you one heck of a good time. In fact, if butterbeans aren’t your jam, you might want to come anyway for 12-hours of live music, carnival rides, food, petting zoos, pony rides, and who knows what else!

17th Annual Barber Vintage Festival– October TBD. Barber Motorsports Park. It’s a motorcycle enthusiast’s dream! Enjoy three days of non-stop action and fun at Birmingham’s premier motorsports park!

2021 Birmingham Oktoberfest– October TBD. Railroad Park. Put on your lederhosen and join us for Birmingham’s biggest German-themed party, Birmingham Oktoberfest 2019! Enjoy a variety of deliciously cold beers, German food, live music, and Oktoberfest-themed games and activities at Railroad Park.

Breakin’ Bread Food, Wine & Beer Festival– October TBD. Pepper Place. Come and enjoy a day filled with unlimited food sampling along with craft beer and wine, a makers’ market comprising of craftsmen from Pepper Place Market, a kid’s zone with special activities for children, live musical entertainment and more!

Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)- November 2. Pepper Place. In the Mexican tradition, the festival commemorates the deaths of loved ones through music and dance.

Christmas Village Festival– November TBD. Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex Exhibition Halls. Mothers and daughters, sisters, and friends begin their holiday shopping by meeting in Birmingham the first weekend in November to enjoy an amazing variety of gift ideas- all under one roof.

Moss Rock Festival – November TBD. Moss Rock Preserve. This eco-creative festival in the Birmingham suburb of Hoover explores Nature, SmartLIVING, Art + Design and features 100 juried artists & makers, a smart living market & sweetery, hikes and outdoor activities, the Beer Garden craft tasting event, music, food, kids studios, and other special design features like tiny homes.

National Veterans Day Parade – November 11. Downtown Birmingham. Birmingham has the oldest and one of the largest Veterans Day celebrations in the country.

Homestead Hollow Arts & Crafts Festival– November 12-14. Springville. See wood carving, blacksmithing, wood stove cooking, quilting, whiskey making at our original working still, tour our original cabins as they were built by the early settlers. Enjoy great food, music and children’s activities.