Festivals & Events

Alabama is beautiful throughout the year but especially in the fall. As the greens of summer surrender to glittering yellow poplars, scarlet dogwoods, orange maples and golden hickories, Alabama unfolds its patchwork quilt of color. This blend of brilliant autumn foliage, coupled with cooler temperatures and an occasional gentle breeze, makes for an unforgettable experience. Fall colors will begin showing in the mountains of North Alabama in early October and then sweep across the region. Colors will be at their peak from late October to early November. See website for map with projected color changes.

Suggested viewing areas in Central Alabama:

(1) At Oak Mountain State Park  in Pelham, take in the view from Peavine Overlook and Peavine Falls.

(2) Head north to Oneonta/Blount County and enjoy the color from Horton Mill, Old Easley or Swann covered bridges and Palisades Park. Take the drive on I-59 up Whitney Mountain near Oneonta, and proceed up U.S. 231.

(3) In Cullman/Cullman County, the Ave Maria Grotto and the 277-foot-long, 90-foot-high Clarkson Covered Bridge offer excellent views, as do scenic drives U.S. 31 and 278.

The Magic of Model Trains is back for 2020 to delight families throughout the holidays. Discover trains of every shape and size inside this awe-inspiring exhibit of locomotive displays. No detail is too small for our miniature landscapes. From the covered bridges and crowded downtown storefronts to multiple train stations, a thunderstorm, and a drive-in movie theater, the Magic of Model Trains will keep curious minds entertained for hours!

Bass Pro Shops is proud to invite families to the beloved tradition of visiting Santa Claus in person this holiday season, with a reimagined free Santa’s Wonderland experience in Birmingham.

The contactless visit with Santa includes a comprehensive approach to help ensure everyone’s safety throughout the event. Key elements include:

Free Digital Reservations: Advance digital reservations are required for all guests and can be made online. Spots are limited to allow appropriate physical distancing and additional cleaning.
Temperature Screening: All families and team members will complete temperature screening with a non-contact thermometer prior to entering Santa’s Wonderland.
Magic Santa Shield: An innovative, glare-free clear protective barrier will be in place between Santa and families at all times to allow for a contactless experience. The shield is cleaned and sanitized between each visit.
Physical Distancing: Families will standby in a designated area away from other shoppers with fun winter wonderland-themed floor decals and signage to ensure a safe distance.
Santa’s Sanitation Squad: Santa’s team of elves will clean all surfaces between each visit and frequently ensure all safety measures are being implemented correctly.
Face coverings: All team members throughout the store are required to wear face coverings. Customer requirements vary by location based on local public health guidelines.

Santa will be cruising into Birmingham Saturday, Nov. 7 to officially kick off Santa’s Wonderland.

Families are invited to Bass Pro Shops to welcome Santa in an outdoor drive by event as he officially arrives from the North Pole.

Contactless visits with Santa will start on Nov. 8 and advance reservations can be made beginning on Nov. 2. To learn more, and make a reservation, visit www.basspro.com/santa.

Jacob Lawrence: The American Struggle features the series of paintings Struggle . . . From the History of the American People (1954–56) by the iconic American modernist. The exhibition will reunite the multi-paneled work for the first time in more than half a century.

Alongside Lawrence’s paintings, the exhibition presents the work of contemporary artists Hank Willis Thomas, Derrick Adams, and Bethany Collins.

You’re invited to a virtual tour of the North Pole! Jojo and Francis, two hard-working and enthusiastic elves, are welcoming special kids to the NP for a first-of-its-kind experience and -- uh oh! Something seems to be going wrong with the reindeer, the toy-makers, and the nice list! Can you help the elves restore order in time for Santa’s annual delivery?

This live, zoom-centered performance for young audiences is an interactive experience that is equal parts story and activity. Up to 10 kids at a time will embark on a treasure hunt around their own homes to help collect the items needed to save the North Pole! With a little help from parents, participants will find special items in hidden locations in a brand new, one-of-a-kind BCT experience that is sure to be remembered!
While working together to help the elves save Christmas, your child will have a chance to connect with other kids in a special interactive performance that will spark imagination and bring magic to your house this holiday season!

Join Park Naturalist Lauren on a guided hike as she opts outside for Black Friday! Meet at the North Trailhead at 10:00am. After a brief welcome we will hike to Maggie's Glen via the White Trail. Please allow a few hours for this hike.

*Current COVID-19 guidelines apply! Please practice social distancing with other park guests and staff.

UAB will return to the field on Nov. 27 when the Blazers host Southern Miss at Legion Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on CBS Sports Network.

Come experience the magic of twinkling lights underground! Join us for our 4th annual event! It will be very different this year but we will still have all the fantastic lights. There will not be Santa nor as many characters but we still hope to offer a wonderful light tour for guests.

Covid- Masks are required in buildings and throughout the cave. Hand sanitizers will be throughout buildings and inside the cave. We are also limiting the number of families allowed in the cave at one time.

Based on one of the most popular comic strips of all time and adapted from the smash Broadway musical, Annie is set in Depression-era New York City, where a spunky little girl (Aileen Quinn) lives in an orphanage run by the boozy, tyrannical Miss Hannigan (Carol Burnett). Annie's hopes soar when multigazillionaire Oliver Warbucks (Albert Finney) decides to take in an orphan for a week to "upgrade his image." She gets herself chosen, gradually Annie and her adopted dog, Sandy, ingratiate themselves, and eventually Warbucks adopts the girl. But his search for Annie's missing parents turns up only the villainous Rooster (Tim Curry) and his venal girlfriend, Lily (Bernadette Peters), who conspire with Miss Hannigan to relieve Warbucks of both the girl and a hefty reward. It is left to Sandy, the other orphans and Daddy Warbucks to rescue Annie before it's too late.

The sun is coming out on this special event that includes exclusive insights from Turner Classic Movies.

Get ready for the Birmingham Zoo’s new larger than life illuminated experience, Glow Wild: An Animal Lantern Celebration! This extraordinary event will be held on select nights from 5pm until 9pm during the months of November, December, and January. Guests will be captivated by visually stunning lantern creations of wildlife from around the world. Watch the Zoo come alive with hundreds of marvelous animal shapes of all sizes – from pandas, elephants, cheetahs, polar bears, and whales – soaring up to 30 feet high! Spend all winter long with your Birmingham Zoo and GLOW WILD into the new year!

Join Hallelujah 105.1 for the Hallelujah Countdown to Christmas Concert Series! Every Friday from November 27th - December 25th starting at 7PM on our website and Facebook page.

Performing November 27th:

Titus Showers
Brandon Camphor & One Way
Keyla Richardson
VaShawn Mitchell

Great Southern Gun & Knife Shows, LLC has been in business for over 30 years producing high-quality shows that are consistently well attended by the public. Our hallmark of intensive advertising and our dealer-oriented philosophy makes us one of the top shows in the USA. The public is invited to bring their gun and trade for the gun they've always wanted. Come see the hundreds of tables full of new and old guns, knives, ammo, gun parts, reloading supplies, holsters and other related products at discounted prices. Our shows have everything necessary to meet the needs of hunters and collectors. We advocate high ethical standards of firearms trading that promotes positive public perceptions of Gun and Knife shows. We proudly support the nra.org in their efforts to keep our right to bear arms.

The Blazers host Southeastern Louisiana.

Enjoy an easy walk in the woodlands overlooking Birmingham on the Sunday after Thanksgiving.  The trail is level, as it is on an old mining railroad right of way just below the crest of Red Mountain.  This walk is an ideal activity for those Thanksgiving guests who have been in your house for several days and with whom you are looking for something to do to get them out of the house.  A previous walk on this trail drew one of the highest number of participants, 67, on any outing SEO has ever sponsored.  Don’t miss it!

Please meet at 1:45 p.m. in the Vulcan Park and Museum Parking Lot where you would normally park to visit the statue and Vulcan Park.  We plan to depart from there at 2:00 p.m.  We will walk from the big parking lot a short distance down some new stairs to the trail head and then on the trail to Green Springs Highway and back.  The formerly unpaved section of the Vulcan Trail has recently been widened and resurfaced.

There is no charge to participate in this hike and there is no charge for admission to either Vulcan Park or the trail.

Well-behaved, carefully supervised children age 7 and older able to walk 4 miles welcome.

Note-To view photos of what we will see on this trip, please click on this link:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/zC6TRPW6bC7n2ySR7

Please be sure to click on the link and view the photographs.

After the walk is completed, there will be an optional dinner at Jim 'N Nick's 11th Avenue Grill at Five Points South.

Share an adventure.  Bring a friend or friends.

Info: Dan Frederick, seoutings@bellsouth.net or 205/631-4680

DIRECTIONS TO MEETING PLACE

Vulcan Park and Museum Parking Lot—1701 Valley View Drive, Birmingham, AL 35209.            Please call 205/631-4680 to obtain a list of complete directions to Vulcan Park from all major highways in Birmingham.  You may leave your email address and a phone message if you wish, and the directions will be emailed to you promptly.

DESCRIPTION OF SOUTHEASTERN OUTINGS

Do you wish you had friends who share your active lifestyle and enjoyment of outdoor activities?  Then become active with Southeastern Outings (SEO), a nonprofit organization committed and created to serve people who enjoy being active in the outdoors.  The organization plans, organizes and leads outings such as dayhikes, easy kayak and canoe trips, stream and waterfall walks, bicycle rides, lake events and other fun activities to beautiful sites in our natural environment.  From time to time we also sponsor potluck suppers and other socials.  All events and activities of the group are open to the public.  Participating in SEO activities is a splendid, simple way to make congenial new friends who enjoy the outdoors.

NO DOGS OR SMOKING ALLOWED, PLEASE, ON ANY SOUTHEASTERN OUTINGS EVENTS.

The organization currently has over 250 members.  We scheduled eighty-seven events during calendar year 2019 for an average of 7 fun events per month.  We enjoy the outdoors in all seasons throughout the year.

SEO does not charge for participation in any of its outings.  You do not have to be a member to participate in one or two SEO activities.  Dues are only $10.  Please contact Dan Frederick, President, 205-631-4680, or seoutings@bellsouth.net for more information and to obtain three free monthly newsletters with membership application and a complete description of all our outdoor events.

Southeastern Outings now has a website.  Just go to seoutings.org to find announcements of all our upcoming outings scheduled plus some brief, general information about Southeastern Outings, a membership application and 1500 lovely photographs from most of our outings.

Thank you.

The Bulldogs host Alabama A&M.

Comedy icons John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd star in the outrageously funny musical comedy The Blues Brothers. After the release of Jake Blues (Belushi) from prison, he and brother Elwood (Aykroyd) take their blues band back on the road in an attempt to raise money for the orphanage where they were raised. Havoc ensues as the brothers seek redemption on their “mission from God”. Directed by John Landis (National Lampoon’s Animal House), the soul-stirring comedy classic features musical performances by blues legends Ray Charles, James Brown, Aretha Franklin and Cab Calloway.

Grab your sunglasses and a fedora for this special event that includes exclusive insights from Turner Classic Movies.

A weekly meeting, hosted by Create’s Director of Programs, Jessica Moody, via Zoom, helps local artists, small businesses, nonprofits, and entrepreneurs start the week off with coffee and brainstorming.
This is a time to allow you to share recent challenges and concerns and discuss how to continue adapting their business, organization, or idea.

Led by certified yoga instructor Ashley McDuff Clark, this is a 75-minute class that includes a bit of mindful walking and group interaction, a teaching moment or two, and a 45-minute yoga practice. This is a recurring class every Tuesday, and the cost is $8 for members of the Friends and $10 for non-members. Learn more and register at https://bbgardens.org/mindful-walk-and-yoga.php

As we reach the end of a disappointing, uncertain and unpredictable year at the Alabama Theatre, we couldn't be more excited to invite you to join us for the 2020 Holiday Film Series beginning December 1.

2020 Holiday Film Series Schedule
Tuesday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m.: Christmas Vacation
Wednesday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m.: Elf
Thursday, Dec. 3 at 7 p.m.: It's A Wonderful Life
Friday, Dec. 4 at 7 p.m.: White Christmas
Saturday, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m.: Christmas Vacation
Sunday, Dec. 6 at 2 p.m.: Miracle on 34th Street
Monday, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m.: It's A Wonderful Life presented with Open Movie Captioning
Tuesday, Dec. 8 at 7 p.m.: Home Alone
Wednesday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m.: Christmas Vacation
Thursday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m.: Elf
Friday, Dec. 11 at 7 p.m.: A Christmas Story
Saturday, Dec. 12 at 7 p.m.: It's A Wonderful Life
Sunday, Dec. 13 at 2 p.m.: White Christmas
Monday, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m.: Christmas Vacation
Tuesday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m.: Elf
Wednesday, Dec. 16 at 7 p.m.: Christmas Vacation
Thursday, Dec. 17 at 7 p.m.: Home Alone
Friday, Dec. 18 at 7 p.m.: Die Hard
Saturday, Dec. 19 at 7 p.m.: Christmas Vacation
Sunday, Dec. 20 at 2 p.m.: Elf
Monday, Dec. 21 at 7 p.m.: Christmas Vacation
Tuesday, Dec. 22 at 7 p.m.: White Christmas

The Bulldogs host Covenant College in an exhibition game.

Discover how easy and fun it is to make your own wreath for any season by joining Birmingham-based floral designer and artist Holly Carlisle for this fun virtual demonstration! Starting with an inexpensive grapevine wreath, you’ll learn how to incorporate foraged greenery and natural materials from around your yard for a wreath that captures your decor. This special offering will include a virtual Q&A with Holly from her studio, ROSEGOLDEN (rosegolden.com; Instagram @hollymcarlisle). We encourage you to watch the demonstration, ask questions, then gather what you need (and rewatch the demo if you’d like) to create your special wreath.

Wreath will be available for pickup at Birmingham Botanical Gardens the week of November 30–December 4. To learn more and register, visit https://bbgardens.org/wreathmaking.php