11 Birmingham food festivals to indulge in this spring, including a Funky Fish Fry

Spring time in Birmingham means great weather, fun outdoors and lots of delicious food festivals. Here’s your guide to Birmingham’s top food festivals to indulge in from March to May.

MortgageBanc Chili Cook-Off

Chill out and eat some chili at the 15^th annual MortgageBanc Chili Cook-Off benefitting The Exceptional Foundation. Enjoy live music, beverages, a kid-zone and all the chili you can eat! Mmm!

Proceeds from the event help ensure that participants of The Exceptional Foundation are able to gather daily for social activities, field trips and sports competitions.

Where: Brookwood Village (Macy’s Parking Lot). 780 Brookwood Village, Birmingham, AL 35209
Date: March 2
Time: 10:30AM-3PM
Price: $10 – Early Bird General Admission; $15 – Gate Price General Admission; $20 – General Admission
Tickets

Bhamburger Battle

Four local chefs compete to create their best burger in the Bhamburger Battle. During this tasty competition, you’ll have the chance to:

• Sample sliders from each competing chef
• Drink beer from Cahaba Brewing Co.
• Hear live music from local band Act of Congress

There will also be a silent auction with great items up for grabs from local businesses, restaurants, artists, theaters and more!

Where: Cahaba Brewing Co. 4500 5th Ave. South Birmingham, AL 35222
Date: April 5
Time: 6PM
Price: $40 (includes 4 slider-sized burgers, a Cahaba beer and a musical performance by Act of Congress)
Tickets

2019 Funky Fish Fry

April is autism awareness month. What better way to help raise money and awareness than at the 2019 Funky Fish Fry, benefitting Alabama Autism Society and Mitchell’s Place. During the event:

• Listen to funky music
• Hang out with friends
• Chow down on fried catfish
• Enjoy a cold drink

There will be loads of kid-friendly entertainment, too, such as:

• Face painting
• Inflatables
• A rock wall
• Sensory-friendly stations

Where: Avondale Brewery. 201 41^st St. S., Birmingham, AL 35222
Date: April 6
Time: 12-6PM
Price: General Admission–$25;Couples–$40
Tickets

Girls Inc. Cajun Cook Off

On April 6, make plans to attend the Girls Inc. Cajun Cook Off. This fun-filled, family-friendly event features a Cajun cooking competition along with live music. During the event, taste-test all of your cajun favorites and vote to determine the winner of the cook-off competition. All funds benefit Girls Inc of Central Alabama.

Where: Railroad Park. 1700 1^st Ave S., Birmingham, AL 35233
Date: April 6
Time: 11AM
Price:

Grill To Build

Ribs. Pulled pork. Smoked brisket. If this sounds like a feast you want to be a part of, then check out the 11^th annual Grill To Build festival benefitting Habitat for Humanity of Greater Birmingham.

During the event:

• Sample smoked meat from competing cook-off teams
• Live music
• Face painting
• Moon bounce
• Kids workshops
• And more!

Where: Habitat ReStore. 7951 Crestwood Blvd., Irondale, AL 35210
Date: April 6
Time: 11AM-2:30PM
Price: $10 at gate

Bob Sykes BBQ & Blues Festival

Good times and great barbecue are headed your way as Bob Sykes BBQ and Blues Festival gears up for its 10th annual celebration. At this food festival, you’ll experience:

• Legendary Bob Sykes Bar BQ
• Award-winning national and local blues musicians performing on one stage
• Activities for the entire family
• Art and vendor booths

Where: Debardeleben Park. 1623 2nd Ave N., Bessemer, AL 35020
Date: April 27
Time: 12-8PM
Price: General Admission: $15 online (or visit Bob Sykes Bar BQ Restaurant); $20 day of; Kids (12 and under) FREE with ticketed adult
Tickets

St. Elias Lebanese Food and Cultural Festival

Celebrate heritage and culture at the 21st annual Lebanese Food and Cultural Festival. At this fun, family-friendly event, try thousands of delicious plates of food, watch traditional dance performances and more!

Where: St. Elias Maronite Catholic Church. 836 8^th St. S., Birmingham, AL 35205
Date: April 26-27
Time: 10AM-9PM
Price: FREE

Corks & Chefs: A Taste of Birmingham

Food and drink come together to create an explosion of flavors during the annual Corks and Chefs festival. Each year, this highly-anticipated event offers:

• Delicious culinary creations from some of Birmingham’s favorite restaurants and eateries.
• Wine, craft beer, coffee and tea samplings
• Craft cocktail samplings
• Guided tastings, seminars, demos and other special features
• And more!

Where: Linn Park (in front of City Hall on Short 20th Street, Birmingham AL 35203.
Date: April 27-28
Time: 12-3PM
Price: $40 in advance; $45 at door
Tickets

Magic City Chocolate Challenge

Chocoholic? Then the Magic City Chocolate Challenge is your dream come true. During this heavenly event, you’ll be wowed by delectable chocolate-inspired dishes prepared by some of Birmingham’s best bakers, chefs and chocolatiers.

There will also be:

• Hors d’oeuvres
• Live music from Ponder the Eclectic
• A silent auction
• Unlimited drinks and chocolate tastings

Where: Regions Field. 1401 1st Ave S., Birmingham, AL 35233
Date: April 30
Time: 5:30-8PM
Price: General Admission: $35 in advance; $50 at door. VIP: $75 in advance; $100 at gate
Tickets

Purchase your tickets by February 14 and receive a Valentine’s Day ticket special, which includes:

• A pair of general admission tickets: $60
• A pair of VIP tickets: $125

Episcopal Place Gumbo Gala

Support residents of Episcopal Place during their annual Gumbo Gala. During this fundraising event, enjoy:

• A gumbo cooking competition featuring backyard chefs, professional chefs and student teams
• Samples of delicious gumbos
• Pogo’s Playground
• Food trucks and ice cold beverages
• Local art and vendors

Margeaux and the Cats Meow will also perform live.

Where: Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark. 20 32nd St. N., Birmingham, AL 35222
Date: May 4
Time: 11AM-2PM
Price: Early Bird Adults–$15/$20 at gate; Kids (5-12)–$5
Tickets

Magic City Wine Fest

Want to taste incredible wine and beer from other regions without leaving good ole’ Birmingham? You can during Magic City Wine Fest. Held at the Birmingham Zoo, you’ll not only have the opportunity to drink wine and beer specific from specific regions, but there will also be live music and food available for purchase.

Where: The Birmingham Zoo. 2630 Cahaba Rd., Birmingham, AL 35223
Date: May 11
Time: 5:30PM
Age: 21+
Price: $49 + tax (in advance); $59 + tax (day of)
Tickets

Which spring food festival are you most excited for?