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January rolls in with fun + safe events in Birmingham
It’s almost here—the year 2021. While the new year may not instantly explode with unicorns and rainbows, you can still start the year off with cool things to do. Here are the top events happening around Birmingham this January.
1. 2020 Maestro’s Ball (Virtual)
Ring in 2021 virtually with music from Alabama Symphony Orchestra. On December 31, 2020, they’ll be hosting their annual Maestro’s Ball featuring a variety of music including:
- Performances by the ASO conducted by Music Director Carlos Izcaray and Principal POPS! Conductor Chris Confessore
- A performance by the Alabama Symphony Youth Orchestra conducted by Music Director and ASO Assistant Conductor Kevin Fitzgerald
This is the ASO’s largest annual fundraiser. If you’d like to help the #ASOPlayOn, donate here.
When: Thursday, December 31 at 7PM
Where: Virtual
Price: FREE | Donations welcome
Click here to watch
2. Taylor Hunt Ashtanga Weekend Intensive
Since we have no idea what COVID numbers will be like, we encourage you to check the numbers and heed the advice of public health experts as you decide whether or not to venture out.
Join Taylor Hunt for a guided weekend of Ashtanga Yoga. During this weekend intensive, you’ll:
- Learn therapeutic benefits and how the practice translates into your daily life.
- Receive individual attention from an Ashtanga expert.
- Gain better understanding of major muscle groups, skeletal structure and ligaments.
When: Friday, January 15-Sunday, January 17 from 6PM-3PM
Where: Birmingham Yoga, 605 37th St S, Birmingham, AL 35222
Price: $245
Register here
3. Fire and Ice Pop Up Shop
Support small, black-owned, self-made businesses during the Fire and Ice Pop Up Shop. Featuring over 20 of the hottest vendors in Birmingham, you’ll discover:
- Product demos
- Music
- Giveaways
- And more!
When: Saturday, January 16 from 1-5PM
Where: The Dannon Project, 2324 5th Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203
Price: FREE
Register
4. Saturdays in the Gardens: Source Your Seeds (Virtual)
Whether you’re a novice or seasoned gardener, all will gain wisdom during Saturdays in the Gardens: Source Your Seeds. Hosted by Birmingham Botanical Gardens, this virtual event aims to teach gardeners like you how to decipher which seed varieties and sources will make your garden thrive.
When: Saturday, January 16 from 10AM-Noon
Where: Online
Price: $10
Register here
5. Birmingham Restaurant Week 2021–Winter Edition
Local businesses could really use our support right now, so consider participating in Birmingham Restaurant Week 2021–Winter Edition. Running from January 14 to January 31, you’ll get over two weeks of delicious deals at some of Birmingham’s top restaurants and eateries. So, while you chow down on amazing meals, you’ll also be supporting Birmingham’s fab food scene.
When: Thursday, January 14-Sunday, January 31
Where: Participating restaurants. Find the list here.
6. Brickology
Since we have no idea what COVID numbers will be like, we encourage you to check the numbers and heed the advice of public health experts as you decide whether or not to venture out.
Miss the days of playing with LEGOs? You can do it again during McWane Science Center’s Brickology exhibit. Here’s some of the cool things it features:
- Building Tables with thousands of LEGOs so you can design your own creations.
- Ball Machines created entirely out of LEGOs that move in fascinating ways.
- My Own Creation (MOC) Displays featuring incredible creations from some of Birmingham’s most talented creators.
Find the exhibit on McWane’s third floor.
When: Beginning Saturday, January 23
Where: McWane Science Center, 200 19th St N, Birmingham, AL 35203
Price: General Admission
Tickets
7. 2020 Recovery Run & Vendor Village
Running shoes bored? Give them some adventure by signing up for the 2020 Recovery 5K Trail Run benefiting Spring Valley School Covid-19 Relief Funds.
Taking place at Red Mountain Park, the event includes a 5K Trail Run as well as a Virtual Run/Walk.
To adhere to social distancing guidelines, the run features three separate start times. Face masks are also required on-site prior to the race. Participants can remove their masks when the race has begun.
Also on this day, you can check out a Vendor Village at Spring Valley School.
Click here for more upcoming runs around Birmingham.
When: Saturday, January 23 from 7:30AM-Noon
Where: Red Mountain Park, 2011 Frankfurt Dr, Birmingham, AL 35211
Price: $35
Register here: Registration ends January 22 for 5K Trail Run | Registration ends January 15 for Virtual Run/Walk.
8. Winter Audubon Talk: Saving America’s Amazon with Ben Raines (Virtual)
Join Alabama Audubon for their Virtual Winter Audubon Talk: Saving America’s Amazon. They’ll be joined by author, journalist, filmmaker and adventurer Ben Raines as he discusses his latest book, Saving America’s Amazon: The Threat to Our Nation’s Most Biodiverse River System.
During this virtual event, you’ll explore Alabama’s extraordinary biodiversity, while chronicling the past and present hazards to the state’s wildlife.
When: Wednesday, January 27 from 6-7PM
Where: Online
Price: FREE | Donate to Alabama Audubon here
Register here: Pre-registration required by Noon on Tuesday, January 26. When you register, you’ll receive an email with instructions on how to access the event online.
9. Sundance Film Festival: Birmingham
Since we have no idea what COVID numbers will be like, we encourage you to check the numbers and heed the advice of public health experts as you decide whether or not to venture out.
Film buffs, you’re going to love this. From January 28 to February 3, Sidewalk Film. center + Cinema and the Sidewalk Film Festival host the 2021 Sundance Film Festival as a satellite location. Birmingham is one of only 30 locations nationwide to partner with the festival and will be hosting virtually and in-person.
The Festival runs for seven days and offers:
- A digitally custom-designed online platform
- Drive-in showings
- Independent arthouses
- A network of local community partnerships
When: Thursday, January 28-Wednesday, February 3
Where: Sidewalk Cinema, 1821 2nd Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203 | Sidewalk Starlite Pop-up Drive-In, 1801 1st Ave. N., Birmingham, AL 35203
Price + Tickets coming January 7
10. Wild & Scenic Film Festival – Virtual Live Stream
How can you experience the adrenaline of kayaking the wildest rivers, climbing the highest peaks and trekking across the globe? By registering for the Wild & Scenic Film Festival – Virtual Live Stream.
Hosted by ARA, Energy Alabama, Waterkeepers Alabama and Flint River Conservation Association, you’ll watch environmental adventure films that feature:
- Bioengineering
- Water issues
- Wilderness preservation
- Citizen activism
- And more!
When: Thursday, January 28 from 6-8PM
Where: Online
Price: $10-$75
Tickets: Register for the event and receive an email on the day of the show with a link to watch live.
11. Cahaba 9th Anniversary Party
Since we have no idea what COVID numbers will be like, we encourage you to check the numbers and heed the advice of public health experts as you decide whether or not to venture out.
It’s been almost nine years since Cahaba Brewing Company began creating amazing craft beer (and one year of distilling premium spirits) in Birmingham. Celebrate their journey with a visit to their taproom on January 30 during the Cahaba 9th Anniversary Party.
Here’s what to expect:
- Special beer releases
- Cocktail specials
- Live, local music
- Food trucks
- Local vendors
- Free tours
- Specials on merch
RSVP to the event via Facebook to receive event updates.
When: Saturday, January 30 from Noon-10PM
Where: Cahaba Brewing Company
Price: FREE
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