11 awesome May events in Birmingham including Do Dah Day

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dog
Photo via @thewholedog_homewood

After a long pandemic-filled year, events are gaining momentum as May soars in. Plan now because you won’t want to miss what’s ahead in Birmingham.

1. We Love Homewood Day + Parade  

IMG 8032 11 awesome May events in Birmingham including Do Dah Day
Photo via Patience Itson for Bham Now

If you don’t already love the city of Homewood, you will after the We Love Homewood Day + Parade event. Discover entertainment like rides games and inflatables at the beautiful Homewood Central Park.

But that’s not all. Stick around after the event for the annual We Love Homewood Day Parade. The parade begins at 6PM at Homewood Library and travels west on Oxmoor Road to the Edgewood Business District.

When: Saturday, May 1, 10AM-4PM (Parade begins at 6PM)
Where: Homewood Central Park, 1632 Oxmoor Rd, Homewood, AL 35209 
Price: FREE for festival entry | $15 for unlimited attractions wristband | Individual attraction tickets can be purchased at each attraction

2. AWS Fest

An exciting fundraiser is underway. Benefiting Alabama Waldorf School, AWS Fest, is a radio-style benefit concert that takes place virtually on May 1. Here’s what’s in store:

Listen to music from bands and DJs like:

Order food and drinks from El Barrio Restaurante and Harvest Roots Ferments. 10% of sales support AWS.

Bid in a silent auction on items like a guitar, concert memorabilia and more. Anyone can bid. No tickets required. Auction opens Friday, April 30.

When: Saturday, May 1, 5-7PM
Where: Virtual
Price: $15
Tickets

3. Cullman Strawberry Festival 

holmestead farm strawberry 11 awesome May events in Birmingham including Do Dah Day

The annual Cullman Strawberry Festival is one of the oldest Strawberry Festivals in Alabama and it’s back again on May 1.

With well over a dozen activities, here’s some of what to expect:

  • Arts & Crafts Show
  • Cornhole Tournament
  • Farmers Market
  • Food Vendors
  • Historic Walking Tour
  • Kids Carnival
  • Live music
  • Magic Show
  • Strawberry Eating Contest

Where: Festhalle Farmer’s Market and  Depot, 209 1st Ave NE, Cullman, AL 35055
When: Saturday, May 1, 10AM-9PM

4. Donor Dash for Life 5K benefiting Legacy of Hope

Legacy of Hope
Photo via Legacy of Hope’s Facebook

Get ready to run during Legacy of Hope’s Donor Dash for Life 5K. The event celebrates organ donors and recipients, living donors, caregivers and all advocates.

When: Saturday, May 1, 9AM
Where: Veteran’s Park, 4800 Valleydale Rd, Meadowbrook, AL 35242
Price: $40
Register

5. Regions Tradition

The Watering Hole at the Regions Tradition
The Watering Hole at the 2019 Regions Tradition. Photo via Regions

Grab your tickets and head to the green, the Regions Tradition is back this year, May 5-9. As part of the PGA Tour Champions tours, you’ll get to see some of the top golfers in the country show off their skills, all while enjoying food, drinks and more.

When: Wednesday-Sunday, May 5-9
Where: Greystone Golf and Country Club, 4100 Greystone Dr, Birmingham, AL 35242
Price:
$25
Tickets

6. Spring 2021 Native Plant Sale

Adamson Ford Turkey Creek 13 11 awesome May events in Birmingham including Do Dah Day
Photo via Beth Cunningham for Bham Now

Celebrate your love for plants during the Spring 2021 Native Plant Sale at Turkey Creek Nature Preserve, Saturday-Sunday, May 8-9.

Not only will you have the chance to discover 100 plant varieties—and buy them!—but you can also check out Turkey Creek’s brand-new Education Pavilion.

Learn more here.

When: Saturday-Sunday, May 8-9, Sat 10AM-4PM, Sun Noon-4PM
Where: Turkey Creek Preserve, 3906 Turkey Creek Rd, Pinson, AL 35126

7. Darter Festival

Southern Environmental Center
Don’t miss Darter Fest at Cahaba Brewing. Photo via Southern Environmental Center’s Facebook

Want to support Turkey Creek Nature Preserve even further? Make plans to attend their annual Darter Festival on Sunday, May 23.

Hosted by the Southern Environmental Center, the festival supports the educational programs of Turkey Creek Nature Preserve.

This year’s festival will be held outside at Avondale Brewing and feature:

  • Live music from AJ Beavers, Deadfingers, Early James and the Latest  + more
  • Food + drinks
  • Socially-distanced family fun

When: Sunday, May 23
Where: Avondale Brewing Company, 201 41st St S, Birmingham, AL 35222
Price: $10-$50
Tickets

8. Creek Bank Festival

Leeds Creek Bank Festival
Photo via Leeds Creek Bank Festival’s Facebook

For a fun-filled festival, head to Leeds on May 15 for the 26th Annual Creek Bank Festival. Here’s what’s in store:

  • Live music performances from award-winner singer/songwriter Michael Jacobs + Birmingham-based singer/songwriter Erica Ryleigh
  • Children’s activities like hula hoop contests, face painting + arts and crafts
  • Food trucks and vendors from across the Southeast
  • Creek Bark Dog Pagent
  • Bake My Day Bake Off Competition

When: Saturday, May 15, 10AM-4PM
Where: Leeds Memorial Park, 801 Helen St, Leeds, AL 35094
Price: FREE

9. Do Dah Day 

Birmingham, Do Dah Day, dogs, animals, pets
Doggie smiles during Do Dah Day in Birmingham. Photo via @dodahday

Can’t get enough of those furry faces and wagging tails? Then grab your dog and attend Do Dah Day—one of Birmingham’s longest-running festivals. No doubt, one of the cutest, too!

Cahaba Brewing is hosting this year’s event. Expect music, drinks, food and, of course, lots of doggy smiles.

Though there won’t be the traditional parade, there will be a reverse parade on 3rd Avenue S beside the brewery.

When: Saturday, May 15,11:01AM-6:01PM
Where: Cahaba Brewing Company, 4500 5th Ave S, Building C, Birmingham, AL 35222
Price: $5 in advance | $8 at the door
Tickets

10. Spring Serenades with Alabama Symphony Orchestra

ASO
Photo via ASO

Streaming now through June 2021 via Alabama Symphony Orchestra’s website, the Spring Serenades concert series offers access to several exciting concerts. Each feature ASO artists and conductors performing in socially distanced ensembles.

The concerts are only available for a limited time only. Mark your calendar, set an alarm or do whatever it takes so you ensure you tune in. 

When: Now-June 2021
Where: Virtual
Price: FREE
Donate to ASO here
Watch the Spring Serenades concert series here

11. Mardi Gras Reclaimed benefiting Easterseals

Easterseals Birmingham
Get ready for Mardi Gras Reclaimed 2021. Photo via Easterseals of the Birmingham Area’s Facebook

One word: Mardi Gras. It may have been a bit dull during the pandemic, but Easterseals is celebrating it in an all-new way this May with their Mardi Gras Reclaimed event.

The three-part event features:

  • Virtual Fun Run (Saturday, May 17-Saturday, May 22)
  • Golf Tournament (Saturday, May 22)
  • Dinner discounts to local restaurants

Golf ticket includes:

  • Pack of beers
  • Snack bag
  • Redmont Vodka Transfusion upon check-in
  • Vulcan Gin & Tonic on the turn
  • Old Forester Bourbon tasting on hole #11
  • Dinner coupons for local restaurants
  • Chance to win a Mercedes-Benz with a hole in one

When: Saturday, May 17-Saturday, May 22
Where: Highland Park Golf Course, 3300 Highland Ave, Birmingham, AL 35205
Register

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Patience Itson
Patience Itson
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