28 May events in Birmingham you won’t want to miss—Bham Folk Fest, Regions Tradition + more

May is gearing up to be an exciting month across Birmingham. Check our guide below to some of the top events you won’t want to miss including the Regions Tradition, the Bham Folk Festival, Magic City Wine Fest and more.

1. Derby Bash @ Iron City Bham

• What: Grab your coolest hat + head to this Kentucky Derby-themed party + fundraiser benefiting Smile-a-Mile. Expect complimentary beer, wine + heavy hors d’oeuvres, plus an online silent auction, live music, photo booth and raffles + games.
  When: Friday May 3 | 6-10:30PM
• Cost: General admission $75
• Details

2. Arts in the Village @ Crestline Village/Mountain Brook City Hall

• What: Shop art work from more than 55 Mountain Brook Art Association artists, many award winning + regionally known.
• When: Saturday, May 4 | 9AM-5PM
• Cost: Free admission
• Details

3. May the 4th @ McWane Science Center

• What: Star Wars fans, you won’t want to miss this fun-filled day. Along with getting to dress up as your fave characters, you’ll get to geek out over tons of thrilling programs all day long—including droid-building workshops, lightsaber demos, photo ops with the 501st Legion costume group + more.
• When: Saturday, May 4 | 10AM-5PM
• Cost: General admission to McWane – $13+ per person
• Details

4. Bham Folk Fest @ Avondale Amphitheater

• What: Attend this free, family-friendly, outdoor festival for a full day of music from communities around Birmingham + activities for all ages.
• When: Saturday, May 4 | 111AM-7PM
• Cost: Free admission
• Details

5. The Great Alabama Public Television Barbecue Cook-off @ Back Forty Beer Company

• What: Don’t miss Alabama Public Television’s first-ever Barbecue Cook-off. Your ticket includes a barbecue lunch plate, sampling opportunities, live entertainment by Three on a String + Sean of the South.
• When: Sunday, May 5 | 1PM
• Cost: $25 | Family 4 Pack $80
• Details

6. The 3rd Annual Jimmie Hale Mission Cornhole Tournament @ Rotary Trail

• What: Enjoy a fun day of cornhole, food, drinks, and music while supporting the Jimmie Hale Mission. Be sure to bring a shade tent + chairs. 
• When: Saturday, May 4 | 1PM
• Cost: Spectators – free admission | VIP spectators $15 | 2-person team $50 | Team entry $50
• Address:
• Details

7. 2024 Birmingham New Music Festival @ 4 Locations 

• What: See seven concerts between May 5-13 featuring a wide range of music by Alabama composers including solo piano, four chamber music ensembles, choral music, live electronics, improvised music, and new takes on Appalachian folk music.
• When: Saturday, May 5-13 | 5PM
• Where: Birmingham First United Methodist Church, East Village Arts, Samford University’s Brock Recital Hall + UAB’s Hulsey Recital Hall
• Cost: Free admission
• Details

8. Rosé in the Roses @ Birmingham Botanical Gardens

• What: Stop + smell the roses at this beautiful fundraising event at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. There will be rosé + light hors d’oeuvres in the gorgeous Rose Dunn Formal Garden. Proceeds benefit the Gardens’ Native Plant Summer Internship program.
• When: Tuesday, May 7 | 5:30-7PM
• Cost: Members $35 | Nonmembers $40
• Details

9. Brahms’ Birthday Celebration @ Samford University’s Brock Recital Hall

• What: Celebrate 190 years of Johannes Brahms with an evening of songs + chamber music. Lester + Daniel Seigel join the Alabama Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster Daniel Szasz, Principal Viola Christopher Lowry + Music Director Carlos Izcaray.
• When: Tuesday, May 7 | 7:30PM
• Cost: $29 | $12.50 for students
• Details

10. Regions Tradition @ Greystone Golf & Country Club

• What: Golf fan? This is the event for you! The Regions Tradition is one of five major championships on the PGA Tour Champions and is a must-attend each year in Birmingham.
• When: Wednesday, May 8-Sunday, May 12
• Cost: $30+ | Kids ages 15 + under get in free with a ticketed adult
• Details

11. Taste of Trussville @ Trussville Civic Center

• What: Forks up, foodies! It’s time to eat great while supporting local restaurants, bakeries + more during this 15th annual event. Expect tasty food + delectable desserts from 20+ local restaurants + bakeries, free soft drinks + live music from jazz guitarist Cashmere Williams. You can also vote for your Crowd Favorite vendor.
• When: Thursday, May 9 | 5:30-8PM
• Cost: $25 per person
• Details

12. ‘Tails in the Trails 2024 @ The Birmingham Zoo

• What: Party with The Birmingham Zoo during this annual event featuring music, animal encounters, small bites from area restaurants, beer, wine, specialty cocktails + a silent auction. Ages 21+ only. Proceeds benefit Carlito’s Casa, the Giant Anteater’s habitat.
• When: Friday, May 10 | 6-9PM
• Cost:
  • Early bird tickets (sale ends April 26) – $40 per person, $75 per couple
  • Standard tickets (sale ends May 9) – $45 per person, $85 per couple
  • Day of event – $50 per person/$95 per
• Details

13. Neon Dreams Silent Disco @ Grand Bohemian Hotel

• What: Lose yourself in the energy of this exciting event. Live DJs will battle it out before a neon-backlit dance floor as you and your friends dance the night away. Ages 21+ only.
• When: Friday, May 10 | 7PM
• Cost: $30
• Details

14. 2024 Birmingham Kidney Walk

• What: Raise awareness + funds for the Alabama Kidney Foundation. There will be a walk, food, music, vendors, kids’ area, door prices + awards for top fundraising individuals + teams. Proceeds assist South Alabama’s kidney patients in need through the Foundation’s Financial Assistance Program.
• When: Saturday, May 11 | 8:30-10:30AM
• Cost: Free to walk/attend
• Details

15. Shopping Shindig @ So So Spiffy

• What: Shop this one-a-month warehouse sale to score access to So So Spiffy’s curated collections of rugs, sofas, chairs, dining tables, accessories, art + more at up to 60% off.
• When: May 10, Noon-6PM | May 11, 10AM-4PM
• Cost: Free admission
• Details

16. Mother’s Day Market @ Cahaba Brewing Company

• What: Get mom the perfect local gift this Mother’s Day. Browse local artisans, vendors, makers + creators, plus enjoy food, shopping, cocktails + craft beer.
• When: Saturday, May 11 | Noon-5PM
• Cost: Free admission
• Details

17. Spring Family Day @ ArtPlay

• What: Get ready for a day of creativity + fun with ArtPlay. You’ll explore tons of kids’ art activities, art stations + family-friendly experiences.
• When: Saturday, May 11 | 1-4PM
• Cost: Free admission
• Details

18. Magic City Wine Fest @ Railroad Park

• What: At this fun-loving event, you can travel through different regions spanning the globe while never leaving Birmingham. There will be wine and beer samples from specific regions, live music + food for purchase. A portion of ticket sales will benefit Railroad Park.
• When: Saturday, May 11 | 6-9PM
• Cost: $55
• Details

19. Auburn University City Builders Symposium + Networking Event @ Regions Field

• What: Hosted by CityBuilders, an Initiative of the Auburn University Institute of Real Estate Development. There will be a panel focused on four major geographic areas of Alabama—Northern, Central, I-85 and Southern Alabama, a top tier Capital Markets fireside chat with major financial institutions + players and a networking event for all attendees when the Barons host the Chattanooga Lookouts.
• When: May 16 | 10AM-7PM
• Cost: $150
• Details

20. The Purple Zeros’ 30th Anniversary Reunions for Missions @ Saturn

• What: Find out what makes The Overseas Initiative unique during its first-ever fundraising event. Expect live music from The Purple Zeros, catering from Slice Pizza, a cash bar + non-alcoholic options, a pop-up book shop + more.
• When: Thursday, May 16 | 7PM
• Cost: $20
• Details

21. Easterseals’ Annual Golf Tournament @ Highland Park Golf Course

• What: Each golfer gets food from the Taco/Nacho Bar from Taco Mama, a Tito’s Transfusion + a Cahaba Brewing beer. During the golf tournament, there will be Tito’s Lemonade. Get a hole-in-one + win $10,000! This event benefits Easterseals of the Greater Birmingham Area.
• When: May 18 | Noon
• Cost: Free admission for spectators | $600 for 4-golfer team
• Details

22. Alabama Bonsai 50th Anniversary Spring Show @ Birmingham Botanical Gardens

• What: Celebrate 50 years of the Alabama Bonsai Society with the Birmingham Botanical Gardens during their annual spring show. You’ll see incredible living works of art, beautiful trees on display + for sale and vendors selling pots, tools + soil.
• When: Saturday, May 18-Sunday, May 19 | 10AM-4PM
• Cost: Free admission
• Details

23. Alabama Bridal & Wedding Expo @ The BJCC

• What: Planning your wedding? You won’t want to miss this expo featuring a glam bar, food samples, an event planning seminar + more.
• When: Sunday, May 19 | 1-5PM
• Cost: Admission is free with online registration | $10 at the door without online registration
• Details

24. Symphony in the Summer @ Railroad Park

• What: Spend Memorial Day Weekend with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra in this special, must-see concert.
• When: Friday, May 24 | 7:30PM
• Cost: Free admission
• Details

25. The Modern Green Book Marketplace @ City Walk Bham

• What: Celebrate Black-owned businesses at this monthly event. There will be new + returning vendors offering a diverse range of products + services.
• When: May 25 | 4-8PM
• Cost: Free admission
• Details

26. Mason Music Fest featuring The Mountain Grass Unit @ Avondale Brewing Company

• What: You’ll have a blast at this music-loving festival. There will be food trucks, Mason Music student performances + an incredible lineup of local + regional musicians. All proceeds benefit the Mason Music Foundation.
• When: Friday, May 31 | 5PM
• Cost: Free admission
• Details

27. Barber Small Bore @ Barber Motorsports

• What: This exciting weekend-long event boasts stunting, trail riding, racing + more.
• When: Friday, May 31 + Saturday, June 1, 8AM-8PM | Sunday, June 2, 8AM-4PM.
• Cost: $30+
• Details

28. Mary Poppins @ Red Mountain Theatre

• What: This musical extravaganza is practically perfect in every way! The whole family will enjoy its unforgettable songs, dance numbers + more.
• When: May 31-June 30
  • Tuesdays-Saturdays, 7:30PM
  • Wednesdays, Saturdays + Sunday Matinees, 2PM
• Cost: Tickets start at $39 | Discounts for children ages 2-12
• Details

Want more music events? Check out these 58 unique local concerts this May.

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