32 October events in Birmingham including the Greek Food Festival + Vulcan’s Spooktacular

October will be a month bursting with fun things to do. Plan now for food festivals, comedy shows, concerts, Halloween-inspired events and more.

1. Greek Food Festival @Holy Trinity-Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral

• What: The Greek Food Festival is back for its 51st event and you won’t want to miss it. You’ll enjoy it all from the delicious cuisine like Spanakopita, gyros + baklava to the lively music + dancing.
• When: Thursday, October 3-Saturday, October 5 |10:30AM-9:30PM
• Cost: Free admission
• Details

2. Antiques in the Gardens @ Birmingham Botanical Gardens

• What: Save the date for this exciting fall show at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Hosted by a committee of 150 dedicated volunteers, this popular event features:
  • Talks by internationally acclaimed interior designers, floral designers, architects + landscape architects
  • Celebrated antique dealers from across the nation offering curated antiques, fine art, vintage and fine jewelry, home decor + garden accessories
  • Proceeds benefit the Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens.
• When: Thursday, October 3-Sunday, October 6
• Cost: Varies per day(s) | $15-$350
• Details

3. Furnace Fest @ Sloss Furnaces

• What: Get a full weekend of music—Furnace Fest returns for another epic event. Some bands on the schedule include On Sleeper, Oso Oso, Gray Haven, My Epic, All In + Comeback Kid.
• When: Friday, October 4-Monday, October 7 | Gates open each day at noon each day
• Cost: $109.95-$599.95
• Details

4. NASCAR Playoffs @ Talladega Super Speedway

• What: Get ready for a jam-packed weekend of thrilling races, campground parties + live music. This October, head to the Talledega Speedway to watch NASCAR’s most prominent names battle it out for a spot in the next round of Playoffs as they race toward a championship title. The weekend will conclude on Sunday with the YellaWood 500, one of NASCAR’s most significant and dynamic races.
• When: Friday, October 4-Sunday, October 6
• Cost: $45+
• Details

5. Black Jacket Symphony Presents Elton John’s Madman Across the Water @ The BJCC Concert Hall

• What: Love the music of Elton John? The Black Jacket Symphony will recreate his class album Madman Across the Water live during a night of rock and roll magic.
• When: Friday, October 4 | 8PM 
• Cost:  $29.50+
• Details

6. Run for Resilience: Ostomy 5K @ Avondale Park

• What: Celebrate Ostomy Awareness Day by raising awareness during this annual 5K Fun Run.
  • All proceeds benefit the United Ostomy Associations of America, Inc. charity.
• When: Saturday, October 5 | 7AM
• Cost: All Runs $24 | 1-Mile Children’s Fun Run $17.50
• Details

7. YO AMO IRONDALE Festival @ Irondale City Hall

• What: Show your love for Irondale on October 5. There will be food trucks, a mechanical bull, live music, dance performances, train rides, kids’ activities + more. BONUS: The first 300 guests will get free food!
• When: Friday, October 5 | 3-6PM
• Cost: Free Admission
• Details

8. Isla-ween: The Halloween Bash That Gives Back @ Saturn

• What: Enjoy a frightfully fantastic night of live music by The Best Men, bites from Ladybird Tacos, craft cocktails, a silent auction + signature gift giveaways. The cool part? This Halloween bash gives back. Proceeds help Be Brave for Isla, an organization helping provide financial assistance + emotional support to bereaved families after the loss of a pregnancy, infant or child.
• When: Saturday, October 5 | 6-10PM
• Cost: Single $75 | Couple $140
• Details

9. Zoso The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience @ Iron City Bham

• What: Get ready to rock to all your favorite Led Zeppelin songs. Cover band Zoso will be live at Iron City for a show you won’t want to miss.
• When: Thursday, October 10 | 8PM
• Cost: $20
• Details

10. Shopping Shindig @ So So Spiffy 

• What: Shop So So Spiffy’s curated collections of rugs, sofas, chairs, dining tables, accessories, art + more during this fun shindig in Birmingham.
• When: Friday, October 11 + Saturday, October 12 | 9AM-5PM
• Cost: Free admission
• Details

11. St. Symeon Food and Culture Fair @ St. Symeon Orthodox Church

• What: Attend this food + culture fair featuring baked goods like hot Greek donuts + Pierogi (Polish dumplings), unique gifts, original artwork + more.
• When: Saturday, October 12 | 9AM-3PM
• Cost: Free admission
• Details

12. Alabama Farmers Market Fall Festival @ Finley Ave West, Birmingham

• What: Celebrate all things fall! This family-friendly festival includes live music, inflatables, games, face painting, a pumpkin patch, food, craft vendors + large outdoor flea market.
• When: Saturday, October 12 | 10AM-2PM
• Cost: Free admission
• Details

13. Fall CahabaQue @ Cahaba Brewing Company

• What: As local teams of backyard grillers + professionals cook up delicious barbecue, event attendees get to indulge in all-you-can-eat samples and then vote for their favorite. There will also be craft beer + live music throughout the afternoon.
  • All event proceeds benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama.
• When: Saturday, October 12 | Noon-4PM
• Cost: Advance $15 | At gate $20 | Kids ages 10 and under – free admission
• Details

14. Black Excellence Gala @ Club M

• What: Dress to impress + honor Black excellent in the Birmingham community. The night will be filled with music, food + inspiring speakers.
• When: Saturday, October 12 | 7-11PM
• Cost: $20 | With dinner $30
• Details

15. Battle of the Blues Bands @ Woodlawn Theatre

• What: Join the Magic City Blues Society for a day of great music + strong competition from local blues bands.
• When: Sunday, October 13 | 1-10PM
• Cost: $12
• Details

16. 85 South: Big Business Comedy Tour @ The BJCC

• What: Laugh along with 3 of America’s funniest comedians—DC Young Fly, Karlous Miller + Chico Bean. Warning: You may cry tears of laughter.
• When: Sunday, October 13 | 7PM
• Cost: $31+
• Details

17. Shop, Save & Share 

• What: Get ready to Shop Save & Share during the Junior League of Birmingham’s 19th annual event this October. This special fundraiser falls at the perfect time of year for you to get a jump start—and deals!—on maximizing your fall wardrobe and holiday gift buying. Plus, you’ll be giving back to our community at the same time.
• When: Wednesday, October 16-Sunday, October 27
• Cost: $40 per card
• Details

18. IPT Birmingham US Open Pickleball Invitational @ The BJCC

• What: Gather your friends for an exhilarating day of Pickleball. There will be a competitive tournament, plus singles + solo games, clinics for beginners + advanced players, an expo + demo courts.
• When: Thursday, October 17-Saturday, October 19
• Cost: ???
• Details

19. Barktoberfest @ Cahaba Brewing Company

• What: You’ll have a barking good time at this dog-lovin’ event. Expect lively entertainment like a pet costume contest, a stein hoist competition, local vendors + lots of craft beer.
  • Proceeds benefit Hand in Paw.benefiting Hand in Paw
• When: Thursday, October 17 | 6-9PM
• Cost: $30
• Details

20. Haute Pink benefiting Forge Breast Cancer Survivor Center @ Red Mountain Theatre

• What: Be inspired! This event features 10 breast cancer survivors who will walk a runway modeling fashion created just for them by Birmingham fashion designers.
  • Proceeds benefit Forge Breast Cancer Survivor Center.
• When: Thursday, October 17 | 6:30-8PM
• Cost: $100
• Details

21. Building Community Through Visual Arts: An Alabama Story @ Monday Night Brewing

• What: What role does contemporary visual art have in our society? Explore the answer to this and more during this talk session. 
• When: Thursday, October 17 | 7-9PM
• Cost: $15
• Details

22. The Rocky Horror Masquerade Ball @ Avondale Brewing Company

• What: There’s no better time to dress up for Halloween than during The Rocky Horror Masquerade Ball. The Rocky Horror Picture will play on the big screen along with the shadow cast Antici…pation. 
• When: Friday, October 18 | 6:30PM
• Cost: $30
• Details

23. Back To The 80’s @ The BJCC Concert Hall

• What: This October, the Alabama Symphony Orchestra is bringing Birmingham back to the generation of leg warmers and too much hair spray—the ‘80s! For one night only, you’ll hear the incredible orchestra play all your favorite hits like Addicted to Love by Robert Palmer + I Wanna Dance with Somebody by Whitney Houston.
• When: Friday, October 18 | 7PM
• Cost: $25+
• Details

24. Witch Perfect Tour @ Lyric Fine Arts Theatre

• What: Be part of the magic during this live singing parody of the cult-classic Disney film, Hocus Pocus. You’ll see Emmy-Award winning cast members from Ru Paul’s Drag Race performing an electric mix of music.
• When: Friday, October 18 | 8PM
• Cost: $45+
• Details

25. Central Alabama Pride Halloween Skate Night @ Skates 280

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• What: Bring the whole family out for a spirited night of FREE skating, costume contests + bowling with Central Alabama Pride.
• When: Tuesday, October 22 | 7-10PM
• Cost: Free admission/skating | Donations will be accepted
• Details

26. Tricks For Treats @ Greater Birmingham Humane Society

• What: Follow spooky tour guides from the Greater Birmingham Humane Society on a fun trick-or-treating tour. You’ll meet sweet pets up for adoption along the way.
  • Proceeds benefit the Greater Birmingham Humane Society
• When: Friday, October 25 | 6-8PM
• Cost: Pet food donation required for entry.
• Details

27. Franks N’ Steins @ Cahaba Brewing Company

• What: Oktoberfest and Halloween in one? Sounds like the ultimate good time. Attend for a family-friendly event featuring costume contests, stein hoisting, a hot dog eating contest, trick-or-treating + live music.
  • Proceeds benefit Libby’s Friends, a nonprofit helping ease financial burden for families living with a disability.
• When: Saturday, October 26 | Noon-5PM
• Cost: Free admission
• Details

28. The Official Halloween Bar Crawl @ Tin Roof

• What: Join the Halloween Bar Crawl on October 26 at some of Birmingham’s favorite dives like Hi-Wire Brewing, Mojo Pub and TrimTab Brewing. There will be food + drink specials, a costume contest with a $1,000 cash prize + more.
• When: Saturday, October 26 | 4PM
• Cost: Group $10 | Single $15
• Details

29. Magic City HBCU Breakfast @ The Harbert Center

• What: Attend this important breakfast focusing on emphasizing the essential collaboration between the business community and Alabama’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
• When: Thursday, October 24 | 7:30-9AM
• Cost:  BBA investors $55 | General admission $75
• Details

30. 1925 Silent Film Classic “The Phantom of the Opera” @ Alabama Theatre

• What: See The Phantom of the Opera like never before. This silent film classic will play on the big screen at the Alabama Theatre with music accompaniment by Tom Helms on the Big Bertha, the Mighty Wurlitzer organ.
• When: Sunday, October 27 | 2PM
• Cost: $16
• Details

31. Vulcan’s Spooktacular @ Vulcan Park & Museum

• What: Get your spook on! Vulcan’s Spooktacular is October 31 and it’s the perfect place to partake in some Halloween fun. There will be trick-or-treating stations, photo ops, music, face painting, complimentary refreshments + more. Beer, wine + cocktails will be available for purchase. Psst—don’t forget your costume!
• When: Thursday, October 31 | 6-8PM
• Cost: Adults $7 | Seniors $6 | Kids (5-12) $5 | Kids 4 and under – free admission
• Details

32. MANIA: The ABBA Tribute Live in Birmingham @ Lyric Fine Arts Theatre

• What: Don’t miss this incredible tribute to the one and only music act ABBA. 
• When: Thursday, October 31 | 7:30PM
• Cost: $35+
• Details

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