(Birmingham FOOD+Culture Festival) — (Southbound Food Festival)

Birmingham’s beloved FOOD+Culture Festival quickly made its name known as a premier celebration of Alabama’s culinary heritage and diversity. In fact, 2024’s festival drew in visitors from 19 states and Great Britain.

Now, it’s moving forward with a little revamping. Now called the Southbound Food Festival, the event will span 10 days over two weekends and feature 100 chefs.

Southbound Food Festival

First hosted in Birmingham in 2023, Southbound Food Festival is a chance to indulge in the rich flavors and traditions that Birmingham’s vibrant culinary scene has become known for.

Fun fact: In 2023, it was named 3rd best new festival in the country by USA Today.

This year, the tradition is back and better than ever—with an entirely new name and tagline.

The 2025 festival will take place September 19-28, offering more opportunities for in-state and out-of-state visitors to taste, explore and celebrate our city’s food and the people who make it.

“Expanding to two weekends and adopting the Southbound Food Festival name allows the event to better reflect its broad mission—creating more space for discovery, collaboration, and shared culinary experiences.”
Cathy Sloss Jones, Board President, Southbound Food Festival

Don’t worry—Southbound Food Festival is staying in its downtown location, based around Pepper Place and Sloss Furnaces. Tickets and a full schedule of events will be available starting on July 7. Stay tuned!

Do you plan on attending the Southbound Food Festival? Tag us @bhamnow + let us know!