Reviewed by: Grace Garrison
24 exciting Birmingham-area festivals to add to your calendar this fall
Reading time: 8 minutes
Now that fall has officially arrived, it’s time to start planning your fall festival roster. Check out these festivals happening in the next few months, all with their own unique, exciting activities to experience.
Southbound Food Festival
When: Sept. 19-28
Where: Various locations throughout Birmingham
Entry Cost: Varies based on event
What: Celebrate Birmingham’s culinary scene at various events showcasing different chefs, restaurants, bars and more.
Oktoberfest at Cahaba Brewing Company
When: Sept. 20, 11AM-10PM
Where: 4425 3rd Ave S in Birmingham
Entry Cost: FREE
What: Don your dirndls and lederhosen and join us for a festive day of beer, bites, and Bavarian cheer. Festivities include wiener dog races, stein hoisting contest, keg toss competition, artist market, limited-edition steins and march, live music and a specialty menu from The Current.
3rd Annual Great Fall Garden Festival
When: Sept. 20, 9AM-3PM
Where: 16034 County Road 29 in Jemison
Entry Cost: FREE
What: A one-day celebration of homesteading, gardening and community. Workshops include growing fruit, goat milk soap making (ticket required), beekeeping, pig processing (ticket required), medicinal herbs, backyard gardening for beginners, kids bird watching and restoring cast iron. There will also be a vendor market with farm goods and a Youtuber meet and greet.
8th Annual Magic City Mac + Cheese Festival
When: Sept. 21, 1-4PM
Where: 75 32nd St N in Birmingham
Entry Cost: $25 before the event, $30 day of (children have cheaper ticket options + VIP tickets available)
What: Featuring live music by “Southern Choice.” Enjoy face painting, bounce house and more! Some friendly mac ‘n cheese competition. Pets are welcome.
52nd Annual Greek Food Festival
When: Oct. 2-4, 10:30AM-9:30PM
Where: 307 19th St S in Birmingham
Entry Cost: FREE
What: The Greek Festival is Birmingham’s oldest and most anticipated cultural event that offers an abundance of delicious Greek cuisine. In addition to the food served by the Greek community of Birmingham, enjoy Greek dancers, the market place and more. There is also a drive-thru for those just looking for some food.
Alabama Butterbean Festival
When: Oct. 3, 6-10PM & Oct. 4, 8AM-4PM
Where: Main Street in Pinson
Entry Cost: FREE (Carnival armbands $20)
What: Alabama’s 2nd largest festival, featuring vendors, a 5K, kids’ activities, fireworks, a carnival and plenty of food.
20th Annual Barber Vintage Festival
When: Oct. 3-5
Where: 6040 Barber Motorsports Pkwy in Leeds
Entry Cost: Three-day $70, Friday $50, Saturday $50, Sunday $30, kids 15 and under admitted FREE with a ticketed adult
What: All kinds of activities to enjoy, including a fan zone with a kids zone, beer gardens, concert, food trucks and merch. SWAP meet, demo rides and flat track racing (additional cost), live music, bike displays, motocross and more.
62nd Annual Bluff Park Art Show
When: Oct. 4, 9AM-5PM
Where: 517 Cloudland Drive in Hoover
Entry Cost: FREE
What: Attend this beloved local art show to browse works of art and meet hundreds of new and seasoned artists face-to-face. Handmade art from all over the southeast will be for sale, including paintings, glass, clay, digital imaging, jewelry, metalwork, photography, woodworking, fiber, sculptures, printmaking and mixed media.
5th Annual Yo Amo Irondale Festival
When: Oct. 4, 3-7PM
Where: 101 20th St S in Irondale
Entry Cost: FREE
What: Live mariachi band, dance performances, live broadcast from La Jefa Alabama, mechanical bull, train rides, truck show, food trucks (first 50 at each truck eat FREE) and more.
Cahaba River Frydown
When: Oct. 5, noon-4PM
Where: 4500 5th Ave S Building C
Entry Cost: $25 adult, $5 child (ages 6-12), kids 5 and under FREE
What: Frydown is a full-scale festival celebrating community, conservation and culinary creativity! The annual fundraiser for the Cahaba River features activities and fun for all ages with a carnival-like atmosphere that includes live music and entertainment, unlimited catfish, games, prizes, a Cahaba River Adventure Experience, photo booths, a climbing wall and so much more!
Alabama Farmers Market Fall Festival
When: Oct. 11, 10AM-2PM
Where: 344 Finley Ave W in Birmingham
Entry Cost: FREE
What: Family event that includes the pumpkin patch, pony rides, train ride, live music, petting zoo, arts and crafts vendors, large flea market and more.
Bash on the Bluff
When: Oct. 11, 11AM-5PM
Where: 613 Sanders Rd in Birmingham
Entry Cost: FREE
What: There’s something for everyone at this exciting event. Look forward to live local music, unique vendors + makers, petting zoo + hayrides, food trucks, inflatables, face painting, balloon animals and a pumpkin patch.
Harvest Festival at Oak Mountain State Park
When: Oct. 18, 9AM-4PM
Where: 200 Terrace Dr in Pelham
Entry Cost: $5, $2 ages 62+, $2 ages 4-11, military and veterans FREE, ages 3 and under FREE
What: Hay rides, bounce houses, shopping with vendors and artists, food trucks, pony rides, guided hike, crafting, scavenger hunt and more. Pet friendly.
Hand in Paw Barktoberfest
When: Oct. 18, 5:30-7:30PM
Where: 4425 3rd Ave S in Birmingham
Entry Cost: $30
What: A festive evening supporting nonprofit Hand in Paw. Enjoy lively entertainment, including a pet costume contest showcasing furry friends in their Halloween costumes, and a stein hoist competition. Shop with local vendors and capture memories in an Oktoberfest-themed photo booth.
Katztoberfest
When: Oct. 23, 5-9PM
Where: 4425 3rd Ave S in Birmingham
Entry Cost: FREE
What: Katztoberfest is an evening of fun and fellowship where proceeds will benefit the cats and kittens of Kitty Kat Haven & Rescue. Come for shopping from various vendors, enjoy live music, eat good food, have some tasty brews and play some games.
Radio Control Bigfoot Fun-Fly + Air Show
When: Oct. 23-26
Where: 550 Sardis Rd in Morris
Entry Cost: FREE
What: Hosted by the Birmingham RC Association, a radio control aircraft club. Look forward to food trucks, an RC plane show, fireworks, raffles, flying games and more.
MADE SOUTH Fall Market
When: Oct. 24-25
Where: 2515 6th Ave S in Birmingham
Entry Cost: Saturday $15, Sunday $10, Friday Night VIP Party $49 (early bird discounts available)
What: Celebrate fall in Birmingham with 50+ of the South’s finest makers and artisans. Shop unique handcrafted goods, enjoy delicious bites and cocktails, and soak up the best of Southern creativity, all under one roof.
Mt. Laurel Fall Festival
When: Oct. 25, 10AM-3PM
Where: 5 Mt. Laurel Ave in Birmingham
Entry Cost: FREE
What: Pet and kid friendly event featuring local artists, crafts, local food trucks and farmer’s market.
17th Annual Alabaster Fall Fest
When: Oct. 25, 10AM-3PM
Where: 1953 Municipal Way in Alabaster
Entry Cost: FREE
What: A fun-filled day with arts and crafts vendors, carnival rides for kids, food vendors, hay rides, inflatables, live music, trick-or-treat trail for kids and pumpkin painting.
Harvest Jam
When: Oct. 30, 6PM-8PM
Where: 1001 Doug Baker Blvd in Birmingham
Entry Cost: FREE
What: The first Harvest Jam, taking place at The Village at Lee Branch. Benefiting the Greater Birmingham Humane Society. Food trucks, 25+ local vendors, kids’ activities, giveaways, adoptable pups and a kids’ costume contest.
Moss Rock Festival
When: Nov. 1-2
Where: 5500 Stadium Trace Pkwy in Hoover
Entry Cost: $12 advance, $15 at gate, ages 18 and under FREE
What: Explore nature, smart living, art + design and much more.
Día de los Muertos Número 22
When: Nov. 2, 1-9PM
Where: Sloss Furnace Pavilion in Birmingham
Entry Cost: $15 in advance, $20 at the gate and online starting Nov. 2, children 12 and under FREE
What: One of the most intricate Day of the Dead celebrations in the Southeast. From massive art installations, music performances and beautiful costumes, to a parade procession with puppets, homemade altars and food trucks, Día de los Muertos Número 23 will be an event you do not want to miss!
Christmas Village Festival at the BJCC
When: Nov. 5-9
Where: 1001 19th St N in Birmingham
Entry Cost: $17 general admission online, $19 general admission box office, early bird (extra hour of shopping) $16 through Nov. 4, $17 starting Nov. 5, $5 ages 6-12 online, $6 ages 6-12 box office
What: Five exciting days of festive fun + shopping.
Appalachian Festival at Oak Mountain State Park
When: Nov. 8, 9AM-5PM
Where: 200 Terrace Dr in Pelham
Entry Cost: $5 adult, $2 children 12 and under, $2 seniors 62+
What: Join the very first Appalachian Fest to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the region. Artisan demonstrations, makers market, environmental programming, live music, food trucks and more.
Alabama Fiber Festival
When: Nov. 14-15
Where: 2616 3rd Ave S in Birmingham
Entry Cost: $10+ (or FREE for those unable to contribute)
What: Shop from dozens of dyers, makers and fiber-focused small businesses. Take a workshop, meet fellow crafters, and explore everything from knitting and crochet to weaving, spinning and more. They will also have food trucks, live music and fun activities for all ages.
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