Happy Birthday, Bham! Here’s 17 reasons to love living in Birmingham right now
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As Birmingham celebrates its 154th birthday, we’re reflecting on the things—big and small—that make living here feel special.
Here’s a snapshot of Birmingham in 2025—17 reasons we love living here, right now.
1. Because a stranded boat on 280 became a local celebrity
This summer, an unusual landmark arrived in Birmingham—an abandoned MasterCraft boat that crashed into a tree on Highway 280 near Mountain Brook.
On social media, plenty of locals theorized about how exactly the boat crashed into the tree right off of the Red Mountain Expressway. However, according to the Mountain Brook Police Department, nobody really knows how it got there.
2. Because 2 El Barrios means half the line
Way back in early 2023, we reported that beloved Downtown Birmingham restaurants El Barrio and Paramount were included in a proposal for a new development in West Homewood.
More than two years later, it’s finally a reality! And it was well worth the wait.
The new location has resulted in some pros: double the dining room space, double the parking and of course—double the tasty food and famous margaritas.
3. Because a giant bronze flamingo landed at the Birmingham Zoo
Flamboyant Flamingo by Nelson Grice (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)
The Birmingham Zoo is home to nearly 500 animals of 165 species—and this November, it added one more: a massive bronze flamingo created by local artist Nelson Grice.
Scores of family, friends and supporters visited the zoo to see the official unveiling of Flamboyant Flamingo created by artist Nelson Grice. Weighing 800 pounds and standing seven feet tall, Flamboyant Flamingo took roughly a year and a half to complete.
4. Because you might soon be able to ride an elevator to the top of the Sloss Furnace stacks
Fall also brought some exciting plans to look forward to—significant additions are being forged for the future of Sloss Furnaces, one of Birmingham’s beloved National Historic Landmarks.
The framework includes plans for Sloss to go beyond just a landmark and become a park. Proposed additions include a walking trail, kids play area, maze, pedal cars and an outdoor elevator to take visitors to a platform at the top of the furnace.
5. Because we have world-renowned Renaissance master graffiti artists
If you’ve spent time on 2nd Ave N lately, you may have noticed a few familiar-looking classical masterpieces popping up along the block. Behind these large Renaissance-inspired murals are Edward Shaw, who commissioned the pieces, and muralist Shane B with Mammoth Murals, who brought them to life.
Birmingham went full color in 2025, with more than 10 murals popping up across the city and beyond—here’s a few we loved.
6. …And because even Monet wants to come here!
Vermeer isn’t the only classical artist whose work you can spot around town.
Beginning January 30, 2026, BMA will premiere Monet to Matisse: French Moderns, 1850–1950, an exhibition of over 100 masterworks. The show brings together iconic pieces by Monet, Matisse, Chagall, Degas, Renoir and other influential French artists.
7. Because you might run into Tony Hale when you go shopping
This year, actor and Samford grad Tony Hale was named the university’s “Alumnus of the Year“. A graduate of Samford’s journalism and mass communication program, Hale has starred in Veep, Arrested Development, Toy Story 4 and Inside Out 2.
While doing press for the movie Sketch, Hale shared that he and his wife moved back to The Magic City in 2024. In fact, Hale sung the praises of Birmingham’s exceptional culinary scene, arts and theatre culture and Southern charm.
So, who knows? You may find yourself sitting next to Buster Bluth at your next Sidewalk Cinema screening.
8. Because our airport might be one of the most chill
If you’re like me, most big city airports are your own personal nightmare come to life—that’s why we’re so glad that in 2025, Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport added new direct flights to cities like Nashville, Denver, New York and Orlando. Now you can enjoy BHM’s calm, sensory-inclusive environment from start to finish, without the extra stress of crossing state lines just to catch a flight.
And because in September, BHM announced they are offering visual interpreting services and on-demand sign language interpreting to travelers as they make their way through the airport.
And because we named our airport after Civil Rights hero Fred Shuttlesworth! One of the founding members of the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights (ACMHR), Shuttlesworth brought a militant voice to the struggle for black equality during the Civil Rights movement in Birmingham.
9. Because 60,000 HBCU fans show up every October for the best weekend of the year
Football and tradition go hand-in-hand in Alabama, and few events embody that better than the Magic City Classic.
In addition to a roughly $25 million impact it has on the state, the Classic is one of the largest HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) events in the nation. Whether you’re there for the game or not, the parade, tailgates and after-parties make for a full weekend of fun.
10. Because there’s no excuse for being un-caffeinated
We all know Birmingham is a top-tier food city, but the same can be said for our coffee shop culture. Basically every corner you turn downtown has a solid coffee spot—proof that great caffeine is just part of daily life here.
Haven’t been out to explore them yet? We’ve got you covered. Here’s 37 local coffee shops to add to your list.
11. Because the Northern Lights showed up in the Deep South
Strong solar activity gave Birmingham Metro residents a chance to see a dazzling display of the Northern Lights this November!
A geomagnetic storm peaked above expectations, allowing Aurora Borealis, or the Northern Lights, to be visible in a large portion of the U.S.
12. Because a fire on Cobb Lane can’t stop Birminghamians from coming together
On Halloween, a large fire began near Cobb Lane, a historic cobblestone street in Five Points South. The fire started at a commercial building and spread to two small apartment buildings, both of which were quickly evacuated.
While there were no fatalities, the nearly 20 residents’ homes and belongings were completely destroyed in the fire.
As a result, Birminghamians quickly came together to support the victims through GoFundMe campaigns, food drives and clothing donation events. Though the damage was devastating, the response was anything but—neighbors, local businesses and strangers alike stepped in to remind those affected that they weren’t facing this moment alone.
13. Because we have more than our fair share of future Hollywood A-listers
The strangest (and coolest) thing about this season of Stranger Things? Several of the new class of young actors are from right here in Alabama!
This year, Birmingham’s young talent has made it to the big screen—like Alyse Elna Lewis, Braxton Quinney and Eden Stephens on Stranger Things and Grant Feely on Ted Lasso.
14. Because some locals are coming back to their roots
One of the single most anticipated openings of 2025 in Birmingham was El Royale Cafe, serving classic Tex-Mex dishes in a moody, European-inspired garden space in Lakeview.
Behind the project is celebrity photographer Miller Mobley. An Alabama native, Mobley moved back to Birmingham in 2018 and soon opened Slim’s Pizzeria, a New York City-style pizzeria in Mountain Brook’s Crestline Village.
Like many Alabama natives who’ve made their mark elsewhere, Mobley’s return home reflects a growing trend of creatives bringing their experience—and their vision—back to Birmingham.
Now, Mobley is working on his next venture: a new steakhouse in Highland Park named George’s, inspired by the old-school city taverns of Boston, New York and Chicago.
15. Because we almost got a MICHELIN star
When MICHELIN announced it would be extending its guide to the American South, we all started placing our bets on which restaurant would receive the coveted star.
While no restaurants in Alabama received a famous MICHELIN Star this first go round, we were well represented in the other two categories: the Bib Gourmand distinction, recognizing restaurants for “great food at a value” as well as the MICHELIN’S 2025 Recommended Restaurants list for the American South.
The four Bib Gourmand recipients include Bayonet, Pizza Grace, Le Fete and Ovenbird.
16. Because better food is becoming more accessible
There’s nothing more worthy of celebration than better, healthier food becoming more accessible for all.
In October, a free, in-school grocery store at Huffman Middle School opened thanks to the leadership of Birmingham City Councilor Clinton Woods, Birmingham City Schools and the local community. The program will offer families at the middle school staples like eggs, meat, bread and fresh produce.
Just a few months later, Nourish Grocer opened in Five Points West. The healthy micro-grocer is bringing local produce, clean snacks and natural supplements to Birmingham’s West End.
17. Because word keeps getting out that we’re a place to be
AFAR—one of the travel industry’s most trusted and influential publications—has officially named The Magic City as one of the best places in the world to travel in 2026.
Out of 24 destinations across all seven continents, Birmingham is one of only seven U.S. cities to make the list and the only destination in the Southeast.
AFAR points directly to Birmingham’s food culture as a major reason the city earned a place on the list—no surprise there. The feature highlights the city’s surge in national attention, noting how Birmingham’s restaurants continue to deliver excellence across genres, from elevated Southern cuisine to world-class seafood, all from our outstanding chefs.
We want to know—why do you love living in Bham right now? Tag us @bhamnow and let us know!
