Reviewed by: Grace Howard
Trying a new hobby? Here are 30 in Birmingham
Reading time: 8 minutes
Looking to pick up a new hobby, boost your résumé or finally try something you’ve always been curious about? Birmingham is full of hands-on classes and workshops designed to help you learn something new in 2026—from creative arts and cooking to fitness, writing and professional skills.
If you’re hoping to sharpen your talents or step completely outside your comfort zone, these local classes are worth adding to your calendar this year.
Read on for some of The Magic City’s most popular and interesting hobbies, and where to check them out.
1. Improv Classes
There are plenty of improv groups bringing this camaraderie to The Magic City. Buckle up, we’ve got a show for you.
- Ugly Baby Improv
- Faraway Theater
- Talk about a full-circle moment—Jacob Simmons, Michael Greene and Tim Casper started Gladys Improv after meeting in Ugly Baby. Years after performing and teaching classes, Faraway Theater was born out of a response to the growing improv community in Birmingham. The classes at Faraway Theater are for anyone and everyone willing to try something new. Faraway Theater offers 8-week courses taught by Michael and Tim—you can find more information on their website.
- Chaotic Good Improv
- Chaotic Good Improv, affectionately known as CGI, seeks to connect with their audience through interactive shows. An improv show lends itself to a completely different world of creative possibilities, and the CGI team has a few thoughts about why audiences love this world so much.
- Extemporaneous Theatre Company
2. Cooking Classes
Ready to spice things up in the kitchen? These Birmingham cooking classes offer hands-on instruction, expert tips and delicious recipes to help you build confidence, learn new techniques and bring fresh flavors to your table.
- Free Cooking Class at Railroad Park
- Railroad Park hosts free “Get Healthy on the Railroad” cooking classes most months from spring through fall, where local chefs offer healthy cooking demonstrations, food tastings, nutrition tips and take-home recipes at the 17th Street Plaza. The first 100 households to register at each class often receive a bag of fresh produce to help recreate the featured recipe at home
- Vecchia Cooking Classes
- If you’re passionate about Italian cuisine, Vecchia Cooking Classes has you covered. Their hands-on sessions show you how to create classic Italian favorites—from fresh pasta and house-made mozzarella to traditional pizza and even expertly crafted cocktails.
- Cheese All That
- Cheese All That hosts private charcuterie board workshops that are ideal for celebrations like parties, bridal showers, or a fun girls’ night at home. They provide everything—artisan cheeses, cured meats, fresh fruit, crackers, nuts and spreads—and guide you step by step in creating a stunning, tasty display. Best of all, each guest leaves with their own finished board to enjoy later.
- Chef U
- Chef U is a team of experienced local chefs who bring interactive cooking lessons right to your kitchen. With a variety of menu options to choose from, you can decide what cuisine or skills you’d like to concentrate on. Each session covers helpful techniques and recipe twists you can recreate long after the class ends.
- Habitat Cooking School
- At the Grand Bohemian Hotel, Habitat Cooking School offers hands-on classes designed to help you create impressive dishes for friends and family. From Classic Italian and a Tour of Germany to The Trick to Tapas, French Delights, Knife Skills and even Wine Blending, there’s a wide range of experiences to explore. With multiple class times available, it’s easy to find one that works with your schedule.
3. Arts + Crafts
Feeling creative? These arts and crafts classes around Birmingham give you the chance to paint, draw, design and make something with your own hands—whether you’re a beginner exploring a new hobby or an experienced artist sharpening your skills.
- Get involved with UAB ArtPlay
- Get involved with UAB ArtPlay, a community arts education initiative through the UAB where you can take or teach creative classes, workshops, summer camps, performances and events for all ages in visual arts, dance, drama, music, writing and more. ArtPlay offers accessible opportunities to build skills, explore creativity and connect with other artists.
- Do It Yourself Crafts
- Do It Yourself crafts has been fueling Homewood’s passion for art since 1999. Here you can take pottery classes, wheel harrowing and a bunch more.
- Alabama Art Supply
- Looking to dive into creating beautiful artwork? Alabama Art Supply is just the place to participate In fun art classes. Bonus: they even offer free virtual art books.
- Forstall Art Center
- Come out to Forstall Art Center and enjoy oil painting, acrylics and watercoloring. They also offer figure drawing as a non-instructional class.
- MAKEbhm
- MAKEbhm is the ultimate maker space experience with designated studios, woodwork and ceramics classes. Check them out and be sure tograb a coffee from their neighbor Punch Love Coffee.
- Knit B’ham
- Knit B’ham offers knitting classes and craft events to help grow the knitting community. They also have a large inventory of yarns to satisfy any knitter’s needs.
- Paperworkers Local
- Need a special print made? Paperworkers local has got you covered with etching, intaglio, lithography and digital facilities. They also offer workshops and host public art exhibitions.
4. Education Programs
Want to sharpen your skills or grow your knowledge in 2026? These education-focused classes in Birmingham cover everything from professional development to technical training, helping you build confidence, boost your résumé and invest in your future.
- Learn a new Language @ Samford University Academy of Arts
- Samford University Academy of the Arts offers classes that focus on writing, listening, and reading skills to help you learn a new language quickly. Plus, if you’ve got the basics of a different language down and need a quick recap, they also offer refresher classes.
- The Alabama Writing Workshop
- The 2026 Alabama Writing Workshop is a full-day in-person writing event in Birmingham focused on helping writers learn how to get published, offering intensive instruction on craft, publishing strategies and marketing, plus optional opportunities to pitch your work to attending literary agents and editors.
- Computer Training @ Certstaffix Training
- Certstaffix Training offers computer training in Birmingham, ranging from basic computer skills to advanced IT and business topics. Popular classes include Microsoft Office, Adobe, Project Management, Six Sigma and more—helping you save time, boost productivity and add valuable credentials to your resume.
- Get Certified at CPR Birmingham
- Looking for CPR classes near you? Get your CPR certification fast with our hands-on American Heart Association BLS, CPR and AED classes in Birmingham. Learn life-saving skills for adults, children and infants—and walk away certified the same day.
5. Wellness Classes
Looking to move, relax and recharge? Birmingham’s wellness classes offer everything from yoga and fitness to mindfulness and stress relief, helping you build strength, flexibility and balance for both body and mind.
- Rock Climbing
- Unlike a regular gym filled with equipment like treadmills and weights, climbing gyms offer a unique exercise experience from ascending top-rope courses to strengthening your core and arms on the bouldering walls. This is a great way to make friends in a new city, strengthen muscles that aren’t typically engaged and even get a mental workout by strategizing your way through courses.
- Bellydance at Dala Dance Company
- Dala Dance Company offers American Tribal Style belly dance classes in Birmingham. Classes are directed by Liz Malcom, who has been studying belly dance for more than 20 years. She offers both in-person and online classes, ranging from beginner to advanced.
- Railroad Park Fitness Classes
- Railroad Park offers free outdoor fitness classes through its Get Healthy on the Railroad program, featuring workouts like yoga, Zumba, boxing cardio, line dancing, and Senior Fit sessions for all experience levels. The classes are held weekly from spring through fall and are made possible by support from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama.
Upcoming Classes to Learn a New Skill
If none of these catch your eye, there are plenty of other upcoming classes in the Birmingham area that might spark your interest.
- Beginners Harmonic Workshop
- Vernon Barn Quilt Painting Class
- Tile Beginnings: An Intro to Mahjong
- Birmingham Book Club
- School of Glamology—become certified in all things beauty
- Porche Driving School @ Barber Motor Sports
Tried any cool classes in Birmingham? Let us know! Follow Bham Now on Instagram, Facebook + LinkedIn, and sign up for our FREE newsletter to have exciting news about The Magic City delivered straight to your inbox!
