18 summer festivals in Birmingham

Summer is festival season, and Birmingham will be jam-packed with events for all ages, from hot dog cook-offs and America 250 parties to Juneteenth celebrations and Sidewalk Film Fest. Keep reading for a roundup of can’t-miss fun.

What did we miss? Tag us @bhamnow and let us know what festivals you’re headed to across Birmingham this summer.

June: Funky Food Trucks, Juneteenth, Sloss Tech + more

1. 24th Annual June Fling

• What: Oneonta Business Association’s annual summer festival is filled with arts + crafts, classic cars, great food and more.
• When: Sat, June 6 | 9AM–4PM
• Where: 1st Ave, E, Oneonta, AL, 35121
• Cost: Free admission
• Details

2. Funky Food Truck Festival benefiting AIDS Alabama

• What: Delicious eats from local food trucks, live music, local artists, vendors + pop-up shops. What more could you ask for?
• When: Sat, June 6 | 11AM–4PM
• Where: Cahaba Brewing Co.
• Cost: Free admission
• Details

3. Marvel City Caribbean Food + Music Festival benefiting 

• What: This annual celebration honors the impact Caribbean people have made on U.S. history. Expect a full day of family-friendly festivities like live music, cultural performances, authentic cuisine + more.
  • Tip: A parade kicks off at 12PM, so find a good spot where you can see all the magic.
• When: Sat, June 6 | 11AM–9PM
• Where: DeBardeleben Park, Bessemer
• Cost: Free admission + parking
• Details

4. African Heritage Festival

• What: Experience the rich traditions of African cultures at this annual African Heritage Festival at the Birmingham Museum of Art. You’ll have the chance to take part in art-making activities, see live performances and special highlights from the museum’s African art collection.
• When: Saturday, June 13 | 1–5PM
• Where: Birmingham Museum of Art
• How much: Free admission
• Details

5. Pride Fest

• What: June is Pride Month and Birmingham is celebrating with one of the city’s favorite events—PrideFest. Taking place on June 14 at Linn Park, the event features an electrifying day of love, celebration and unity. All ages are welcome. 
• When: Sun, June 14 | 11AM
• Where: Linn Park
• Cost: Free admission
• Details

6. CahabaZAAR benefitting the ALS Association through ALES for ALS

• What: The summer CahabaZAAR benefits the ALS Association through ALES for ALS, and will feature 100+ vendors, food trucks, live music, craft beer and cocktails.
  • New this year: An Exclusive VIP Experience at Redmont Distilling Co., which includes 2 drink tickets, catered food service, exclusive access to a private bathroom + seating with cooling fans. 
• When: Sat, June 20 | 12–5PM
• Where: Cahaba Brewing Co
• Cost: Free admission
• Details

7. Birmingham Lemon Drop Festival

• What: Love a good martini? Raise your glass to the Lemon Drop Festival on June 20 at Sloss Furnaces. You can expect a celebratory outdoor experience featuring 20+ lemon drop martini flavors, curated cocktails, music, food trucks and a vendor market. *Must be 21+ to attend. 
• When: Sat, June 20 | 2–8PM
• Where: Sloss Furnaces
• Cost:
  • General admission: $47.75
  • VIP: $77.75
  • Each ticket purchased to the festival grants you a wristband that includes 10 lemon drop martinis during the event. 
• Details

8. Juneteenth in The Magic City

• What: Celebrate Juneteenth with live music, dancing, games, a kids’ zone, fireworks and more, hosted by Simone’s Kitchen.
• When: Sat, June 21 | 4–10PM
• Where: 521 3rd Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35204
• How much: Early bird tickets: $10 | Kids 12 and under: Free admission
• Details

9. Sloss Tech

• What: A local tech event showcasing Birmingham’s growing hub for startups, innovation and talent. Complete with guest speakers, panels + parties throughout the weekend.
• When: June 24-26
• Where: Various locations in downtown Birmingham
• How much:
  • General ticket: $319
  • VIP ticket: $549 
  • Dev ticket: $119 (Developer-focused programming at the McWane Center from the morning of Thursday, June 25-Friday, June 26)
• More info

10. The Great Birmingham Dog-Off

• What: Relish the fun at this hot dog-fueled festival, hosted by Tuff Love Hospitality. Try hot dog samples from Birmingham’s favorite restaurants and home cooks, sign up to bring your own recipe and take home the prize, enjoy music and Cahaba Brewing beverages—and even take part in a hot dog eating contest!
• When: Sat, June 27 | 11AM–2PM
• Where: Cahaba Brewing Co.
• How much:
  • General admission: $17.85
  • Amateur teams: $39.19
  • Professional teams: $49.87
• Details

11. ChelseaFest & The Big KaBoom

• What: Celebrate Independence Day in June at this annual event with the City of Chelsea. The night will be full of activities for families of all ages, including live music, local food trucks, vendors and one of the biggest fireworks shows in the state. 
• When: Sat, June 27 | 6–9:15PM
• Where: 271 County Rd 440, Chelsea, AL 35043
• Cost: Free admission
• Details

July: America 250 parties + a luau night

12. Sweet Home 250

• What: A two-day music, arts + food festival to honor Alabama’s rich musical heritage—featuring artists from across the state, visual arts and culinary traditions.
• When: Thurs, July 3 + Fri, July 4 | 11AM–10:30PM
• Where: American Village
• How much:
  • General admission: $20
  • VIP: $250 | Includes exclusive entry, parking, lounge access, reserved outdoor stage seating, complimentary beverages, private restroom, a chance to meet the performers + more.
• Details

13. Ross Bridge Luau Night

• What: Stroll through local vendors and makers, enjoy island-inspired bites from food trucks and soak up the festive atmosphere, complete with tiki torches and island vibes.
• When: Fri, July 10 | 4–8PM
• Where: 2101 Grand Ave, Hoover, AL 35226
• How much: Free admission
• Details

August: Dragon Boat Race, Sidewalk Film Fest + more

14. Totally Rad Vintage Fest

• What: A vendor market with clothing, accessories, toys, home goods + more from some of the best eras: 80s, 90s, and Y2K!
• When: Saturday, August 8 | 10AM–5PM
• Where: BJCC East Exhibition Hall
• Cost:
  • General admission: $12
  • Early bird: $30
• Details

15. PlantFest Expo

• What: Enjoy two days of rare plants, local growers, collectors + enthusiasts from across the Southeast. You can also explore hundreds of plants and bring home something for yourself.
• When: Sat, August 8 | 10AM-4PM
• Where: BJCC South Exhibition Hall
• Cost: $20+
• Details

16. Dragon Boat Race & Festival benefiting Mitchell’s Place

• What: Compete or watch Dragon Boat races, eat from local food trucks, shop local vendors—all benefiting Mitchell’s Place, a Birmingham-based nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of children with autism spectrum disorder and developmental disabilities
• When: Sat, Aug 8 | 8AM
• Where: East Lake Park
• Cost: Free admission
  • Sign up to compete in a Dragon Boat race
  • Sign up to sponsor/become a vendor
  • Sign up to compete in the cocktail contest
• Details

17. Taste of 4th Avenue Jazz Festival

• What: The Taste of 4th Avenue Jazz Festival is a celebration for the Historic Fourth Avenue Business District. City of Birmingham residents can come together “in the name of music!” There will be local vendors to support during the festival—sign up to be a vendor!
• When: Sat, Aug 22 | 2–10PM
• Where: 4th Avenue North, Birmingham, AL
• How much: Free admission
• Details

18. The 28th Annual Sidewalk Film Festival

• What: One of downtown Birmingham’s hottest traditions: Sidewalk Film Fest! Recognized by MovieMaker Magazine and by TIME Magazine, Sidewalk brings 250+ independent films to Bham. Watch good, (some locally-made) movies, help filmmakers and connect with locals during the festival week.
• When: Mon, Aug 24–Sun, Aug 30
• Where: Varying location across downtown Birmingham
• How much: Prices vary per package
• Details

What did we miss? Tag us @bhamnow and let us know what festivals you’re headed to across Birmingham this summer.