18 weekend events in Birmingham: Labor Day, football kickoffs + more, Sept. 3–6, 2026

Reviewed by: Cindy Hatcher

Reading time: 10 minutes

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UAB football
The UAB Blazers kick off their football season Thursday, September 3, 2026 at 8PM at Illinois. (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)

Get ready for an action-packed weekend in Birmingham! With college football games kicking off, Labor Day parties, comedy, music, poetry and more, the three-day weekend is full of fun for the whole crew.

We probably don’t need to remind you that football season is in full swing this weekend, and the excitement is palpable: Be sure to know your favorite team’s schedule so you don’t miss kickoff. 

And once the football excitement wraps up for the weekend, check out this list of local restaurants open on Labor Day so you know where to grab a bite in the Magic City with your extra day off (we hope). 

Keep scrolling for ideas to plan your three-day weekend around Birmingham.

Have an event you’d like to promote? Add it to our free calendar now.

Thurs, Sept. 3, 2026 events around Birmingham

1. 24th Annual H2O Foundation Golf Tournament

  • What: Put your golf swing to good use at the Help 2 Others (H2O) Foundation’s annual golf tournament, funding their mission of helping people in Greater Birmingham facing water insecurity. Register as an individual, join a sponsored team or just donate to the cause.
  • When: Thurs, Sept. 3, 2026 | 8:30AM
  • Where: Bent Brook Golf Course, 7900 Dickey Springs Rd, Bessemer, AL 35022
  • Cost: $10+
  • More details

2. Birds + Brews

  • What: Support the Alabama Wildlife Center at Birds and Brews, where you can get up close to one of their raptor ambassadors. Grab a drink, grab your friends and learn about wildlife conservation.
  • When: Thurs, Sept. 3, 2026 | 5PM–8PM
  • Where: True Story Brewing Co, 5510 Crestwood Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35212
  • Cost: FREE
  • More details

3. Movies at Avondale Park

  • What: Catch a free film screening in the great outdoors this weekend with the first of four free movies showing at Avondale Park through the month of September. The first film on the lineup, featuring everyone’s favorite St. Bernard, is Beethoven (1992). Bring a blanket or lawn chairs, some snacks and some friends to enjoy the movie with.
  • When: Thurs, Sept. 3, 2026
    • Seating begins at 6PM
    • Movie starts at sunset
  • Where: Avondale Park Amphitheater, 3839 5th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35222
  • Cost: FREE
  • More details

Fri, Sept. 4, 2026 events around Birmingham

4. Community Seed Swap

  • What: Hosted by Nothing But Love Homestead LLC., the 6th annual seed swap promotes sustainable, budget-friendly gardening practices and offers beginner classes for first-time growers. Learn how you can grow your own food and get a helpful head start with this free community event.
  • When: Fri, Sept. 4, 2026 | 10AM–12PM
  • Where: Serving You Ministries, 6523 1st Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35206
  • Cost: FREE
  • More details

5. Bards + Brews 2026 Poetry Grand Slam

  • What: Bards and Brews is hosting a slam poetry competition where 10 Birmingham-area spoken word artists will compete for the championship title and $1,000 in cash prizes. Poets can sign up on-site to compete starting at 6PM.
  • When: Fri, Sept. 4, 2026 | 6:30PM
  • Where: Birmingham Public Library – Central, 2100 Park Pl, Birmingham, AL 35203
  • Cost:
    • Poet participation: $5
    • FREE admission
      • Must be 18+ to attend
  • More details

6. Labor Day Tailgate Party

  • What: Kick off Labor Day weekend with a tailgate party at the Red Carpet Entertainment Center, featuring music, games, live performances, food and drink specials. Get your crew together, wear your team colors and get ready for an evening full of fun.
  • When: Fri, Sept. 4, 2026 | 7PM
  • Where: Red Carpet Entertainment Center, 2921 27th St N, Birmingham, AL 35207
  • Cost: FREE
  • More details

Fri, Sept. 4 + Sat, Sept. 5, 2026 events around Birmingham

7. Labor Day Music Fest

  • What: Looking to spend Labor Day weekend on the lake? Look no further than this FREE two-day music festival at Lake Martin. Bring lawn chairs or a picnic blanket and catch tunes from local bands in a family-friendly scenic environment.
  • When: Fri, Sept. 4 + Sat, Sept. 5, 2026 | 6:30PM–9:30PM
  • Where: The Town Green at Russell Crossroads, 27 Russell Farms Rd, Alexander City, AL 35010
  • Cost: FREE
  • More details

Sat, Sept. 5, 2026 events around Birmingham

8. Bags + Badges Cornhole Tournament

  • What: Enjoy a little friendly competition at the St. Clair County Arena with a cornhole tournament, where all skill levels are welcome and cash prizes are on the line. Grab a partner or roll solo to this event benefiting the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Foundation.
  • When: Sat, Sept. 5, 2026
    • Registration begins: 9AM
    • Tournament begins: 10AM
  • Where: St. Clair County Arena, 100 Arena Dr, Odenville, AL 35120
  • Cost: $30
  • More details

9. Superhero Playdate Party

  • What: Check out this unforgettable experience for kids in Birmingham—a free community party with superhero appearances, games, inflatables and lots more family-friendly activities. Register to attend online and head to Railroad Park for a Saturday morning full of memorable fun for the whole family.
  • When: Sat, Sept. 5, 2026 | 10AM–12PM
  • Where: Railroad Park, 1600 1st Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233
  • Cost: FREE
  • More details + registration

10. Crimson Tide Watch Party

Bryant Denny stadium
Get ready for another season of Crimson Tide Football. (Caleb Turrentine / The Bama Buzz)
  • What: College football season is in full swing, and the best way to enjoy the game is with a community ready to cheer on your favorite team. You can watch the Crimson Tide take on East Carolina on the big screen at Fairway Social this Saturday.
  • When: Sat, Sept. 5, 2026 | 11AM
  • Where: Fairway Social Birmingham, 114 13th St S, Birmingham, AL 35233
  • Cost: FREE
  • More details

11. Auburn Watch Party

  • What: The Greater Birmingham Auburn Club is reviving its Auburn football watch parties starting this Saturday for the Tigers’ season opener against Baylor. Choose the location closest to you and enjoy the game in the company of other Auburn fans.
  • When: Sat, Sept. 5, 2026 | 2:30PM
  • Where: On Tap Sports Café at Liberty Park, 11967 Liberty Pkwy, Vestavia Hills, AL 35242 + all Birmingham-area Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux locations
  • Cost: FREE
  • More details

12. LSU Watch Party

  • What: Enjoy LSU’s season opening game at Roll Cajun Boudin for an authentic Baton Rouge football experience right here in Birmingham. Take advantage of food and drink specials while the game plays on the big screens and cheer on the Tigers as they take on Clemson.
  • When: Sat, Sept. 5, 2026 | 6:30PM
  • Where: Roll Cajun Boudin, 2208 6th Ave S, Birmingham, AL
  • Cost: FREE
  • More details

Sat, Sept. 5 + Sun. Sept. 6, 2026 events around Birmingham

13. Birmingham Hardcourt Bike Polo

  • What: Help Birmingham Hardcourt Bike Polo break in their new playing court at Fountain Heights Park this weekend. No sign-up required, just show up to play or watch a few games of this interesting sport gaining popularity across the globe.
  • When: Sat, Sept. 5–Sun, Sept. 6, 2026 | All afternoon
  • Where: Birmingham Hardcourt Bike Polo, 1112 13th Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35204
  • Cost: FREE
  • More details

Sun, Sept. 6, 2026 events around Birmingham

14. Eric Essix LIVE with special guest Joey Sommerville Concert

  • What: Whether you’re a longtime jazz fan or just looking for a fun night out in Birmingham, this is the concert for you. On Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026, renowned guitarist Eric Essix takes the stage at the historic Carver Theatre alongside special guest trumpeter Joey Sommerville. There will be a reception with food beginning at 4PM, music by DJ Maverick and a cash bar available throughout the concert.
  • When: Sun, Sept. 6, 2026 | 4PM–7PM
  • Where: Carver Theatre, 1631 4th Ave N, Birmingham , AL 35203
  • Cost: $110.68+
  • More event details + tickets

15. Sunday Best Stand-up Comedy

  • What: Catch the best dressed stand-up comedy show in town this Labor Day weekend at House Eleven. You don’t have to come dressed in your Sunday best, but it’s more fun if you do. Pay what you can in advance or at the door to support the local comedians making Birmingham a funnier place.
  • When: Sun, Sept. 6, 2026 | 5PM–7PM
  • Where: House Eleven, 5229 1st Ave N, Birmingham, Alabama 35212
  • Cost: Pay what you can
  • More details

Continuing events in Birmingham

16. Revolutionary Roots: Celebrating Alabama’s Unique History + Natural Beauty

  • What: Vulcan Park & Museum is honoring America’s 250th by spotlighting Alabama changemakers—past and present—who helped shape the state and country. From Calvin McGhee and Carrie Tuggle to Virginia Durr, Clyde Foster, Ashley M. Jones and Dr. Carlos E. Alemán, the display highlights powerful stories that are often overlooked. It all comes together around a striking tree installation that shows just how deep Alabama’s roots run.
  • When: Now–Jan. 2027
  • Sun.–Thurs. | 10AM–8PM
  • Fri.–Sat. | 10AM–9PM
  • Where: Vulcan Park & Museum, 1701 Valley View Dr, Birmingham, AL 35209
  • Cost: $8
  • More event details

17. Survival of the Slowest (special exhibit)

  • What: A real sloth is now at the McWane Science Center! Survival of the Slowest is bringing live animal encounters and interactive fun that show how being a little bit slower than most (or a bit unusual) can be a superpower in the wild. Bonus: This exhibit is for all ages, so bring the whole family and spend the day exploring.
  • When: Now–Dec. 2026
    • Wed.–Fri. | 9AM–5PM
    • Sat. | 10AM–5PM
    • Sun. | 12–5PM
  • Where: McWane Science Center, 200 19th St N, Birmingham, AL 35203
  • Cost: General admission to McWane
  • More event details

18. Dino Safari at the Birmingham Zoo

  • What: Life-sized, animatronic dinosaurs have taken over the Birmingham Zoo, and they’ll be sticking around until November 1! That’s plenty of time for you and your crew to go on a wild adventure filled with interactive experiences and prehistoric fun. When you visit, expect 23 life-sized robotic dinosaurs that move, breathe and roar, fun Dino facts from dedicated dino guides and more. The Birmingham Zoo was also named the #1 attraction in the city.
  • When: Now–Nov. 1, 2026
    • Wed.–Sun. | 9AM–5PM
  • Where: Birmingham Zoo, 2630 Cahaba Rd, Birmingham, AL 35223
  • Cost: Included in general admission to the Birmingham Zoo
    • Adults: $24
    • Seniors (60+), Military/First Responders/College Students: $20
      • Kids (2–12): $19
  • More event details

Upcoming Birmingham-area events

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Madelyn Alexander
Madelyn Alexander
Articles: 24

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