Reviewed by: Callie Morrison
31 things to do around the Magic City this Halloween season
It’s October, folks, and you know what that means—carving pumpkins, haunted houses, costume contests + more. Let’s take a look at 31 hauntingly-fun Birmingham activities to get you in the Halloween spirit.
1. Alabama Theatre: Phantom of the Opera
Here in Birmingham, we love sticking with tradition. And we’ve got one you can’t miss. The 1927 classic Phantom of the Opera has played at the Alabama Theatre every year since the 1970s. Want to know more about the tradition? Learn more about this beloved tradition from Pat Seitz.
- When: October 29 | 2:00PM
- Where: 1817 3rd Ave North Birmingham, AL 35203
- Details and Tickets
2. Side Walk Film: Halloween Series
Side Walk is showing a variety of Halloween cult classics. Films like Casper (1995) The House of the Devil (2009) Poltergeist (1982) The Others (2001) House AKA Hausu (1977) and Suspiria (1977).
- When: All throughout October/Calendar.
- Where: Sidewalk Film Center + Cinema, 2nd Avenue North, Birmingham, AL
- Details and Tickets
3. Atrox factory
With 50,000 square feet of terror, Atrox Factory is the largest indoor haunted attraction in the Southeast. I’m too scared to venture to Atrox, but are you?
4. Ware House 31
Turning your nightmares into realities, Ware House 31 has three different haunting attractions to offer this season. All just as spine-tingling as the next.
5. Nightmare 3008
In Fultonale you can find an award-winning haunted house full of indoor and outdoor trails twisting into your worst nightmare. Take a jump into the darkness and find out if you can make it to the other side.
BONUS: October 8th is their sensory-friendly night! No loud noises, strobe lights or jump-scares.
6. Sand Mountain Corn Maze
Looking for something a little more family-friendly? Travel to Gadsden where you can get a full fall experience at the Sand Mountain Corn Maze. Here you can grab a pumpkin, make your way through an authentic corn maze and take a hay ride.
- When: Open during the Fall season: Tuesday-Thursday: 4:00PM- 9:30PM Friday: 4:00PM- 10:00PM Saturday: 10:00AM – 11:00PM Sunday: 1:00PM – 9:00PM
- Where: Sand Mountain Corn Maze 8420 Cox Gap Rd, Sardis City, AL 35956
- Details and More
7. Halloween silent disco at Hi-Wire
Hi-Wire is hosting its own silent disco featuring some ghoulish Halloween classics. I’m sure no mere mortal can resist the evil of this THRILLING event.
- When: October 28 | 7:30PM
- Where: Hi-Wire Brewing Birmingham2901 4th Avenue South #Suite 1A Birmingham, AL 35233
- Details and Tickets.
8. Halloween Alabama Symphony Orchestra: “Psycho”
Enjoy Alfred Hitchcock’s classic horror film with the score by Bernard Herrmann’s played live alongside this cinematic classic. Get your tickets soon. This is certainly a show that is expected to have no vacancies…
- When: October 20 | 7:00PM and October 22 | 2:30PM
- Where:UAB’s Alys Stephens Center — Jemison Concert Hall
- Details and Tickets
9. Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Costume Contest Show
This murder mystery dinner will keep you guessing all night. You never know who will be a part of the show. It could even be you…
- When: October 28 | 6:00PM
- Where: 8 Perimeter Park SouthBirmingham, AL 35243
- Details and Tickets.
10. Saturn’s Monster Market
Come check out Saturn’s Monster Market and grab goodies from all your favorite vendors. They will have everything from vintage clothes to handmade goods!
- When: October 21 | 12:00PM-4:00PM
- Where: 200 41st Street South, Birmingham, AL, 35222
- Details
11. Birmingham Museum of Art Candle Light Concert: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics
See magic come to life with this awe-inspiring musical experience. Listen to the hauntingly beautiful Halloween classics being played among hundreds of candle-lit flames. Get ready for a hauntingly harmonic evening.
- When: October 28 | 8:45PM
- Where: Sanctuary Church 300 Willits St Birmingham, MI 48009 United States
- Details
Family Friendly
Need something fun for the whole family? Maybe something a little less scary? Keep scrolling.
12. Pumpkin Patches
There are a good amount of pumpkin patches around the Magic City. Here are just a few that are worth looking into:
- The Great Pumpkin Patch
- Helena Hollows
- Penton Farms
- Old Baker Farms
- Griffin Farms Pumpkin Patch
- 4D Farm
- Botanic
- Tuscaloosa Barnyard
- Blair’s Nursery + Gifts
13. Birmingham Zoo Hoot and Howls event
Looking for no tricks and just treats? Bring the family down to the Hoot and Howls daytime Halloween festival at the Birmingham Zoo. Wear your costumes and trick-or-treat or join a dance party worthy of the name; Monster Mash!
Don’t forget to take a ride on the legendary Red Diamond Express Train and see what spooky surprises await you.
- When: October 14-15, 21-22, 28-29 | 10AM-4PM
- Where: Birmingham Zoo, Cahaba Road, Birmingham, AL
- Details and Tickets.
14. Flicks among the Flowers/ Hocus Pocus in Botanical Gardens
This is a fun and free event hosted by the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Grab your picnic blanket and a festive costume and come down to watch the Halloween classic “Hocus Pocus” among the flowers and crisp Fall air.
- When: October 13 | 5:00PM – 8:00PM
- Where: Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Lane Park Road, Birmingham, AL
- Details and More.
15. Halloween Goat Yoga
This beginner class of goat yoga is a great way to introduce yourself to yoga among many adorable goats. In this class, the herd will be extra adorable, dressed up in their favorite Halloween costumes.
Make sure to stay for s’mores after the session.
- When: October 28 | 5:00PM – 7:00PM
- Where: Goat Yoga Bham, LLC, 1441 County Road 277, Helena, AL, USA
- Details and Tickets.
16. Boo Bash Goldfish swim school family swim event
A costume contest, family swim, trick or treating, snacks and more. Boo Bash has it all.
Parents and caregivers should plan to be in the water with their kiddos. Little swimmers who aren’t potty trained are required to wear a swim diaper.
- When: October 20 | 5:00PM – 7:00PM
- Where: 5549 Grove Blvd, Hoover, AL 35226
- Details and More
17. Nightmare 3008: Kids Day
Baby’s first haunted house. This is a daytime event for your kiddos to trick or treat with the Nightmare 3008 characters.
- When: October 22 | 3:00PM – 5:00PM
- Where: 1731 Decatur Hwy Fultondale, AL 35068
- Details and Tickets.
18. Pelham Civic Complex Spooky Skate
This is a rather CHILLING event. Check out this family-friendly Halloween public skate at the Pelham Civic Complex & Ice Arena. There will be costume contests, prizes and more fun for the whole family.
- When: October 22 | 2:00PM – 4:30PM
- Where: 500 Amphitheater Rd Pelham, AL 35124
- Details and More (buy tickets at the door)
19. North Shelby Library spooky bookshelf watercolor
Here is a chance to make your own Halloween decorations—North Shelby Library is hosting a little event where you can make your own Halloween-themed watercolor painting.
- When: October 10 | 10:00AM
- Where: North Shelby Library, 5521 Cahaba Valley Rd,Birmingham,AL,United States, Vestavia Hills
- Details and More.
20. Titusville Branch Senior Halloween Party
Who said Halloween is just for kids? All seniors and their families, come down to the Titusville library and enjoy this Halloween holiday with some food, dancing and fun!
- When: October 31 | 11:00AM
- Where: Titusville Library (Birmingham Public Library System), 2 6th Ave SW,Birmingham,AL,United States
- Details and More.
21. Greystone YMCA Spooktacular Fall Festival
Partake in Halloween games, facepainting and other fun activities that await you!
- When: October 28 | 5:00PM – 7:00PM
- Where: Greystone YMCA, 5414 Highway 280,Birmingham,AL,United States, Mountain Brook
- Details and More.
Leave the kids at home
Check out these events and see if you need to call a ghoul sitter for the evening.
22. Rocky Horror Picture Show Masquerade Ball
Let’s do the time warp again! Come join Dr.Frank-N-Furter and the gang for a screening of the cult classic “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at the Irondale Civic Center. Make sure you take part in their costume contest with a cash prize for the winners!
- When: October 27 | 6:30PM
- Where: Irondale Civic Center3521 Ratliff Road Birmingham, AL 35210
- Details and Tickets.
23. Saturns Scare Your Face Off Fest
DIY Birmingham is throwing a rocking costume party with cover sets of your old favorites by some of Birmingham’s best artists. Dress up and get a discount at the door. Ghouls with the creepiest costumes get prizes, in addition to a hand-painted, horrid trophy.
Tickets will be sold at the door. Performances include contributions from Mood Room + Wax Fur, TOWU, Chayse Porter and His Palace Doors, Cash Langdon, B.O.R.N. + Anomaly, Foaming
- When: October 27 | 8:00PM
- Where: 200 41st Street South, Birmingham, AL, 35222
- Details about Tickets. $10 in costume, $15 in street clothes.
24. Halloween Bar Crawl Carrigans Beer Garden
Get ready for a hair-raising, two-day, excursion around the bars of Birmingham. Enjoy exclusive drink and food specials at partnered venues. Don’t forget to wear your most haunting ensemble—there will be a costume contest with a $1,000 grand prize!
- When: October 27 | 4:00PM – October 28 | 11:59PM
- Where: Carrigan’s Beer Garden2910 6th Avenue South Birmingham, AL 35233
- Details and Tickets.
25. Top Shelf Burlesque Spookeasy Marble Ring
Marble Ring has all the ominous and fabulous vibes coming your way. Black cats, ghosts, mummies and vampires will all be present so BEWARE!
There will be two showings so that they can spook as many willing victims as possible!
- When: October 18 | 7:00PM and 9:00PM
- Where: The Marble Ring, 41st Street South suite b, Birmingham, AL
- Details and More.
26. Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil Masquerade Ball
Get ready for a bewitching evening at Birmingham’s Elysian Gardens. There will be food, drinks and spell-binding dance music (thanks to DJ Supreme). Make sure to wear a mask and your best Halloween ensemble; there is a $100 CASH prize for the best costume.
- When: October 28 | 6:00PM
- Where: Elysian Gardens, 40th Street South, Birmingham, AL, USA, United States
- Details and Tickets.
27. Theatre Downtown’s: “The Crucible”
This is Theatre Downtown’s first show since 2020!
Come travel to the old village of Salem, and witness the (mostly) true story, and then decide for yourself: Which matters more, your honor or your life?
- When: October 12-14 | 7:30PM
- Where: Birmingham Festival Theatre 1901 1/2 11th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35205, USA
- Details and Tickets.
28. Indie Horror Film Ghost Tour
Birmingham Ghost Walks, Alabama Road Shows and Door Number 3 Films are all teaming up to provide you with an exclusive screening to some indie horror films. See brand new indie projects from Door Number 3 Films, Jordan Hudecz, Max Tatum and the debut of filmmaker William Curtis Ryan with his breakout surrealist horror film, “DASHIDA”.
- When: October 7 | 8:00PM
- Where: 219 20th Street North, Birmingham, AL 35203
- Details and Tickets.
29. Nightmare on 20th Street
Who knew your worst nightmare could be so much fun? If you are looking for a Halloween party to join, this might just be the one for you. The DJ will be spinning until November, literally, this party goes into the wee hours of the night.
There will be drinks to die for…and dancing that might just put a spell on you…
- When: October 31 | 9:00PM
- Where: The Frank, 205 20th Street North, Birmingham, United States
- Details and Tickets.
30. Hi-Wire Birmingham, Friday the 13th Fest and Dark market
This will be a fun-filled night that will surely get you into the spirit of the season. Don’t let the date scare you…find all kinds of fun including Halloween Slushies, Henna Tattoos, Tarot readings and all the Halloween candy your heart desires. Don’t forget to browse their dark market for all kinds of oddities.
- When: October 13 | 5:00PM
- Where: Hi-Wire Brewing Birmingham, 4th Avenue South Suite 1A, Birmingham, AL
- Details and More.
31. Rupaul’s Drag Race: Night of the Living Drag
Get ready to sashay into The Twilight Zone with the queens of RuPaul’s Drag Race for the 12th Annual Night of the Living Drag Tour! See iconic performances from Queens, Angeria, Denali, Icesis Couture, Jaida Essence Hall, Jorgeous, Plastique, Rosé, Tayce and your host… Yvie Oddly as they grace the stage with an enchanting night full of tricks, treats and TERROR.
- When: October 24 | 7:30PM
- Where: 1817 3rd Ave North Birmingham, AL 35203
- Details and Tickets.
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