Fall is finally here and we couldn’t be happier! It’s our favorite time of year for so many reasons, one being the incredibly amount of events happening around Birmingham.
Festivals, pumpkin patches, carnivals, and events galore!
This week is packed with the Greek Food Festival, Kick’n Chick’n Wing Fest, Vulcan Aftertunes, and a special breast cancer awareness storytime at Barnes and Noble.
Thursday we will be kicking off our new series with Brookwood Medical Center. GenBump, the secrets of Mommyhood. If you’re an expectant Mom, new Mom or a Mom that wants to be in the know here in the city, make plans to join us!
Have a great week!
It’s Not Our Fault if Your Kids are Bored!
Sunday September 25th:
Vulcan Aftertunes: Will Hoge
Birmingham’s unique musical event returns to Red Mountain this fall for its 7th season! Enjoy cool tunes, fresh brews and sweet views on Sunday afternoons with Birmingham’s hip iron man, Vulcan. Chill out in Birmingham’s backyard and end your week with friends and family (of all ages) while listening to some of the area’s best music. Tickets and seating are first-come, first-served and general admission. Lawn chairs and blankets strongly encouraged. Food, beer, wine and soft drinks will be available for purchase. No pets or outside alcohol allowed. All shows rain or shine.
3pm – Gates open at 1pm
General Admission $15, Children (12 & under) Free
Cahaba River Fry Down – Trussville Springs
Benefting the Cahaba River Society
11a.m. – 4p.m.
Tickets: $20
(Children 12 and under free)
www.frydown.com
Barts Art Cart – Birmingham Museum of Art
Make a drum inspired by African musical instruments with Bart! The Museum now offers a fun and free drop-in art program for kids and families! Visit Bart’s Art Cart in the main lobby to discover great art and create some art of your own with the help of our Teen Volunteers. Each month highlights a different gallery and features a new art activity. Learn how to look at art with your child, then stop by and make art with Bart!
11am
Symphony 30 Picnic – Birmingham Botanical Gardens
The Symphony 30 nonprofit group of women in Birmingham, Ala. will host its annual Symphony 30 Picnic. The event this year will be held once again at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, with the proceeds going to help the Alabama Symphony Orchestra and specifically their family and education programs. We are pleased to announce Jim ‘N Nicks Bar B Q and Brookwood Medical Center as our lead sponsors to the 2011 event. Along with dinner generously donated by Jim ‘N Nicks and a symphony concert, activities will include an art table where children can make their own musical instruments.
The Symphony 30 Group is comprised of approximately 80 young women, who are committed to the legacy and future of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. The Symphony 30 Group has raised more than $330,500 for education programs at the Alabama Symphony Orchestra.
4pm
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Monday September 26th:
Holy Inappropriateness! We couldn’t find any special events happening in the Ham’ today. Make sure to check our list below for fun exhibits happening daily at our local attractions.
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Tuesday September 27th:
Storytime – Homewood Public Library
Join us for the fun of it! All ages welcome. For larger groups, a call is nice but not necessary.
10:30am
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Wednesday September 28th:
Brookwood Live – Colonial Brookwood Village
Join Colonial Brookwood Village this September for Brookwood Live, Birmingham’s newest live music event series. Enjoy live music in the street, outdoor vendors, food, drinks and fun for all ages.
Jazz it up with Top Secret with Shaun Pezant
5pm – 9pm
Wonderful Wednesday Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Jack and the Beanstalk is today’s Storytime book! Learn about Jack and the magic beans he finds, and what adventures await him as a result. Create some arts and crafts, enjoy a cool treat from our Cafe and play with NOOK.
11am
Family Story Time with Mr Mac – North Shelby Library
Storyteller Extraordinaire – Come join Mr Mac and his musical storytime complete with puppets! All Ages, no registration required.
10:45am
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Thursday September 29th:
GenBump – Secrets of Mommyhood, DIYC in Homewood
Brookwood Womens Center and BirminghamMommy.com are partnering up for a series of events just for you Modern Moms! Join us for the best kept secrets in Birmingham, where mommy experts will share tips on where kids eat free, stores with great membership programs, the best online sites for sales and shopping, how to get free books for your kids, must-have mobile phone apps and more.
Sunset Cinemas – Railroad Park
Remember the Titans – 7pm
George’s Boxcar Cafe and Jim ‘N Nick’s Barbecue will be selling food and drink during the movies! George’s Boxcar Cafe will have all of your movie favorites, including popcorn, nachos, and candy; PLUS they will be serving cocktails! Jim ‘N Nick’s will be grilling their famous barbecue and will have other delectable Southern treats, including their famous cheese biscuits!
What to bring: a blanket or lawn chair and cash or credit card to so that you can purchase delicious food and beverages from George’s Boxcar Cafe and Jim N Nick’s!
Greek Food Festival
OPA! It’s that time of year again, so mark your calendar and come hungry to one of Birmingham’s most highly anticipated events. A true cultural experience, this festival is an act of love of Birmingham’s Greek community and more than 100 parish volunteers. Besides delicious Greek cuisine, you’ll enjoy live Greek music, Greek dancing by the youth, and a warm, spirited atmosphere that embraces everyone as family. As thousands of returning patrons can attest, you will leave a devoted fan. The Cathedral architecture is breathtaking so don’t miss the chance to take a guided tour. The festival also offers both Drive-Thru and Walk-up lines 10:30a.m.-7:00 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. The year’s menu will include all the authentic Greek dishes and mouthwatering homemade pastries. Free parking in the Liberty National Building Parking Deck one block away located between 20th Street and Richard Arrington Blvd.
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Friday September 30th:
Greek Food Festival
OPA! It’s that time of year again, so mark your calendar and come hungry to one of Birmingham’s most highly anticipated events. A true cultural experience, this festival is an act of love of Birmingham’s Greek community and more than 100 parish volunteers. Besides delicious Greek cuisine, you’ll enjoy live Greek music, Greek dancing by the youth, and a warm, spirited atmosphere that embraces everyone as family. As thousands of returning patrons can attest, you will leave a devoted fan. The Cathedral architecture is breathtaking so don’t miss the chance to take a guided tour. The festival also offers both Drive-Thru and Walk-up lines 10:30a.m.-7:00 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. The year’s menu will include all the authentic Greek dishes and mouthwatering homemade pastries. Free parking in the Liberty National Building Parking Deck one block away located between 20th Street and Richard Arrington Blvd.
Barts Art Cart – Sculpture
October is Bart’s favorite month! Come out to create your own Bart the Art Bat Sculpture.
Visit Bart’s Art Cart in the main lobby to explore great art and create some art of your own with the help of our Teen Volunteers. Each month highlights a different gallery and features a new art activity. Learn how to look at art with your child. Stop by and make art with Bart!
1pm
Free Friday Flix – Hoover Library
See Rio, an animated hit set in both Rio de Janeiro and the lush jungles of Brazil. Free admission and snacks in the Library Theatre.
6:30pm
Story Day with Nene – Whole Foods
stories, songs, and snacks as Mrs. Renee Schmidt leads the fun.
10am
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Saturday October 1st
Shelby Blues and BBQ
enjoy great food and great music, and even watch football. We will have a Kids Area, Tailgating Area to watch Alabama or Auburn football on large screens (both away games), tons of vendors, and great blues music. This is a family-friendly event so invite everyone you know to come on out for a great time!
1pm – 9pm
Barts Art Cart – Sculpture
October is Bart’s favorite month! Come out to create your own Bart the Art Bat Sculpture.
Visit Bart’s Art Cart in the main lobby to explore great art and create some art of your own with the help of our Teen Volunteers. Each month highlights a different gallery and features a new art activity. Learn how to look at art with your child. Stop by and make art with Bart!
11am
Storytime on the Mountain – Ruffner Mountain Nature Center
Nature inspires creativity in children by engaging a full range of the senses. During Story Time we will stimulate the imagination by reading themed books about nature, wildlife, and the great outdoors. After the story, we make a craft that reflects the theme of the day. This program encourages a child’s limitless imagination. We will gather in the Treehouse’s Activity Hall for this Story Time adventure. FREE, Suited for pre-school age children.
10am
Fiesta Hispanic Cultural Festival – Regions Park Hoover
Alabama is represented by many different cultures and backgrounds and has a large Hispanic population. The success of Fiesta continues to grow and evolve because the community continues to embrace this event as its own and has done so since its inception. As in past years, Fiesta will continue to showcase what the Birmingham Region can provide to its community in terms of multiculturalism, sensitivity and acceptance. All Hispanic cultures will be celebrated, and patrons will leave Fiesta with a rich appreciation of our Latino neighbors.
food and fun for all ages. Fiesta not only features a Music and Dance Stage, but will also include Arts, Culture, Children’s Activities, Health and Wellness Information, Multi-Cultural Food, and Community Villages, where event-goers can sample the various customs and traditions in Spanish-speaking countries. New to the event this year will be the Infinity Insurance “Read Conmigo” village, in which books will be provided to parents, so that they can read with their children in English and in Spanish.
Bluff Park Art Show
The first show was held in Bluff Park to benefit the Bluff Park Elementary School library and has grown into a prestigious annual event. The top award is a purchase award, and the winning work is added to the permanent collection. These works are displayed in local schools, colleges and other public buildings.
Proceeds from the Annual Show go to support the Arts in the greater Birmingham community. Over the years we have undertaken many projects, both large and small. These have varied from buying art books for school libraries to commissioning public sculpture and paintings.
9am – 5pm
Bark in the Park – Columbiana
Shelby Humane Society (SHS) and Alabaster Parks and Recreation will host the fifth annual Bark in the Park. This event is filled with a fun day of activities will feature a variety of pet and family friendly events.
•Mutt Strut – 1 mile pet walk, now accepting registration!
•Vaccine/Microchip Clinic- low cost vaccines and micro chipping
•Pet adoptions
•Free nail trimming for pets
•Quick Fix Information-low cost spay/neuter program
•Obedience Training Demonstrations
•Music, great food from Johnny Rays and Dreamcakes, crafts and more!
9am – 2pm – Admission is free
Greek Food Festival
OPA! It’s that time of year again, so mark your calendar and come hungry to one of Birmingham’s most highly anticipated events. A true cultural experience, this festival is an act of love of Birmingham’s Greek community and more than 100 parish volunteers. Besides delicious Greek cuisine, you’ll enjoy live Greek music, Greek dancing by the youth, and a warm, spirited atmosphere that embraces everyone as family. As thousands of returning patrons can attest, you will leave a devoted fan. The Cathedral architecture is breathtaking so don’t miss the chance to take a guided tour. The festival also offers both Drive-Thru and Walk-up lines 10:30a.m.-7:00 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. The year’s menu will include all the authentic Greek dishes and mouthwatering homemade pastries. Free parking in the Liberty National Building Parking Deck one block away located between 20th Street and Richard Arrington Blvd.
Kick’n Chick’n Wing Fest – Homewood
The Kick’n Chick’n Wing Fest is an outdoor cook-off celebrating Birmingham’s favorite football food while supporting one of Alabama’s oldest non-profits. Bring your lawn chairs and an empty stomach to enjoy a day of music, family fun, good food and football! Local restaurants will compete for various awards by cooking up their finest wing recipes for guests to sample. Aside from the wing competition, guests will also enjoy a family friendly Auburn/Alabama-themed tailgate complete with games shown throughout the event site. Come eat the best chicken wings in town, hang out with good friends, and watch some football at the Magic Moments Junior Board’s 3rd Kick’n Chick’n Wing Fest!
11:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Saturday Market – Pepper Place
7am – Noon
Saturday Storytime– Barnes and Noble Summit
Awesome Autumn Storytim – What do you see when the leaves fall from the trees? Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert shows us where to look for adventure all around us. We will create some leafy art and sip on something from our Cafe. Then, we’ll explore our Toys & Games Department.
11am
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Sunday October 2nd:
Special Breast Cancer Awareness Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Help us welcome Miss Alabama, Madeline Mitchell, for a Special Storytime celebrating everything Pink. We’ll read Pinkalicious and Priscilla and The Pink Planet, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness. Then we’ll color and create some art.
3pm
Barts Art Cart – Sculpture
October is Bart’s favorite month! Come out to create your own Bart the Art Bat Sculpture.
Visit Bart’s Art Cart in the main lobby to explore great art and create some art of your own with the help of our Teen Volunteers. Each month highlights a different gallery and features a new art activity. Learn how to look at art with your child. Stop by and make art with Bart!
11am
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Local Attractions Open Daily!
McWane Science Center:
Eat Well, Play Well Exhibit:
What is in the food we eat? Are fruits and vegetables important? Can everyday activities burn calories? Visitors will find the answers to these questions by exploring nutrition and fitness in this summer’s traveling exhibit called Eat Well, Play Well. This highly-interactive exhibit encourage healthy living by teaching the science of making healthy-food choices and helping children and adults discover that there are many fun and interesting ways to stay active. Visitors will discover what an appropriate serving size looks like, see first hand what it takes to burn off calories, test their flexibility and balance, review the latest clinical research and realize that they can reduce their risk of disease with healthy choices that are within their reach.
IMAX
McWane Science Center’s IMAX® Dome Theater puts you in the center of the action by projecting breathtaking quality images onto the 5-story-tall dome screen and delivering intense surround sound through almost 3 tons of speakers and subwoofers.
Now Showing: Tornado Ally, Born to Be Wild, and Wild Ocean.
Birmingham Zoo:
Lorikeet Aviary – Our Lorikeet Aviary has more birds than ever! Zoo guests can feed these exotic birds every day. You and your family will see these birds’ behavior as they eat nectar out of your hand.
Weekends 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
PELICAN FEEDING – A great way to see our pelicans in action is to witness them eating their favorite treats near the pelican boardwalk.
RHINO ENCOUNTER – Embark on an African adventure and experience one of the world’s most extraordinary animals, the Southern White Rhino. Watch from only feet away as our zookeepers engage in hands-on interaction with the animals inside their African-themed exhibit. Don’t miss this exciting encounter with one of the largest mammals on the planet!
Weekdays: 3pm – 3:30pm
Weekends: 11:30am – Noon & 3pm – 3:30 pm
GIRAFFE FEEDING – This up close and personal animal encounter is a memory you and your family will have for a lifetime.
Weekday: 11am – Noon
Weekends: 10am – 11am & 2pm – 3pm
Vulcan Park and Museum:
Vulcan is the world’s largest cast iron statue; made of 100,000 pounds of iron and 56 feet tall, he stands at the top of Red Mountain overlooking the city of Birmingham. But, Vulcan is more than a statue. Vulcan Park and Museum features spectacular views of Birmingham, an interactive history museum that examines Vulcan and Birmingham’s story, and a beautiful public park for visitors and locals to enjoy. With an official information center that is operated by the Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau, Vulcan Park and Museum serves as the first stop for visitors to the Birmingham area!
Railroad Park:
Railroad Park is a 19 acre green space in downtown Birmingham that celebrates the industrial and artistic heritage of our great city. Situated along 1st Avenue South, between 14th and 18th Streets, the park is a joint effort between the City of Birmingham and the Railroad Park Foundation. Hailed as “Birmingham’s Living Room,” Railroad Park provides a historically rich venue for local recreation, family activities, concerts, and cultural events, while connecting Birmingham’s downtown area with Southside and UAB’s campus.
Southern Museum of Flight:
Earn Your Wings – Bring your little pilot and soar above the clouds in our little pilots room. Kids enjoy building aircrafts, flying kites, and more.
Museum Open Tuesday – Thursday
9:30am – 4:30pm
Do you have or know of an event you would like to have added to our weekly calendar? Please email us at contact@birminghammommy.com, subject line “Events Calendar” – We would love to hear from you!
** All information listed on our calendar is subject to change without notice to us or you… We do our best to keep the information accurate and will always update as soon as we learn that something has changed. It’s always best to double check with the event via their website or a quick call, especially when weather can impact the event.
