Ahhh, Fall in Birmingham! Most Moms we know absolutely love this time of year! With Fall comes the fun of Pumpkin Patches, Trick or Treating and Fall Festivals. Here is a rundown of what you can do to keep your family busy over the next month or so!
Pumpkin Patches
Old Baker Farm – Harpersville – September 29th – October 31st. Just off Hwy 280.
Open weekdays 3pm – dark
Saturdays 9am – dark
Sundays 1pm – dark
ADMISSION COST:
$10 per person (children under 2 free)
Admission includes pumpkin and all events except food, arts and crafts, and horseback rides.
- Western Cowboy Day – Saturday October 13, 2012, 9am until Dark and Sunday, October 14, 2012, 1pm until Dark
Shootouts, Western Music, Hay Wagon Rides, Hay Mountain, Pumpkin Patch, & More!
Kids, come dressed in your western attire!
- Cotton Pickin’ Celebration – Saturday October 27th 9am – 5pm and Sunday October 28th 9am – 5pm. Exhibitors from all over the South including handmade Indian arts & crafts, blacksmiths, basket makers, broom maker, goats milk soap, and many more!
Great Pumpkin Patch – Hayden – 65 North to the Hayden Corner Exit. September 24th – October 31st
Open Monday – Thursday 8am – 4pm,
Friday and Saturday 8am – 6pm,
Sunday 1pm – 6pm.
Admission to the Pumpkin Patch is free, pay for each activity.
Grand Ole Patch – Clanton – 65 South to the Clanton/Lay Dam exit 212. October 1st – October 31st
Open Monday – Thursday 8am – 5pm.
Friday and Saturday 8am – Dark.
Sunday 1pm to dark.
Pay Per Activity
Bennett Farms – Heflin – I-20 toward Atlanta, exit 199. Opening day, Saturday September 29th. In October – Open Thursday and Friday, 2pm – 5pm, Saturday 9am – 5pm and Sunday 1pm – 5pm.
Pumpkin Patch Express – Heart of Dixie Railroad Musuem – Open Every Saturday and Sunday in October, beginning October 6th. Hayrides, jump stations, coloring and more! It is recommended you purchase tickets in advance.
Tuscaloosa Barnyard
“Petting and Fun Farm” is open every Friday in October from 10am to 1pm. Saturday, October 20th and 27th will be family day! Bring your lunch & friends! 248-0773 (Pony ride, boat ride, animal feeding, hands on petting area, pumpkin patch, hayride, playground, etc ONLY $15 per person)
Local Libraries
Emmet O’Neal Public Library
A Night Dark and Grimm: October 19th, 6pm
Fairytale Forest Maze, Crafts, Costume Photo Booth, Costume Parade, Games, Fairytale Foods and More! Movie on the Lawn will be Mirror Mirror. *Rain date, October 20th
Trick or Treat Around the Library – October 31st, 9am -6pm
Homewood Library
Live Ghost Hunt: October 27th 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Homewood Public Library has been certified by several paranormal groups and psychics as having “paranormal activity.” Come tour the premises after dark with real ghostbusters. Two tours will be available; one at 6:30pm and the other at 8:30pm.
Paranormal Rules: Must be 12 years old and older to attend; 15 year olds and younger must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Appropriate clothing is required. Non-reflective materials, closed toe shoes, minimal jewelry, no perfume or scented lotions.
This Event will be limited to 30 per session; Tickets are $20 per person. Ticket sales begin October 1st.
Halloween Tricks and Treats: October 31st, 1pm – 5:45pm
Stop by in your costume and perform a trick for a treat!
Hoover Public Library –
Turn a pumpkin into a work of art (NO CARVING, PLEASE) and display it at the library! Each entry will receive a prize and a medal and will be entered into a grand prize drawing. Drawing at 9 a.m. on Monday, October 29th.
October 16-28, 2012
Annual Pumpkin Painting Workshop
It’s time to get out those pumpkins and bring them to the library to decorate and enter our Pumpkin Painting Contest.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012 at 6:30 am
Full Moon Fright Fest: October 29th, 6:30pm
Wear your costume to the library for and evening of haunted games, crafts and snacks.
Trick or treat throughout the library on Halloween!
9am-6 p.m.
Pelham Library
Halloween Carnival: Saturday October 20th 2pm- 3pm
Come in your favorite costume to play some carnival games and leave with plenty of treats.
Festivals and Miscellaneous Happenings
Boo at the Zoo –
Wear your favorite costume for the 22nd annual Boo at the Zoo. Make your way through safe candy villages and game zones, organized by local non-profits and child-centered businesses. The Zoo will close at 4pm on each day of Boo at the Zoo.
Admission: $8 (tax included)
Some attractions require ride tickets. Ride tickets are $3.50, or you can purchase an unlimited attraction wristband for only $12. Wristbands do not include Children’s Pony Rides. Children’s Pony Rides are $5.50. Riders must weigh less than 80 lbs.
October 5th – 7th, 12–14, 21, 25, 28 & 31 (5pm–9pm)
October 19, 20, 26, 27 (5pm–10pm)
OzTober at Desoto Caverns –
Every Saturday in October for an interactive, roaming production of the Wizard of Oz. Show times are 10:15 and 4:15.
McWane Science Center
SpookTacular Sleepover – Spend the night inside the haunted museum and enjoy spooktacular science experiments from Frankenstein’s lightning show to mixing up crazy concoctions in a cauldron! This spooky celebration is fun for all ages. Event includes dinner, breakfast, late night snack, Rocky Mountain Express in IMAX , and all activities. Reservations are required. Please call (205) 714-8414
October 19 from 6:00 PM – 9:00 AM
TICKETS: $40.00 Kids, $20 Adults (Members get $5.00 OFF)
Southern Museum of Flight –
Family Halloween Event
October 27th
Oak Mountain State Park
Come out and enjoy the festivities at the 2nd Annual Fall Festival at the Dogwood Pavilion. We will have a dunking booth, face painting, cake walk, hayrides, and more. Park admission is $3 adults, $1 children (6 to 11), 5 & under free, $1 seniors (62+). Activities require 1 ticket each, and they can be purchased under the Dogwood Pavilion for $1 each.
Saturday October 13th, 1oam – 2pm
Tannehill –
The Tannehill Halloween Festival, a non-scary fun-filled holiday event focused on the campgrounds, annually attracts over 6,000 visitors, most of them children. Begun in 1992, the October 31 event features park-sponsored programs during the afternoon and traditional Halloween candy “trick or treat” stops at more than 200 campsites during the evening. Park events include a moon walk, clowns, face painting, pony rides and sand art. A special tradition is the festival’s annual Halloween Festival T-shirt. Campground site decorations and lights are extensive, creative and surreal.
October 27th
Jefferson Christian Academy –
The Jefferson Christian Academy Annual Heritage Festival is an exciting event in the Irondale Community. Families can enjoy a variety of entertainment such as carnival rides, huge inflatables, live music, arts and crafts vendors, informational booths, several food choices, silent auction, pony rides, games, and more!
Saturday October 13th, 10am – 3pm
Chelsea Park Elementary –
Annual Fall Festival, something for everyone! The event will have games, inflatables, cake walk, vendor booths, silent auction, tons of food and much more. Tickets can be purchased the week of the event at the school for $.50 or the night of the event for $.60. This is the largest fundraiser for Chelsea Park Elementary’s PTO and proceeds will help the PTO provide support and assistance to the school and faculty throughout the year. All are welcomed!!!!
Friday October 26th. 5:30pm – 8:30pm
Dawson Baptist Church
Bring your family to Dawson’s Family Fall Festival! Games, rides, carnival foods, and candy!
October 26th, 6pm – 9pm
Town of Mt Laurel
Harvest Festival –Farmers Market & Craft Fair, complete with Hayrides, MoonWalks, Cotton Candy, Music and much, much more!
Saturday, October 13th. 10am – 3pm
Mountain Chapel UMC
Fall Kids Festival, grades 5 and under
Games, Pony rides, food, face painting, shaved ice and more.
$5 Pass covers all rides and games unlimited. Cash for Food and drink
Sunday, October 15th. 1pm – 3pm
Ruffner Mountain
Pumpkin Carving Party. Join us for a pumpkin carving party at the Backporch. Let your creativity run wild as you create your very own Jack-O-Lantern. You may either bring your own and carve it for free, or purchase one from Ruffner (price depends on size). You are free to take your pumpkin home with you, or leave it at Ruffner to display for Faces in the Forest.
October 25th, 3pm – 5pm
Face in the Forest Hike – Visit Ruffner for a truly spooktacular evening. Walk along the forest trail with only the guidance from glowing Jack-O-Lanterns to lead the way. Booths and other hair-raising activities will be offered as well. Costumes encouraged. Fun for the whole family. Please arrive within the thirty minute time frame you selected. *These price reflects a $1 discount for reserving your spot online. Please note that tickets might not be available at the door on the days of the event if event is sold out. We strongly recommend purchasing your tickets online to guarantee a spot and save money. Reserve your spot at http://shop.ruffnermountain.org/
October 25th and 26th. 6:30 – 8:30pm
Homewood Parks and Recreation
Fall Festival – A variety of games, goodies, a concession stand, inflatable and a costume contest.
Thursday, October 25th. 6pm – 8pm
Buck Creek Park and Buck Creek Trail – Alabaster
Fall Fest
Saturday, October 27th, 9am – 3pm
Barnes and Noble – Summit Shopping Center
Harry Potter Halloween Party and Costume Contest! Scavenger hunt and costume contest. Best Costume wins a NOOK Simple Touch! Register before the event at www.pottermore.com to get sorted into your Hogwarts House. Ages 7-16 welcome!
October 13th, 7pm – 8pm
If you’re a scary movie buff and can get a sitter, the Alabama Theatre will be hosting Halloween Movie Week starting Tuesday October 23rd. Visit their site for a full schedule.
If you have a festival or fall event you would like added to our list, email us at: contact@birminghammommy.com subject line, Fall Festival
Anyone know what day kids are trick or treating this year in Birmingham/Gardendale area or how I should find out?
As far as we know everyone will be trick or treating on the 31st. It seems like this comes up a lot and there is lots of discussion, but it always ends still being on the 31st. If we hear of anything we will be sure to post it, keep an eye on our FB page for any updates.