Top picks for some FALL fun this weekend in the ‘Ham!

• Pumpkin Patch Express at the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum

All Aboard the Pumpkin Patch Express! Ride the train to purchase your perfect pumpkin from the patch! Train ride, Hay rack, Bounce house, and lots of family FUN!

Every Saturday and Sunday in October

• Opening Weekend at Boo at the Zoo

It’s that Spooktacular time of year again and the Birmingham Zoo is gearing up for some Boo at the Zoo fun!

Experience the excitement on Henley Park with inflatables, ghostly Ghoul School, Bat Keeper Chats and so much more! Guests are invited to wear their favorite family-friendly costumes as they partake in the festivities.

Trick or Treat Lane will be the sought after candy place for anyone with a sweet tooth! Take a wild ride around the Zoo on our Eerie Express Train. The Spider Slide, Ghost Rollers and Scarousel are just a few thrills that are sure to entertain children of all ages.

October 11 – 14
5pm – 9pm

• Mt Laurel Fall Festival

The Mt Laurel Fall Festival has something for the whole family, including shopping the many arts and crafts vendors and farmers; watching live music on the Bryson Square Stage; and savoring delicious eats at Mt Laurel restaurants and Birmingham food trucks. Browse handcrafted artwork, home décor items, jewelry, and pottery from local artisans and pick up fresh produce from participating farmers.

Saturday, October 13th
10am – 3pm

• Harvest Festival at Oak Mountain State Park

Help us celebrate Fall in the South and welcome in the beautiful Autumn colors that grace our Oaks each year! The Festival will be full of Music, Tons of food vendors including many traditional Fall favorites, Multiple Yard Games like corn hole and giant checkers, Fun Activities like mining for gems and painting pumpkins, Multiple Bounce Houses and an inflatable slide, Pony Rides provided by the Rusted Roof Barn, Meet and greet with the Alabama Wildlife Center’s Education Ambassadors, Complimentary Hay Rides (ride as many times as you like!), SHOPPING with local vendors, an early morning yoga class on the beach, and so much more! This event is one of our favorites each year, and we look forward to enjoying the day with you! The Harvest Festival is ALWAYS a fun day!

Saturday, 9am – 5pm

• Oktoberfest Trussville

Activities are planned for the entire family from tots to seniors and everyone in between. Some of the offerings include hayrides to the pumpkin patch, raffles, knockerball, defender dome ride, 5-in-1 sports game, obstacle course, pony rides, a petting zoo, pumpkin painting, and many children’s games with prizes. This year, the $15 bracelet includes all the rides and games – unlimited for all day – or they can be purchased individually ala carte.

Saturday, 9am – 3pm

Make sure to check our Events Calendar for even more fun!

Our Sponsor:

The Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum is the official railroad museum of the state of Alabama and located just south of Birmingham in Calera, Alabama. The museum features operating standard gauge and narrow gauge trains, two restored depots, an indoor collection of railroad artifacts and memorabilia, and an outdoor collection of railroad cars, locomotives, and cabooses.

Lots of fun awaits at the Pumpkin Patch as you take a hayride, bounce in the inflatable bounce house, get lost in the corn maze, and participate in other family activities! Search our pumpkin patch to find your perfect pumpkin!

Lots of October fun happening throughout the month at the McWane Science Center

Frankenstein’s Workshop
October 13th

Join us as we celebrate the bicentennial of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. We’ll explore the intersection between science fiction and today’s science advancements in electricity, robotics, synthetic biology and human enhancements.

Earth Science Week
October 14th – 20th

Since 1998, scientists have celebrated Earth Science week. This time is used to educate the public about the earth sciences and to equip them with appreciation, understanding, and stewardship.

For this 20th celebration of Earth Science Week, the American Geosciences Institute has declared the theme to be “Earth as Inspiration,” and is emphasizing artistic expression as a powerful tool for geoscience education.

An Evening at Hogwarts
October 19th and 20th

Calling all witches, wizards, and muggles: Grab your wizard robe and cross Platform 9 ¾ to McWane’s School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! Enjoy dinner in the Great Hall, make your own wizard wand, concoct potions, attend flying lessons, visit Flourish & Blotts by Books-a-Million and more!  After class is dismissed, grab your complimentary popcorn and drink as you view a special showing of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban in the IMAX Dome.  It’s the wizarding event of the year that you won’t want to miss!  Be sure to don your house colors and robes! Advance reservations are required as this event will sell out.

Visit their site to purchase tickets or for more information on available times

Throwback Pricing
October, 29th

As a special offer to our visitors this year, on the 20th of every month, we will THROW BACK the prices, meaning admission to McWane will be the same price as what it was when we opened 20 years ago in 1998. Pretty cool, right? Adventure Halls Kids: $6 | Adults: $7 | Senior: $6 Combo Ticket Kids: $9 | Adults: $10 | Seniors: $9

National Chemistry Week
October 21st- 27th

McWane Science Center joins the American Chemical Society in celebrating the importance of chemistry in our everyday lives. Plus, Mole Day on October 23rd commemorates Avogadro’s Number (6.02 x 10^23), which is a basic measuring unit in chemistry first discovered by Amadeo Avogadro.

Spooky Science
October 28th – 31st

Creep on down to McWane this Halloween and get your hands on some slime, meet creepy crawlers and learn the science behind some tricks and treats.

For more events happening in and around Birmingham, make sure to check out our events calendar.. if you’re looking for Pumpkin patch or fall festival fun, you can find that here!

Top Picks for Weekend fun in Birmingham! It’s the opening weekend for the Pumpkin Patch Express, and pretty much the kick off weekend for ALL of the non stop fall fun!

• Opening Weekend for the Pumpkin Patch Express

All Aboard the Pumpkin Patch Express! Ride the train to purchase your perfect pumpkin from the patch! Train ride, Hay rack, Bounce house, and lots of family FUN!

Every Saturday and Sunday in October

• Greek Festival Holy Trinity Holy Cross

The festival is an act of love of Birmingham’s Greek community going back to 4 generations. Besides delicious Greek cuisine, you’ll enjoy live Greek music, Greek dancing performances, and a warm, spirited atmosphere that embraces everyone as family. As thousands of returning patrons can attest, you will leave a devoted fan.

Free Admission
Friday, 10:30am – 10pm
Saturday, 10:30am – 10pm

• Alabama Butterbean Festival Pinson Community Center

One of the largest festivals in the Southeast, the Alabama Butterbean Festival rounds up country cooks, families, and die-hard fans of butterbeans for a fun-filled weekend including 12-hours of live music, carnival rides, food, petting zoos, pony rides, and more. The free festival also features the Guinness world record holding butterbean pot. The pot earned the record in 2010 for the largest pot of baked beans at over 1,010 gallons. The festival’s official mascot, Bucky Butterbean, will also be at the festival posing for pictures and greeting attendees. The small-town charm of Pinson’s Main Street will be packed with more than 150 arts and crafts vendors and various traditional and non-traditional fair food vendors.

Friday, 6pm – 10pm
Saturday, 9am – 4pm

• 30th Annual Moundville Native American Festival

Native American performers, demonstrators, living history teachers, and crafts vendors here to teach and celebrate Native American culture. Visit the “tools and weapons” range to learn how to throw an atlatl, or visit the Native American stage to watch stomp dancers, social dancing, and hoop dancer extraordinaire Lyndon Alec, and so much more! And don’t miss the fantastic music of GrayHawk Perkins and many others. Learn about traditional pottery firing, weaving, bead work, and other crafts! Bring your children to our Children’s Area for face painting and make and take crafts. Purchase unique Native American crafts in our vendor’s area. Our food courts will offer Native American foods and regular festival fare such as hamburgers, hot dogs, and shaved ice. Don’t forget to take a tour of the Jones Archaeological Museum and visit the Knotted-Bird gift shop to pick up one of our annual festival t-shirts!

Friday, 9am – 5pm
Saturday, 9am – 5pm

• Birmingham Oktoberfest at Railroad Park

Put on your lederhosen and join us for Birmingham Oktoberfest! Enjoy a variety of deliciously cold beers, German food, live music, and an abundance of games and Oktoberfest themed activities!

Saturday, 12pm – 5pm

Make sure to check our Events Calendar for even more fun!

Our Sponsor:

The Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum is the official railroad museum of the state of Alabama and located just south of Birmingham in Calera, Alabama. The museum features operating standard gauge and narrow gauge trains, two restored depots, an indoor collection of railroad artifacts and memorabilia, and an outdoor collection of railroad cars, locomotives, and cabooses.

Lots of fun awaits at the Pumpkin Patch as you take a hayride, bounce in the inflatable bounce house, get lost in the corn maze, and participate in other family activities! Search our pumpkin patch to find your perfect pumpkin!

Join us at The Summit for Food Truck Friday from 6:00 – 8:00 PM. Find all the vendors located near Swoozie’s and Sephora! Don’t forget pups are welcome, too!

LIVE MUSIC:
Will the Electric Violinist

VENDORS:
Eugene’s Hot Chicken
Bendy’s Cookies & Cream
Broad Street Peaux Boys
FREE Braid Bar by Belk Aveda Salon
Hollywood Feed – free treats for your pups!
Junior League of Bham Shop Save & Share cards

It’s that Spooktacular time of year again and the Birmingham Zoo is gearing up for some Boo at the Zoo fun!

Make your Halloween plans all month long in October with the Birmingham Zoo! Prepare for over the top fun during our annual Boo at the Zoo presented by Wells Fargo! Watch as the Zoo transforms into a destination of spooky attractions, themed rides and carnival games for 18 nights!

Experience the excitement on Henley Park with inflatables, ghostly Ghoul School, Bat Keeper Chats and so much more! Guests are invited to wear their favorite family-friendly costumes as they partake in the festivities.

Trick or Treat Lane will be the sought after candy place for anyone with a sweet tooth! Take a wild ride around the Zoo on our Eerie Express Train. The Spider Slide, Ghost Rollers and Scarousel are just a few thrills that are sure to entertain children of all ages.

Meet members of their animal family at the UAB Callahan Eye Hospital Wildlife Show and around the park with Animal Greetings. Boogie down at the Monster Mash dance party under the Safari Peak.

Pricing:
*Members: $15 – Rides and Admission
*Members: $8 – Admission Only
Non-Members: $18 – Rides and Admission
Non-Members: $10 – Admission Only

Beer & wine available for purchase on Friday & Saturday ONLY

Purchase a Premium Parking Space for $10
Parking spaces must be purchased in advance. Guests must have printed parking pass in dashboard of car.

GHOUL SCHOOL
Monday – Thursday
*for the days of October 11, Oct. 15 – 18, Oct. 22 – 25 and Oct. 29 – 31
5:30pm, 6:15pm, 7:00pm
in Henley Park

ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS
UAB Callahan Eye Hospital Wildlife Show
Weekends (Fri/Sat/Sun) and during the full week of Halloween Oct. 29, 30, 31
5:45pm, 6:30pm, 7:15pm

ANIMAL GREETINGS
Monday – Thursday for the days of October 11, Oct. 15 – 18 and Oct. 22 – 25
NONE on October 29, 30, 31

We’re gearing up for a busy season full of so many fun family activities you’ll have a hard time choosing what to do! Here are our picks for this weekend!

• Saint George Middle Eastern Food Festival

The festival offers a convenient drive-thru service between the hours of 11:00 a and 7:00 p. Lunch orders of $75.00 or more can be delivered to the downtown area on Thursday and Friday

Experience a wide variety of Middle Eastern food including baked Kibbee, Hummus, Baklawa and more!

Great food is not the only thing the Festival offers: Informative Church tours will be conducted daily until 8:00 PM; Live Entertainment presented on Friday evening, Saturday afternoon and Saturday evening; Shopping with a wide variety of vendors include handmade crafts, Byzantine icons, olive wood artifacts from the Holy Land, and a church cookbook, “Our Favorite Recipes.

Friday and Saturday 10:30am – 9pm

• Homestead Hollow Arts and Crafts Festival

Homestead Hollow festivals feature fine arts, unique – one of a kind – hand made crafts, pioneer demonstrations of the old time days- see wood carving, blacksmithing, wood stove cooking, quilting, whiskey making at our original working still, tour our original cabins as they were built by the early settlers. Relax by one of our many streams and listen to Live local entertainment all day. Enjoy our great food that makes your mouth scream for more.

Children’s activities: circle in our wagon ride or jump in the moon walk.

Homestead Hollow’s General store is open for you to visit and shop for those home-made fried pies and other great items all day during show dates.

Homestead Hollow is located in Springville, Alabama, just 2 miles off I-59, exit 154. 27 acres of parking and our trams make it easy to park, get to the entrance and start having fun immediately.

Adults – $8 ~ Children (ages 3 to 12) – $4
Children (ages 2 and under) – Free.
Free Parking. NO PETS ALLOWED.

Saturday and Sunday 9am – 5pm

• The Patch Opening Weekend – Helena Hollow

second annual fall festival, The Patch! $10 admission for ages 3 & up, 2 & under free!

$10 Admission gets you *16* yes, *16* activities. Stay and PLAY ALL DAY!

Saturday, 10am – 6pm

• Whistle Stop Festival – Shops at Grand River

Presented by the Whistle Stop Festival

Come enjoy live bands and different Vendors of all sorts.
Admission is FREE

Saturday, 10am – 5pm

• Fiesta 2018 – Linn Park

Alabama’s largest celebration of Hispanic culture and heritage.

Admission to Fiesta ranges from $5 to $10 in advance (depending on applicable early bird pricing) or $10 at the gate. Children ages 12 and under are admitted for free. Donations to the Fiesta scholarship fund are also encouraged.

Saturday, Noon – 8pm

For more options on events happening in the Magic City make sure to check out our events calendar for this weekend and beyond!

For a full run down on the pumpkin patches and upcoming fall festivals make sure to visit this complete guide!

Our Sponsor:

The Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum is the official railroad museum of the state of Alabama and located just south of Birmingham in Calera, Alabama. The museum features operating standard gauge and narrow gauge trains, two restored depots, an indoor collection of railroad artifacts and memorabilia, and an outdoor collection of railroad cars, locomotives, and cabooses.

Lots of fun awaits at the Pumpkin Patch as you take a hayride, bounce in the inflatable bounce house, get lost in the corn maze, and participate in other family activities! Search our pumpkin patch to find your perfect pumpkin!