The City Center is home to some of the most popular special events, parades and street festivals to be found anywhere in the Bimingham metro area. Following are information and links to most of them, however, the list is not comprehensive. For a complete listing of all that's happening downtown, visit www.activeculture.info.
1040 Fest – April
The Central City Neighborhood Association offers a remedy to tax day blues with this free street festival on the official deadline day for filing federal taxes. Held across from the main post office on 24th St between 3rd and 4th Avenues North, 1040 FEST features music, hot dogs and information as late tax filers come into the city. Admission is free and festival-goers are invited to bring folding chairs, blankets and their own food and beverages.
Art on the Rocks May - September
Art on the Rocks one of Birmingham's premiere after hours events takes place on the forth Friday of every month, May through September at the Birmingham Museum of Art. Art on the Rocks not only provides the most unique gallery viewing experience available in Alabama, but also showcases "right under the radar" musical talent on the verge of making it big. Scrumptious hors d'oeuvres by Kathy G, scavenger hunts with big-time prizes, hands-on art activities created especially for adults, specialty drinks and a wide variety of changing exhibitions combine to form one totally hip, culturally-driven night.
Artwalk - September
Artwalk is a September arts festival that transforms Birmingham’s loft neighborhood into an arts district, featuring the work of more than 100 visual artists, live musicians, street performers, food and drink vendors, and children’s activities. The event is free to the public and in the last three years has become a much anticipated event drawing visitors from all over to downtown Birmingham.
City Stages - June
City Stages is Birmingham’s world class musical festival and downtown’s single largest event. It takes place on Father’s Day weekend in June. The 2007 edition featured 125 performances on nine stages and included headliners like Earth, Wind & Fire, Birmingham’s own Taylor Hicks, Poison and Lucacris as well as dozens of lesser known acts.
Fiesta Birmingham - October
Birmingham's premiere celebration of Hispanic culture and heritage celebrates its 5th anniversary in Linn Park on Saturday, October 20th from 12 p.m. until 8 p.m. Fiesta seeks to educate the public about the many different Hispanic countries and their cultures through the best of Hispanic music, art, food and dance. Admission to Fiesta is free; however, donations to the scholarship fund are encouraged.
Get Downtown July - August
Get Downtown is a street festival that takes place on the Plaza at McWane Science Center on the third Thursday of every month, July – November. The event features performances by local bands along with plenty of cold beverages and good food. Admission is free, however, donations are collected on site to help support restoration of the historic Lyric Theatre.
Halloween on the Green - October
HOTG is ONB’s downtown costume contest which takes place on Halloween Day at the Regions-Harbert Plaza promenade. Prizes are awarded for costumes for adults and children in several categories. HOTG is co-produced by the Downtown Business Assocation.
Juneteenth Culture Fest – June
Music, food, crazy contests and tons of fun are to be had at the BCRI's Annual Juneteenth CultureFest in Kelly Ingram Park. A free outdoor music concert and games for all ages take place at BCRI and in Kelly Ingram Park. Vendors supply a variety of great foods and other items for purchase.
ONB Magic CityArt Connection and Corks & Chefs – April
ONB’s Magic City Art Connection is a juried art exhibition which takes place in Linn Park the last weekend in April. Recognized as one of the 12 best art shows in the country, MCAC features artists from all over the country exhibiting and selling their work as well as the Children’s Imagination Festival and live music. Admission is free
Corks & Chefs gives attendees the opportunity to sample offerings from some of Birmingham’s best restaurants along with over 100 wines and a wide selection of beers. The event also offers scheduled wine seminars. Check the MCAC website for ticket prices and info.
Historic Footnotes Loft Tour - May
Benefitting the Literacy Council of Central Alabama, this annual event held in on Mother’s Day weekend provides visitors and Birmingham residents a chance to view the unique living and working spaces of the City Center. Featuring numerous residential and commercial lofts in Downtown's Loft District, visitors have the chance to take a walking tour of spaces from the elegant to the eclectic.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade – March
ONB's annual St. Patty’s Day co-produced by ONB and the Birmingham Celtic Society begins in the heart of Five Points South and travels up 20th Street and the Birmingham Green to Linn Par. There is no charge to participate in the parade. Anyone interested in participating may contact Linda Watts at 328-3595, ext. 107.
Schaeffer Eye CenterCrawfish Boil – April
On the second Saturday in May, the Schaeffer Eye Center/Beam's Crawfish Boil transforms the City Center's Warehouse Railroad Reservation on 1st Avenue South into a giant Cajun party. Two main stages provide musical entertainment, while plates of crawfish are available. benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival - September
Created to bring new films to new audiences, the Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival takes place in the City Center's historic theater district. The September festival showcases over 100 independent films and attracts filmmakers from across the country. Screening venues include the Alabama Theater, Carver Theater and WorkPlay. Sidewalk is a project of the Alabama Moving Image Association, a publicly supported nonprofit organization created to inspire, encourage and support films and filmmaking in Alabama.
Taste of 4th Avenue Jazz – September
An all day, free street festival celebrating Birmingham’s unique jazz heritage held in the historic 4th Avenue Business District. 2007 performers include Foxxy Fatts and the renowned Birmingham Heritage Band.