Spring is an ideal time for food festivals in Alabama, as flowers bloom, days get longer and the weather grows warmer. Here are 16 signature events in metro Birmingham, known for tasty barbecue, savory chili, yummy tacos, spicy gumbo and more.
Teams compete each year at the Exceptional Foundation Chili Cook-Off in Birmingham. In 2026, the event will be held at The Urban Center at Liberty Park in Vestavia Hills.(Courtesy photo)
When: March 7, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: The Urban Center at Liberty Park,1000 Urban Center Drive, Vestavia Hills. New location this year; event has moved from its previous spot at Brookwood Village shopping center.
What to expect: All-you-can-eat chili, live entertainment, children’s activities, beverages and more. Cooking teams will compete for the grand prize.
Admission: $16 advance, $20 at gate; free for children age 12 and younger. Advance tickets available online.
Worthy cause: Proceeds will benefit The Exceptional Foundation, a nonprofit that provides programs for adults and youth with intellectual disabilities.
When: March 14, 12-4 p.m.
Where: Brock’s Gap Brewing Co., 500 Mineral Trace, Suite 100, Hoover.
What to expect: Craft beer, music by the WD Band, art demo, food by Rodney Scott’s BBQ.
Admission: $17.85, $9.85 for kids ages 6-12, includes a barbecue plate. Free for kids age 5 and younger. Advance tickets available via Eventbrite.
Worthy cause: Proceeds will benefit the Alabama Head Injury Foundation, a nonprofit that works to improve the quality of life for survivors of traumatic brain injury and their families.
When: April 11, 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Avondale Brewing Co., 201 42nd St. South, Birmingham.
What to expect: Fried fish plates, craft beer, music by the Drennan Brothers, Murph and Automatic Slim.
Admission: $10 general admission only; $30 for entry, food and one drink; $45 for two tickets with entry, food and one drink per ticket; $15 for to-go ticket or child plate; free admission for kids age 12 and younger, does not include food. Advance tickets available online.
Worthy cause: Proceeds benefit Mitchell’s Place (an autism treatment center and pre-school for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder) and Autism Support of Alabama.
Italian food, traditions and culture will be showcased at Festa Italiana in Birmingham, Alabama.(AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
When: April 11, 12-9 p.m.
Where: Sloss Furnaces, 20 32nd St. North, Birmingham.
What to expect: Italian food, music, vendors market, grape stomp, bocce tournament, children’s activities, car show and more. Organized by the Italian American Heritage Society of Birmingham.
Admission: $11.66 advance general admission, free for children age 10 and younger, prices at gate TBA. Advance tickets available online.
Backyard and professional teams will face off at the CahabaQue BBQ Cook-Off in Birmingham, Alabama. (AL.com file photo/Charles Nesbitt)bn
When: April 12, 12-3 p.m.
Where: Cahaba Brewing Co., 4500 Fifth Ave. South, Building C, Birmingham.
What to expect: Barbecue competition featuring backyard grillers and professionals. All-you-can-eat BBQ samples, plus craft beer and live music. Guests also vote for their favorite barbecue teams.
Admission: $15 advance, $20 at gate, general admission. $50 VIP, perks include access to cocktail lounge, two cocktails, private bathrooms and more. Free for children age 10 and younger. Advance tickets available online.
Worthy cause: Proceeds benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama.
The St. Elias Maronite Church Lebanese Food and Cultural Festival is a popular annual event in Birmingham, with a menu that ranges from Lebanese doughnuts to spinach pies to baked kibbeh sandwiches.(AL.com file photo/Michelle Campbell)
When: April 17-18, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Where: St. Elias Maronite Catholic Church, 836 Eighth St. South, Birmingham.
What to expect: Homemade food that ranges from Lebanese doughnuts to spinach pies to baked kibbeh sandwiches. With Middle Eastern music, traditional dancing, church tours, silent auction, 5K run and more.
Admission: Free. Menu items typically cost $1-$20.
Worthy cause: St. Elias donates 25 percent of its proceeds to charity each year. Recipients have included Jimmie Hale Mission, Jones Valley Teaching Farm, Magic City Harvest and Better Basics.
Good to know: Parking is available at the church and surrounding streets. Shuttles will run on Friday, 5-9 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m., from UAB Express 1 Parking Lot on Eighth Street South.
Gumbo lovers gather each year at Gumbo Gala, a food festival that benefits Episcopal Place.(AL.com file photo/Tamika Moore)
When: April 18, 12-4 p.m.
Where: Cahaba Brewing Co., 4500 Fifth Ave. South, Building C, Birmingham.
What to expect: Cooking teams compete for trophies and bragging rights, and offer gumbo samples to visitors. Live music, beverages and more.
Admission: $10 advance general admission, price TBA at the gate, free for kids age 12 and younger. Advance tickets available online.
Worthy cause: Proceeds benefit Episcopal Place, which provides affordable housing and independent living for seniors and adults with disabilities.
When: April 18, 5-9 p.m.
Where: Kress Building rooftop, 301 19th St. North, Birmingham.
What to expect: Tequila tastings, food, DJ music, games and more.
Admission: $81.88 general admission; $135.23 VIP, $15 for blind tequila tasting, $44.52 designated driver. Advance tickets available via Eventbrite.
Worthy cause: Part of proceeds will benefit The G.R.O.W. Project Scholarship Fund.
Good to know: Must be age 21 or older to attend.
The Bob Sykes BBQ and Blues Festival is a popular event in Bessemer, Alabama.(AL.com file photo/Jeff Roberts)
When: April 25, 12-6 p.m. Gates open at 11 a.m.
Where: DeBardeleben Park, 1623 Second Ave. North, Bessemer.
What to expect: Live music, barbecue, beverages, arts vendors, family-friendly activities. Music lineup features Li’l Ed & the Blues Imperials, Selwyn Birchwood, Karen Wolfe, Dexter Allen and Rick Harris.
Admission: $12.51 advance, $15 day of festival, free for kids age 8 or younger with adult who has a ticket. Advance tickets available via Eventbrite.
Worthy cause: Proceeds benefit Grace Klein Community and its FeedBHM initiative.
Good to know: Bring lawn chairs or blankets. Tents, pets and coolers are not allowed.
When: April 26, 4-7 p.m.
Where: Lawn of Vestavia Hills City Hall, 1032 Montgomery Ave., Vestavia Hills.
What to expect: All you-can eat wings, games, music and children’s activities.
Admission: $12 advance general admission, $20 at gate, $15 at gate with canned food donation for Vestavia Hills Methodist Church Food Pantry, free for kids age 10 and younger. Advance tickets available online.
Worthy cause: Event from Leadership Vestavia Hills benefits local charities and student scholarships, according to Wing Ding Facebook page.
Rugelah and other sweets are on the menu at the annual Jewish Food & Culture Fest in Birmingham.(AL.com file photo/Beverly Taylor)
When: April 26, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: Levite Jewish Community Center, 3960 Montclair Road, Birmingham.
What to expect: Traditional menu items such as brisket, stuffed cabbage rolls, matzoh ball soup, kugel, whitefish salad and rugelach.
Admission: Free. Food items typically cost $1-$20. More info TBA.
When: May 2, 1-9 p.m.
Where: Sloss Furnaces, 20 32nd St. North, Birmingham.
What to expect: BBQ, wings, fried chicken and other food vendors, live music, DJ sets, children’s activities, chicken cook-off and more.
Admission: $17.10 general admission, $38.86 early bird VIP, free for children age 4 and younger. Advance tickets available online.
The Magic City Mimosa Festival is a popular event in Birmingham. (AL.com file photo/Sharon Steinmann)
When: May 3, 12-4 p.m.
Where: Haven, 2525 Sixth Ave. South, Birmingham.
What to expect: Mimosas, food, DJ music and more.
Admission: $33.28 general admission, $70.33 VIP. Advance tickets available online.
Good to know: Must be age 21 or older to attend.
Salsa Showdown raises money for Sidewalk Film Center & Cinema in Birmingham. (AL.com file photo/Jeff Roberts)
When: May 27, 12.-5 p.m.
Where: Cahaba Brewing Co., 4500 Fifth Ave. South, Building C, Birmingham.
What to expect: Local restaurants compete to make the best salsa, guacamole, queso and specialty dip. Visitors get sampling privileges and ballot for “audience choice” votes. Event includes hot pepper eating contest.
Admission: $20 advance, $25 at event, free for kids age 5 and younger. Advance tickets available online.
Worthy cause: Proceeds benefit education and outreach programs at Sidewalk Film Center and Cinema.
Taqueria Mexico took home the People’s Choice award at Birmingham Taco Fest in 2022. Folks who attended the event voted on their favorite taco vendors. (Courtesy of Birmingham Taco Fest / Bare Hands, Inc.)
When: May 17, 1-7 p.m.
Where: Sloss Furnaces, 20 32nd St. North, Birmingham.
What to expect: Taco vendors, food trucks, music, children’s activities, dessert vendors, beverages, artist village and more.
Admission: $11.66 advance general admission, $15 GA day of event, $42.74 for early entry tickets at noon, free for kids age 12 and younger. Advance tickets available online.
Worthy cause: Proceeds benefit Bare Hands, a nonprofit arts organization.
Good to know: “The Sloss field will be open to limited parking,” the Bare Hands website says. ”First come first serve. No fees. The two lots directly across the street from the field gate are the main parking areas. Those lots are $10 to park.”
When: May 30, 6-9 p.m.
Where: Hoover Met, 100 Ben Chapman Drive, Hoover.
What to expect: Beverage samples, souvenir cup, music and more. Food will be available to purchase on site.
Admission: $64.29 advance general admission, $91.72 VIP advance, $28.42 designated driver. Advance tickets available online.
Good to know: Must be age 21 or older to attend.
Dining and Cooking