Boo! Our favorite season has finally graced us with its presence. We are full of festive excitement, as fall brings leaves in autumnal hues and other fear-fueled and candy-filled Halloween shenanigans. This October’s calendar offers plenty of options to keep you busy and kick off your fall with a bang. Have a spooktacular month, Birmingham!
October 1, 2020: Signature Chef at The Club
Join the 2019 March of Dimes Signature Chefs at the Club on September 19. This event is a culinary showcase, featuring Birmingham’s top culinary masters. Chefs donate their time and talent to create a one-of-a-kind food experience. Each tasting is thoughtfully created and highlights each chef’s exceptional talents. A lively atmosphere and exciting entertainment, spirited cocktails and auction packages all for a great cause will complete the event. The evening will begin at 6 p.m. and tickets are $250. Signaturechefs.marchofdimes.org.
October 2 through 3, 2020: Alabama Butterbean Festival
The annual Alabama Butterbean Festival is back this October 4 and 5! This family-friendly festival combines Southern cooking and 150 arts and crafts vendors for a weekend full of entertainment. Take the short trip to Pinson’s Main Street for two days of fun. Starting Friday, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., locals and visitors alike can enjoy live music, delicious food, carnival rides, petting zoos, pony rides and even fireworks. This festival is a great way to kick off the new month. alabamabutterbeanfestival.com
October 3, 2020: 57th Annual Bluff Park Art Show
Tucked away in Bluff Park is a nationally recognized and acclaimed art show that features 150 artists and brings thousands of art lovers! From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., guests can purchase food and art vendors’ work. This free, family-friendly event also has hands-on art activities for children. Head over to the Bluff Park Community Center, enjoy the October weather and support talented artists with every purchase you make. bluffparkartassociation.org
October 3, 2020: Kitty Kat Haven & Rescue 5K Meow-A-Thon
October 3, 2020: 5th Annual Virtual Run For Resilience Ostomy 5k
October 4, 2020: BHM 26.2 Race & After Party
October 4, 2020: 8th Annual CahabaQue
October 5, 2020: Birmingham Oktoberfest
Celebrate German culture at Birmingham’s biggest German-themed party at Railroad Park. Dress the part in your Oktoberfest gear and taste various beers, munch on delicious German fare, show off your moves to live music and participate in Oktoberfest-themed games. Gather your friends and live your best Oktoberfest life from noon to 7 p.m. General admission tickets start at $21 online. The Bier Lover’s VIP tickets (includes a beer stein, t-shirt and four beer tickets) start at $48 online. Tickets are expected to sell out prior to the event. birminghamoktoberfest.com
October 8, 2020: Taste of Hoover at Aldridge Gardens
Spend an October night strolling through beautiful gardens, sampling foods, and sipping delectable wine and beer. The Taste of Hoover hosted at Aldridge Gardens offers visitors and locals an opportunity to sample a variety of culinary flavors from Hoover’s best restaurants, caterers and more! From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., enjoy the gardens and everything else that this event has to offer. Get your tickets quick as this event has sold out in the past! Member tickets are $45, non-member tickets are $50, and children 12 and under are admitted free of charge. aldridgegardens.com
October 10, 2020: Jimmie Hale Mission Rescue Run 5K & Fun Run
October 10, 2020: Woodlawn Street Market
October 10, 2020: 2nd Annual Running for the Bulls 5K and 1-mile Fun Run
October 17, 2020: Ben Rector, The Old Friends Acoustic Tour
October 18, 2020: Les Dames d’Escoffier Champagne & Fried Chicken
Have a picnic with a special date this October. This annual event has taken a new form as a drive-through picnic dinner basket pickup on Sunday, October 18. Each basket serves two people and will feature delicious bites from Kathy G & Co., Ashley Mac’s, Satterfield’s, Crestline Bagel Co., and El ZunZun. Being apart of this fundraiser benefitting the International Les Dames d’Escoffier’s Birmingham Chapter’s scholarship and grant program should be at the top of your fall bucket list. Savor each and every complex and delicious flavor from the comfort of your own home. Baskets are $TBD, and pickup is between 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.. ldeibirmingham.org
October 22, 2020: Harvest of Hope at Home
There’s nothing better than supporting a local cause while enjoying live music, tasty food and delicious cocktails. Harvest of Hope, an annual gala that supports Cornerstone Schools of Alabama, will be an incredible celebration of their 25th anniversary. Guests will have the opportunity to bid on student art, local art, jewelry, accessories and gift cards from local businesses that will benefit Cornerstone’s students. The event takes place at the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., and tickets start at $150. csalabama.org
October 24, 2020: BOO Run for Down Syndrome
October 25, 2020: 3rd Annual Pink Up the Pace 5k and 1-Mile Dolly Dash
TBD: Boo at the Zoo
Looking for a Halloween activity the whole family will enjoy? Put on your costume, load up the kids and head to everyone’s favorite October tradition — Boo at the Zoo. Celebrate Halloween with games, themed rides and attractions including Trick or Treat Lane and the Eerie Express Train. This exciting event takes place from October 11 through 13 and October 17-31, from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. each night, and ticket prices range from $8 to $18. Birminghamzoo.com
Looking forward…
November 27, 2019: 30A 10K
Thanksgiving is right around the corner. Spend in on the Emerald Coast! The 30A 10K has already been named one of the top five Thanksgiving race events in the nation and has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for local charities in the South Walton area, which spans the Florida panhandle and is a popular destination anytime of year, but for race participants, particularly during Thanksgiving week. In fact, the 30A 10K has evolved into an annual tradition for many families, who register in late summer and excitedly begin planning their trip South for the Thanksgiving holiday. Join them this year and start a new family tradition! The 10K and Fun Run takes place in Rosemary Beach, and registration starts at $75. 30a10k.com
So, get out and enjoy the crisp fall weather and the spooktacular events in Birmingham this October!
***********
And for more happenings, visit our Happenings Page and check out the local events each day in our FREE SB App!