A new year is here, and the Magic City is ready to celebrate! Whether you’re kicking off 2019 with a commitment to exercise or hoping to explore the cultural aspects of our city, we’ve rounded up 18 of the best races, shows and events to ensure your year starts off with a bang. Happy 2019!
We’re ready to dance into 2019 with all of these fantastic local events!
17 Birmingham Events & Happenings: January 2019
January 1, 2019: First Day Pre-Sunrise Hike to King’s Chair at Oak Mountain State Park
Watch the first sunrise of the new year atop one of Birmingham’s most beautiful and scenic parks this January 1! Oak Mountain State Park will host a first-day-of-2019 pre-sunrise hike to King’s Chair beginning at 5:20 a.m. Arrive at the North Trail Head, dressed warmly, by 5 a.m. with a flashlight in hand and enjoy a rejuvenating hike! No strollers or dogs allowed. Keep in mind this is an advanced level hike with rough terrain! facebook.com
January 3 through January 30, 2019: UAB Men’s Basketball Season
Support the UAB Blazers this year by attending one of the men’s basketball games! These are full of fun and excitement for the whole family. All home games are at Bartow Arena and begin at 6:30 p.m. or 7 p.m. In January, UAB will take on teams including Florida Atlantic, Middle Tennessee, Southern Miss and more. For more information and to check their 2019 schedule, click here.
January 3, 2019: Alabama Symphony Orchestra presents Handel’s Water Music
Kick off the new year with some beautiful music by the Alabama Symphony Orchestra! This January 3, the ASO will team up with the Cahaba River Society to put on a show that benefits the Cahaba River. They will perform Handel’s Water Music, a piece known for high-spirited movements that were played on boats for 18th-century river parties hosted by royalty. Tickets start at $25, and the show begins at 6 p.m. alabamasymphony.org
January 4, 2019: Game Night at the Birmingham Museum of Art’s Art After 5
Join the Birmingham Museum of Art for their first game night of the year! This January 4, grab your pals and head to the museum for “Art After 5,” an after-hours game night complete with tons of board games, gallery tours, art activities and specialty cocktails. Feel free to bring your own game to the event! Admission is free, and the event runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. artsbma.org
Through January 6, 2019: Brrrmingham Ice Skating in Railroad Park
Birmingham’s own winter wonderland is back! Experience a classic winter tradition as Railroad Park is transformed into a festive ice rink. Presented by VIVA Health, this year’s “Brrrmingham” rink is bigger and better than ever with a magical, wintry atmosphere. And The Boxcar Cafe is stocked with Red Diamond coffee, tea, hot cocoa and warm meals. Tickets are $10 for children 12 years of age and under and $12 for adults, and the rink is open seven days a week. railroadpark.org
January 15, 2019: Swan Lake performed by the National Ballet Theatre of Odessa at The Lyric Theatre
Prepare to be mesmerized this January as the National Ballet Theatre of Odessa brings the classic ballet Swan Lake to The Lyric stage! This full-scale production follows the story of a heroic young prince as he works to free the beautiful swan maiden from an evil spell. Tickets start at $43.50, and the show begins at 7:30 p.m. lyricbham.com
January 18 through the 20, 2019: EVITA at The BJCC
Treat yourself to a fantastic Broadway play this January as EVITA, the story of the rise of Eva Perón as she becomes the iconic Argentinian First Lady, comes to the Magic City! This Grammy Award-winning performance has captivated audiences for more than 40 years. Tickets start at $60, and the shows are at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday with matinee performances at 2 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. on Sunday. americantheatreguild.com
January 19, 2019: MLK Day 5K Drum Run
Lace up your sneakers and celebrate MLK weekend the Birmingham way with the annual MLK Day 5K Drum Run. This year’s run and walk will be located in Birmingham’s Southside Park District and will feature a 3.1-mile scenic course, music and a celebration of the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr. Why not spend MLK Day celebrating our diverse culture while feeling fit and energized? Registration starts at $25, and the race will begin at 7 a.m. mlkday5kbham.com
January 19, 2019: An Evening with Pete Yorn: You and Me Solo Acoustic Tour at Saturn
In need of a romantic date night? We’ve got you covered! Grab your honey and head to Saturn this January 19 for an intimate acoustic show by Pete Yorn. From folk to blues, Yorn’s soulful songs will make you fall in love all over again, and your sweetheart will thank you for a fun night out on the town. The show begins at 9 p.m., and tickets start at $25. saturnbirmingham.com
January 20, 2019: BourbonHam
Do you love bourbon and barbecue? Then this event is sure to make your January special! BourbonHam is Birmingham’s premier bourbon and barbecue fundraising event that benefits the National MS Society. This year’s event will feature a variety of bourbons paired with award-winning barbecue and live blues music for the ideal Southern celebration. Tickets start at $25, and the event runs from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at The Haven. bourbonham.com
January 20, 2019: The Pink Bride Show
Formerly the Southern Bridal Show, the Pink Bride Show gives brides-to-be the opportunity to plan their dream wedding all in one day. This year’s event will feature Birmingham’s top wedding professionals, inspirational showcases to help brides envision their perfect day, a fashion show showcasing this season’s bridal and bridesmaid fashions, tasty food and drinks, giveaways and tons of shopping! Tickets start at $8.90 each, and the event runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. thepinkbride.com
January 21, 2019: “I Am The Dream” Day of Celebration and Service at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
This January 21, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, grab the entire family and head to the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute to celebrate the man who changed America — and the world — forever. Live performances, music, games and giveaways plus free admission and extended hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. will round out the event. bcri.org
January 22, 2019: Metallica WorldWired Tour at the BJCC
Are you a big Metallica fan? Then, you absolutely cannot miss this event! This January 22, the BJCC will be booming with beloved rock music as Metallica fills the space. This is a great night out with friends or a date night to finish up the first month of the year! The show begins at 8 p.m., and tickets start at $103. bjcc.org
January 23, 2019: Lake Street Dive at Iron City
Do you love Lake Street Dive? See them live with special guest Mikaela Davis at The Lyric this January 23! Presented by Birmingham Mountain Radio, this is sure to be a fabulous folk rock-filled evening. The show begins at 8 p.m., and tickets start at $23. ironcitybham.com
January 24 through February 10, 2019: Million Dollar Quartet at the Virginia Samford Theatre
Hoping to catch a show at the start to 2019? You’re in luck! The Tony Award-winning musical following the story that brought together Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley at the iconic Sun Records studio, Million Dollar Quartet will hit the Virginia Samford Theatre stage this January 24. Grab some music-loving friends and see this performance at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays with matinee performances at 2:30 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $40. virginiasamfordtheatre.org
January 30, 2019: Vince Gill at the Alabama Theatre
Is there any better way to spend a winter evening in Birmingham than at the historic Alabama Theatre? This January 30, one of the most popular country artists in modern music, Vince Gill, will grace the stage for a world-class performance. Country music lovers cannot miss this one! Tickets start at $55, and the show begins at 7:30 p.m. alabamatheatre.com
January 31, 2019: Luke Combs at the BJCC
Complete the first month of 2019 with a fun and music-filled evening at the BJCC! American singer-songwriter and beloved country superstar Luke Combs will bring his soulful, romantic and dance-worthy tunes to the BJCC. This is the perfect girls’ night out! The show begins at 7 p.m., and tickets start at $141. bjcc.org
Looking Ahead: A Regional Event Worth the Drive …
February 1 through the 3: 2019 Antiques & Garden Show of Nashville
Make plans for a road trip to Nashville as this show is a paradise of antiques and gardening! The longest-running, largest and most prestigious event of its kind in the country, the Antiques & Garden Show of Nashville will be celebrating its 29th year from February 1, 2019, to February 3, 2019, attracting some of the most renowned speakers, designers and exhibitors from across the world. Reserve your spot now to hear from impressive lecturers and shop the show’s more than 150 antiques, art and horticulture dealers. Tickets start at $20 in advance. Act quickly — prices go up at the end of January! antiquesandgardenshow.com
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Cheers to 2018! For more happenings, visit our Events & Happenings page and check out the local events each day in our FREE SB App!
