June 8 through August 12, 2018: Summer Film Series at The Alabama Theatre

Seek refuge from the blistering Alabama sun by retreating into the cool, cavernous Alabama Theatre for their Summer Film Series. Friday nights and Sunday afternoons throughout the month, the theatre will show favorites like The Sandlot, Say Anything, The Sound of Music and more, while attendees relax in the glow of a classic flick in this iconic Birmingham theatre. Tickets are $9 each, and Friday film showings are at 7 p.m. and Sunday film showings are at 2 p.m. alabamatheatre.com.

June 30 & July 1, 2018: Home Sweet Home Food & Music Festival

Celebrate the start to your Independence Day week at DeSoto Caverns this year as they host the Home Sweet Home Food & Music Festival. The park will be filled with the sounds of live music and local food trucks offering a variety of cultural eats and treats for an unforgettable weekend of celebration! The event runs from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. each day, and tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for kids. desotocavernspark.com

July 1, 2018: Fire on the Water at Oak Mountain State Park

Head to Oak Mountain State Park this Sunday, July 1 for a day of fun, fireworks and celebration of our nation’s Independence Day! Gates will open at 7 a.m., and the event will feature delicious bites from local food trucks, kids’ activities, a DJ, watersports, animals from the Oak Mountain Interpretive Center, libations, a spectacular fireworks show and so much more! Tickets are $5 for adults and $2 for children and seniors. facebook.com

July 3, 2018: Red, White & Brew at Avondale Brewing

This July 3, B’ham Food Trucks hosts the second annual Red, White & Brew food truck festival at Avondale Brewing! This all-ages event will feature bites from the best of Birmingham’s food trucks, as well as live music by Legal Limit, Remy Garrison and Heath Green & the Makeshifters. Plus kids’ activities, including inflatables and face-painting, followed by a festive fireworks show will complete the event. Tickets are $5, and the event runs from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. facebook.com

July 4, 2018: Homewood’s 4th of July Festival

Line 18th Street in downtown Homewood this Fourth of July for the annual Homewood 4th of July Festival! This night of fun will feature inflatables, rides, a DJ and a perfect view of Vulcan’s Thunder on the Mountain Fireworks show. This festival is the perfect way to connect with the community while celebrating Independence Day! Admission is free, and the event will begin at 5 p.m. homewoodparks.com

July 4, 2018: Thunder on the Mountain

Regarded as Birmingham’s best Fourth of July celebration, Thunder on the Mountain is back and better than ever! Grab the whole family, blankets and chairs, and find a spot at Vulcan Park and Museum this July 4 for an evening that will culminate in a spectacular 20-minute fireworks show set to a soundtrack of patriotic tunes. The show will begin at 9 p.m., and admission is free to the public. Happy Independence Day, Birmingham! visitvulcan.com

July 12, 2018: imerge 2018

Celebrate ideas, innovation, inspiration and the future of Alabama this July 12 as the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA) and Alabama Launchpad host the 2018 imerge event. This one-of-a-kind event combines innovation, entrepreneurship and entertainment together for an incredible event complete with local food and drinks, performances by Holly Williams and special guest, The Brummies, a pitch competition that will award worthy startups $150,000 and the imerge Innovation Awards that will honor those helping to drive Alabama forward. Tickets range from $100 to $125, and the event runs from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. event.imerge.io

July 13 through August 5, 2018: The Red Mountain Theatre Company Presents Mamma Mia! at the Dorothy Jemison Day Theater

This musical is full of the spirit of female empowerment, celebrating the themes of friendship and love through Swedish pop group ABBA’s songs like  “Dancing Queen,” “Knowing Me, Knowing You,” “Take a Chance on Me,” the play’s title track and more. A daughter and bride-to-be endeavors to discover the identity of her father, bringing three men from her mother’s past back to the Greek island paradise they last visited 20 years ago and where she will be married. Laughter, love, singing and dancing ensue in this beloved musical, staged at the Dorothy Jemison Day Theater. Tickets start at $45, and show times vary. redmountaintheatre.org

July 13, 2018: Pink Floyd Tribute at Saturn Birmingham

Looking for a fun and free date night idea? Come out to Saturn this July 13, grab a drink and jam out to classic Pink Floyd favorites in one of the Magic City’s coolest concert venues. Starting at 8 p.m., this 18-and-up event will showcase all of Pink Floyd’s greatest hits for an evening of great music, delicious drinks and tons of fun. ticketfly.com

July 14 & 15, 2018: Sloss Music & Arts Festival

Celebrate the creative culture of the Magic City this July 14 and 15 for the 2018 Sloss Music & Arts Festival. This two-day festival will feature over 40 bands, including Chris Stapleton, The War on Drugs, Moon Taxi and so many more! Plus, craft beer and creative cocktails, art, live iron-pouring demonstrations, creative vendors and more will complete the event. Two-day ticket passes start at $130, and each day will begin at 1 p.m. slossfest.com

July 18, 2018: Flicks Among the Flowers at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Grab a blanket and head to the Birmingham Botanical Gardens this month as the summer favorite, Flicks Among the Flowers, returns! This July 18, attendees will enjoy the classic movie Jaws. No dogs or alcoholic beverages are allowed, and admission is free, although a $5 donation is encouraged. Gates will open at 6 p.m., and the movie will begin at 8 p.m. bbgardens.org

July 21, 2018: Float Your Boat Summer Festival

The annual Float your Boat Summer Festival is back for its ninth annual celebration at Turkey Creek Nature Preserve! This fun-filled day will feature balsa wood boat races, delicious bites and treats, swimming and a fun zone for the kiddos. With over 2,000 attendees at last year’s celebration, this year’s Float Your Boat Summer Festival promises to be an awesome outdoor event at the beautiful Turkey Creek Nature Preserve. The day will begin at 10 a.m., and boat races will kick off at noon. Admission is free. facebook.com

July 21, 2018: Bark and Wine at the Grand Bohemian Hotel

Join the Shelby Humane Society this July 21 as they host the ninth annual Bark and Wine event at the Grand Bohemian Hotel in Mountain Brook. This elegant evening will feature delicious food and drinks and an exciting live and silent auction, in which proceeds will benefit the Shelby Spay Neuter Program, helping to significantly reduce the number of homeless animals in our city. Tickets start at $150, and the event runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. barkandwine.org

July 21, 2018: Live at the Lyric: Eric Essix CD Release Concert with special guest Roman Street

Come out to the historic Lyric Theatre this July 21 as contemporary jazz guitarist, Eric Essix performs his CD release concert alongside special guest, Roman Street. This Birmingham-based artist will be celebrating a major milestone in his multifaceted career with this project, titled “25-30 Sessions,” marking his 25th full-length recording over the past 30 years. Tickets start at $20, and the show begins at 8 p.m. lyricbham.com

July 26, 2018: New Year, New You Reveal Party

This inspiring event celebrates the transformation of a life while raising awareness and funds for Children’s of Alabama Children’s Center for Weight Management. This is their sixth year hosting this event, and they will exceed $100,000 to help children and adolescents in both our community and beyond. This year’s event will celebrate Alanah Melton, a single mom who is an incredibly hard worker at the Mayor’s office and an inspiration to us all! Tickets are $20, and the event begins at 6 p.m. at Iron City. metafitstudio.com

July 26 through August 5, 2018: STARS Presents Hairspray Jr. at the Virginia Samford Theatre

Bring the kiddos out and dance in your seat as STARS (Students Take A Role at the Samford) presents Hairspray Jr. at the Virginia Samford Theatre! Adapted from the Broadway production that won eight Tony Awards, this upbeat, fun and music-filled performance celebrates change and diversity while spreading a positive message and, of course, making the audience laugh. Performances will start at 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $20. virginiasamfordtheatre.org

July 27, 2018: Art on the Rocks

Spend an evening at Birmingham’s coolest summer art event at the 2018 Art on the Rocks! The July event will feature live music by the Seratones and art, music and performances inspired by the museum’s contemporary art exhibition, Third Space. This funky, fun event is a fabulous way to celebrate the artistic, creative side of our city while unwinding in the breathtaking Birmingham Museum of Art. The night begins at 7 p.m., and tickets are $30. artsbma.org

July 28, 2018: Women’s Music Showcase at Workplay

Celebrate the Magic City’s best female musicians this July 28 as they bring their talents to the Workplay stage. Artist, Jessica Meuse, an Alabama local who was on NBC’s “The Voice,” will be performing alongside Sharron Collins, Bai B, Kathryn Delacruz, All Folked Up, Raquel Lily, and Peanut. Tickets are $20, and the show will begin at 8 p.m. workplay.com

July 28, 2018: Counting Crows at Oak Mountain Amphitheater

Take advantage of the Magic City’s gorgeous summer evening weather this July 28 as the Counting Crows grace the Oak Mountain Amphitheater stage. They’re bringing their ’25 Years and Counting’ Tour to Birmingham for a night of classic favorites and a ton of fun. This is the perfect date night or girls’ night out! Tickets start at $28, and the show will begin at 6:30 p.m. theoakmountainamphitheater.com

July 29, 2018: Alabama Music Awards

Last, but most definitely not least, finish off the month with a bang at the 2018 Alabama Music Awards! The Alabama Music Awards Organization will host another fabulous show featuring entertaining performances and local artist recognition. There will even be a live performance by local artist, Fee Fee Redmon. The event will begin at 5 p.m. at the BJCC, and tickets are $25. alabamamusicawardsshow.com

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