Along with some other fantastic events, this week brings us the start of Birmingham Restaurant Week 2025! We attended the Preview Party and all the participating restaurants had such delicious food! You can also catch Substrate Bingo (always wild!), an African Culture Fest, Back Forty Outdoor Day, and even a “Summer Camp” themed crafting event!  Check all these and other events below to start planning your weekend fun! 
P.S. Get ready, because next week we’ll be keeping two of our nephews and posting about taking them ALL over Birmingham for some fun activities!
#RUhappenin 

 Birmingham Restaurant Week 2025
July, 17-26
Cost: $5-$50
At: Participating Restaurants
Birmingham Restaurant Week is BACK with foodie-favorite events featuring delicious food, wine, cocktails, beer and more! We absolutely love trying out the participating restaurants that have prix fixe menus ranging from $5 for a sandwich & drink, to $50 for a 3 course meal!  This is a great chance to try a new restaurant and maybe find your new favorite! 
They’ll also have a Scavenger Hunt on Saturday (2-8pm) starting a CityWalk where you can test your wits and knowledge of the city while exploring different bars, restaurants, and completing exciting tasks for prizes!
Then Don’t miss SipOlogy Brunch which will be held at CityWalk on Sunday from 11am-2pm.  Explore refreshing beverages made with sponsored liquors, all paired with delicious brunch hors d’oeuvres from local catering companies!
Click here for more info.

 

Events at Sidewalk Cinema
Ongoing
Cost: Free-$11
At: Sidewalk Cinema (map)
If you weren’t aware, Sidewalk Film Festival & Cinema, a 501c3, had a $25k pre-approved federal grant clawed back because of their dedication to inclusivity in their programing.  The best thing you can do to help is to check out what’s going on at Sidewalk Cinema this weekend and buy tickets to their events and concessions once you arrive! They host all kinds of events like karaoke, FREE Bad Movie Nights, Knitflix & Chill, Pajama Brunches, and fantastic films! Most of these events are either FREE or under $11 to attend.  Click the link and support our friends at Sidewalk! 
They’re currently doing a tribute to movies focused on SNL characters and alumni as well as Sidewalk Film Festival preview nights! Buy your Sidewalk Film Festival Tickets Today! 
Click here for more info. 

Moonlight Movies: Secret Life of Pets
Thurs, July 17, 6-8pm
Cost: FREE
At: Vestavia Hills City Center (map)
Moonlight Movies is back again this summer! Join the fun this Thursday for a free outdoor movie night featuring The Secret Life of Pets. The GBHS will be there to support their organization as well! Not only is this a FREE movie, they’ll have complimentary popcorn, Cokes, and snow cones, and Mr. Bill the Balloon Man will be back too! The movie starts at 6:15 PM, but be sure to come early to grab a good seat or some food from the great restaurants nearby! 
Click here for more info. 

Substrate Bingo
Thurs, July 17, 8pm
Cost: FREE
At: Saturn (map)
This ain’t your grandma's BINGO! Get ready for a wild a raucous time as Jackie Lo of Substrate Radio hosts this BINGO night that can be a bit unhinged at times. It’s FREE to attend and you can will some raffle prizes, or choose from a slew of funky prizes. But there’s a catch! The prizes can be stolen by other winners, “dirty Santa style!” If you win and get booed by the crowd, it’s all in good fun (and they're just jealous!)  The BINGO is played using a giant vintage bingo machine! Arrive EARLY to get a good seat. 
Click here for more info. 

Back Forty Outdoor Day 2025
Fri, July 18, 5-9pm
Cost: FREE
At: Back Forty Brewing (map)
It’s time to help Back Forty Brewing celebrate 7yrs with their annual Outdoor Day! This year the event will be Friday night starting at 5pm so it won’t be quite as hot. Enjoy a vibrant night in the beer garden with live music, special beer releases, vendors, and a menu of food cooked over an open fire by Chef Russ Bodner! You don’t want to miss this FREE event! 
Click here for more info. 

 

Watermelon Festival
Sat, July 19, 9am-5pm
Cost: FREE
At: Howard Family Holiday Farm (map)
Nothing says summer like enjoying some refreshing watermelon. Head over to Howard Holiday Farm for an entire day celebrating all things watermelon! Get ready for fun games and activities at the Farm. You can also enjoy Arts & Craft Vendors, Food Trucks, a Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest, an Ice Cream eating contest and Hershey Ice Cream! Food eating contests? Sign us up! 
Click here for more info.

Sci-Fi Fantasy Fest
Sat, July 19, 10am-6pm
Cost: Free
At: Hoover Library (map)
Calling all nerds, geeks and fandoms for a day of SciFi/Fantasy PLUS so much more! Venture to the library for scifi, fantasy and geeky fun featuring discussion panels on fandom favorites, a costume contest, fabulous nerdy vendors, open gaming, an interactive movie experience and geeky crafts! PLUS bring the kiddos for a KidCon inspired by those mischievous yellow Minions! The event is indoors, so you don’t have to worry about rain or the heat! 
Click here for more info.

J2A Cultural Arts Street Fest
Sat, July 19, 11am-4pm
Cost: FREE
At: Cahaba Brewing Co. (map)
Let's GO! Journey To Africa's Cultural Arts Street Festival is a celebration of African Influences on Culture! The day will be full of 50+ local vendors, food trucks, live entertainment, and much more. EVENT IS FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC! They are doing it for the culture. If you can, represent and wear your African Attire.
Click here for more info.

Shoes & Brews 2025
Sat, July 19, 1pm
Cost: Free to attend/$40 per team
At: Avondale Brewing Co. (map)
Firehouse Ministries’ 8th Annual Shoes & Brews Cornhole Tournament is Saturday, July 19th. Join in for a day of fun as we raise funds for the Firehouse Shelter and refill their shoe closet! Partygoers will enjoy live entertainment by Close Proximity and Rust, silent auction, raffle AND cornhole. Donate a pair of new or gently used men’s shoes to receive 1 raffle ticket. Additional raffle tickets can be purchased for more chances to win great prizes. The Cornhole tournament starts at 1:30 pm and is limited to the first 40 teams. It’s $40 to register a team, but FREE to cheer people on! 
Click here for more info. 

Bands, BBQ, and Brunch! (21+)
Sat & Sun July 19-20,  3pm/1pm
Cost: Free to attend
At: The Church Key (map)
The Church Key is celebrating Two Years with TWO DAYS of fun! Saturday, the fun kicks off at 3pm, with BBQ served at 5pm and music from Will Stewart & The Gold Band and Following Seas! Sunday kicks off at 1pm with a brunch menu and drink specials! This should be a lot of fun! 
Click here for more info.

Top Shelf Burlesque (21+)
Sat, July 19, 6pm/8pm
Cost: $15
At: The Margaret Bar (map)
Top Shelf Burlesque is back at it on Saturday July 19th at 6pm and 8pm! TSB is bringing you old fan favorites, rarities that few have seen, revamped classics, and brand new routines for your viewing pleasure! While you're sipping a tasty beverage, they will be there for you to feast your eyes on! $15 cash or venmo at the door or better yet, get your tickets ahead of time! And stay after for karaoke at 9pm! They may be there singin' with ya!
Click here for more info.

 

Bham Legion FC vs Switchbacks
Sat, July 19, 7-9pm
Cost: $18+
At: Protective Stadium (map)
Come Hammer Down and cheer on our Legion FC team as they take on the Switchbacks! These matches are always so exciting! They’ll also have family friendly concession pricing available! This is a great chance to check out how fun these matches are! 
Click here for more info.

Gimmie Gimmie Disco
Sat, July 19, 10pm
Cost: $27
At: Saturn (map)
If you can’t get enough of ABBA, boy do we have THE dance party for you! This is a DJ based dance party playing all your favorite ABBA tracks, plus plenty of other disco hits from the 70s & 80's like The Bee Gees, Donna Summer, Cher, & so much more. So honey honey, take-a-chance and you’ll be dancing all night long. Grab tickets, put on your best disco attire, bring your friends, and have the best night of your life!
Click here for more info.

Camp Craft Club
Sun, July 20, 12-5pm
Cost: Free to attend
At: Cahaba Brewing Co. (map)
Camp Craft Club will be a market style craft club where you can come to craft (and shop!) with ANY and ALL of the amazing, local, women-owned businesses there! Spend your day doing hands-on, DIY activities alongside fellow campers! Bring your friends! Or come alone to make new ones! Dress up in your cutest summer-camp outfit! It’s going to be the perfect day for the girlies in Birmingham, and the coolest businesses will be there! No tickets necessary to attend, all details + pricing for each craft will be posted leading up to the event so you can plan ahead for your perfect crafting day! Dress up in a fun “summer camp” themed outfit! 
Click here for more info. 

JUST UP THE ROAD

Tribute Series: Swift Experience
Sat, July 19, 7pm
Cost: $10-$25
At: Gadsden Amp (map)
Get ready to Shake it Off and sing your heart out at The Amp with a night dedicated to all things Taylor Swift! Performed by the incredibly talented Emma Ejwertz, this tribute captures the spirit, sound, and sparkle of Taylor herself. Whether you're a die-hard Swiftie or just love a great live show, you'll experience all your favorite hits spanning every Taylor era—it's a show you won't want to miss! (We’re hosting a ticket giveaway on the Happenin’s Instagram account!) 
✨ Upgrade to Glam Status for $25! ✨
General admission is just $10, but you can elevate your experience by going Glam!
This upgrade includes access to the Swiftie Snapshot Station featuring a Taylor look-a-like—the perfect way to make a memory. 
Click here for more info.