Things to Do in Birmingham This Weekend: Oct. 16–18, 2026
Birmingham, AL · The Local Guide
For seven days, painters have been balancing on ladders along 1st Avenue South in Birmingham, AL, and by noon on Saturday, October 17, two blocks of the Parkside District turn into the biggest open-air gallery the city has seen.
That's one headline on a loaded calendar. If you're hunting for things to do in Birmingham this weekend, October 16–18 has a benefit beer night for dogs, a free mural festival, a porch crawl through one of the city's oldest neighborhoods and, an hour west, one of the South's best art fairs. We checked the dates, times and prices against the organizers' own listings so you can plan without a dozen browser tabs.
01 — FridayBarktoberfest at Cahaba
Start the weekend with a beer that does some good. Hand in Paw, the Birmingham nonprofit behind animal-assisted therapy programs, holds its Barktoberfest at Cahaba Brewing Co. on Friday evening.
Hand in Paw's Barktoberfest
Tickets run $30 and all of it supports Hand in Paw. The brewery's taproom is open until 10 p.m. on Fridays, so nobody has to rush home.
Book lovers have a Friday option, too. The Friends of the Homewood Public Library $7 Bag Sale runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday at 1721 Oxmoor Road, and yes, the price is per bag. Stuff it.
02 — SaturdayYonder Walls mural festival
The headliner of the weekend is free. Yonder Walls is a brand-new nonprofit that pays every participating artist, and its first festival brings more than 30 fresh murals to the Parkside District, which organizers call Birmingham's largest public art installation.
Yonder Walls Mural Festival
Artists have been painting since October 10 around Urban Supply, THRIVE Coworking, Fairway Social and Up-Down, and the reveal happens Saturday. Expect more than 25 Birmingham vendors, food trucks, a Kids' Zone and a Community Art Wall where anyone can add a stroke. Pynk Beard, a Birmingham native and America's Got Talent semifinalist, headlines the music.
“Thirty-plus walls, one afternoon, and not a ticket to buy.”
03 — SaturdayVintage finds in Avondale
If your idea of art involves a rack of old denim, Mom's Vintage Market has moved to Saturday, October 17, after its October 10 date was rescheduled. It runs noon to 6 p.m. in the parking lot at The Electric, 4426 4th Avenue South in Avondale, and admission is free. Pair it with the murals and you've got a full afternoon without a ticket.
04 — Day TripKentuck Festival, Tuscaloosa
About an hour west, Tuscaloosa hosts the 55th annual Kentuck Festival of the Arts, and it's the real deal: more than 270 artists working in wood, fiber, photography, welded metal and plenty more.
Kentuck Festival of the Arts
Kids 12 and under get in free. Two performance stages carry live music and spoken word, there are more than 20 hands-on demos, from tie-dye to paper marbling, and food trucks and craft beer round out the day. This year's festival quilt, titled Blades, was designed by 101-year-old Hallie O'Kelley, who has made the quilt every year since 1983.
05 — SundayHighland Park porch crawl
Sunday afternoon belongs to Highland Avenue. For the third year, the neighborhood association invites everyone to wander porches, gardens and historic houses at their own pace.
“It's Nice to Have You in Highland Park”
There are 16 stops, visited in any order, including the Donnelly House, Faraway Theatre, Alabama Audubon and the Birmingham Historical Society at 2827 Highland Avenue, which also hosts a scavenger hunt. Mario's Ice Cream Truck and a face painter set up near the parks, costumes are encouraged and it all goes on rain or shine. Every dollar raised goes to Friends of Highland Park, the Historical Society and Alabama Audubon.
06 — All WeekendKid and museum picks
Rainy-day backups are plentiful and current. The Birmingham Zoo runs Dino Safari through November 1, Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., included with admission of $24 for adults, $20 for seniors, military, first responders and college students, and $19 for kids 2–12. Weekend Hoots & Howls adds a daytime Halloween candy trail, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, for $5.50–$15 on top of admission.
Downtown, McWane Science Center has Barbie You Can Be Anything: The Experience through January 10, 2027, plus Survival of the Slowest, both included with general admission ($20.95 for ages 13–64, $16.95 for ages 2–12). And Vulcan Park and Museum keeps Revolutionary Roots on view for $8, open until 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
07 — Where to EatFuel for the weekend
- Before Friday's benefit: Cahaba's taproom opens at 11 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday, so you can settle in early with a pint.
- After the porch crawl: Rojo at 2921 Highland Avenue is the official after-party stop, a few doors down the avenue from the Historical Society.
- Parkside: food trucks line up at Yonder Walls, and the festival blocks sit next to Fairway Social and Up-Down if you'd rather grab a seat and a drink.
08 — The PlanTwo-day game plan
Here's a loop that hits the headline events without doubling back.
- Fri, 5:30 p.m.Barktoberfest at Cahaba Brewing Co.
- Sat, 9 a.m.Head to Tuscaloosa for Kentuck's opening hours.
- Sat, 2 p.m.Drive back and stop at Mom's Vintage Market in Avondale before 6 p.m.
- Sat, 4 p.m.Walk the Yonder Walls murals and catch the headliner.
- Sun, 3 p.m.Start the Highland Park porch crawl at the Historical Society.
- Sun, 5 p.m.Settle in at Rojo for the after-party.
09 — Make It EffortlessLet us drive
A Tuscaloosa art fair, a Parkside block party and a beer night all want different parking plans. Our 2026 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter seats up to 10, books self-drive or with a chauffeur, and lets the whole group arrive together without anyone playing designated driver. See our FAQ or reserve your date.
Birmingham Weekend FAQ
What is the biggest free event in Birmingham this weekend?
The Yonder Walls Mural Festival on Saturday, October 17, noon to 8 p.m., at 1301 1st Avenue South in the Parkside District. It's free and features more than 30 new murals, food trucks and a Kids' Zone.
How far is the Kentuck Festival from Birmingham?
Snow Hinton Park in Tuscaloosa is about an hour west. The festival runs Saturday, October 17, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, October 18, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with day passes at $15 and kids 12 and under free.
Is the Highland Park porch crawl free?
Yes. It runs Sunday, October 18, from 3 to 5 p.m. along Highland Avenue, needs no ticket and goes on rain or shine, with an after-party at Rojo at 5 p.m.
Ready to ride?
Spend the weekend at the events, not in the parking lot.
Reserve Your Ride or call 404-259-2025