community
Birmingham's July community events brimming with block parties, open-air markets, and free movies on the mountain
From the inaugural 205 Day Festival at Sloss Furnaces to a family-friendly Space Jam screening at Vulcan Park, the Magic City calendar is packed between July 17 and 26.
How we reported this
BIRMINGHAM, AL, July 15, 2026. The city's official events guide, the 'What's On in Birmingham' calendar at visitbirmingham.com, lists at least a dozen community gatherings over the final two weekends of July, anchored by a new block party downtown, a three-day open-air market in Linn Park, and a free screening of “Space Jam” on the mountain.
Alabama’s First 205 Day Festival, billed as the Magic City Block Party, takes over Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark on Saturday, July 18, according to the guide and Eventbrite listings. The festival is one of several events on a weekend that also includes I Love Irondale Day and a free outdoor movie.
Free shows, historic tours, and a cancelled music festival
Movies on the Mountain returns to Vulcan Park & Museum on July 18 with a free family-friendly screening of “Space Jam,” the 1996 live-action/ animated basketball comedy starring Michael Jordan and Bugs Bunny. No admission fee is required, and the event is listed among the city’s official community events.
For those who prefer a darker evening, the Historic Night Tour at Sloss Furnaces runs July 17. The same weekend, the BJCC hosts the World Deer Expo in its Exhibition Halls from July 17 through July 19.
A separate BJCC event, the Field & Stage Music Fest, originally scheduled July 17-19 at Legacy Arena, was cancelled. Organizers have issued automatic refunds to ticket holders via the original payment method, according to the venue’s website.
Markets, festivals, and how to plan ahead
The Open Air Market Birmingham sets up at Linn Park from July 24 through July 26. The free outdoor market is among several weekend activities that also include Otey’s Fest at Otey’s Tavern and Renew Fest at Avenue D Events, both on July 25.
Eventbrite listings also note a Sister Support Meet Up on July 16 at The Grove Wedding & Event Venue, and a PAA Junior Board Bingo & Beignets event on July 25.
The Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau maintains the official 'What's On in Birmingham' calendar at visitbirmingham.com/whats-on, which the bureau calls the most comprehensive source for community events in the city.
Residents and visitors looking for the full list of July activities should check that site directly, as some events have limited capacity or weather-dependent schedules.