Do Dah Day in Birmingham: date, location, pets and parking

Last checked Oct. 17, 2026. Updated every year at this address. Details come from Do Dah Day’s own website. The 2027 date had not been announced when we checked; this page describes the 2026 festival and will be updated when it is.

Do Dah Day is a music festival for people and their pets that raises money for animal shelters in Jefferson County. The organizers call it Birmingham’s oldest event: it began in 1979 as a party among friends, grew into a festival in the historic Highland Avenue parks and has raised more than $1.8 million for county animal shelters since 1992, according to its history page. It is run entirely by volunteers.

At a glance

• 2027: date not announced yet
• 2026: Saturday, May 16, 11:01 a.m. to 5:01 p.m.
• Where: Cahaba Brewing Company, 4500 5th Ave. S., Bldg. C
• Pets: friendly, leashed animals welcome
• Parade: on hold
• Organizer: dodahday.org, contact form

When

The 2026 Do Dah Day was Saturday, May 16, from 11:01 a.m. to 5:01 p.m. (event page). The festival’s news page also listed a Do Dah Eve the night before. The organizers post the next year’s date on dodahday.org; we will add the 2027 date here as soon as it is up.

Where

The festival is now held at Cahaba Brewing Company, 4500 5th Ave. S., Bldg. C. For decades it filled the parks along Highland Avenue on the Southside. The organizers moved it when pandemic permitting ruled out the parks, and say the city’s park rental fees have kept it away since; holding it at Cahaba, they say, lets them raise more for the charities (FAQ).

What happens

• Live music. Do Dah Day started as a music festival in the park and has kept that going for more than 40 years. The lineup is posted on the bands page.
• A kids area with crafts and music at Cahaba Brewing.
• Rescue groups set up information tables. Only the year’s chosen beneficiaries raise money, and no pets are put up for adoption at the festival (beneficiaries).

There was no parade in 2026. The organizers say the parade is on hold and that they hope to bring it back (parade page). In its parade years, costumed dogs and their owners filled Highland Avenue.

Cost

Do Dah Day’s website does not list an admission price for 2026. Money is raised through drink sales, sponsors and partners, and goes to the year’s animal charities.

Parking and getting there

• Parking is first come, first served in Cahaba Brewing Company’s lots next to the brewery.
• No road closures were announced for the 2026 festival, which ran on the brewery’s property.

Pets, drinks and what to bring

From the festival’s pet and alcohol policy and FAQ:

• Pets: friendly, leashed animals are welcome. Leave an aggressive or hard-to-control pet at home; if a pet turns hostile toward people or other animals, you will be asked to leave.
• Alcohol: no outside alcohol in or out. Drinks are sold inside Cahaba Brewing, with the proceeds going to the charities. Photo ID is checked.
• Bags: coolers, backpacks and other containers can be searched on the way in, on the way out or inside. Birmingham police may confiscate glass containers and outside alcohol.
• Chairs: yes. Tents and tables: no.
• Security: off-duty Birmingham police officers, the department’s South Precinct and private security.

Where the money goes

Do Dah Day funds nonprofit animal welfare groups that serve all breeds of cats and dogs and work on cruelty prevention and spay and neuter programs. The board picks the beneficiaries each year from applications.

Related: dog-friendly Birmingham, live music and nightlife and Mother’s Day.

Frequently asked questions

When is Do Dah Day 2027?

The organizers had not announced a 2027 date as of Oct. 17, 2026. The 2026 festival was Saturday, May 16, from 11:01 a.m. to 5:01 p.m. at Cahaba Brewing Company.

Where is Do Dah Day held now?

At Cahaba Brewing Company, 4500 5th Ave. S., Bldg. C. Do Dah Day moved from the Highland Avenue parks because of city permitting during the pandemic and, since then, the cost of renting the parks.

Is there still a Do Dah Day parade?

No. The organizers say the parade is on hold and there was none in 2026, though they hope to bring it back.

Can I bring my dog to Do Dah Day?

Yes. Friendly, leashed pets are welcome; aggressive animals are not, and an owner whose pet turns aggressive will be asked to leave.

Can I bring my own beer or a chair to Do Dah Day?

Chairs are allowed, but not tents or tables. Outside alcohol is not; drinks are sold inside Cahaba Brewing, with proceeds going to the festival’s animal charities.