Birmingham this weekend: the Magic City Classic parade and game Oct. 31, the zoo's last Hoots & Howls, the symphony's Halloween show and Atrox Lights Out.

The Magic City Classic owns Saturday, Oct. 31, with the parade downtown in the morning and Alabama A&M against Alabama State at Legion Field in the afternoon, on Halloween itself.

Last checked Oct. 25, 2026. Every listing links to its organizer; confirm times there before you go. For the rest of the season, see things to do this month, Halloween events and arts and exhibitions.

Friday, Oct. 30

  • After Dark: A Symphony of Shivers, 7 p.m., Jemison Concert Hall, UAB Alys Stephens Center. $36.50 to $95.50. The Alabama Symphony’s Halloween program, costumes welcome. ASO.
  • Practical Magic, 7 p.m., Alabama Theatre, 1817 Third Ave. N. A Halloween-week movie night on the big screen. Alabama Theatre.
  • Bowl Night: Molten & Mysterious, 6 to 10 p.m., Sloss Furnaces, gates at 5:30 p.m. A cast iron bowl class and a guided night tour of the furnaces; tickets online. City listing.
  • Alice by Heart, 7:30 p.m., Bolding Studio, Samford University, Homewood. Also 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Samford arts calendar.
  • Atrox Factory, 6:30 to 11 p.m., 8404 Parkway Drive, Leeds. The indoor haunted house; from $30 at the door and $35 plus tax for timed tickets online. Atrox Factory.

Saturday, Oct. 31

  • Magic City Classic parade, 8 a.m., from 18th Street North and 7th Avenue North to 16th Street North and 4th Avenue North. Free to watch. Game day schedule.
  • Magic City Classic, Alabama A&M vs. Alabama State, kickoff 2:30 p.m., Legion Field. The tailgate runs 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the perimeter road closes at 9 a.m. Shuttles, parking and the bag policy are on our Magic City Classic page. Game day schedule.
  • Hoots & Howls, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Birmingham Zoo, 2630 Cahaba Road. The last day of the zoo’s daytime trick-or-treating; zoo admission plus a $15 Candy Trail wristband ($5.50 without rides). Birmingham Zoo.
  • Native plant sale, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Ruffner Mountain, 1214 81st St. S. Jefferson County Greenways’ last Saturday sale of the fall. Ruffner Mountain.
  • Atrox Factory Lights Out, 6:30 to 10 p.m., Leeds. Tickets from $30. Atrox Factory.
  • Trick-or-treating: the city had not set hours as of Oct. 25; see our trick-or-treat hours page. Every Birmingham Public Library location is closed for the Classic.

Sunday, Nov. 1

  • Little Red’s Most Unusual Day, 2 p.m., UAB Alys Stephens Center. Opera Birmingham’s family opera on Little Red Riding Hood; pay what you choose. Alys Stephens Center.
  • Dino Safari, last day, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Birmingham Zoo. The 23 animatronic dinosaurs leave after Sunday. Birmingham Zoo events.
  • Atrox Factory Lights Out, 6:30 to 10 p.m., Leeds. Atrox Factory.
  • Clocks go back: daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday.

All weekend

  • Roll Call: Two Hundred Years of Black American Art, Birmingham Museum of Art, 2000 Rev. Abraham Woods Jr. Blvd., through Jan. 17. Tickets $19.71. Museum exhibitions.
  • Historically Black, Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, through Dec. 12. Alabama’s 14 HBCUs in one exhibition. BCRI.

Regular weekend fixtures

  • Pepper Place Saturday Market, 7 a.m. to noon Saturdays, 2829 2nd Ave. S., through Dec. 12. See our farmers markets guide.
  • Birmingham Botanical Gardens, 2612 Lane Park Road, free and open daily. Botanical Gardens.

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Frequently asked questions

What is there to do in Birmingham this weekend?

Saturday, Oct. 31, brings the Magic City Classic parade at 8 a.m. and kickoff at 2:30 p.m. at Legion Field, plus the zoo’s last Hoots & Howls day. Friday has the Alabama Symphony’s Halloween concert, Practical Magic at the Alabama Theatre and a night tour at Sloss Furnaces.

Are there free events in Birmingham this weekend?

The Magic City Classic parade downtown is free to watch at 8 a.m. Saturday. On Sunday, Opera Birmingham’s family opera at the Alys Stephens Center is pay what you choose.

Where do I park for the Magic City Classic?

The Classic runs paid shuttles from the Birmingham CrossPlex from 9 a.m. and from Park Place near the Boutwell Auditorium deck from noon. Accessible parking is in Lot F off Graymont Avenue. Our Magic City Classic page has the full details.