Begin the New Year by diving head first into all the eclectic events Birmingham has to offer.
While it’s easy to become a homebody after the holiday craziness, January has enough fun events to lure out even the most introverted amongst us. Whether it’s gaming at the Birmingham Museum of Art, selfies with goats or the LEGO Fan Expo, Birmingham is jam-packed with equally amusing and unusual activities. Keep track of the events, and possibly use them for social media inspiration for your business, with our free calendar. (Click here to download the free January calendar.)
New Year’s Day – January 1
Celebrate the beginning of 2019 by setting some resolutions, enjoying the Southern tradition of eating black eyed peas for luck or just spending the day off with loved ones.
Art After 5: Game Night – January 4
Spend the evening playing the night away with fellow gaming enthusiasts at the Birmingham Museum of Art’s Game Night. The event will include gallery tours, specialty cocktails and art activities.
National Bird Day at Oak Mountain State Park – January 5
Start Saturday in the great outdoors by attending the National Bird Day activities at Oak Mountain State Park. Enjoy a tour of the Treetop Nature Trail, track birds in the area, make a take-home bird feeder and have the chance to “adopt” a bird at the Alabama Wildlife Center. Bringing your own binoculars and camera is suggested, but not required.
Sidewalk Salon with Sidewalk Film Festival at Rojo – January 8
Get to know the ins and outs of film making with the team behind one of Birmingham’s biggest events, Sidewalk Film Festival. This evening activity is free to the public, with an hour set aside for networking before the lecture begins and Rojo providing complimentary chips and dip to attendees.
Peculiar People Day – January 10
If there was ever a day to let your freak flag fly, it’s probably Peculiar People Day. The Infomedia office embraces everyone’s unusual habits, hobbies and lifestyle choices to create an eclectic and interesting team. Whether it’s learning Korean, foraying into fermenting, arguing about what Star Wars theories are still canonical or playing cup-in-ball in the parking lot for their lunch break, our employees make every day seem like Peculiar People Day.
The Birmingham Ghost Walk Winter Tour – January 14
Get to know the darker side of the city by teaming up with the Birmingham Historic Touring Company for their Ghost Walk Winter Tour. Explore churches, cemeteries and other eerie areas with your guide, and even participate in a little ghost hunting during the tour.
Toddies and Goat Selfies – January 18
Who wouldn’t want to sip a hot toddy with a gaggle of goats? If that has been your dream, then now is your moment with the Naked Art Gallery hosting a Toddies and Goat Selfies event. Two furry friends, Flanders and Clarine, will be in attendance for adorable selfies while the bar will be serving hot toddies. The Gallery will still be displaying art as well, with 10 percent of proceeds from sales and 100 percent of bar tips going towards charity.
BrickFair Alabama LEGO Fan Expo – January 19-20
Indulge your inner child (and nerd) with a visit to the BrickFair LEGO Fan Expo. Hosted at the BJCC, the event will show off creations from LEGO enthusiasts across the nation. Along with having displays, BrickFair will feature games, activities and a variety of vendors.
Martin Luther King Day – January 21
Take Martin Luther King Day to learn about Birmingham’s extensive civil rights history. Some ideas include walking the US Civil Rights Trail, visiting the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute or picnicking at Kelly Ingram Park where civil rights sculptures are displayed.
National Pie Day – January 23
Not to be confused with Pi Day, National Pie Day is perfect for anyone still enjoying sweater season and not worried about a few extra calories. For those with a sweet tooth we recommend Jawanda’s Sweet Potato Pies, while Post Office Pies offers some stellar savory options.
STEM Adventures at Kiddie Academy – January 26
This family-oriented event is hosted by Kiddie Academy and is meant to introduce children to more STEM-based activities. The morning will include age-appropriate crafts, games and more. STEM Adventures is free, but be sure to sign up ahead of time.
Code-A-Story at Homewood Library – January 29
The latest in Homewood Library’s coding classes geared towards kids, Code-A-Story is made for children ages K-5th grade. The afternoon class will teach coding through storytelling and activities.
