Pull up the chair, y’all, it’s Southbound season. You know you live in the South when there’s an entire festival dedicated to everything Southern, from the fried chicken and barbecue to the gospel music and more. The Southbound Food Festival is an award-winning ten-day celebration highlighting what is, arguably, the best and most important thing in the South: the food culture. Mark your calendar for September 19–28, 2025, because Southbound is hosting all kinds of events, including signature tasting events, immersive dinners, and collaborative culinary experiences, spotlighting over 100 chefs, musicians, and beverage professionals.
“Southbound is more than a festival—it’s a platform for Southern talent and a love letter to Birmingham,” shares Keri Lane, Festival Production and Marketing Director. “We can’t wait to welcome guests back to Birmingham’s biggest party for ten days of food, fun, and the magic that happens when the South gathers at the table.”
Here’s the breakdown of this year’s event lineup:
Heritage Dinner: Coastal Traditions
Friday, September 19 | Streets of Pepper Place
There’s a reason the Alabama license plate is beach-themed. The Alabama Gulf Coast is a distinct piece of both Alabamian and Southern culture as a whole. Family beach trips make up many of my core memories, as well as those of my friends and family. (“Throw’d” rolls at Lamberts, anyone?) As such, it should come as no surprise that the Southbound theme this year for the Heritage Dinner is the deep-rooted coastal traditions that we all cherish so deeply. The Heritage Dinner will be an immersive, multi-course seated event revolving around all things seafood, including Alabama’s Gulf oysters, paying tribute to our Gulf heritage and Beth and Bill Walton, the recipients of the Frank Stitt Award for Industry Excellence. The dinner will be for ages 21+ and will showcase a variety of delicious dishes by local and regional chefs. You can purchase tickets for $200 online. Rain or shine, you’ll get your oysters, don’t you worry.
Saturday, September 20 | The Market at Pepper Place
One of my favorite things to do on a Saturday is stroll through the Pepper Place Farmers Market and peruse the locally grown produce and handcrafted items. On Saturday, the 20th, however, an exciting takeover is happening with Southbound’s event Rooted: Women in Food, presented by Milo’s Tea Company. It will be “a morning dedicated to the women who grow, cook, craft, and inspire,” the press release explains. There will be chef demos, female artisans, book signings, discussions, and more. This will coincide with the market’s month-long tribute to Women in Food, presented by Les Dames d’Escoffier. Toni Tipton-Martin and Morgan Bolling of
“CBS Cooks Country” will be hosting the event. The event is free—but if you want the chance to meet the hosts, featured chefs, authors, and more, be sure to buy a ticket to the meet-and-greet brunch at Hot & Hot Fish Club.
HOSTED: A Collaborative Series
All week long | Participating restaurants and venues
Formerly known as the FOOD+Friends Dinner Series, HOSTED is a series of chef collaboration dinners, cocktail pop-ups, and one-of-a-kind culinary experiences happening throughout our city during the entirety of this year’s festival. “We believe the best way to showcase our city is by inviting people to experience it where it lives‚—on the line, behind the bar, in local businesses,” says Southbound Programming Director Rebecca Gann. “These events aren’t just about food; they’re about connection, camaraderie, and community.”
This year’s HOSTED Series is the largest yet, with over 20 hosted guest chef dinners and other curated events to choose from, including art exhibits, beverage-forward guest takeovers, and immersive pop-ups. Most events are open to the public—all you have to do is make a reservation (or simply walk up the night of!). The all-star lineup includes chefs from around the country, including 2025 James Beard Award semifinalists David Bancroft, Hunter Evans, Ruben Garcia, Julio Hernandez, Christopher Prieto, and more.
What’s perhaps the coolest thing about the HOSTED Series is that Southbound takes no revenue from these events. They’re crafted to help support local businesses and show off Magic City’s exceptional food culture.
Saturday, September 27 | Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark
There’s not a more fitting time for the third annual Food & Fire event than smack-dab in the middle of football season. This is an event that celebrates tailgating culture at its finest, featuring top regional and national pitmasters and acclaimed chefs as they put an “open-fire spin” on their classic tailgating bites.
If you’re debating on which event to go to, I’ll just point out that Southbound claims Food & Fire as its cornerstone event. Come hungry! You can just follow your nose to all of the delicious barbecue and live-fire roasted meats at this tasting event. The Heavy Heavy and Southern Avenue music acts will entertain you from The Coca Cola Music Stage while you meander—and keep an eye on the Southern Living Tailgate Stage, presented by Hellmann’s, for chef demos and more! You can also try local and regional brews and wines at the Hop City Craft Beer & Wine Garden. Tickets are $85 and can be purchased online. Bring the kiddos and make it a family affair! Children under 12 get in for free with a ticketed adult.
Sunday, September 28 | Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark
Nobody does brunch quite like the South. Southbound’s Funk Brunch, presented by Kroger Delivery, celebrates the Southern tradition of after-church Sunday brunch with soul-food cuisine, the “gospel bird”—aka fried chicken. Try all kinds of modern spins on this classic dish, from “crispy, golden-fried to slow-smothered and spice-rubbed,” according to Southbound’s website. Enjoy being serenaded by gospel music from 5-time GRAMMY award winners The Blind Boys of Alabama while you stroll, dine, and sip on craft cocktails. Snag your tickets today for $75.
To learn more about Southbound Food Fest, head on over to southboundfoodfest.com or follow @southboundfoodfest on Instagram or Facebook.
