Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many of the food festivals and events listed here have been cancelled or postponed to a later date.

All throughout the Birmingham metro area in 2020, you’ll find food events celebrating everything from tacos and chicken wings to catfish and barbecue, as well as festivals honoring the cultures and cuisines of Greece, Lebanon, Mexico and the Caribbean, among many others.

To help you make your plans, we’ve compiled our annual list of Birmingham Food Festivals to Put on Your Calendar, with dates, locations and websites to go to for tickets and more information.

Bob Carlton/bcarlton@al.com

Lenten Lunches

What: Feed the body and nourish the soul at this noontime lunch and preaching series that has become Birmingham's most popular Lenten celebration.

When: Weekdays from 12:05 to 1 p.m., beginning on Ash Wednesday on Feb. 26 and continuing through Maundy Thursday on April 9.

Where: Cathedral Church of the Advent, 2017 Sixth Ave. North, Birmingham.

Website: adventbirmingham.org

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Birmingham News file/Michelle Campbell

MortgageBanc Chili Cook-Off

What: Guests get to sample homemade chili from all the teams competing in this 16th annual event, which benefits the Exceptional Foundation.

When: March 7; 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: Macy's parking lot, Brookwood Village.

Website: www.exceptionalfoundation.org

Photo courtesy of Homewood Chamber of Commerce

Taste of Homewood

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Taste of Homewood has been postponed until further notice, according to organizers.

What: Sample dishes from about 30 Homewood restaurants, caterers, coffee houses and beverage vendors.

When: TBA.

Where: Rosewood Hall in SoHo Square, Homewood.

Website: homewoodchamber.org

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Image courtesy of Southern Foodways Alliance

Southern Foodways Alliance Spring Symposium

UPDATE:

The Southern Foodways Alliance has canceled the 2020 Spring Symposium due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

What: Meet and eat with some of the South's finest food writers, chefs and storytellers at this annual symposium presented by the Southern Foodways Alliance. At this year's event, Food & Wine magazine restaurant editor Khushbu Shah and editor-in-chief Hunter Lewis will discuss the future of restaurant criticism; the SFA will screen a new film that profiles pitmasters Rodney Scott and Roscoe Hall and 21st century barbecue legacies; and chef John Hall will talk about Birmingham as a bold American food city.

When:

CANCELED

.

Where: Haven, 2515 Sixth Ave. South, Birmingham.

Website: www.southernfoodways.org/event/spring-symposium-the-future-of-the-restaurant/

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Photo courtesy of Girls Inc. of Central Alabama

Girls Inc. Cajun Cook-Off

UPDATE:

The Girls Inc. Cajun Cook-Off has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

What: Enjoy such Cajun dishes as gumbo, jambalaya, po' boys, shrimp and grits and bread pudding prepared by cook-off competitors at this 10th annual event, which benefits Girls Incorporated of Central Alabama.

When:

CANCELED

.

Where: Railroad Park, Birmingham.

Website: girlsinccentral-al.org

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Photo courtesy of Habitat for Humanity Greater Birmingham

Grill To Build

UPDATE:

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Grill To Build has been postponed until a later date.

What: Sample smoked meat from amateur teams competing in this 12th annual barbecue cook-off to benefit Habitat for Humanity Greater Birmingham.

When: TBA.

Where: Habitat ReStore, 7952 Crestwood Blvd., Irondale.

More information: www.habitatbirmingham.org/grill-to-build.

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Facebook photo courtesy of Leadership Vestavia Hills

Wing Ding

UPDATE:

Wing Ding has been canceled due to the COVID-19 outbreak and will return in 2021, according to organizers.

What: About 20 competing teams will prepare more than 20,000 chicken wings for festival patrons. Plus, there will be live music and a kids' zone. All proceeds benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

When: April 4, 4-7 p.m.

Where: Vestavia Hills City Hall front lawn, 1032 Montgomery Highway, Vestavia Hills.

More info: facebook.com/VestaviaWingDing

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Bob Carlton/bcarlton@al.com

The Market at Pepper Place

UPDATE:

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Pepper Place Saturday Market has switched to drive-thru only service until further notice.

Go here

to read more.

What: Every Saturday morning from early spring through late fall, farmers, purveyors, food producers, artists and crafters from around Alabama set up shop at Birmingham's premier farmers market.

When: Saturdays, 7 a.m. to noon, from April 11 through Dec. 12.

Where: Pepper Place, 2829 Second Ave. South, Birmingham.

Website: www.pepperplacemarket.com

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Photo courtesy of St. Elias Maronite Church

St. Elias Lebanese Food and Cultural Festival

UPDATE:

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the St. Elias Lebanese Food and Cultural Festival has been rescheduled for Aug. 7-8. Service is drive-thru only.

What: The parishioners of Saint Elias Maronite Church prepare and serve a feast that includes such Lebanese dishes as baked kibbe, lemon chicken, grape leaves and spinach pies.

When: Aug. 7-8; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Where: Saint Elias Maronite Catholic Church, 836 Eighth St. South, Birmingham.

Website: www.stelias.org.

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Photo courtesy of Episcopal Place

Gumbo Gala

UPDATE:

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Gumbo Gala has been canceled and is expected to return in 2021

.

What: Teams from throughout the Birmingham area compete to see who makes the best gumbo, and festival guests get to sample and vote for their favorites.

When:

CANCELED

.

Where: Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark, Birmingham.

Website: episcopalplace.org

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Photo by Elaine Lyda

Bob Sykes BBQ & Blues Festival

UPDATE:

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Bob Sykes BBQ & Blues Festival has been rescheduled for Sept. 12

.

What: An afternoon of blues music and Bob Sykes barbecue in the park.

When: Sept. 12; noon to 8 p.m.

Where: DeBardeleben Park, 1623 Second Ave. North, Bessemer.

Website: www.bobsykesblues.com

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Photo by Charity Ponter

Corks & Chefs

UPDATE:

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Corks & Chefs has been rescheduled for Nov. 7-8

.

What: The food and wine component to the annual Magic City Art Connection features dishes from some of the city's top restaurants and chefs, paired with wines from local distributors.

When: Nov. 7-8.

Where: Linn Park, Birmingham

Website: www.magiccityart.com

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Image courtesy of AIDS Alabama

Dining Out for Life

UPDATE:

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dining Out for Life has been rescheduled for Sept. 24

.

What: Participating restaurants throughout Birmingham donate a minimum of 25 percent of their sales to benefit AIDS Alabama at this one-night-a-year dining event.

When: Sept. 24.

Where: Select restaurants in the Birmingham metro area.

Website: aidsalabama.org

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Photo courtesy of Magic City Mac 'N Cheese Festival

Magic City Mac 'N Cheese Festival

UPDATE:

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Magic City Mac 'N Cheese Festival has been postponed.

What: Festival participants get to taste mac and cheese dishes from several of Birmingham's favorite restaurants, food trucks and caterers. Proceeds benefit Community Grief Support, which helps fund grief counseling and support groups in the Birmingham area.

When: TBA.

Where: Back Forty Beer Company, 3201 First Ave. North.

Website: macfestbhm.com.

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Photo courtesy of Central Alabama Caribbean American Organization

Magic City Caribbean Food and Music Festival

What: This annual event presented by the Central Alabama Caribbean American Organization celebrates the food and music of the Caribbean. Admission is free.

When: June 13.

Where: DeBardeleben Park, 1623 Second Ave. North, Bessemer.

More info: www.cacaoonline.org.

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Tasha Gaines Photography

Birmingham Taco Fest

UPDATE: Birmingham Taco Fest will not hold an in-person event this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic but will instead sponsor a month-long Taco Trail promotion with an interactive map leading participants to some of the best taco spots in Birmingham. It will take place in September.

More information: www.facebook.com/birminghamtacofest.

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Tamika Moore/tmoore@al.com

Our Lady of Sorrows Fourth of July Barbecue and Festival

What: This annual Fourth of July barbecue, which celebrates its 71st year in 2020, is one of Birmingham's longest-running food festivals.

When: July 4.

Where: Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, 1728 Oxmoor Road, Homewood.

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Bob Carlton/bcarlton@al.com

Night in New Orleans

What: New Orleans chef Thomas Robey serves some of his restaurant’s favorite dishes at this three-night event at Bessemer’s 113-year-old Bright Star restaurant.

When: July 30-31; Aug. 1.

Where: Bright Star, 304 19th St. North, Bessemer.

Website: thebrightstar.com

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Photo courtesy of Style Advertising

Birmingham Restaurant Week

What: Ten-day event features lunch and dinner specials at some of Birmingham's top restaurants.

When: Aug. 14-23.

Where: Restaurants throughout the Birmingham metro area.

Website: www.bhamrestaurantweek.com

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Photo by Colin Peterson

Kickin' Chicken Wing Fest

What: Enjoy chicken wings from more than a dozen competing professional and backyard teams while also raising money and awareness for literacy programs in Central Alabama.

When: Aug. 22.

Where: Ghost Train Brewing Company, 2616 Third Ave. South, Birmingham.

Website: litchicken.org

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Bob Carlton/bcarlton@al.com

Saint George Middle Eastern Food Festival

What: This annual festival, which celebrates its 39th year in 2020, features such Middle Eastern dishes as kibbe, grape leaves, meat pies and falafel.

When: Sept. 10-12.

Where: Saint George Melkite Greek Catholic Church, 425 16th Ave. South, Birmingham.

Website: saintgeorgeonline.org/food-festival

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Bob Carlton/bcarlton@al.com

Cahaba River Fry-Down

What: Teams compete to see who cooks the best catfish and sides dishes, and festival-goers get to sample all the dishes and vote for their favorites. Proceeds benefit the Cahaba River Society.

When: Oct. 4; noon to 4 p.m.

Where: Railroad Park, Birmingham.

Website: www.frydown.com.

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Photo by Elaine Lyda

Greek Festival

What: This annual festival, which began in 1972, celebrates Birmingham's Greek heritage and offers such dishes as lamb kabobs, souvlaki, gyro, pastitsio and baklava.

When: Oct. 8-10; 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Where: Holy Trinity-Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 307 19th St. South, Birmingham.

Website: www.bhamgreekfestival.com

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Image courtesy of Alabama Butterbean Festival

Alabama Butterbean Festival

What: This annual fall festival includes a beauty pageant, car show, fireworks, food vendors and the world's largest pot of butterbeans.

When: TBA; typically held in early October.

Where: Pinson.

Website: alabamabutterbeanfestival.com

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Bob Carlton/bcarlton@al.com

Breakin' Bread

What: This annual, one-day festival, which has become one of Birmingham's premier grazing events, features many of your favorite dishes from some of the Magic City's best independently owned restaurants.

When: TBA, usually held in October.

Where: Pepper Place, Birmingham.

Website:

www.breakinbreadbham.com

.

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Photo courtesy of Teresa Zuniga Odom

Fiesta

What: Day-long celebration of Alabama's Hispanic culture, featuring Latino music, dance and food.

When: TBA, typically held in late September or early October.

Where: Linn Park, Birmingham.

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Photo courtesy of Style Advertising

Taste of the Magic City

What: Taste of the Magic City invites Birmingham residents to taste fare from over 20 restaurants while enjoying live music and learning about how M-POWER Ministries helps provide paths out of poverty for the people of Birmingham.

When: TBA; typically held in late October.

Where: TBA

More information: https://www.mpowerministries.org/

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Photo courtesy of St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church

St. Nicholas Slavic/Russian Food Festival

What: Parishioners at this 125-year-old church in rural Jefferson County prepare food and pastries from recipes handed down from relatives and friends who immigrated to Brookside from Western Ukraine and what is now known as Slovakia. Dishes include dumplings, meat pies and kolbasa and kraut.

When: Nov. 7-8.

Where: St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, Brookside.

Website: www.stnicholasbrookside.org