Best Time to Visit Birmingham in 2024 | When to Go

Birmingham, Alabama is a must-visit destination for people interested in the recent history of the United States. The city was one of the most important sites of the Civil Rights Movement.

You can follow in the footsteps of leaders such as Martin Luther King, Jr., by visiting the Civil Rights Institute and Civil Rights District. Besides recent history, Birmingham has a lot to offer visitors.

Check out some interesting public sculpture in the Vulcan Museum & Park, built to commemorate the city’s industrial history, go canoeing down the Cahaba River, or delve into the critically acclaimed dining and arts scenes.

Birmingham has a lot to offer visitors, especially if you time your visit for when the city is at its most beautiful. That’s why we put together a guide on the best time to visit Birmingham, including the best time to visit for deals and fewer crowds. Let’s dive in!

Overall Best Time to Visit Birmingham

The best time to visit Birmingham is during the fall (September to November), which is one of the city’s two shoulder seasons. These seasons bring milder weather and plenty of things to do in town.

Birmingham is located in Alabama, part of the Southeastern region in the United States. The state has a humid subtropical climate, which means that temperatures are fairly warm all year round and that it gets a lot of precipitation.

Summers can be very hot and humid, but temperatures are much milder by September. The average high temperature in September is 85 degrees Fahrenheit. It is still warm enough that you can get outdoors and maybe even go swimming in the many swimming holes along the Cahaba River.

However, it is pleasant enough that you can walk around outdoors without feeling uncomfortable. The rest of fall is chillier, but still pleasant.

Average high temperatures in October are still a balmy 75 degrees Fahrenheit. The good news is that Birmingham is located in the northern part of Alabama, which means that it isn’t affected by hurricane season in the Gulf of Mexico as much as the rest of the state, so you can enjoy mostly sunny days.

Another great reason to visit in the fall is that there are many events going on at this time. A lot of cultural events happen in September and October once the weather is cooler, such as:

• FOOD+CULTURE Fest (September), celebrating the local dining scene
• Fiesta BHAM (September), a Hispanic culture festival
• Barber Vintage Festival (October), at the motorcycle museum in nearby Leeds

Besides festivals, autumn is when Birmingham’s regular cultural programming returns from its summer slumber.

The city’s legendary theater season starts up again in September, with touring Broadway musicals, award-winning local productions, and concerts for classical music fans. Spring (March to May) is Birmingham’s other shoulder season and has many of the same benefits as fall.

Temperatures are usually mild, with daily highs in the 65 to 83 degree Fahrenheit range. The outdoor festival season starts up by April, with events such as the Magic City Art Connection. However, spring is peak tornado season, especially in March and April.

These strong winds can come out of nowhere during intense spring storms and cause serious damage in the Birmingham area. If you decide to visit in the spring, keep this danger in mind (autumn can get twisters as well but they are less common).

Cheapest Time to Visit Birmingham

The cheapest time to visit Birmingham is in the winter (December to February), when travel-related expenses are at their lowest. Winter is Birmingham’s off-season, and the city receives far fewer visitors than it does in the summer or fall.

This means that throughout the whole season, you can usually find good discounts on travel expenses. Hotel rooms are at their most affordable in the winter.

Even December, which is usually one of the most expensive months for travel in the United States due to the holiday season, offers great deals on hotel rooms, at about 20% less than usual prices.

That means that you can check out holiday events such as Christmas at Arlington without breaking the bank. Hotel rooms are even more affordable in January and February, which are the least expensive months to visit Birmingham.

You can score hotel rooms for up to 40% lower than usual prices, or as low as $100 per night even on weekends. Getting to Birmingham is also cheaper during this time thanks to discounted flights nationwide. February and November are the months that tend to have the best deals on flights.

During the winter, you can even save on some day-to-day expenses, thanks to discounted passes and tickets to popular attractions. Visit during Birmingham Restaurant Week (late February to early March) for discounted meals at highly rated local restaurants.

Least Busy Time to Visit Birmingham

The least busy time to visit Birmingham in the winter or the early spring, when visitor numbers are at their lowest. It’s not a very crowded destination even during peak travel times, but it can get positively peaceful during the winter months.

Fewer visitors mean fewer lines at popular attractions and not having to worry about popular restaurants and shows booking to capacity. Winters in Birmingham are fairly mild.

Average high temperatures in January are around 54 degrees Fahrenheit. You will need a thick jacket, but it will still be pleasant to walk around. If you are interested in the Civil Rights history of Birmingham, visiting during February, which is Black History Month, is one of the best times to do so.

The city government, various museums, and arts institutions put on various events to commemorate the month, such as history talks, musical performances, and craft events.

Early spring also doesn’t get a lot of crowds and has the benefit of slightly warmer weather which makes it more pleasant to explore Birmingham’s surroundings. Spring is also a great time to visit the city for sports fans. The Birmingham Barons, the local minor league baseball team, kick off their season in April.

Birmingham Legion FC, the professional soccer team that is unique because of its local ownership structure, begins its season in the second division of US soccer in late March.

Worst Time to Visit Birmingham

While it’s one of the most popular times to visit, we don’t recommend visiting Birmingham in the summer due to the high heat and crowds.

Like most places in the U.S. South, Birmingham can get very hot and muggy in the summer. Average high temperatures in July and August can reach 91 degrees. However, due to the high humidity that is typical for its subtropical climate, it can feel even hotter.

The high temperatures make it difficult to enjoy spending time outside. Summer is also one of the most crowded times to visit Birmingham. Many families stop by on their way to the Alabama or Florida coasts or use time off from school to travel.

This means that you can expect long lines, especially at kid-friendly attractions, and the highest hotel prices of the year. If you do decide to visit Birmingham in the summer (or have no choice because of your work schedule), there are ways to make the most of it.

Beat the heat by going to indoor attractions during the hottest time of day or heading out on the river. Summer is also peak festival season in Birmingham, so enjoy plenty of outdoor music, street food, and fun.

Even outside of organized festivals, there’s always something going on outside. Some beloved events include:

• Steel City Jazz Fest (June)
• Thunder on the Mountain (July 4th)
• Sidewalk Film Festival (August)

Frequently Asked Questions

So, What’s the Best Time to Visit Birmingham?

The best time to visit Birmingham is in the fall, where the mild weather allows you to take in the city’s Civil Rights sites and rich cultural life. Spring is also a good time to visit, with fewer crowds and cheaper hotel rooms, although you should be prepared for tornadoes.

For the best hotel room rates and fewest crowds, visit during the winter months, when chillier weather keeps most tourists away. Happy travels!