SAVE THE DATE. SEPTEMBER 18-27, 2026

A TEN-DAY CELEBRATION OF BIRMINGHAM’S MAGNETIC FOOD CULTURE

Ten days. 100 chefs. One Magic City.

This September, Southbound is back for year four. Join us for favorite signature events like Southern Living’s Food & Fire, Heritage Dinner, Funk Brunch and more. Whatever you’re heading down for, you know our chefs are bringing the heat.

Ticket Launch July 2026

2026 Events

Heritage Dinner

Friday, September 18
Streets of Pepper Place
A multi-course seated dinner honoring a Southern Heritage ingredient and the recipients of the Frank Stitt Award for Industry Excellence.
Rooted: Women in Food

Saturday, September 19
Market at Pepper Place
A market takeover featuring female artisans, chef demos, book signings, conversation and more.
Hosted

All Week
Local Restaurants & Establishments
Throughout the week, local restaurants and bars host out of town guest chefs and friends for one-night-only collaborative offerings and pop-ups.
Southern Living's Food & Fire

Saturday, September 26
Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark
Presented by Southern Living®, a walk-around live-fire tasting event featuring top chefs and pitmasters, music, chef demos and more.
Funk Brunch

Sunday, September 27
Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark
A soulful celebration where food, music and culture collide.

No. 3: Best New Festival — Birmingham brought the heat with their inaugural food and culture festival, spanning four full days of culinary happenings with local talent. With luncheons and seated dinners, an extended farmers' market, and tasting events, the event delivered on its promise of showcasing Birmingham's cultural vibrancy in the culinary landscape

USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards
WOW!!! The event was amazing, and I am impressed by the team that pulled it all together! I am honored to say I am a Dame! I am proud to say I am a restaurateur! But most importantly, I am thrilled to say I am from Birmingham!!! Thanks for making us proud of our city, our culture and our food!

Betsy McAtee, Dreamland BBQ CEO
This is hands down my favorite event in Birmingham! The community comes together for a fabulous week of food and fun. I love getting to celebrate our city's amazing food scene while also getting to experience creations from chefs across the country. From the pop up dinners through the week, to Food & Fire on Saturday, and wrapping it up with Funk Brunch on Sunday you’re guaranteed a great time!

attendee
With luncheons and seated dinners, an extended farmers’ market and tasting events, the event delivered on its promise of showcasing Birmingham’s cultural vibrancy in the culinary landscape.

attendee

For the heart of Birmingham

Since we began as FOOD+Culture in 2022, our mission has remained the same: to shine a light on our talented chefs and neighbors, providing a platform for sharing delicious food and meaningful conversations.

Today, as Southbound Food Festival, whether we’re gathering for dinners, festivities, chef demos, discussions or parties, we remain rooted in equity, the arts, sustainability and community growth. We celebrate all forms of culinary arts, with equal parts reverence for tradition and excitement for innovation.

Our Story