Good morning, Birmingham.

Birmingham will host its annual Spring Festival at Railroad Park on Sunday, April 13, from 1 to 4 p.m. and will offer family activities such as Easter egg hunts, a DJ, food trucks, face painting and a balloon artist — free samples from Coca-Cola and appearances by local mascots add to the fun. Families can pick up scavenger hunt cards at the welcome table and note that First Avenue South will be closed from 11 p.m. Saturday through Sunday evening — plan accordingly.

Birmingham Zoo welcomed Spruce, a mountain lion cub rescued in January from Portola Valley—San Mateo County, as he settled in a night house with his companion—Juniper.

He will soon move into the zoo’s full Cougar Crossing Habitat after he acclimates to his new home.

A report said downtown Birmingham saw 25 restaurants and bars open in 2024—residential occupancy rose 5% and employee presence increased 10.2% compared to 2023.

Visitor traffic decreased 6.5% in late 2024—however, the upcoming Coca-Cola Amphitheater will boost downtown with 31 shows expected to draw about 220,000 visitors this summer.

The Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee voted unanimously last Wednesday to advance the RAISE Act, which would shift school funding to a student-based model for public K-12 schools.

If passed by the full Senate, the bill will allocate $375 million from the Educational Opportunities Fund and begin a new funding system in the 2025–2026 school year.

Alabama lawmakers passed a bill on Tuesday that will let pregnant women access Medicaid faster by paying for their outpatient care for up to 60 days while their application is reviewed+ the bill now goes to Governor Kay Ivey for her signature.

Gov. Ivey welcomed organizers of the 2025 World Police and Fire Games, set for June 27 to July 6 in Birmingham.

The event will let more than 8,500 first responders compete for 1,600 medals at 35 venues — it will include 55 sports such as golf, softball and toughest competitor alive — and fans can watch for free.

Jackie Robinson Day 2025 will be held Saturday, April 12 in downtown Birmingham as the Negro Southern League Museum hosts a family-friendly event featuring live music, poetry, food trucks, boutique vendors, and MLB giveaways to celebrate baseball's legacy (Breaking Barriers and Honoring Heroes). The event will also include a free baseball skills clinic for young players at Regions Field led by Papa Jack Jackson (a World Series-winning coach) and opportunities to meet legendary Negro League players.

Michael Colyar Live Show

6:30 p.m. — Main Room, Birmingham, AL — Ticket prices vary — Experience the wit and charm of actor and comedian Michael Colyar in an entertaining night.

Michael Colyar - Comedy Showcase

6:30 p.m. — Main Room, 1818 Data Dr, Birmingham, AL — Ticket prices vary — Experience the humor and heart of multi-talented comedian Michael Colyar in an engaging one-man show.

Legion FC Serves Up Affordable Family Fun and Magic City Soccer

Experience affordable family fun at Birmingham Legion FC's next home match against El Paso Locomotive FC on Sunday, April 13, featuring $3.50 stadium favorites and local food trucks showcasing the best of Birmingham's culinary scene. Come support your hometown team at Protective Stadium and enjoy premier soccer action in the Magic City, with special 2-for-1 VIP Club Tickets available using promo code CLAVA.

Graphic Design Bootcamp

8:30 a.m. — Alabama Graphics — Check website for pricing — Dive into hands-on graphic design skills from Adobe Illustrator to Photoshop and InDesign in this immersive bootcamp.

STRFKR Concert in Birmingham

7-10 p.m. — Saturn — $35 — Catch the energetic vibes of STRFKR at the intimate Saturn venue in Birmingham.

Flipturn Concert and Afterparty

6-8 p.m. — Avondale Brewing Company — Separate ticket required for afterparty — Enjoy live music followed by a fun afterparty with Mitch from Flipturn.

Iron and Wine Concert

7-9:30 p.m. — Iron City Bham — $43+ — Experience a special evening of soothing melodies from Iron and Wine.

Annie DiRusso Concert

7-10 p.m. — Saturn — $38 — Catch the latest live beats from Annie DiRusso in Birmingham's vibrant music scene.

Steve Brown Comedy Show

6:30-8:00 p.m. — Main Room, 1818 Data Dr, Birmingham, AL — $25 — Experience the unique comedic style of Steve Brown, born from his Southern upbringing and church experiences.

Rocky Dale Davis Stand-Up Comedy Show

6:30-10:30 p.m. — Main Room, Stardome Comedy Club — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy a night of laughter with viral comedian Rocky Dale Davis known for his TikTok antics.

April Pottery Night

6:30-8:30 p.m. — Parkside on Fifth — Non-refundable ticket required — Craft your choice of pottery in a fun and creative atmosphere.