It’s officially Magic City Classic week. After an early start of events ringing in the largest HBCU football classic in the country, the countdown is on to Saturday, October 29  when Alabama A&M University and Alabama State University return to Birmingham’s Legion Field to face off in the 81st annual  McDonald’s Magic City Classic, presented by Coca Cola.

And this week, like every Magic City Classic Week, is full of fervor.

“There is no better HBCU football classic,” Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin said during the Magic City Spotlight podcast in August. “There’s a storied tradition here and it only gets better every year. We’re not satisfied where we are. The experience keeps getting better for everyone in attendance. It’s an experience. It’s not just a game, it’s an experience.”

Perren King, the Assistant Vice President for Bruno Event Team and the  Executive Director of the Magic City Classic, echoed the same sentiments.

“When you talk about folks camped out. Grills smoking. Everything hot. And that fellowship starts Wednesday morning, before the 2:30 kickoff on ESPN on Saturday,” said King.

Day parties, concerts, pop up markets, barbeque cook offs, and empowerment summits have ushered in the start of this year’s Classic Week. Wednesday, in a sense, is the official Magic City Classic launch day. Move in day for tailgaters starts at 8 a.m. And the annual press conference kicks off the second half of the week’s events.

Think of this week as a mixture of business and parties marked with networking events, discussion panels, day celebrations, concerts, and evening festivities leading up to gameday.

There’s a lot to take in, so we’ve compiled a running calendar of what to do and see during Magic City Classic Week. We’ll update this list throughout the week, so check back for updates.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26

Magic City Classic Issue Forum on Debt Cancellation

Rep. Terri Sewell will host a forum to discuss the Biden Administration’s plan to cancel up to $20,000 in student loan debt. The event will feature a conversation with Alabama State University President Dr. Quinton T. Ross, Jr. and Alabama A&M University President Dr. Daniel K. Wims about the state of HBCUs in Alabama. During the event, Sewell will also announce a total of $1,000,000 in federal funding for the two universities from the National Park Service (NPS) Historic Preservation Fund. Sewell will present a check for $500,000 to each university.

Location: Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex (BJCC) Medical Forum Building, Forum Theater, 950 22nd St N Birmingham, AL 35203

Time: 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

Tickets: Admission is free.

The Alabama Collective: All Access @ The Classic

For Classic Week, technology collaborative The Alabama Collective will host a networking event for professionals and students in the startup tech and innovation scene.

Location: Dread River Distilling Company, 2400 7th Ave S Birmingham, AL United States

Time: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Tickets: Admission is free. Registration is available on The Alabama Collective website.

Magic City Classic West End Day Party

Jefferson County Commissioner Sheila Tyson will host the Magic City Classic West End Day Party at the Arlington Historic House and Gardens. The event will feature live music, food, and cooking demonstrations.

Location: Arlington Historic House and Gardens, 331 Cotton Ave SW Birmingham, AL 35211

Time: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission: Admission is free. Guests can call the Arlington House at 205-325-5074 for more information.

11th Annual Battle of the Choirs

After a two-year hiatus, the Battle of the Choirs featuring the Alabama A&M University and Alabama State University choirs will return to Sardis Baptist Church.

Deacon Kelvin Datcher started the Battle of the Choirs almost decade ago. “The Classic game is great and the bands are amazing but there are so many talented students at those universities who are often overlooked,” Datcher told AL.com in 2019. “Many of the students in those choirs are from Birmingham. So, it’s a homecoming for them to have their friends and family brag about them like they brag about the football team.”

This year, high school choirs with Birmingham City Schools will be the opening act for Battle of the Choirs.

[Read more: Battle of HBCU choirs brings healing, joy to Birmingham with praise music]

Location: Sardis Baptist Church, 1615 4th Ct W, Birmingham, AL 35208

Time: Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Event begins at 6 p.m.

Tickets: Admission is free

Green Carpet Affair

The Green Carpet Affair is an annual Classic Week event honoring Birmingham’s mayor Randal Woodfin. So far, the evening party is sold out, but we’ll update this list if more tickets become available.

Location: The Birmingham Museum of Art, 2000 Reverend Abraham Woods Jr Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35203

Time: 6-10 p.m.

Tickets: Admission is free and all attendees must have a ticket. As of Oct. 23, tickets on Eventbrite are sold out.

Behind the Mask Women’s Empowerment Summit

A roundtable of women — political strategist Meredith Lilly; Kerri Pruitt of The Dannon Project; Wanda Evers, the niece of civil rights leader Medgar Evers; Fortune 500 consultant Jan Hargrave; and Dennis Winfrey, the president of the National Association of Commissioners; and actress/entrepreneur LisaRae McCoy— will appear at the 16th Street Baptist Church for a Women’s Empowerment Summit.

Location: 16th Street Baptist Church, 1530 6th Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203

Time: Doors open at 5 p.m. The event starts at 6 p.m.

Tickets: Admission is free. Seating will be available on a first come, first served basis.

Magic City Classic Alumni Block Party

Jazzi’s on 3rd will host the Magic City Classic Alumni Block Party, an outdoor concert on Third Avenue North between 17th Street North and 18th Street North. BT Collective with Jay Lambert will perform. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.

Location: Jazzi’s on 3rd, 1725 3rd Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203

Time: 7-10 p.m.

Admission: Admission is free

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27

The Rickey Smiley Morning Show LIVE

Birmingham native and Alabama State University alum Rickey Smiley will host The Rickey Smiley Morning Show live at the Boutwell Auditorium, presented by 98.7 KISS FM. Thursday’s show will include comedy from Rickey Smiley and his morning show team along with a live performance from national recording artists 8Ball and MJG, special appearances with celebrity guests, the presidents of Alabama A&M and Alabama State, and Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin.

Location: Boutwell Auditorium, 1930 Reverend Abraham Woods Jr Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35203

Time: Doors open at 4:30 a.m. The show will be from 5-9 a.m.

Tickets: Admission is free

Classic Kickoff Presented by McDonald’s

Classic Kickoff presented by McDonald’s—the official Thursday kickoff event hosted by the Magic City Classic—will feature light bites, drinks and entertainment by DJ Traci Steele.

Also on the roster: a McDonald’s 360° photo booth, giveaways and a special appearance by the AAMU and ASU cheerleaders.

Location: Stadium Club at Protective Stadium, 1020 24th St N, Birmingham, AL 35203 (Stadium Club entry is located on 22nd Street North)

Time: 6-9 p.m.

Tickets: Admission is $20. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.

Magic City Classic Tailgate Festival

Railroad Park will host an outdoor concert featuring performances from artists including Stokley, Kelly Price, and Zapp Band. Food trucks will be on site at the park. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.

Location: Railroad Park, 1600 1st Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233

Time: Gates open at 5 p.m. The event will start at 6 p.m.

Tickets: Admission is free

Cocktails & Conversation: The Long Civil Rights Movement in STEM

Continuing its series of STEM education programs, The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute will host a panel discussion called Classic STEM: Cocktails and Conversation— an examination of how the race to space in the 1960s coincided with the civil rights movement. Thursday’s panel will feature African Americans who grew up in Birmingham and pursued careers in the sciences, including:

• Dr. Matthew George, Jr., graduate of Ullman High School (’67) and Chairman of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Howard University
• Dr. Shirley Malcom, a graduate of Carver High School (’63) and now Senior Advisor and Director of SEA Change American Association for the Advancement of Sciences
• Dr. Willie May, graduate of Parker High School (’64) and now Vice President of Research and Economic Development at Morgan State University
• Dr. Tommy Wright, graduate of Ullman High School (’65) and now Chief of the Center for Statistical Research and Methodology for the U.S. Census Bureau.

Odessa Woolfolk, the founding president of BCRI, will provide opening remarks. Dr. Calvin Briggs, the founder of the Southern Center for Broadening Participation in STEM, will moderate the panel. Nabila Lovelace, the Magic City Poetry Festival 2022 Eco Poetry Fellow, will give a poetry reading. Dr. Brian Odom, Chief Historian for NASA and editor of “NASA and the ‘Long’ Civil Rights Movement,” will also lecture. Light hors d’oeuvres and cocktails will be served. The program is a collaboration from the BCRI, NASA, the National Park Service, the Magic City Poetry Festival, the Southern Center for Broadening Participation in STEM, and the Birmingham Museum of Art.

[Read More: How Birmingham’s civil rights district celebrated The World Games]

Location: The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, 520 16th St N, Birmingham, AL 35203

Time: 5-8 p.m.

Tickets: Admission is free. More information is available on the BCRI event page.

Welcome to Birmingham ” The Opening Ceremony”

The City Club Birmingham will host Fly Dave and the Party Rockers and DJ Big Sweat for “The Opening Ceremony’’ annual Magic City Classic party.

Location: City Club Birmingham, 1901 6th Avenue North #Suite 3100 Birmingham, AL 35203

Time: 8:30 p.m. to midnight.

Tickets: General admission seating is $35 plus fees. VIP standing room only is $70 plus fees. Tickets are available via Eventbrite.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28

AWAKEN Birmingham

AWAKEN Birmingham, the city of Birmingham’s annual Magic City Classic Program celebrating community leaders and activists, returns Friday to the Boutwell Auditorium. This year’s theme is “Family Reunion: Stories Never Told” featuring a multi-generational panel including author and speaker Lisa McNair, city councilor Clinton Woods, businessman Charles Morgan III, attorney Daron Drew Jelks, and recent Howard University graduate Herschell Oneal Hamilton. Historian Barry McNealy will moderate the conversation. Mayor Woodfin will also present the “The Putting People First Award” to Dr. Shelley Stewart, the radio voice of the civil rights movement in Birmingham.

Location: Boutwell Auditorium, 1930 Reverend Abraham Woods Junior Boulevard Birmingham, AL 35203

Time: 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Doors open at 9 a.m.

Tickets: Admission is free with a ticket. Tickets are available via Eventbrite.

Magic City Classic Block Party

A fleet of food trucks will be on site in front of Birmingham City Hall for the Magic City Classic Block Party.

Location: Birmingham City Hall, 710 20th St N, Birmingham, AL 35203

Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Tickets: Admission is free

Sunshine & Wine Day Party

The Museum of Urban Art, Inc. will host the Sunshine and Wine Day Party on the rooftop of Southern Kitchen and Bar.

Location: Southern Kitchen and Bar, 2301 Richard Arrington Jr Blvd N #300, Birmingham, AL 35203

Time: 2-7 p.m.

Tickets: Admission is free

Code the Classic Career Fair

TechBirmingham will host Code the Classic — it’s annual career fair held during the week of the Magic City Classic — at Innovation Depot. This year’s programming includes recruitment, a lab learning piece by Ed Farm, and two speaker panels.

Location: Innovation Depot, 1500 1st Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203

Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Tickets: Registration is free for students, job seekers, volunteers, and general attendees. Registration price for recruiters and sponsors range from $50 to $5,000. Registration and more information is available at techbirmingham.com.

Magic City Classic Extravaganza with Guidance Whiskey

Alabama Native and founder of Guidance Whiskey Jason Ridgel will be on site at LeNell’s Beverage Boutique for a talk and tastings with the Black Bourbon Hunters of Alabama. The event will also feature Black-owned business pop ups, live music, and food trucks.

Location: LeNell’s Beverage Boutique, 1208 32nd St N, Birmingham, AL 35234

Time: 4 p.m.

Tickets: The event is free. More information is available on the LeNell’s Beverage Boutique Facebook page.

Jack’n for Beats Klassic Kick-off Karaoke Trailer

Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey will host Jack’n for Beats, a day party featuring the Jack Daniels Karaoke Trailer, a cigar lounge, and complimentary cocktails provided by Jack Daniel’s. Food trucks will also be on-site.

Location: Lit on 8th, 518 Reverend Abraham Woods Jr Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35204

Time: 3-7 p.m.

Tickets: Tickets are available via Eventbrite.

The HBCU Experience

DJ Tracy Steele and DJ Boosie will host the HBCU Xperience at Iron City. Th event will feature hors d’oeuvres and signature cocktails.

Location: Iron City, 513 22nd St S, Birmingham, AL 35233

Time: 9 p.m. until late

Tickets: General admission tickets are $20 plus fees. VIP tickets are sold out. Tickets are available via Eventbrite.

5th Annual Magic City Soiree

The Magic City Classic Weekend Friday Night Soiree returns to The Harbert Center for a fifth year. Actress Brandee Evans, best known for her role as Mercedes on the hit show “P-Valley” will host this year’s event.

Location: The Harbert Center, 2019 4th Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203

Time: 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Tickets: Tickets start at $35 plus fees for General Admission. Prices increase for VIP and reserved seating. Tickets are available via Eventbrite.

The Return of Frankie Beverly and Maze

Frankie Beverly and Maze will headline a concert at the Boutwell Auditorium featuring Lenny Williams, Regina Belle, Freddie Jackson and Shirley Murdock.

Location: Boutwell Auditorium, 1930 Reverend Abraham Woods Jr Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35203

Time: Doors open at 7 p.m. Show starts at 8 p.m.

Tickets: Tickets range from $71 to $135 plus fees. Tickets are available via eTix.

Classic Comedy Show

Comedian Deno Posey will headline the 9th annual Classic Comedy Show.

Location: The Purpose Center at Dannon, 2324 5th Avenue North Birmingham, AL 35203

Time: 7 p.m. to midnight

Tickets: Early bird tickets start at $25 plus fees. General admission tickets are $30. Tickets are available via Eventbrite.

Magic City Classic Soul Party

Saxophonist Mike Jones will headline the Magic City Classic Soul Party at Perfect Note.

Location: Perfect Note, 1845 Montgomery Hwy # 201, Hoover, AL 35244

Time: 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Tickets: Tickets are $25 plus fees. Tickets are available at perfectnotelive.com.

The Classic Kid Capri Party

DJ Kid Kapri will host his annual Magic City Classic party at Regions Field.

Location: Regions Field, 1401 1st Avenue South Birmingham, AL 35233

Time: 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Tickets: Tickets start at $45 plus fees for General Admission. Tickets are available via Eventbrite.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29

The Magic City Classic Parade

The annual Magic City Classic parade kicks off in downtown Birmingham on Saturday, October 29 featuring more than 20 bands and dance teams. The parade will be broadcast live on Fox6 in Birmingham, as well as television affiliates in Huntsville and Montgomery.

Location: The parade starts on the corner of 18th Street North and 7th Avenue North. The full parade route and map is available on the Magic City Classic website.

Time: The parade starts at 8 a.m.

Tickets: Admission is free.

Coors Light Tailgate Party

The Magic City Classic Coors Light Tailgate Party will feature food, live music, and giveaways just outside the gates on the west side of Legion Field.

Location: The west side parking lot of Legion Field, 400 Graymont Ave W, Birmingham, AL 35204

Time: 10:00 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Tickets: Updates and information on ticketing will be available on the Magic City Classic website.

The 81st Annual Magic City Classic Football Game

The 81st annual gridiron rivalry between the Alabama A&M University Bulldogs and Alabama State University Hornets kicks off at Legion Field. Halftime will feature the Battle of the Bands— A&M’s Marching Maroon & White vs. ASU’s Mighty Marching Hornets. Birmingham’s Jermaine “FunnyMaine” Johnson will emcee the game.

Location: Legion Field Stadium, 400 Graymont Ave W, Birmingham, AL 35204

Time: Kickoff is at 2:30 p.m.

Tickets: Tickets for the Magic City Classic football game are currently available to purchase online. Tickets for reserved seats in the stadium and the post-game concert are $35. Tickets for first-come, first serve seating in the end zone and the post-game show are $25.

Post-Game Concert

After the game, Big Boi will perform live on the 50-yard line for the Magic City Classic post-game concert.

Location: Legion Field Stadium, 400 Graymont Ave W, Birmingham, AL 35204

Time: Immediately after the game

Tickets: Tickets are include with a reserved or general admission game ticket.