Three cool things to do this summer in Tuscaloosa

Ken Roberts, Tuscaloosa News
Updated ·4 min read

What we know about this summer in Tuscaloosa: It’s going to be hot and there will be plenty of cool things to do.

Here’s a look at some can’t-miss events to mark on your calendar:

Movies at the Bama Theatre

Movie fans can enjoy six classic films on Tuesday nights this summer shown on the big screen at the historic Bama Theatre in downtown Tuscaloosa.

“The Wizard of Oz” will kick off the Bama Art House Nostalgic Blockbusters Film Series on June 11, followed by “Top Gun” starring Tom Cruise on June 18.

Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey star in romance-filled “Dirty Dancing” on June 25 and July 2 will feature the alien invasion movie “Independence Day.”

The film series wraps up with live action/animated movie “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” on July 9 and the dinosaur-infested “Jurassic Park,” directed by Steve Spielberg on July 19.

The Bama Theatre box office, doors and bar will open at 6 p.m. for each movie. All the films will begin at 7 p.m.

Tickets cost $10 for general admission, $9 for seniors or students and $8 for members of the Arts Council of Tuscaloosa.

The Bama Theatre is at 600 Greensboro Ave. For more information, go to www.tuscarts.org.

Celebrate Local/Tuscaloosa Restaurant Week

People can learn more about West Alabama businesses and restaurants during separate events in June.

Celebrate Local will be held 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. June 11 at the Tuscaloosa River Market, 1900 Jack Warner Parkway.

Jheovanny Gomez, owner of Jalapenos, dishes up his special gumbo to patrons during the Celebrate Local event at Tuscaloosa River Market Tuesday, June 13, 2023.
Jheovanny Gomez, owner of Jalapenos, dishes up his special gumbo to patrons during the Celebrate Local event at Tuscaloosa River Market Tuesday, June 13, 2023.

This free and family-friendly event features dozens of retailers and vendors from across West Alabama, Celebrate Local showcases a wide range of products and services. Attendees can shop for clothing, jewelry, home decor, art, gifts and more. Several restaurants will also be on hand to offer samples of their most popular entrees.

Celebrate Local is presented by Visit Tuscaloosa and the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama. 

Circle June 23-29 on your calendar because that's when Tuscaloosa Restaurant Week will return for its second year. Participating restaurants will offer unique items or special discounts on their most popular dishes during that week.

Tuscaloosa Restaurant Week is also sponsored by Visit Tuscaloosa. Look for more information on its website, visittuscaloosa.com.

Celebration on the River

The city of Tuscaloosa’s Independence Day celebration will begin at 6 p.m. July 4 at the Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater, 2710 Jack Warner Parkway.

The free event will feature a kids’ zone with games and activities, a DJ, a performance by the Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra, and, of course, a fireworks display.

The fireworks flare over Main Avenue in Northport Tuesday, July 4, 2023 during the annual Celebration on the River.
The fireworks flare over Main Avenue in Northport Tuesday, July 4, 2023 during the annual Celebration on the River.

The TSO concert will begin around 8 p.m. and the fireworks are scheduled to start around 9 p.m.

While the fireworks display will be visible at other locations around the Black Warrior River, the city advises that the seats with the best view will be inside the amphitheater.

Free parking will be available in the Downtown Intermodal Facility at 2230 Seventh St. Shuttles will be available to take patrons to the amphitheater.

But wait, there’s more

  • Live at the Plaza, the city's free outdoor concert series, continues from 6-9 p.m. every Friday through June 28 at Government Plaza. For more information, go to www.tuscaloosa.com/latp.

  • The Tuscaloosa Farmers Market, featuring fresh, locally grown produce, grass-fed meats, unique artisan crafts and more, will be open from 7 a.m. until noon Saturdays at the Tuscaloosa River Market, 1900 Jack Warner Parkway.

  • Summertime concerts at Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater include Kool and the Gang on June 1, KC and the Sunshine Band on June 7 and comedian Tom Segura on Aug. 30. For ticket information and more, go to www.mercedesbenzamphitheater.com.

  • The Ultimate Summer Night will be from 5:30 to 8 p.m. June 20 at Midtown Village, 1800 McFarland Blvd. This free event features a concert on the green by the Derek Day Band, food trucks, more than 20 local vendors, along with kid-friendly activities. Bring lawn chairs and your pets. www.midtownvillagetuscaloosa.com.

  • The Rude Mechanicals, a Tuscaloosa theater group, will perform William Shakespeare’s play "A Midsummer Night's Dream" June 26-29 at the Allen Bales Theatre, Rowand-Johnson Hall on the University of Alabama campus. Live pre-show music will begin each night at 7:30 p.m., with the play starting at 8. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted.

  • The Ultimate Elvis Concert will bring a multimedia production of the King of Rock n’ Roll’s career to the Bama Theatre at 7:30 p.m. July 26. The show stars Cote Deonath and the Infinit-E Tribute Band. Tickets range from $28.50 to $68.50. For more information, go to tuscarts.org.

Reach Ken Roberts at ken.roberts@tuscaloosanews.com.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Summer in Tuscaloosa: Here are three cool things to do