Magic City Wine Fest
Friends at 2025 Magic City Wine Fest
The Magic City Wine Fest attracts around 2,000 guests each year for wine and beer sampling, food, and live music, with proceeds benefitting local non-profits.
On Saturday, May 30, the annual Cahaba Dermatology Magic City Wine Fest returns to the Hoover Met for another spectacular year.
Planned and hosted by iHeartMedia, the Magic City Wine Fest has earned a reputation as Birmingham's premier fun and relaxed social event. As iHeartMedia's largest metro-area gathering, it brings the community together for a great cause: all festival proceeds directly support local non-profits. This year’s recipient is Hoover Helps, a dedicated organization committed to meeting the basic needs of children within the Hoover community.
“This event shows the power of iHeartMedia,” shared Dino Conard, local on-air personality and program director. “Anytime we have an event, we get to see the immense support of our listeners. I love to see how generous Alabamians are, especially when it comes to supporting local charities.”
What to Expect at the Birmingham Area's Top Wine Festival
Unlike other local events, the Magic City Wine Fest is cross-promoted across nine local iHeartMedia radio stations—on-air, online, and through regional television partners. This massive reach draws a diverse crowd from all over Alabama.
This year, organizers expect more than 2,000 guests to gather at the Hoover Metropolitan Complex to enjoy local restaurant vendors, exciting giveaways, live music, and an incredible selection of beverages.
“We’ll have samples of wines, craft beers, and seltzers from top Alabama wineries and breweries, as well as selections from around the world,” added JT Nysewander, morning show host for 105.5 WERC and afternoon host for Magic 96.5.
Tickets, VIP Access, and Event Perks
Every ticket holder receives a complimentary souvenir cup for wine tastings and the unique opportunity to learn directly from local wine experts.
Magic City Wine Fest
Magic City Wine Fest 2025 VIP
VIP ticket holders receive early entry into the event and seating in a designated area, complete with an air-conditioned tent.
For those looking to elevate their experience, Conard highly recommends upgrading to a VIP ticket. VIP admission grants early entry to the festival and exclusive access to designated seating inside a premium, air-conditioned tent.
Conard notes that while the gates open to a rush of excitement, the festival grounds quickly open up. “Some people will grab food right away; others will find a spot to enjoy the live music. It’s my favorite event of the year because the atmosphere is just so relaxed,” he said.
Why the Wine Fest Moved to the Hoover Met
Both Conard and Nysewander are long-time Hoover residents who are thrilled to host this signature event in their own backyard. While the wine festival has been a popular Birmingham metro-area staple for nearly a decade, its massive growth required a larger venue. The duo knew the Hoover Met was the perfect fit.
“We want people to experience Hoover and come check out everything our city has to offer,” said Conard.
The transition to the Hoover Met was also built on strong community partnerships. “The Met is incredibly convenient for a large portion of our listeners, and we have a fantastic, long-standing relationship with Hoover Mayor Nick Derzis,” Nysewander shared.
With ample parking, top-tier security, and seamless collaboration with the City of Hoover’s Parks and Recreation team, the Hoover Met provides a spacious, perfect venue with plenty of room for future festival growth.
Ultimately, as the Magic City Wine Fest expands, its core mission remains unchanged: making a positive local impact.
“It’s about more than just playing music; it’s about being part of a shared community experience,” the hosts agreed. “That’s why we involve a local charity in everything we do—we have a responsibility to the people who support our stations.”
Event Details & Visitor Information
Magic City Wine Fest
Soul'd Band Magic City Wine Fest 2026
The Soul’d Band, with members from Hoover and Mobile, Ala., will take the stage for a high-energy performance featuring jazz, pop, hip hop, motown, soul and more.
Save the Date:
Event: Cahaba Dermatology Magic City Wine Fest
Date: Saturday, May 30, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: The Hoover Met (Hoover Metropolitan Complex)
Tickets: Available online at magiccitywinefest.com (Note: Discounted tickets are available for designated drivers).
Beneficiary: Proceeds benefit Hoover Helps
Live Entertainment & Food Vendors
Come hungry and enjoy live entertainment from The Soul’d Band. Food will be available for purchase from a stellar lineup of local Birmingham and Hoover restaurants, including:
Phil Sandoval’s
Clean Eatz
Grimaldi’s Pizzeria
Melt
Cookie Fix