It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…. Are you finished shopping? Have you even started? We have a lot to keep you busy this week but none of it will help you mark names off of that Christmas list! Zoolight Safari kicks off this week, there are several places you can go to have breakfast with Santa, make some ornaments, hear some holiday stories and see a tree lighting and parade! Many of the activities on our list this week require registration, make sure you call ASAP to save your spot if you see something you want to do!
Be sure to check this page often throughout the week as it’s constantly updated!
It’s Not Our Fault if Your Kids are Bored!
Sunday December 5th
Holiday Craft Bazaar – South Avondale and Forest Park
The 5th Annual Holiday Craft Bazaar is back & it is bigger & better than ever. December 3rd, 4th and 5th, crafters and artists will be setup in current businesses and empty retail spaces on 41st Street in Avondale as well as in Forest Park. Offering holiday gift items for the holiday and Christmas season shopper.
11am – 4pm
Holiday Iron Pour – Sloss Furnace
Create that unique gift this holiday season: cast iron art!
Are you looking for a unique Christmas gift this year? Make a cast iron tile or a cast iron bowl.
Santa will also be at Sloss! Come have your picture made with the Jolly Old Saint! Each picture costs $10.
1pm – 4pm
Visit their site for more information on what you can make or to purchase tickets
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever – Birmingham Children’s Theatre
What happens when the notoriously nasty Herdman kids show up at church group and volunteer to be the starring roles in the church’s annual Christmas Pageant? Only the BEST Christmas Pageant Ever! Experience the joy of the season with your family and begin a new Christmas tradition by attending BCT’s “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”, every member of the family will walk away with a good feeling and a wonderful lesson learned. Don’t miss this modern Christmas Classic as only BCT can tell it!
Recommended ages: 2nd to 8th Grades
2pm – 3pm – Child $8.00 Adult $10.00 | Buy Tickets
Barts Art Cart – Birmingham Museum of Art
The Museum is offering a new, fun, and free drop-in art program for kids and families. Visit Bart’s Art Cart in the main lobby to explore great art and create some of your own with the help of our Teen Volunteers. Each month will highlight a different gallery and feature a new art activity. Learn how to look at art with your child. Stop by and make art with Bart!
Scholastic Chess Club at Books-A-Million Brookwood Village
In our upstairs Kids Nook. Beginners are welcome, lessons
available, K-12, other mind sport activities are available such as
checkers and GO. Free to attend!
2PM – 5PM
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Monday December 6th
Storytime – Ruffner Mountain Nature Center
Is your child a budding naturalist? Bring them to Storytime to encourage their excitement about the outdoors. We will read a story with a nature theme. Following the story, there will be a short activity.
Suited for children 3 – 5.
All children must be accompanied by an adult during the program.
$3/ $2 (member)
Toddler Tales- Emmet O’ Neal Library
Lapsit storytime with Ms. Traci.
Ages 24-36 months and a caregiver.
Registration required – call 879-0497 to register.
9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
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Tuesday December 7th
Family Autism Night – McWane Science Center
On this special night, for families with children with Autism and their siblings, guests will enjoy sensory friendly science activities like making snow that are designed for all ages across the spectrum.
6:00 – 9:00 PM
Tickets: $10 Non-Members, $5 Members
CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS ONLINE
Ticket includes dinner, museum and all activities.
Reservations are required.
Questions: Call (205) 714-8414.
10 Cent Cookie Tuesday – Whole Foods
Barring any cookie monster attacks we’ll have our silver dollar-size chocolate chip cookies, baked fresh in the Bakery, for just 10 cents each. Buy a whole bushel and freeze them for later! While supplies last
City of Birmingham Christmas Tree Lighting
4th Avenue Christmas Parade and Holiday Celebration
Entertainment: Birmingham Heritage Jazz Band, Birmingham Swing Dancers, Neo Jazz Collective, Ballet Folklorico Corazon Azteca & Woodlawn Ballet. Visit with Santa, Arts & Crafts, Giveaways and more!
Free photo with Santa for the first 300 children at the Carver Theatre. Call 328-1850
Linn Park 9am – 12pm
Lego Mini Build – Riverchase Galleria
Lego Tree – One free per child. Event is open to children ages 6 to 14 only. Begins at 5:00pm until supplies last
12 Days of Christmas Family Fun Night – Emmet O’ Neal Library
Mrs. Claus and Atlantic Coast Theater
Elves from the North Pole arrive for a world premiere performance, but the actors are caught in a snowstorm. Audience participation and theatre education must save the day in this totally interactive show.
5:30 p.m. Dinner 6:00 p.m. Show
Together Time – Emmet O’Neal Library
Action-packed storytime with Ms. NayNay.
All ages. 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
Storytime – Homewood Library
Join us for the fun of it! All ages welcome.
10:30am
Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
11:ooam
Education Celebration – Barnes and Noble Summit
Join us for a fun-filled hour of hands-on learning featuring our brand-new Barnes & Noble @ School section with educational toys and games.
11:30am
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Wednesday December 8th
Family Story Time with Mr Mac – North Shelby Library
Storyteller Extraordinaire – Come join Mr Mac and his musical storytime complete with puppets! All Ages, no registration required.
10:45am
Storytime – Homewood Library
Join us for the fun of it! All ages welcome.
10:30am
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Thursday December 9th
Homewood Christmas Parade
Parade Route:
* The parade will begin at the Homewood Library and travel east on Oxmoor Road.
* Turn left onto 18th Street S., travel under the Christmas Star through the Plaza
* Turn right onto 28th Avenue South
* Turn right onto 19th Street and travel past City Hall and terminate at the intersection of 19th Street and 29th Avenue.
* From there you may travel to Oxmoor Road or turn on 29th Avenue.
6:30pm
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Friday December 10th
Zoolight Safari – Birmingham Zoo
- See the Zoo illuminated with over half-a-million lights
- Holiday Express Train Ride*
- Jingle Bell Carousel*
- Santa’s Rock ‘n Roller Racers*
- Winter Trail Ride*
- Enjoy story time, animal demos and much more!
Get the best deal and enjoy all holiday rides with the All-You-Can-Ride wristband for only $10.00! Be sure to stop at the Barn in the Children’s Zoo for photo opportunities and animals for all to enjoy. The Zoo will close at 4 pm every night of ZooLight Safari. Animal exhibits will be closed during ZooLight Safari.
Free to Members – Non Members $8
5pm – 9pm
Santas Lane – Summit
Capture the holiday magic with a free professional photo with Santa (in his sleigh in front of Belk). Every child will receive yummy cookies compliments of Bud’s Best Cookies.
9-11am
Noon-4 pm
5-9 pm
Santa Special Train Rides – Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum
Santa rides the train with you! Tell him what you would like for Christmas as he greets passengers, poses for photos, and gives a special treat to each child. Bring your camera!
Trains depart at 11am and 2pm. Advance purchase recommended.
All coach seats $15 (2 years of age and older), Caboose $20, Locomotive $30, plus processing fee for each ticket. Admission to museum is Free. | Buy Tickets
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Saturday December 11th
Bird Ornament Craft – Ruffner Mountain
Ruffner has gone to the birds! We will make tasty treats to set out in our backyards as a delicious winter snack for our feathered friends.
Free! 2pm – 4m (come and go)
Breakfast in Santa’s Workshop – McWane Science Center
Bring your little elves to have breakfast in Santa’s Workshop. Decorate gingerbread houses, have breakfast together, explore the Winter Wonderland exhibit and visit with Santa! Be sure to bring your camera!
Ticket includes admission to the museum, breakfast, activities and visit with Santa!
Reservations are required. Call (205) 714-8414
Times: 8:30am
Cost: $15 Adults, $12 Kids (Members get $5 OFF)
CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS ONLINE
Zoolight Safari – Birmingham Zoo
- See the Zoo illuminated with over half-a-million lights
- Holiday Express Train Ride*
- Jingle Bell Carousel*
- Santa’s Rock ‘n Roller Racers*
- Winter Trail Ride*
- Enjoy story time, animal demos and much more!
Get the best deal and enjoy all holiday rides with the All-You-Can-Ride wristband for only $10.00! Be sure to stop at the Barn in the Children’s Zoo for photo opportunities and animals for all to enjoy. The Zoo will close at 4 pm every night of ZooLight Safari. Animal exhibits will be closed during ZooLight Safari.
Free to Members – Non Members $8
5pm – 9pm
Lowe’s Build and Grow Clinic
You don’t want to miss this clinic! This is part one of a three part Train kit! Come back each weekend in December to build a new piece of the Train!
10am
Breakfast with Santa – Village Tavern
Enjoy a delicious, hot breakfast, as well as art activities. Visit with Santa to tell him what’s on your wish list, and let us capture the magic in a photo taken by the fireplace. There’s also a special goody bag for the kids. The $15 ticket benefits the Bell Center for Early Intervention Programs
Kids 2 and under are free. Call 967-0111 for details.
8:30 – 10:30 am
Fancy Nancy Splendiferous Holiday Hairdo Hullabaloo – Emmet O’ Neal Library
Drop by between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to get FANCY with Nancy!
Merry Grinchmas – Hoover Public Library
Come celebrate the holiday with everybody’s favorite villian, the Grinch! Call 444-7833 to register Nov. 27 – Dec. 10.
10:30am
Holiday with the Animals – Birmingham Zoo
Watch the animals unwrap their holiday gifts. Animals will receive gifts from the Zookeepers throughout the day and their keepers will talk about topics relative to that animal, so come out to share their excitement for the season.
Santas Lane – Summit
Capture the holiday magic with a free professional photo with Santa (in his sleigh in front of Belk). Every child will receive yummy cookies compliments of Bud’s Best Cookies.
10-11 am
Noon-4 pm
Barts Art Cart – Birmingham Museum of Art
A new, fun, and free drop-in art program for kids and families. Visit Bart’s Art Cart in the main lobby to explore great art and create some of your own with the help of our Teen Volunteers. Each month will highlight a different gallery and feature a new art activity. Learn how to look at art with your child. Stop by and make art with Bart!
11am – 1pm
Santa Special Train Rides – Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum
Santa rides the train with you! Tell him what you would like for Christmas as he greets passengers, poses for photos, and gives a special treat to each child. Bring your camera!
Trains depart at 11am and 2pm. Advance purchase recommended.
All coach seats $15 (2 years of age and older), Caboose $20, Locomotive $30, plus processing fee for each ticket. Admission to museum is Free. | Buy Tickets
Saturday Storytime at Barnes and Noble Summit
2:00pm
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Sunday December 12th
Zoolight Safari – Birmingham Zoo
- See the Zoo illuminated with over half-a-million lights
- Holiday Express Train Ride*
- Jingle Bell Carousel*
- Santa’s Rock ‘n Roller Racers*
- Winter Trail Ride*
- Enjoy story time, animal demos and much more!
Get the best deal and enjoy all holiday rides with the All-You-Can-Ride wristband for only $10.00! Be sure to stop at the Barn in the Children’s Zoo for photo opportunities and animals for all to enjoy. The Zoo will close at 4 pm every night of ZooLight Safari. Animal exhibits will be closed during ZooLight Safari.
Free to Members – Non Members $8
5pm – 9pm
Barts Art Cart – Birmingham Museum of Art
The Museum is offering a new, fun, and free drop-in art program for kids and families. Visit Bart’s Art Cart in the main lobby to explore great art and create some of your own with the help of our Teen Volunteers. Each month will highlight a different gallery and feature a new art activity. Learn how to look at art with your child. Stop by and make art with Bart!
Scholastic Chess Club at Books-A-Million Brookwood Village
In our upstairs Kids Nook. Beginners are welcome, lessons
available, K-12, other mind sport activities are available such as
checkers and GO. Free to attend!
2PM – 5PM
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Open Daily
McWane Science Center
Winter Wonderland Exhibit
Brrrr! When the weather outside is frightful, McWane is so delightful! Come inside the museum this holiday season and let your imagination be your guide through the new Winter Wonderland exhibits where snowflakes glisten above your head and toy trains zip around the tracks. Inside this new holiday exhibit, wonder is in the air as children explore the snow room where everyday they can touch the “almost” snow! Kids’ laughter can be heard as they try to catch fish through the ice. Brave winter wonder seekers can even sled down a giant snow hill between the third and second floors in the museum. Then, skate around the ice pond in your slippery socks.
November 26th – January 2nd
MAGIC OF MODEL TRAINS EXHIBIT
November 6, 2010 – January 2, 2011
The holidays are picking up steam at McWane Science Center with the return of the Magic of Model Trains exhibit. Discover trains of every shape and size inside this popular exhibit which features over a dozen different train displays. Sets include several tiny trains that are built to scale with surrounding cities and scenes including the LG&W that depicts central Alabama in the 1950’s. Every set in the exhibit is designed to scale with the size of the trains. The meticulous detail of the scenery including covered bridges, downtown storefronts and of course, several train stations will keep your family entertained for hours!
Itty Bitty Magic City –
The Itty Bitty Magic City will be on display this summer in addition to The Adventures of Mr. Potato Head exhibit. The Itty Bitty City is a little bit smaller than usual, but favorite areas including the grocery store, Tot Spot area, crane, and factory are still in the city. The Itty Bitty Golf Course and a few other items were removed temporarily to make room for the new exhibit “The Adventures of Mr. Potato Head” that is also designed for an early childhood audience and they will return in the Fall.
NatureScope – Explore the great outdoors from inside the museum. McWane Science Center and the Birmingham Audubon Society are partnering to create a new exhibit called NatureScope. Explore the science of the birds and the bugs in this new area! Get up close and personal with some resident creepy crawlies! Learn what role insects play in our ecosystem with the decomposition chamber. Meet large bugs including emperor scorpions, a tarantula, and even a giant African millipede!
Animalopolis at the IMAX – ANIMALOPOLIS will take you on a voyage into the magical world of animals. A bit fanciful, a bit “Seussian” perhaps, a place of good natured humor, beauty and just plain fun for kids and their parents.
Birmingham Zoo
Lorikeet Aviary – Our Lorikeet Aviary has more birds than ever! Zoo guests can feed these exotic birds every day. You and your family will see these birds’ behavior as they eat nectar out of your hand.
Weekends 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
PELICAN FEEDING – A great way to see our pelicans in action is to witness them eating their favorite treats near the pelican boardwalk.
RHINO ENCOUNTER – Embark on an African adventure and experience one of the world’s most extraordinary animals, the Southern White Rhino. Watch from only feet away as our zookeepers engage in hands-on interaction with the animals inside their African-themed exhibit. Don’t miss this exciting encounter with one of the largest mammals on the planet!
Weekdays: 3pm – 3:30pm
Weekends: 11:30am – Noon & 3pm – 3:30 pm
GIRAFFE FEEDING – This up close and personal animal encounter is a memory you and your family will have for a lifetime.
Weekday: 11am – Noon
Weekends: 10am – 11am & 2pm – 3pm
Southern Museum of Flight
Earn Your Wings – Bring your little pilot and soar above the clouds in our little pilots room. Kids enjoy building aircrafts, flying kites, and more.
Museum Open Tuesday – Thursday
9:30am – 4:30pm
Do you have or know of an event you would like to have added to our weekly calendar? Please email us at contact@birminghammommy.com, subject line “Events Calendar” – We would love to hear from you!
