It’s the most wonderful time of the year!! And it’s full of things to do to get you in the mood for the holidays! Check out these special holiday events happening around town to make you feel merry and bright!
Glow Wild at the Birmingham Zoo
The Birmingham Zoo’s larger-than-life illuminated experience, Glow Wild: An Animal Lantern Celebration! This extraordinary event will be held on select nights from 5:00 pm until 9:00 pm during the months of November, December, and January. Watch the Zoo come alive with larger-than-life, jaw-dropping wild animal and sea life lantern creations brilliantly lighting up the night! Take a ride on the Red Diamond Express Train* or go for a spin on the Protective Life Carousel* Spend all winter long with your Birmingham Zoo and GLOW WILD into the new year!
Event Details
*Select Nights – please check dates below:
Wednesday – Sunday
November 16 – January 16, 2023
PLEASE NOTE: Glow Wild is a weather-dependent event with nights being subject to cancellation. Admission tickets are non-refundable but are date and time transferable. Email reply to the payment receipt you received after ticket purchase to request date and time transfer. Or email onlinesales@birminghamzoo.com.
5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Entry into Glow Wild stops at 8:00 pm
Please give yourself one (1) full hour to see every lantern and to enjoy the entire event.
Holiday Hours
OpenMonday, December 19
Tuesday, December 20
Monday, December 26
Tuesday, December 27
Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Monday, January 16)
ClosedThanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 24)
Christmas Eve (Saturday, December 24)
Christmas Day (Sunday, December 25)
For tickets and more info click here
Magic of Model Trains at McWane
Be your own conductor; investigate the “I Spy,” Magic of Model Train addition; fly through the air on the McWane Zipline; and take a ride on the McWane train. Yes, you read that right. Back by popular demand, the McWane Zipline and McWane Train will return to the Magic of Model Trains exhibition for 2022.
The Magic of Model Trains will open Saturday, November 19 and will keep curious minds entertained for hours! Entrance to this exhibit is included with regular price of admission, so chug on into McWane this holiday season.
Magical Nights: Vulcan’s Holiday Experience
Vulcan Park and Museum will be transformed into a delightful wonderland filled with holiday lights, holiday music, special guest appearances, and Santa. The Anvil and Museum will have extended hours until 8 p.m. There will also be food, hot chocolate, wine and beer available for additional purchase.
Admission is $6 for ages 13 and up, $4 for kids ages 5-12 and children under 4 are free and can be purchased through the website or on Eventbrite. Admission includes access to the park grounds, Observation Tower, Museum and Photos with Santa.
December 6th -9th 6pm -8pm
December 9th – 11th 6pm – 8pm
December 16th – 18th 6pm – 8pm
More Info
Lights of Noel at the Birmingham Race Course
Drive through light show, synchronized to Christmas music for all ages.
Open nightly 6pm – Midnight, November 18th through Jan 2nd.
More Info
Christmas at the Station at the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum
Tis the season to be jolly! Get your tickets and bring the whole family to celebrate the holiday together with a 30-minute daytime ride on the seasonally decorated Calera & Shelby train; visit Santa for a festive photo opportunity on the Museum grounds; board the narrow-gauge steam train for a quick trip down Candy Cane Lane on the Shelby & Southern Railroad; and enjoy all the activities on the museum grounds. It’s all included with your Christmas Experience tickets!
Each Saturday before Christmas in December
At 10:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m. Central
More Info
Holiday Spectacular at Red Mountain Theatre
Cozy up to our annual Holiday Spectacular – a gift of your favorite music of the season, performed by Birmingham’s best talent and RMT’s Youth Ensembles. It will leave your heart glowing and set the stage for a magical holiday season.
Select dates in December
More Info
Holiday Film Series at the Alabama Theatre
Always a family favorite, the Alabama Theatre will be hosting their Annual Film series again kicking off Friday, December 9th with White Christmas and running until December 22nd
Tickets for all movies are $10 each, with the exception of The Polar Express ($12) which is a fundraiser for Kid One Transport. Children ages two and younger are free of charge. Doors open 1 hour before showtime, and each screening will begin with a sing-along accompanied by the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ. Seating is general admission, first come, first served. Tickets are available in advance now through Ticketmaster.
Click here for a list of movies and times
Holiday Events close to Birmingham
Adventus at Majestic Caverns
Discover the joy of Christmas at Adventus, a one-of-a-kind event experience for all ages. Majestic Caverns will be transformed into a Winter Underland, complete with Christmas shows, performances, quests and characters around every corner. This is the family-fun event you’ve been searching for.
December 9, 10, 16, & 17, 5:00 – 9:00 PM
More Info
Sportsman Lake Park Winter Wonderland
See over a million lights and new displays and experience this Winter Wonderland! Returning this year, we’ll have our Christmas Train, Horse and Carriage Rides, Snow Machine, Photo Booth, Hot Chocolate, and Much More! Make your plans now to visit and enjoy this Cullman County Christmas Tradition! Open select nights from November 18th through December 30th
More info
Christmas at the Falls at Noccalula
Running November 24th through January 1st and features millions of lights winding throughout the park with holiday displays and decorations, bringing out the Christmas cheer in everyone.
More Info
Help McWane Science Center grow the Grinch’s heart three sizes. Join us on December 3rd for a day of fun and hands-on holiday activities. Together, we are sure to make the Grinch smile! There will be dancing, crafts, cookies and hot chocolate, and a photo op with the Grinch!
