It’s time to kick off the Holiday season in Birmingham and nothing will help get you in the mood for the Holidays more than some parades and the lighting of trees. Here’s where you can take the family to celebrate and take in all the lights!!
Shadracks Christmas Light Show
November 15th – January 5th
M-F: 6 – 10PM
Sat-Sunday: 6-10PM or Later
Including Holidays, even in the rain!
Cars or Family Vans (8 passengers or less): $25
Activity Van, Limo, or Mini/Half Bus: $50
Tour/School Bus: $100
See over 2 miles of custom made displays dance to the music played over the radio in your car in perfect synchronization! Also, see the all-new FAVORITE TALES theme featuring custom built, giant, all-led displays of all the fairy tales you love! They are guaranteed to delight everyone from young to old!
The Summit Shopping Center, Lights Up
Friday, November 22nd, from Barnes and Noble to REI
(come see BirminghamMommy along with McWane Science Center in front of Peloton from 5pm – 8pm)
Lights up Holiday Parade and Fireworks Show is a magical celebration to kick off the holiday season! Lights Up at The Summit features live entertainment, a magical holiday parade, fireworks show, an appearance by Santa, and even a little snow!
The Lights Up parade begins at 6:00 PM at Barnes & Noble, winding through The Summit and ending at REI. Come early to grab a spot along the parade route to enjoy live performances beginning at 5:00 PM. The parade will end with a grand fireworks show around 6:30 PM!
The Outlet Shops of Grand River
Friday, November 22nd, in the Atrium
The Grand Christmas Tree Lighting Event will begin at 7pm under the atrium.
Live performances by: Pinson Valley High School Choir, Clog Wild Cloggers, Trussville First United Methodist Church (hand bells) and Trussville First Baptist Church Children’s Choir
Followed by a special appearance from Santa & Mrs. Claus
After Santa lights the tree – stay for free activities* – Photos with Santa + Mrs. Claus, Face Painting, Balloon Artists, Arts + Crafts and Bounce Houses. *While supplies last.
Bessemer City Tree Lighting
Sunday, December 1st 4pm – 6pm at Debardeleben Park
Celebrate the holiday season with the city of Bessemer’s Annual Christmas Tree Lighting.
Vestavia Hills Tree Lighting
December 3rd at Vestavia City Hall
Enjoy live entertainment, merchant give-aways, and a visit with Santa! See the lighting of the city’s tree at 6:00 pm.
Homewood Christmas Parade
The Homewood Christmas Parade will be held Thursday, December 5, 2019. This year’s parade will feature the lighting of the Homewood Star on 18th Street as the parade enters Downtown Homewood. An emcee announcing parade entries and highlighting parade participants will be located at City Hall Plaza. Other activities at City Hall Plaza include the arrival of Santa Claus, music provided by the Homewood High School Band and the Lighting of the Christmas Tree at City Hall.
Parade begins at 6:30pm at Homewood Library.
Gardendale Christmas Parade
Thursday, December 5th at 6pm
Zoolight Safari at the Birmingham Zoo
December 6-8th (tree lighting 12/6) | December 13th – 23rd | December 26th – 30th
5pm – 9pm
*Members Free Admission
Non-Members $10 – Admission Only
Be amazed by enchanting illuminations and a million sparkling lights. Enjoy the sounds of seasonal songs and holiday classics as you delight in delicious treats and decadent desserts at the S’mores & More station! Get creative making crafts, decorating ornaments, and writing letters to Santa. Take a merry ride on the Candy Cane Train, go for a spin on the Jingle Bell Carousel, dash down the Polar Plunge Slide, and enjoy fun holiday themed games!
Guests will be captivated by the festive décor and a nearly 30 ft. tall tree of lights on our dazzling new Welcome Plaza. Dance and sing the night away under the stars with spectacular live entertainment. Capture the joy of your loved ones in a photo with Santa at the Holiday Card Photo Op. In addition to the incredible holiday magic, ZooLight Safari will feature special nights with surprise guests and joyous performances, including Singing Santa!
Helena Annual Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 7th at 1pm
Alabaster Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 7th 10am Hwy 31
Mountain Brook Holiday Parade
December 8th, 3pm – 4pm
Santa Claus is coming to town! You can’t miss one of Mountain Brook’s favorite tradition! Watch the parade, attend a pop-up story time from The Emmet O’Neal Library under the Bromberg’s tree, and then get a picture made afterwards with Santa at the Mountain Brook Magazine photo opp!
The parade will start at Office Park and go through Mountain Brook Village on Cahaba Road. The parade will turn right on Culver Road and continue on Culver and Petticoat Lane back to Cahaba and then back to Office Park. Roads along the parade route will close down about 2:30 and will open as is safe after the parade. All roads should be open by around 4:30.
Vestavia Hill Christmas Parade and Celebration
Sunday, December 8th 2pm – 4pm
Enjoy the city’s official parade followed by the Liberty Park Christmas Celebration with children’s activities, refreshments, music, pictures with Santa and more!
Trussville Christmas Caroling and Tree Lighting
Sunday, December 8th 6:30pm – 7:30pm
It’s time for the Community Caroling and Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Christmas tree on West Mall in historic Downtown Trussville. This is a free event for the citizens of Trussville to enjoy. We will have Christmas carols, booths and other Christmas activities. Santa will also be on-hand to help with the festivities and greet the kids.
Trussville Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 14th 3pm – 5pm
The parade will begin on Parkway Drive. It will turn right onto Gadsden Highway and right again onto Chalkville Mountain Road. The parade will end at the Mall.
Bessemer Christmas Parade
December 14th, 2pm – 4pm
Bring your family and friends out for the city of Bessemer’s Annual Christmas Parade, one of the largest Christmas parades in Alabama.
Chelsea Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 21st 10am
The 20th Annual Chelsea Christmas will be held this year on Saturday, December 21 at 10:00 am. This is a well-anticipated family event in the community that is enjoyed by all who attend. The parade officially begins at Chelsea Middle School and ends at Winn Dixie.
For EVEN more places to see Santa this Holiday Season, check out our list of Santa Sightings
Lots of freebies and discounts in honor of our Active and Retired Military this weekend, here are some that we found happening around Birmingham!
When Tater Tot, top Scout Elf of his graduating class is sent to a disconnected, multi-generational family struggling to rediscover Christmas spirit, he’s got to find a way off the shelf and into their hearts. This toe-tapping, heartwarming story of one small elf’s big impact on his adoptive family includes an exclusive invitation to Santa’s North Pole and engages audiences with a glimpse into the magical lives of Scout Elves. Featuring an original story and score, dazzling sets and costumes, and wondrous moments that make even the most cynical believe, this momentous celebration of the season leaves spirits high and captivates all with the splendor of Christmas.
Events to celebrate the clinic opening include a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on November 20, 2019, at 12:00pm. Your Kid’s Urgent Care is open seven days a week, with weekday hours from 2:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. and weekend hours from 10:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. (Including most Holidays) “We look forward to joining the local community and serving its youngest citizens,” said Derrol Dawkins, M.D. “Our office is fully staffed with pediatric specialized physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants for those times when your child cannot be seen by their regular pediatrician’s office.” Dawkins and Marquisha Jarmon, M.D., serve as the medical directors of the Vestavia Hills office.
Railroad Park will open it’s skating rink again for it’s 4th annual Winter Adventure, and this year it will feature a 100 foot ice slide!!
KID’S DAY OUT CAMP is just around the corner on NOVEMBER 11 with their Veteran’s Day Camp!
Did you know that Birmingham is home of America’s First Veterans Day Parade?
Courage leads the way for Disney’s most adventurous heroines when Disney On Ice presents Dream Big comes to Birmingham. Join the wayfinder Moana and the greatest demigod that ever lived, Maui, on an action-packed voyage to restore the stolen heart of Te Fiti. Get tangled up in Rapunzel’s hair-raising quest to see the floating lights. Travel to the kingdom of Arendelle with Anna, Elsa and Olaf in a dramatic retelling of the sisterly love that saved a kingdom. And discover the strength, bravery and kindness that inspired generation after generation with Jasmine, Ariel, Aurora, Belle and Cinderella.
One of the best ways you can spend quality time with someone is by volunteering your time and service. Teach your children the importance of giving back and set up a way that you can volunteer together. Since the holidays are approaching, maybe you can serve at a local soup kitchen, or donate warm clothes to a local homeless shelter. I guarantee it’s a date that neither of you will ever forget. With Thanksgiving around the corner this is the perfect time to give back and show gratitude for all we have. One of the best ways to show appreciation is by doing service for others. Here is a list of some easy but meaningful acts of service to show gratitude this month:
