It’s the most wonderful time of the year! And there are so many fun events happening in Birmingham to get you in the Holiday Spirit! Mark your calendars for all of this Family Friendly Fun!
Holiday Happenings In Birmingham
Lights Up at the Summit
Stop by and make a fun holiday craft with BirminghamMommy as we help the Summit Light Up for the Holidays, Friday, November 17th from 5pm – 8pm.
Lights Up at The Summit is our annual kick-off to the holiday season! We’ll be sitting with friends and family listening to a live concert, watching the parade and fireworks, then ending the evening with The Summit all lit up for the holidays!
Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops
Santa Photos, crafts and special events happening through December 24th for a full schedule of activities and more information on getting a Bass Pass for your Santa Photo visit their site!
North Pole Express at the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum
“All Aboard” says the conductor, and your family’s journey begins to the North Pole! Through the dark night, the magical train makes its way to the top of the world! Upon arrival at the brilliantly decorated North Pole, Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the elves board the train to visit with your family and give each child a keepsake! Be sure to bring your camera to get a photo of your family with Santa and Mrs. Claus! You’ll enjoy chocolate milk and cookies, sing Christmas songs, and listen to a special Christmas Story! The North Pole Express will make lasting Christmas memories for you and your family! For even more fun, be sure to wear your pajamas!
Coach Class $27
C&NW – A End (Live Entertainer) $37
First Class $47
Infant (0-24 months) Free
Kicking off November 17th, and running each weekend through December 16th. For a full schedule of rides and times, visit our Events Calendar
Holidays at McWane
Back for its 10th year in a row, the Magic of Model Trains returns to spread some holiday cheer and amaze guests. Discover trains of every shape and size inside this popular exhibit of train displays. Every set in the exhibit is designed to scale with the size of the trains. The meticulous detail of the scenery includes covered bridges, downtown storefronts and, of course, several train stations that will keep your family entertained for hours!
Polar Express PJ Party, December 9th and 10th
Join us for a journey beyond your imagination aboard the Polar Express! Slip on your PJs and visit with Santa over a cup of hot cocoa and cookies. Then it’s time to “believe” as you experience Polar Express on the IMAX Dome. A special keepsake will be given to all children 12 and under who wear their pajamas.
Click Here to Purchase Tickets
Jingle Bell Breakfast December 9th
Time: Breakfast @ 8:30 – 9:30 am, IMAX @ 9:30 am
Pricing: $30 Adults (13+) | $25 Child (2-12) | Members Receive $5 Off
Bring your little elves for a Merry Morning at McWane! Head to the North Pole where you will enjoy a hot holiday breakfast, make festive crafts, and have a very special visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus! When breakfast is over, take a ride down the slide and head to the IMAX Dome for a private showing of Santa vs. the Snowman. Ticket includes same day admission. Make your reservation today for this family favorite holiday event.
Click Here to Purchase Tickets
Shadracks Christmas Wonderland
Christmas light and music extravaganza, over 3 miles long… with festive lights dancing to jolly tunes and comical displays.
Birmingham Race Course
Opens November 17th and runs until January 7th.
Open from dusk until 10pm nightly
STARS Presents A Charlie Brown Christmas
When Charlie Brown complains about the overwhelming materialism he sees among everyone during the Christmas season, Lucy suggests that he become director of the school Christmas pageant. Charlie Brown accepts, but this proves to be a frustrating endeavor. When an attempt to restore the proper holiday spirit with a forlorn little Christmas fir tree fails, he needs Linus’ help to discover the real meaning of Christmas.
STARS (Students Take A Role at the Samford) was created to give every child the opportunity to learn and grow in a safe and supportive arts environment. By offering classes in conjunction with productions, our children are able to apply what they have learned in a hands-on and collaborative environment.
Tickets: $20 Adult, $15 Student
November 16th, 7:30pm
Holiday Film Series at the Alabama Theatre
Always a family favorite, the Alabama Theatre will be hosting their Annual Film series again kicking off December 9th with White Christmas and running until December 22nd
Tickets for all movies are $8 each, with the exception of The Polar Express which is $12 and is a fundraiser for Kid One Transport. Children ages two and younger are free of charge. Doors open ninety minutes before showtime, and each screening will begin with a sing-along accompanied by the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ.
Click Here to see a full schedule of Movies
Brrrmingham! Ice Skating at Railroad Park
Brrrmingham, presented by Red Diamond Coffee and Tea, opens Saturday, November 25. The 50′ x 80′ rink will be open seven days a week through January 1, only closed on Christmas Day.
Hours of operation:
Friday & Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday – Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Want to warm up off the ice? The Boxcar Cafe will serve delicious cold weather fare at lunch and dinner, plus tasty breakfast items on weekends. The Boxcar’s housemade hot chocolate and white hot chocolate will round out the beverage menu of Red Diamond coffee, tea and specialty drinks.
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer the Musical
The beloved TV classic Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer soars off the screen and onto the stage this holiday season. Come see all of your favorite characters from the special including Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice, Yukon Cornelius and, of course, Rudolph, as they come to life in RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER: THE MUSICAL.
BJCC Concert Hall, November 29th 7pm
Bluff Park Christmas Parade
Shades Cliff Pool
December 2, 10am
Homewood for the Holidays
The Homewood Christmas Parade will be held Tuesday, December 5, 2017. 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.
City Hall Plaza activities will feature:
• Homewood High School Band
• City Hall Christmas Tree Lighting
• And of course Santa Claus!!
Parade Route: The parade will begin at the Homewood Library and travel east on Oxmoor Road; turn left onto 18th Street South; travel under the Christmas Star; turn right onto 29th Avenue; turn left onto 19th Street; travel past City Hall turn left onto 28th Avenue; Travel to the intersection of 18th Street. Walking groups will be encouraged to turn left onto 18th Street and vehicles will have to continue straight thru the intersection toward Central Avenue.
Zoolight Safari at the Birmingham Zoo
Watch as the Zoo comes alive for 18 nights of holiday-centric fun at ZooLight Safari presented by Wells Fargo! Be amazed by over one million lights, listen to holiday music and delight in festive snowfalls every night! Enjoy a ride on the Shipt Candy Cane Ride*, go for a spin on the Jingle Bell Carousel*, experience the thrill of the over 100 foot Yuletide Slide*, ride the Santa Rollers* and so much more. Take in the beauty of a decorated tree reaching nearly 30 feet tall in Trails of Africa as you dance and boogie to special entertainment each night! New this year – enjoy a nightly (through December 23) performance plus meet and greets and photos with the Singing Santa!
Adult beverages will be available for purchase on Friday and Saturday nights. Enjoy a glass of beer or wine for a fun date-night at the Zoo!
*Requires ride ticket or wristband.
December 8th-10th, 15th-23rd, 26th -31st
Griffin Farms
Barnyard Christmas Bash! Craft vendors, live music, live nativity, FREE (with your own camera) PICTURES WITH SANTA, visits with Mrs. Clause, short perfomances from Joy’s Dance Company dance teams, food trucks, & so much more!
December 9th, 9am – 3pm
Cinderella an Outrageous Fairytale
Hold on to your pumpkins! This is a Cinderella for the holiday season. With contemporary songs, gags, and mayhem, you’ll jeer at the deliciously dysfunctional stepmother and sisters as much as you’ll cheer for Cinderella in her quest to attend the magnificent ball and fulfill her destiny. Put on your glass slippers, and enjoy this spectacular and outrageous telling of our unique Cinderella, guaranteed to delight.
“There were shrieks of delight, from the oldsters as well as from the youngsters.” –How Was the Show?
“With an inspired mix of slapstick and romance sprinkled with Victorian Christmas, how could you not fall in love with this Cinderella? (I did.)” –Pioneer Press
All Ages
December 9th, 2:30pm | Photos with Santa 1 hour before the show
December 10th, 2:30pm | Photos with Santa 1 hour before the show
December 16th, 2:30pm | Photos with Santa 1 hour before the show
Polar Express PJ Party at McWane
Join us for a journey beyond your imagination aboard the Polar Express! Slip on your PJs and visit with Santa over a cup of hot cocoa and cookies. Then it’s time to “believe” as you experience Polar Express on the IMAX Dome. A special keepsake will be given to all children 12 and under who wear their pajamas.
$20 | $5 discount for members
December 9th 2pm-4pm | IMAX @ 1:00 or 3:00 pm
December 10th 2pm-4pm | IMAX @ 1:00 or 3:00 pm
Alabama Wildlife Center’s Holiday Craft and Bake Sale Veteran’s Park, Hoover
Holiday-themed crafts and ornaments, handmade jewelry, gifts with a natural theme, jams, jellies, preserves, baked goods,frozen casseroles, and smoked meat. Visit with Santa, just in time for the holidays. All proceeds benefit the Alabama Wildlife Center. See AWC website & Facebook for updates and details: awrc.org.
Dec 9, 2017 at 09:00 am – 03:00 pm (Sat)
Holiday Happenings Near Birmingham
Christmas at the Cave at Desoto Caverns
Join DeSoto Caverns for the most magical time of the year. Come walk in a Winter “Underland” for a family-fun event for all ages. With holiday treats, classic Christmas movies, caroling and sing-a-longs, as well as a special visit from St. Nicholas himself, Christmas at the Cave at the majestic DeSoto Caverns is the best way for you and your family to spend the most wonderful time of the year.
December 15th, 16th, and 22nd, 23rd
Children’s Hands on Museum in Tuscaloosa
Candyland Breakfasts and Brunch with Santa and Mrs. Claus
Saturday, December 2, 2017
Breakfast: 8 – 9:30 am
Breakfast 10-11:30
Brunch: 12 – 1:30 pm
$15 person
Museum members: $14 person
4 or more: $14 person
Bring your camera for pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus!
Join Santa and Mrs. Claus as they dance with Santa’s Elves, Elsa, Rudolph, and Frosty at the Reindeer Hop. Music by DJ Chuckie. Stay and play in museum exhibits, then make ornaments!
Pre-register NOW!
Phone reservations: Carla (205) 349-4235 x24
Email reservations: carla@chomonline.org
Santa Mouse
Saturday, December 9th, 2017
10am – 4pm
Make a Santa Mouse Ornament, special storytime readings of Santa Mouse
Holiday Hoopla
Saturday, December 16th
10am – 4pm
Make your way through ornament and gift creating stations all throughout CHOM! Then head over to the wrapping area and Wrap It Up!
Christmas Cow Party with Moosie
Saturday, December 23rd
Sing songs and carols, and Christmas stories and Holiday Tales with Riverboat John, renowned storyteller and musician. Special Cookies and Milk snack! Santa Cow Story and make a Santa Cow ornament.
New Year’s For Kids
Saturday, December 30th
10am – Noon
Balloon drop at 11am sharp! Hats, Horns, and Tiaras
“Champagne” Toast
Stay and play in the Museum until 4pm
All Activities included in price of admission!
Tinsel Trail in Tuscaloosa
This holiday season Tuscaloosa’s Riverwalk will be lit with 150 + live Christmas trees sponsored and decorated by local businesses, organizations, and individuals.
For more information visit their website
