Everyone loves a good Holiday tradition. Whether it’s your Great Grandmother’s Pecan Pie or a drive through some of your favorite and highly decorated neighborhoods on Christmas Eve, there are lots of things you can choose to do in Birmingham to make some great memories with your family. Here are our top picks.
1. Zoolight Safari, Birmingham Zoo.
Watch as the Zoo comes alive for 18 nights of holiday-centric fun at Wells Fargo ZooLight Safari! New this year, take a ride on the over 100 foot Yuletide Slide attraction each night near the Primate Building. Fun for all ages, ride the slide with speed, and make memories that will last a lifetime.
Be amazed by all-new light displays in this transformed winter wonderland. View over one million lights, listen to holiday music and delight in festive snowfalls every night! See and listen to the new amazing 12 Days of Christmas musical light show displays, towering up to 10 feet tall. Also, guests will enter the Zoo through an all-new, nearly 30 foot tall illuminated giraffe arch.
Enjoy a ride on the Candy Cane Train, take a photo with Santa, go for a spin on the Jingle Bell Carousel, experience the thrill of the Holiday Hayride and so much more. Every night at 5pm, watch a tree lighting ceremony with an illuminating tree reaching nearly 30 feet tall by the front gate! Be sure not to miss a special appearance and photos with Santa through December 23.
General Ticket – $8.00
2. Holiday Movie Series – Alabama Theatre
The Holidays are the perfect time to visit the Alabama Theatre, with beautiful decorations and some of your favorite films, there’s really no reason not to let this be one of your Holiday Traditions each year. From Elf, to Polar Express they show movies that will appeal to anyone of any age. Here is their full Holiday Movie Series Schedule.
Ticket prices and movie times vary.
3. Singing Santa at Colonial Brookwood Village
If a visit to Santa is on your list of things to-do before Christmas, why not see Santa and get a little song too. Enjoy visits and photos with the legendary Singing Santa.
A variety of photo packages available.
4. North Pole Express – Heart of Dixie Railroad
“All Aboard” says the conductor, and your journey begins. Through the dark night, the magical train speeds 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 everyone, so be sure to bring your camera!
Coach Class
You’ll enjoy chocolate milk and cookies and sing Christmas carols. Listen to a special Christmas story and receive a Christmas gift!
$27 per person. Under 2 is free
First Class
The Silver Maple and the Kayenta offer First Class service – hot chocolate in a souvenir mug, special dessert treat, and specialized service. Listen to a special Christmas story and receive a premium Christmas gift!
$47 per person. Under 2 free
Live Entertainment
C&NW – A side passengers will see and interact with the on board entertainer providing the carols, story, and good cheer for the rest of the train!
$37 per person. Under 2 free
5. Santa Special – Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum
Santa rides the train with you and gives a special treat to each child! Tell him what you would like for Christmas and take photos with Santa! Ride last around 1 hour.
Saturdays Nov. 29, Dec. 6, 13, 20 11:00 am, 2:00 pm
$17 per person. Under 2 is free.
Bonus Pick!
We see this becoming a new holiday tradition for lots of Families.
In it’s first year here in Birmingham, we had to include the Oak Mountain Festival of Lights!
Oak Mountain has put a modern day twist on the old holiday tradition of looking at Christmas lights. The best part is, you enjoy it all from the comfort of your own car!
At the end of your journey, you can stop off at Bud’s Best Cookies Holiday Village for some hot cocoa and sweet treats to warm you up! What a perfect way to end the night. Also in the Holiday Village you’ll find smore’s by the fire pit, live entertainment, arts and crafts and other kids activities including a train ride and bounce houses.
Oak Mountain Amphitheater
Nightly thru Sunday, December 28th.
