There’s plenty happening this holiday season, and you’ll have plenty of opportunities for parades, Christmas tree lighting ceremonies, and holiday markets. Speaking of which, we’ll be at CahaBAZAAR if you want to pick up copies of our books as presents.
This Week (December 1-7)
- The Nutcracker (December 1)
- Location: Alabama Theatre
- Time: 2 p.m.
- Cost: $35+
- Celebrate this holiday classic with the Birmingham Ballet.
- Festival of Trees (December 1)
- Location: The Pizitz
- Time: noon – 5 p.m.
- Shop from local makers and artists, enjoy live music, take pics with Santa, and enjoy the debut of The Enchanted Forest art exhibit. There will also be two different workshops offered by Old Forester:
- Taste Your Way Through History (noon & 3 p.m.)
- Old Fashioned Workshop (1:30 p.m. & 4:30 p.m.)
- Museum Store Sunday (December 1)
- Location: Birmingham Museum of Art
- Time: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Enjoy a special shopping experience curated by the Museum of Art. There will be exclusive discounts, local makers, live music, door prizes, and more. Find unique gifts while supporting the BMA!
- Pepper Place Holiday Open House (December 3)
- Location: Pepper Place
- Time: 5 – 8 p.m.
- Enjoy extended shopping hours, special events, a mini market, a holiday window contest, complimentary photos from The Shutterbus, a holiday-cirque themed Aero Joe demo, and more.
- City of Hoover Christmas Tree Lighting (December 3)
- Location: 100 Municipal Ln.
- Time: 5 -7 p.m.
- Enjoy festive music performed by students, refreshments, a visit from Santa, and the lighting of the City of Hoover Christmas Tree.
- Art Crawl (December 5)
- Location: The Pizitz
- Time: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
- Every 1st Thursday of the month, local artists line the streets at The Pizitz to showcase their work.
- Gifts of Art (December 5)
- Location: Aldridge Gardens
- Time: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- This 4th annual festival features a hand-selected collection of Alabama artists selling their original art work.
- Mountain Brook Village Holiday Open House (December 5)
- Location: Mountain Brook Village
- Time: 5 – 8 p.m.
- Enjoy discounted prices at local stores, special events, and even a Christmas train.
- Homewood Christmas Parade (December 5)
- Location: 18th St. S. (downtown Homewood)
- Time: 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
- Enjoy the lighting of the Homewood Star before the parade and the lighting of the Christmas Tree after the parade at City Hall.
- Arc Stories (December 6)
- Location: Avon Theatre
- Time: 7:30 p.m.
- Cost:
- $12 general admission
- $25 VIP tickets (reserves your seats and supports a local non-profit)
- This month’s live storytelling event’s theme is “’Tis the Season: Holiday Stories.” Snacks, coffee, and adult beverages are available for purchase and are provided by Church Street Coffee.
- You can also check out their podcast to listen to stories told at past events. Click here for their podcast info.
- Art After 5 (December 6)
- Location: Birmingham Museum of Art
- Time: 5 – 9 p.m.
- Enjoy a Christmas movie marathon at the BMA along with holiday crafts and activities and specialty cocktails.
- Helena Festival Holiday Edition (December 6)
- Location: Helena Amphitheater
- Time: 5:30 – 9 p.m.
- Participate in the annual Christmas tree lighting at the caboose along with food trucks, lots of vendors, and pictures with Santa.
- Cirque Dreams Holiday (December 6-7)
- Location: BJCC Concert Hall
- Time:
- Friday: 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday: 3 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
- Cost: $37+
- This cirque show is a Broadway musical and family Christmas spectacular all rolled into one. With 300 costumes, 20 acts, and 30 artists – some of whom have been featured on America’s Got Talent – this is one spectacular variety show.
- Holiday Spectacular 2019 (December 6-8, 11-15, 18-22)
- Location: 301 19th St. N.
- Time: Times vary. Click here for more info.
- Cost: $19+
- Celebrate the holidays with your favorite music as Red Mountain Theatre Company Conservatory students perform alongside Birmingham’s best local artists.
- Taylor Hicks Sings Elton John & Christmas Songs (December 6)
- Location: Lyric Theatre
- Time: 8 p.m.
- Cost: $29.50+
- Mr. Popper’s Penguins (December 7-8, 14, 21)
- Location: Birmingham Children’s Theatre at the BJCC
- Time: 10 a.m. & noon
- There will be a special sensory friendly performance on December 8th at noon.
- Cost: $8+
- Based on the classic children’s book, this musical adventure follows Mr. Popper as he’s stuck at home dreaming of adventure when a spirited penguin named Captain Cook arrives.
- Bluff Park Christmas Parade (December 7)
- Location: Shades Cliff Pool (2213 Hawksbury Ln.)
- Time: 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
- Watch this annual family-friendly Christmas parade in the Bluff Park community. Click here for more info about the parade route.
Other Events in December
- Mountain Brook Holiday Parade (December 8)
- Location: 101 Hoyt Ln.
- Time: 3 – 4 p.m.
- Watch the parade, attend a pop-up story time at the Emmet O’Neal Library, and get a picture with Santa.
- Magic City Holiday Parade (December 8)
- Location: 5th Ave. S. & 15th St. S.
- Time: 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
- The parade will begin at 4:30 p.m. followed by the tree lighting at Linn Park. Dancing with the Stars celeb Noah Galloway will be the parade marshal this year.
- Magic of Lights with Vulcan (December 8-23)
- Location: Vulcan Park & Museum
- Time: 6 – 8 p.m.
- Cost: $4-$6
- At the top of each hour (beginning at 6 p.m.), guests will enjoy a 15 minute array of dancing lights choreographed to holiday music). The Anvil Store will also have extended hours, and there will be an opportunity for pictures with Santa as well as complementary hot chocolate.
- The Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe Ballet (December 8)
- Location: Briarwood Presbyterian Church
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Enjoy Briarwood Ballet’s performance of this children’s book classic by C. S. Lewis.
- The Hip Hop Nutcracker (December 10)
- Location: Alys Stephens Center
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Cost: $35
- See contemporary dance set to Tchaikovsky’s timeless music in this unique take on the holiday classic.
- Three on a String: Dashing Through the Snow Concert (December 10)
- Location: Lyric Theatre
- Time: 7:30 p.m.
- Cost: $29+
- Chris Tomlin Christmas Concert (December 11)
- Location: Alabama Theatre
- Time: 8:30 p.m.
- Cost: $27+
- Trans-Siberian Orchestra Concert (December 11)
- Location: BJCC Legacy Arena
- Time: 7:30 p.m.
- Cost: $47.50
- Birmingham Bulls (December 13-15)
- Location: Pelham Civic Complex
- Time:
- Friday & Saturday: 7:30 p.m.
- Sunday: 3 p.m.
- Cost: $15+
- The Birmingham Bulls will be playing the Pensacola Ice Flyers on the 13th & 14th and Quad City on the 15th.
- Once on This Island (December 13-15)
- Location: BJCC Concert Hall
- Time:
- Friday: 8 p.m.
- Saturday: 2 p.m. &
- Sunday:
- Cost: $35+
- Watch this Tony Award-winning musical of Ti Moune, a fearless peasant girl, as she risks for love and finds her place in the world.
- Alabama Ballet’s The Nutcracker (December 13-15)
- Location: Wright Center at Samford University
- Time:
- Fridays at 7:30 p.m.
- Saturdays at 2:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
- Sundays at 2:30 p.m.
- Cost: $30+
- The Alabama Ballet will perform George Balanchine’s version of The Nutcracker and will include exact replicas of the costumes designed for Balanchine’s Nutcracker, which was originally performed by the New York City Ballet. This is a rare treat because the Balanchine Trust has only granted rights to perform this version of this ballet to seven other ballet companies in the world.
- CahaBAZAAR (December 14)
- Location: Cahaba Brewing Co.
- Time: noon – 6 p.m.
- Shop from over 70 local makers in this annual Christmas market. We’ll be there with our books, so be sure to stop by and say hello!
- Mr. Popper’s Penguins (December 14, 21)
- Location: Birmingham Children’s Theatre at the BJCC
- Time: 10 a.m. & noon
- There will be a special sensory friendly performance on December 8th at noon.
- Cost: $8+
- Based on the classic children’s book, this musical adventure follows Mr. Popper as he’s stuck at home dreaming of adventure when a spirited penguin named Captain Cook arrives.
- Sounds of the Season (December 15)
- Location: Brock Recital Hall at Samford University
- Time: 2:30 p.m.
- Cost: $29+
- This performance by Opera Birmingham’s Chorus will feature holiday favorites, both sacred and secular.
- Chick-fil-A Birmingham Classic (December 18)
- Location: BJCC Legacy Arena
- Time: 6:30 p.m.
- Cost: $18+
- Watch this Alabama vs. Samford basketball game.
- Handel’s Messiah (December 20)
- Location: Alys Stephens Center
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Cost: $39+
- Hear the Alabama Symphony Orchestra perform Handel’s Messiah in this special concert.
- Michael Londra’s Celtic Yuletide Concert (December 20)
- Location: Lyric Theatre
- Time: 8 p.m.
- Cost: $20+
- Alabama Ballet’s The Nutcracker (December 20-22)
- Location: Wright Center at Samford University
- Time:
- Fridays at 7:30 p.m.
- Saturdays at 2:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
- Sundays at 2:30 p.m.
- Cost: $30+
- The Alabama Ballet will perform George Balanchine’s version of The Nutcracker and will include exact replicas of the costumes designed for Balanchine’s Nutcracker, which was originally performed by the New York City Ballet. This is a rare treat because the Balanchine Trust has only granted rights to perform this version of this ballet to seven other ballet companies in the world.
- Jim Brickman: A Christmas Celebration Concert (December 21)
- Location: Lyric Theatre
- Time: 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
- Cost: $35+
- Home for the Holidays Concert (December 21)
- Location: Alys Stephens Center
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Cost: $25+
- Celebrate the season with the ASO and special guests Caleb Clark, Dolores Hydock, and Three on a String.
- Mr. Popper’s Penguins (December 21)
- Location: Birmingham Children’s Theatre at the BJCC
- Time: 10 a.m. & noon
- There will be a special sensory friendly performance on December 8th at noon.
- Cost: $8+
- Based on the classic children’s book, this musical adventure follows Mr. Popper as he’s stuck at home dreaming of adventure when a spirited penguin named Captain Cook arrives.
- Charlie Wilson Concert (December 27)
- Location: BJCC Concert Hall
- Time: 8 p.m.
- Cost: $65+
- The Black Jacket Symphony Concert (December 27)
- Location: Iron City
- Time: 8 p.m.
- Cost: $30+
- Hear Black Jacket Symphony present Prince’s Purple Rain.
- Birmingham Bulls (December 27)
- Location: Pelham Civic Complex
- Time:
- Friday & Saturday: 7:30 p.m.
- Sunday: 3 p.m.
- Cost: $15+
- The Birmingham Bulls will be playing the Macon Mayhem.
- Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker (December 28)
- Location: Alabama Theatre
- Time: 3 p.m.
- Cost: $29+
- Watch the Moscow Ballet perform to Tchaikovsky’s classic music.
- Hank Night (December 30)
- Location: Iron City
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Cost:
- $15 in advance
- $20 at the door
- Hear Chad Fisher and his band return for the 11th annual Hank Night, celebrating this Alabama native by playing some of his legendary hits.
- Iron City’s Roaring 20s NYE Party (December 31)
- Location:
- Time: 9 p.m. – 1 a.m.
- Cost:
- $75 in advance
- $110 at the door
- Celebrate the end of 2019 and the beginning of the roaring 20s, so come in your best flapper dresses and suspenders and enjoy live music by The Schmohawks.
- A Gatsby New Year’s Eve (December 31)
- Location: Redmont Hotel
- Time: 9 p.m. – 2 a.m.
- Cost: $75
- Ring in 2020 with this Gatsby-themed celebration.
Monthlong Events
- Brrrmingham Ice Skating & Ice Slide (December 1-31)
- Location: Railroad Park
- Time: Open 7 days a week (except for when there’s inclement weather, so check social media for updates)
- Weekdays from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
- Fridays & Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Sundays from noon – 8 p.m.
- Cost:
- $8 per child (12 and under) for ice slide
- $10 per child (12 and under) for 2 hour skating session
- $10 for adult ice slide
- $12 per adult for 2 hour skating session
- $14 for child skating and slide
- $18 for adult skating and slide
- Art Crawl at The Village (December 1-22)
- Location: Brookwood Village
- Time: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
- During the holiday season, various local artists and makers from across the city will be selling and showcasing their products at Brookwood Village, so you can support local and shop for unique gifts for your friends and family this holiday season.
- Red Mountain Theatre’s Holiday Spectacular (December 6-8, 11-15, 18-22)
- Location: 301 19th St. N.
- Time: Times vary. Click here for more info.
- Cost: $19+
- Celebrate the holidays with your favorite music as Red Mountain Theatre Company Conservatory students perform alongside Birmingham’s best local artists.
- Magic of Lights with Vulcan (December 8-23)
- Location: Vulcan Park & Museum
- Time: 6 – 8 p.m.
- Cost: $4-$6
- At the top of each hour (beginning at 6 p.m.), guests will enjoy a 15 minute array of dancing lights choreographed to holiday music). The Anvil Store will also have extended hours, and there will be an opportunity for pictures with Santa as well as complementary hot chocolate.
- Zoolight Safari (December 9-11, 16-23, 26-31)
- Location: Birmingham Zoo
- Time: 5 – 9 p.m.
- Cost: $10 for non-members (free for members)
- Watch the Zoo come alive in their 25th anniversary of this holiday-centric fun. Enjoy a ride on the Ships Candy Cane Ride, go for a spin on the Jingle Bell Carousel, ride the 100 foot Yuletide Slide, ride the Santa Rollers, plus meet and greet with the Singing Santa (through 12/23).
- Christmas Movies at the Alabama Theatre (December 7-22)
- Location: Alabama Theatre
- Time: Click here for this year’s schedule.
- Cost: $9
- See Christmas classics such as White Christmas, It’s a Wonderful Life, Home Alone, Elf, and more. Another one of my traditions is to see White Christmas at the Alabama Theatre, and I’ve already got my ticket for this year!
- Alabama Ballet’s The Nutcracker (December 14-23)
- Location: Wright Center at Samford University
- Time:
- Fridays at 7:30 p.m.
- Saturdays at 2:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
- Sundays at 2:30 p.m.
- Cost: $30+
- The Alabama Ballet will perform George Balanchine’s version of The Nutcracker and will include exact replicas of the costumes designed for Balanchine’s Nutcracker, which was originally performed by the New York City Ballet. This is a rare treat because the Balanchine Trust has only granted rights to perform this version of this ballet to seven other ballet companies in the world.
- North Pole Express (December 1, 8, 15)
- Location: Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum
- Times: 5 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 8 p.m.
- Cost:
- Coach Class: $28
- Live Entertainment Gallery Car: $37
- First Class: $47
- Infants ride for free
- Ride the North Pole Express with Santa, Mrs. Claus, and their elves on this magical journey through the North Pole. Each person gets a keepsake, chocolate milk and cookies, and can take a picture with Santa. You’ll also be able to sing Christmas songs and listen to a special Christmas story.
- Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland (December 1-31)
- Location: Birmingham Race Course (1000 John Rogers Dr., Irondale)
- Time: 6 – 10 p.m.
- Because weekends are popular nights to visit the light show, expect long lines and long wait times. To avoid this, come during the week!
- Cost: $25 for cars or family vans (8 passengers or less)
- This 2 mile route features hundreds of thousands of lights perfectly dancing to music. This year’s theme of displays features all of the fairy tales you love.