‘Tis the Season! 5 awe-inspiring Christmas light displays in Birmingham

Sponsored

Mercedes Benz
We took a brand new 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLE53 out to The Preserve in Hoover to see their Christmas decor! Photo via Matthew Niblett for Bham Now

Queue up the Christmas music and start up the car. Aside from Jolly Old Saint Nick himself, there’s nothing more “Christmas” than taking a trip around town to view the jaw-dropping Christmas light displays in The Magic City. We picked out a handful you don’t miss.

For our trip out to The Preserve, we hopped in brand new 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLE53. Click here to check out the available inventory at Mercedes-Benz of Birmingham.

Check out our Ride

Mercedes-Benz of Birmingham
Mercedes-Benz of Birmingham went all-out on Christmas decor at their office. Photo via Matthew Niblett for Bham Now

To aide in our quest to find the best Christmas lights in the ‘Ham, our friends at Mercedes-Benz of Birmingham set us up in a brand new, Polar White 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLE53.

Once we loaded up our camera gear in the back seats, we hopped in the car and set off on our journey. Those heated front seats really came in handy on a chilly night! And of course, we had to set the mood with the right tunes. Thanks to the Mercedes-Benz User Experience, changing the music or adjusting temperature is as easy as saying, “Hey Mercedes, play Christmas music.”

Want to learn more about the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLE53? Check out the inventory at Mercedes-Benz of Birmingham.

1. The Preserve

Mercedes-Benz of Birmingham
The entire neighborhood of The Preserve has painstakingly put together a breathtaking Christmas light display. Photo via Matthew Niblett for Bham Now

Throughout the month of December, the entirety of The Preserve neighborhood in Hoover will be lit up in a fantastic display of Christmas spirit. Trust me, you’ll be dazzled. String lights adorn every tree along the sidewalk, and each house is decorated in a unique way. Residents in the neighborhood have poured their hearts into the display, so be sure to plan a trip out to The Preserve to see their hard work!

  • When: All of December!
  • Where: The Preserve, 616 Preserve Pkwy, Birmingham, AL 35226

2. Glow Wild at the Birmingham Zoo

Image may contain: 1 person, standing
Glow Wild is fun for the whole family! Photo via The Birmingham Zoo on Facebook

This year, the Birmingham Zoo has unveiled their new, larger-than-life Christmas light display: Glow Wild! On select nights from now until January 18, 2021, ride out to see the Birmingham Zoo come alive with hundreds of animal-shaped lanterns—pandas, elephants, cheetahs, polar bears, whales and more—rising up to 30 feet high!

  • When: Wednesday-Sunday, 5PM to 9PM
    • Closed Christmas Eve (Dec. 24) and Christmas Day (Dec. 25)
  • Where: The Birmingham Zoo, 2630 Cahaba Rd, Birmingham, AL 35223

Click here to learn more about Glow Wild at the Birmingham Zoo.

3. Toy Shop on Magnolia

Christmas lights
So many delightful Christmas characters in Trussville! Photo via Nathan Watson for Bham Now

This home on Magnolia Street in Trussville is affectionately known as The Toy Shop—and it’s easy to see why. Along with the impressive light display, iconic characters from your favorite Christmas stories adorn the front yard.

If you look closely, you can make out the Abominable Snowman, Santa’s Reindeer, the Toy Soldiers and more. Can you see my favorite, Ralphie from A Christmas Story? Here’s a hint: “He looks like a deranged Easter Bunny!”

  • When: Through December, nightly starting at sundown
  • Where: 211 Magnolia Street, Trussville, AL 35173

4. Waltchack House

Christmas lights
The Waltchack House has an amazing light show each night through Christmas. Photo via Nathan Watson for Bham Now

Did you know that Derek Waltchack, founding partner at Shannon Waltchack, and his family put on an amazing Christmas light show each year at their home in Vestavia Hills? Their dazzling display is synced to classic Christmas hits, played over a loudspeaker and on 100.9 FM.

And if you need a warm pick-me-up, they offer hot chocolate most weekday nights. Plus, you can pick up an LED bracelet that syncs to the music as well!

  • When: Now through Dec. 25th, from sundown to 9PM on weekdays and sundown to 10PM on weekends
  • Where: 2445 Chestnut Road, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216

5. Magic of Lights at Vulcan Park

Christmas lights
The Vulcan statue will be lit up with a sound-to-light Christmas show this year! Photo via Vulcan Park and Museum

Have you noticed the holiday lights at Vulcan Park? That would be the third annual Magic of Lights: Vulcan’s Holiday Light Experience. Starting at 5:30PM, guests at Vulcan Park can see a lively array of dancing lights, synced to your favorite Christmas hits.

Tickets are $6 for ages 13+, $4 for kids ages 5-12 and children under 4 are free. In addition, guests can purchase hot chocolate, wine and beer and shop at The Anvil for the Red Dot Sale. Click here for more details.

  • When: Dec. 17th-23rd, 5:30PM to 9:30PM
  • Where: Vulcan Park, 1701 Valley View Dr, Birmingham, AL 35209

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas

Christmas lights
We gazed in awe at the dazzling lights at The Preserve from inside this 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLE53. Photo via Matthew Niblett for Bham Now

We had an unforgettable time discovering some of the best Christmas light displays in town, thanks to our friends at Mercedes-Benz of Birmingham. So if you’re looking for a new way to spread holiday cheer, gather your friends & family, bundle up, turn on some holiday tunes, hop in the car and visit your favorite Christmas light shows in Birmingham. You may find some we missed!

And if you’re looking to start the New Year off in style, Mercedes-Benz of Birmingham has the perfect holiday gift for you. Click here to view their available inventory.

What is your favorite light display in Birmingham? Which ones did we miss? Tag us @bhamnow to let us know!

Sponsored by:

Nathan Watson
Nathan Watson

Senior Content Producer + Photographer

Articles: 1066