The weekend stomps into Birmingham Dec. 18-20 with virtual concerts, an IMAX reopening + more

Christmas
End of the year finale stomping in. Happily, he’s packing booze. Photo via @queensparkbham

Are you feeling merry this holiday season, or has your inner Grinch taken over? To tame that green December 18-20, we’ve got lots of things that will thaw your heart and make it grow three sizes. Enjoy! 

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Bite-Sized Deets

🌟 A dynamic team of restaurant pros is shaking up food in the Magic City. Check out their deliciously cool new concept, Feast

🌟 #KeepFamiliesClose by giving to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama this holiday season. ❤️ Here are 3 ways to give

🌟 Glass recycling is back and better than ever in Birmingham. Learn how to sign up for Kinetic Recycling—the latest on demand curbside glass recycling subscription service. ♻️

Feeling grinchy? 

These deals are sure to put some pep back in your holiday step:

Keep the merriment flowing. Check out over 800 local businesses listed in our Small Business Guide.

Score some FREE magic—add your business or nonprofit to our guides.

This Weekend in the Magic City

Adjust your peepers

These open houses December 18-20 are ready to view.

The big screen is back at McWane Science Center!

The IMAX Dome Theater reopens Friday, December 18—just in time for the holidays. Catch favorites like The Grinch + The Polar Express now through December 23Tickets here

Let it glow, let it glow, let it glow

Mercedes-Benz, lights
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

Marking things off that all-important holiday check list this weekend? Take a drive around to see some of Birmingham’s most festive light displays. Here’s where to go

Now that’s one magical derrière

There’s still time to catch Magical Nights: Vulcan’s Holiday ExperienceNow through December 23 from 5:30-9PM. Watch Vulcan Park and Museum transform with an amazing light show choreographed to holiday music, food trucks, games and more. Grabs your tickets online or at the gate.

Turn on your listening ears 

Birmingham Boys Choir
Hear the Birmingham Boys Choir in their virtual Christmas Concert Dec. 18. Photo via Birmingham Boys Choir

The Birmingham Boys Choir serenades audiences Friday, December 18 at 7PM during their 43rd Annual Christmas Concert—Virtual EditionWatch for FREE here

In Other News…

Kindness goes a long way

Thanks to the generosity of Birmingham’s community + a hardworking team, United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA) exceeded its campaign goal by $1.5M and raised $36M during the annual Hope Happens campaign. ❤️ Found out how it happened. 

Way better than figgy pudding

Bay Leaf food
Oh bring us some Christmas Plum Pie. Photo via Hannah Chambley for Bham Now

Chef Z has created delicious festive eats for Bay Leaf’s holiday menu. Snow Shrimp and Christmas Plum Pie are just a taste of what’s cooking. Unwrap the menu here

The art of reinvention 

Five Points South is reemerging as a thriving entertainment destination in the Magic City. Discover Orchestra Partners plans to restore the past, strengthen the present and ensure a sustainable future in this special section of Birmingham. 

Soldier on

Fancy’s on Fifth broke the news this week that they’ll soon be closing their doors. Show your love and bid them adieu before December 31. We hope to see you again, Fancy’s. You will be greatly missed. 

Weekend Entertainment

Brrr! It’s cold outside. Good thing we have lots of warm activities for you this weekend. Mask up and bundle up. 😷

For more events, check out Now the Weekend—Video Edition

Have an upcoming event you’d like to promote? Add it to our event database!  

For the Holiday Enthusiast 🎄

Fri-Sun, Dec. 18-20: Magical Nights: Vulcan’s Holiday Experience @ Vulcan Park & Museum. 5:30-9:30PM. $4-$6. Ages 4 & Under – FREE. Tickets.

Fri-Sun, Dec 18-20: Visit Santa @ The Summit in Saks Plaza. Friday-Saturday 11AM-8PM, Sunday Noon-6PM. Register.

Fri-Sun, Dec 18-20: Deck the Ham in Birmingham.

Fri, Dec 18: Virtual Art After 5: Home for the Holidays with Birmingham Museum of Art. 5-9PM. FREE.

Fri, Dec 18: Ugly Sweater Party @ Blaze Hookah Lounge. 8PM. $10 (no cover until 10PM). 

Sat, Dec 19: Almuerzo Navideño/Holiday Brunch @ The Birmingham Free Store. 10:30AM-1PM. 

Sat, Dec 19: ArtPlay’s Virtual Holiday Workshop via Zoom. 2PM. Free. Register.

Sat, Dec 19: The Nutcracker @ The BJCC. Fri at 7:30PM, Sat at 2:30PM + 7:30PM, Sun at 2:30PM. Tickets.

Sat, Dec 19: New Orleans Christmas Party @ Ghost Train Brewing Co. 2-6PM. FREE.

Sat-Sun, Dec 19-20: Virtual Visit with Santa @ McWane Science Center. Tickets included with general admission

Sun, Dec 20: A Drag Queen Xmas @ Iron City. 8-11PM. $25+. Tickets

Sun, Dec 20: ECDC Christmas Showcase @ 7611 1st Ave N, Birmingham.  3PM. 

For the Giver 💝

Sat, Dec 19: Christmas Blessing Day @ Linn Park. 10:30AM. 

Sat, Dec 19: Pawliday Spirits benefiting Hand in Paw @ Hand in Paw. 2-4PM. $30-$100. Tickets

For the Foodie + Drinker 🥤

Fri, Dec 18: Willets Rye Whiskey @ LeNell’s Beverage Boutique. 5-7PM. FREE.

Sat, Dec 19: Amer Vs. Amaro @ LeNell’s Beverage Boutique. 1-3PM. FREE.

Sun, Dec 20: Vision Cellars Rosé of Zin @ LeNell’s Beverage Boutique. 1-3PM. 

Sun, Dec 20: Brunch & Brews Presented by Simone’s Kitchen @ Cahaba Brewing Co. Noon-5PM.

For the Music Lover 🎶

Fri, Dec 18: Birmingham Boys Choir’s 43rd Annual Christmas Concert—Virtual Edition. 7PM. FREE. Watch here.

Fri, Dec 18: Trans-Siberian Orchestra Live Stream Event. $30+. 7PM. Tickets.

For the Sports Fan 🏈

Fri, Dec 18: UAB Blazers vs Marshall The Herd @ Joan C. Edwards Stadium. 6PM. 

Sat, Dec. 19: Alabama Crimson Tide vs Florida Gators in SEC Championship Game @ Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. 7PM. 

For the Family 🥰

Fri, Dec 18: Reopening of IMAX Dome Theater @ McWane Science Center. Showtimes hereTickets here

Fri-Sun, Dec 18-20: The Magic of Model Trains @ McWane Science Center. General Hours + Admission. Tickets

Fri-Sun, Dec 18-20: Glow Wild: An Animal Lantern Celebration @ The Birmingham Zoo. 5-9PM. Varies by Membership. Tickets.     

Fri, Dec 20: Fam Jam: An Afternoon of Safe & Friendly Family Competition @ LeVite JCC of Birmingham. 1-4:30PM. FREE.

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Patience Itson
Patience Itson
Articles: 1727