15 holiday events you don’t want to miss this season

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Bham Now at The Alabama Theatre
Can you tell we love Christmas at the Alabama Theatre? Photo via Matthew Niblett for Bham Now

It’s time to stuff the turkey, deck the halls and light the menorah. We did some digging and we know what events to go to in order to have the best holiday season yet in The Magic City. Keep reading to find out all the details.

1. Alabama Symphony Orchestra Home for the Holidays

Alabama Symphony Orchestra
Who doesn’t love listening to Alabama Symphony Orchestra at the holidays? Photo via ASO

The best way to spread Christmas cheer is to sing loud for all to hear, so join the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. Enjoy holiday classics played by the orchestra and sung by soloist, Leah Luker:

2. Alabama Theatre

christmas
Hop on board on The Polar Express. Photo via Alabama Theatre’s Facebook

The Alabama Theatre has a packed holiday event schedule for The Magic City. The theatre is kicking off the holiday season with the The Brook & The Bluff 4th Annual Thanksgiving Eve Show:

Enjoy the beautiful, historical Birmingham theatre while watching your favorite Christmas movies. From “White Christmas” to “Miracle on 34th Street” plus so much more, the theatre will be playing these classics during the month of December:

3. Birmingham Botanical Gardens Holiday Story Walk

botanical gardens, BBG, poinsettia tree
Poinsettias galore. Photo via Beth Cunningham for Bham Now

What’s better than a storytime at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens? Listen to the Mexican folktale The Legend of the Poinsettia while spotting these Christmas flowers at the Gardens:

4. Birmingham Children’s Theatre

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Fun for all ages, not just kids. Photo via Birmingham Children’s Theatre’s Facebook

Watch the creative retelling of the Christmas classic, “A Christmas Carol”, at the Birmingham Children’s Theatre. Feel like a kid on Christmas morning with this play:

Wait, they have more! Help save the North Pole with an at-home virtual treasure hunt and hear Christmas stories at the theatre’s E.L.V.E.S. The Experience:

  • When: November 26-28 | December 2-5, 9-12, 16-19, 22-24
  • Where: Online on Zoom
  • Tickets: Buy online for $20-40

5. Christmas Card Workshop with Mrs. Claus

Tell Santa what you want for Christmas at The Summit. Mrs. Claus will help your kids decorate and write cards, and they can snap a picture with the jolly lady too:

  • When: Thursday, December 9 | 4-7PM
  • Where: The Summit
  • Tickets: Free, no tickets required

6. Deck the Heights

Deck your halls this season with purchases from Deck the Heights. Come out to Cahaba Heights for a day of shopping, food, crafts and kids activities:

7. Fourth Annual Ugly Sweater Crawl

holiday event
Who’s running to Goodwill to find an ugly sweater right now? Photo via Bar Crawl USA’s Facebook

The bar crawl is for all—all who are wearing an ugly Christmas sweater, of course! Come out to the Fourth Annual Ugly Sweater Crawl at Lakeview Birmingham bars for a night of drinking, Christmas movie trivia and music:

8. Grand Menorah Lighting at The Summit

holiday event
The Summit’s the new best place to start Hanukkah. Photo via The Summit’s Facebook

Light a menorah and kick off Hanukkah with other traditional activities and food at The Summit. With a stilt walker, drum circle, silent disco and more, there’s no better way to start off the holiday than with this event:

9. Holiday Drive-In with Santa

Birmingham, Grand River Drive-In, Leeds, movies
Bundle up in a car with your family and friends to watch this holiday classic. Photo via Grand River Drive-In

Grab a blanket, some cocoa and watch “A Christmas Carol” right from your car. Join the Birmingham Mom Collective for this drive-in movie, snacks and a chance to meet Saint Nick. Money from the event will support the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama:

10. Homewood Lighting of the Star and Christmas Parade

See the big star and Christmas tree in Homewood light up at the annual parade. Watch community members and floats start the merry season:

11. Matzah Ball

Dress to the nines and wear a mask at the Matzah Ball. This Hanukkah event will include a DJ, drinks, sweets and a menorah lighting:

12. Pelham Hometown Christmas

It’s a merry time to be in Pelham with this holiday event. Join the city for the first Christmas parade, a tree lighting, pictures with Santa, cocoa and cookies and ice skating: 

13. Samford Arts

Birmingham, Samford University Academy of the Arts, summer camp
Experience the talent of Samford students. Photo via Samford University Academy of the Arts

Come out and watch Samford students perform in the musical version of the classic “A Christmas Carol.” We bet you’ll be saying ”Bah! Humbug!”:

14. Studio by the Tracks Holiday Open House + Maker’s Market

holiday event
Check out art from local artists. Photo via Studio by the Track’s Facebook

Snag your favorite Studio by the Tracks merchandise for holiday gifts at their Holiday Open House. Swing by the outdoor Maker’s Market to support 15 local makers and food vendors:

15. Virtual Chanukah Candle Lighting

Can’t or don’t want to leave your home? Don’t worry, the Temple Beth El community has you covered with a virtual menorah lighting. The event will also include music, trivia and DIY ideas:

  • When: Wednesday, December 1 | 7-8PM
  • Where: Online on Zoom
  • Tickets: Free, no tickets required

The Magic City sure is merry and bright this holiday season.

Did we miss any holiday events? Tag us @bhamnow to let us know!

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Selah Vetter
Selah Vetter
Articles: 233

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