27 joyous December events in Birmingham—plan now
Reading time: 7 minutes
December is just around the corner and there’s tons to see and do. Plan now for these festive events coming up around the Greater Birmingham Area.
1. Vestavia Hills Menorah Lighting
What: A holiday tree lighting in Vestavia Hills with Santa, merchant-giveaways and seasonal entertainment. More info.
When: Wednesday, Dec. 1 | 5PM
Where: Vestavia Hills City Hall, 1032 Montgomery Hwy, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216
Price: Free
2. A Christmas Carol, the musical
What: a special holiday presentation presented by Samford University’s Department of Theatre and Dance with over 450 cast members and the Samford Orchestra. Learn more on this must-see performance, plus what else Samford Arts has been up to.
When: Thursday-Saturday, Dec. 2-4 – 7:30-9PM | Sunday, Dec. 5 – 2:30-4PM
Where: Samford University Wright Center, 872 Montague Dr, Birmingham, AL 35229
Price: $5-$20
Tickets
3. Annual Gifts of Art Event
What: a one-stop Christmas shopping event with unique one-of-a-kind art items from local artists. More info.
When: Thursday, December 2 | 10AM-7PM
Where: The House at Aldridge Gardens, 3530 Lorna Rd, Hoover, AL 35216
Price: Free admission
4. Holiday Film Series at Alabama Theatre
What: the 2021 holiday film series at the Alabama Theatre. Kicking off this beloved month-long event is the film White Christmas on December 3 at 7PM. View the full movie lineup.
When: Friday, Dec. 3 | 7PM
Where: Alabama Theatre, 1817 3rd Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203
Price: $10
Tickets
5. Magic City Nutcracker
What: the 8th annual Magic City Nutcracker featuring 140 dancers from 33 dance studios across Central Alabama. More info.
When: Dec. 3, 2PM | Dec. 4, 2PM, 7PM, 9:30PM | Dec 5., 2PM
Where: Lyric Theatre, 1800 3rd Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203
Price: $25+
Tickets
6. Punk Rock Art Show
What: a night of local art and vendors, plus local brews and food. More info.
When: Saturday, Dec. 11 | 6PM
Where: True Story Brewing Co., 5510 Crestwood Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35212
Price: $10
7. Magical Nights: Vulcan’s Holiday Experience
What: a magical holiday experience at Vulcan Park & Museum with an exciting light show, food trucks, music, Santa and more atop Red Mountain. More info.
When: Fridays-Sundays, Dec. 3-5, 10-12, 17-19 | 6-8PM
Where: Vulcan Park & Museum, 1701 Valley View Dr, Birmingham, AL 35209
Price: General Admission – $6 | Kids – $4 | Senior – $5
Tickets
8. Holiday Spectacular
What: a spectacular display of all your fave music of the season with Red Mountain Theatre’s Youth Ensemble students alongside Birmingham’s best professional talent. More info.
When: Friday-Sunday, Dec. 3-19 | 8PM + 2PM
Where: Red Mountain Theatre, 1600 3rd Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233
Price: $20+
Tickets
9. Bluff Park 8K
What: an 8K race along one of the highest points in Birmingham—Bluff Park. More info.
When: Dec. 4 | 7:30-10AM
Where: Bluff Park United Methodist Church, 733 Valley St, Birmingham, AL 35226
Price: $40
Register
10. Mistletoe & Mimosas
What: a holiday shopping event at Lane Park with complimentary mimosas and a hot chocolate bar. The Alabama Hair Fairy will be taking appointments for festive (tinsel) hair. More info.
When: Saturday, Dec. 4 | 10AM
Where: Lane Park Rd, Birmingham, AL 35223
Price: Free admission
11. Holiday Faire
What: the 34th annual Holiday Faire benefiting the Alabama Waldorf School. Enjoy holiday shopping, live music, local vendors, children’s activities, local art, international food and a bake sale. More info.
When: Saturday, Dec. 4 | 10AM
Where: Alabama Waldorf School, 5901 Crestwood Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35212
Price: $10
Tickets
12. Holiday Wine Show
What: a holiday wine shopping event with Hop City Birmingham showcasing a massive selection of wines. Little London Kitchen will be there serving dinner from 5-8PM. More info.
When: Monday, Dec. 6 | 5:30-6:30PM + 6:30-7:30PM
Where: Hop City Birmingham, 2924 3rd Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233
Price: $20
Reserve your spot in person at Hop City Birmingham for by calling the store at 205.279.2337.
13. Merry & Bright: Alabama Symphony Youth Orchestra Holiday Concert
What: two free holiday musical performances from the Alabama Symphony Youth Orchestra. More info.
When: Sunday, Dec. 8 | 2PM + 4PM
Where: Riverchase Galleria, 2000 Galleria Cir, Hoover, AL 35244
Price: Free
14. Love & Kindness for our displaced brothers and sisters
What: a donation event to provide hats, gloves, scarves, toiletries and food to Birmingham’s displaced brothers and sisters. More info.
When: Saturday, Dec. 11 | Noon
Where: Linn Park, 20th St N, Birmingham, AL 35203
Price: Free
15. Home for the Holidays – Super Pops! Special Event
What: a musical event with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Chris Confessore and special guest Leah Luker as they perform holiday favorites and timeless classics of the season. More info.
When: Saturday, Dec. 11 | 7PM
Where: BJCC Concert Hall, 1 Richard Arrington Jr Blvd N, Birmingham, AL 35203
Price: $25
Tickets
16. Spirits & Santa Paws benefiting Hand in Paw
What: a holiday fundraising event benefiting Hand in Paw. Santa Paws will be there for photos and festive cocktail kits from Tito’s Vodka will be sold on-site. More info.
When: Saturday, Dec. 11 | 2-4PM
Where: Hand in Paw, 617 38th St S, Birmingham, AL 35222
Price: $10 for pet photos with Santa | $100 Tito’s holiday cocktail kits
17. Holly Jolly Market
What: a shopping event with local makers selling art, jewelry, pepper jellies, crafts and more. More info.
When: Saturday, Dec. 11 | 10AM-4PM
Where: Moody Civic Center, 200 Civic Center Dr, Moody, AL 35004
Price: Free admission
18. Trussville Downtown’s 3rd Annual Cookie Walk
What: a delicious event featuring 21 cookie stops at local merchants in Trussville. Expect special season deals and more. Learn more about Trussville Downtown’s 3rd Annual Cookie Walk + more events taking place this December.
When: Saturday, Dec. 11 | 10AM-2PM
Where: Various Trussville merchants
Price: $25
Tickets
19. Cahabazaar Holiday Market
What: an annual event held at Cahaba Brewing Company that features 120+ local artists and makers, plus food trucks, live music, new draft beer releases and cocktails. More info.
When: Saturday, Dec. 11 | Noon-5PM
Where: Cahaba Brewing Co., 4500 5th Ave S Building C, Birmingham, AL 35222
Price: Free admission
20. Holiday Open House & Makers Market
What: an open house shopping event featuring one-of-a-kind works from artists of Studio By The Tracks, 15 local makers and food vendors. More info.
When: Saturday, Dec. 11 | 10AM-3PM
Where: Studio By the Tracks, 301 20th Street South in Irondale, AL 35210
Price: Free admission
21. Magic City Vintage Holiday Market
What: a holiday market featuring local vintage shops in Birmingham. Be sure to wear your ugliest sweater for some tacky fun. More info.
When: Sunday, Dec. 12 | Noon
Where: Cahaba Brewing Co., 4500 5th Ave S Building C, Birmingham, AL 35222
Price: Free admission
22. Woodlawn Street Market @ Woodlawn
What: an urban street market in the heart of Woodlawn featuring street food, art and more from local makers and vendors. More info.
When: Sunday, Dec. 12 | Noon-4PM
Where: Woodlawn Street Market, 55th Pl N, Birmingham, AL 35212
Price: Free admission
23. DISCO Holiday Shop
What: a fundraising event benefiting Desert Island Supply Co’s in-school program, the All City Writers Corp. Shop books, posters, T-shirts and art supplies. More info.
When: Sunday, Dec. 12 | Noon-4PM
Where: Desert Island Supply Co., 5500 1st Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35212
Price: Free admission
24. George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker
What: a classic holiday performance with the Alabama Ballet that transports you to a magical world where mischievous mice besiege a battalion of toy soldiers and more. More info.
When: Saturday, Dec. 17-19, 21-23 | 2:30PM + 7:30PM
Where: The BJCC Concert Hall, 1 Richard Arrington Jr Blvd N, Birmingham, AL 35203
Price: $45+
Tickets
25. Opera Birmingham presents Sounds of the Season
What: a holiday kick-off event with Opera Birmingham featuring both sacred and secular favorites. More info.
When: Sunday, Dec. 19 | 2:30-4PM
Where: Samford University’s Brock Recital Hall, 880 Montague Dr, Birmingham, AL 35229
Price: $10
Tickets
26. Glow Wild: An Animal Lantern Celebration
What: an illuminating experience at The Birmingham Zoo featuring larger-than-life animal light displays. More info.
When: Wednesdays-Sundays, Now-January 17, 2022 |5-9PM
Where: The Birmingham Zoo, 2630 Cahaba Rd, Birmingham, AL 35223
Price: Varies
Tickets
27. Holiday Bash with XVI Bham
What: a pajama-wearing, sensory-friendly holiday bash with XVI Bham—a nonprofit in Birmingham serving individuals and families with disabilities or developmental needs. Expect: a sensory-friendly craft, music, photo booth, food and an appearance from Santa. More info.
When: Dec. 20 | 5:30-7:30PM
Where: Green Trails Clubhouse, 3005 Iris Dr, Hoover, AL 35244
Price: Free
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