Elf doors by ASFA students and Downtown BHM — There are 20 elf doors at downtown Birmingham businesses. Can you find them? (Downtown BHM)

If you’ve walked Rotary Trail or 20th Street North recently, you might have seen little magical doors across the base of a building. And if not, here’s your invitation to go on a little scavenger hunt.

The Downtown BHM BID created “The Great Elf Door Hunt,” aiming to bring festive whimsy to historic downtown Birmingham, and students from Alabama School of Fine Arts (ASFA) designed and hand-decorated them!

“The overall goal was to add to the experience of visitors already coming downtown for dinners or shows at one of our theatres, McWane Center, BJCC, etc.

The Elf Door Hunt—in addition to our Holiday Ornament Trail on 20th St N, “Window Pops!” displays and surprise street performances—encourages you to explore a little more of downtown in a fun, interactive and self-guided way.”
Michael Symes, City Center District Manager, REV Birmingham

The Great Elf Door Hunt in downtown Birmingham

Downtown BHM BID and ASFA elf doors — See if you can catch any of these elf doors now through the new year. (REV Birmingham)

ASFA visual arts students created 20, five-by-seven-inch elf doors, and they’re hiding in plain sight near downtown shops, restaurants and landmarks.

“When planning the elf doors, we really wanted to see how far the creativity could be pushed, and we thought ASFA students could do that better than anyone else. Luckily, when we reached out, they were immediately excited about the opportunity. We provided the doors, and they provided variety—each offering a different take on the idea.”
Michael Symes, City Center District Manager, REV Birmingham

Hunter Huie, the ASFA history teacher who helped spearhead the project, knew his students would love it.

“As a member of ASFA’s core faculty, I thought it was really cool getting to collaborate with the visual arts instructors and to see our budding visual artists ‘in their element.’

While I’ve viewed plenty of their finished pieces, getting to watch them truly express their creativity on a fun, quirky and open-ended project was a blast for me.”
Hunter Huie, history teacher, Alabama School of Fine Arts

Do you think you can find all 20?

What: Search for 20 elf-sized doors outside downtown businesses
Where: Between Linn Park + Rotary Trail and between 18th and 22nd St. N.

While you’re on the hunt, check out the Downtown BHM Ornament Trail on 20th Street North. There are 10 oversized ornaments created by Birmingham-based artists. Each 4-foot piece reflects a different interpretation of holiday magic.

Find more places with holiday lights all across town.

Have you seen any of the elf doors across downtown Birmingham? Tag us @bhamnow and let us know!

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