Top Christmas Activities in Birmingham, AL!

Looking for some fun holiday activities for your loved ones this holiday season? Look no further! We have curated this list of the most festive and fun events for you and yours to enjoy this December (some of which may never have crossed your mind to try before!)

Vulcan’s Magical Lights

Vulcan Park & Museum welcomes the entire community to celebrate the holidays in festive fashion at Vulcan’s Magical Nights, which will take place from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on December 3-5, 10-12, and 17-23. Vulcan Park and Museum will be converted into a magical winter wonderland complete with holiday lights, music, special guest appearances, and Santa Claus. The Anvil and Museum will be open until 8 p.m. with extended hours. Food, hot chocolate, wine, and beer will be available for purchase as well. The Pixel Room, Alabama’s first selfie museum, will include two scenarios for visitors to explore and photograph this year. Swanky D’s has curated these wonderful scenes.

When: Dec. 3-5, 10-12, 17-23, 6 p.m.-8 p.m.
Where: Vulcan Park and Museum, 1701 Valley View Drive, Birmingham.
Cost: $6 ages 13+, $4 for kids ages 5-12, free for children 4 and under
Link: https://visitvulcan.com/articles/tickets-now-on-sale-for-vulcans-magical-nights/#.Yb-p4GjMKUl

The Nutcracker

As one of only eight companies in the world permitted by The Balanchine Trust to perform George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®, Alabama Ballet is thrilled to offer this holiday masterpiece. Mischievous mice besiege an army of toy soldiers, and an onstage snowstorm leads to an enchanted Land of Sweets, as Tchaikovsky’s renowned melodies transport the young and young at heart to a wonderful world. This performance is an hour and thirty-seven minutes long with a fifteen minute intermission.

When: Dec. 17-19, 21-23.
Where: BJCC Concert Hall, 2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. North, Birmingham.
Cost: $45-$65 via Ticketmaster
Link: https://alabamaballet.org/the-nutcracker/

Big Escape Rooms

Want to try something a little different and unique this holiday season? How about taking the group out to an Escape Room! What exactly is an escape room? It’s a thrilling, interactive scenario where you have to finish your mission before the time runs out. Want to save humanity from a zombie apocalypse? Or help archaeologists find the location of the legendary hidden treasure and artifacts? You can do that at Big Escape rooms! To complete your mission, you’ll solve a series of puzzles, complete mazes, answer brain teasers, and decipher coded messages before the clock runs out of time. Your group will be stronger than ever after an experience at Big Escape Rooms!

When: Open every day (except Christmas day)
Where: 1210 20th Street South, Ste 250 Birmingham, AL 35205
Cost: $28-$33
Link: https://www.bigescaperooms.com/

Glow Wild – Birmingham Zoo

Prepare for Glow Wild: An Animal Lantern Celebration, the Birmingham Zoo’s larger-than-life lit extravaganza! During the months of November, December, and January, this spectacular event will take place on certain nights from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Watch as the Zoo comes to life with incredible plant and animal lanterns that spectacularly light up the night! Ride the Red Diamond Radiant Express Train or the Protective Life Jingle Bell Carousel to see the many beautiful views and lights around the zoo. GLOW WILD into the new year by spending the entire winter with your Birmingham Zoo!

Hours: 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Location: 2630 Cahaba Rd, Birmingham, AL 35223
Cost: varies
Link: https://www.birminghamzoo.com/events/glowwild/

Miracle on 24th Street

Miracle on 24th Street, a magnificent, over-the-top holiday pop-up bar, takes over Queen’s Park from November 22nd to December 30th. This is Birmingham’s premiere (and only) holiday pop up bar, with a special menu of 12 cocktails, 2 shots, nonalcoholic drinks, large format cocktails in disco balls, and nostalgic nibbles, as well as a rockin’ holiday soundtrack and more tinsel than you will know what to do with! Reservations for this event are not accepted. Click on the link below to see the Miracle menu and learn more about this event!

When: Now through December 30th
Where: Queen’s Park, 112 24th St. North, #102, Birmingham.
Link: https://www.queensparkbham.com/

Wacky Tacky Lights Tour

Fresh Air Family invites you to put on your most tacky Christmas sweater & join us on this magical holiday lights tour! Ride along with us to witness the greatest, ugliest, and most bizarre holiday light displays! The trip includes Santa’s Trailer Park, the Hanukkah House, Dueling Neighbors, Star Wars Christmas and new houses: Saddle Up Santa and Xmas on a Limb. The trip is designed to fill the night with joy and celebration. All proceeds benefit the Gross Out Camp Scholarship Fund at Fresh Air Family. In the summer of 2020, $54,000 in financial aid was awarded to 170 children to attend camp. Your purchase allows underserved children a summer break where they can spend time on learning and being kids. Thank you very much!

When: Dec. 14, 15, 16 and 21. Buses run every 15 minutes, 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Where: Buses leave from Tropicaleo, 4426 4th Ave S, Birmingham.
Cost:$45, with proceeds benefiting Fresh Air Family. Call 205-540-6642 to make a reservation
Link: https://www.wackytacky.org/

Sportsman Lake Park

The 19th Annual Sportsman Lake Park Winter Wonderland Christmas Light Display is now open through December 30th in Cullman, Alabama (See Schedule Below for Open and Closed Nights) from 5:00 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. (Park and Rides Open Weather Permitting). The cost of admission is $10 per vehicle in cash. Come see over a million lights and take part in this Winter Wonderland event! There’s something for everyone here! Santa will be at our Photo Booth, where you can either take your own photos or purchase a $5 Photo and Winter Wonderland Frame. Our Christmas Train operates every night at 4 p.m. for $4 per person. Horse and Carriage Rides are $5 per person on special nights (see Horse and Carriage Schedule below). Come play in the snow with our Snow Machine or buy some $1 Hot Chocolate at our Concession Stand.

When: Dec. 3-5, 8-12, 15-23. Drive-thru only Dec/ 26-30. Hours 5 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
Where: Sportsman Lake Park, 1544 Sportsman Lake Road, Cullman.
Tickets: $10 per vehicle, cash only; $4 train rides pp; $5 carriage rides pp
Link: https://www.facebook.com/SportsmanLakePark/