5 Great Ways to Celebrate the Holidays in Birmingham
Shoal Creek’s gated community already has all the elements families need to create their own private winter wonderland: pristine woodlands, majestic custom homes, and safe seclusion. But just a short drive outside of our luxury neighborhood, the holidays in Birmingham are something truly special—with so many things to do near Shoal Creek this season, the hardest part will be deciding which to do first!
This season, Birmingham is going all out for the most wonderful time of the year. The Magic City is bringing back old favorites and introducing opportunities to discover new traditions for young and old alike. Here are some of our favorite ways to celebrate the holidays in Birmingham.
Glow Wild at Birmingham Zoo
Longtime residents of the Birmingham area may know this event better by its previous name, ZooLight Safari. The Zoo has stepped up its game once again this year with Glow Wild, featuring larger-than-life illuminated plant and animal lanterns that bring the whole park to life like never before. Soaring sculptures with colorful lights turn the Zoo into a world of wonderment for a dazzling date night or family fun adventure.
From 5–9 pm on select nights from November 16 to January 16, you and your family can delight in these spectacular creations, ride the classic Zoo train, or take a magical spin on the carousel. This Birmingham holiday tradition always brings new surprises to the most wonderful time of the year.
Christmas Movies at the Alabama Theatre
Speaking of Birmingham traditions, no holiday here would be complete without catching a Christmas movie at the historic Alabama Theatre. Throughout the month, you can take a trip down memory lane with showings of your favorite holiday classics, like A Christmas Story, Christmas Vacation, Elf, and many more.
Grab some popcorn and settle into the vintage beauty of the theatre as the Mighty Wurlitzer sings its pre-show song. It’s truly hard to beat the timeless holiday spirit of this treasured Birmingham landmark.
Nutcracker Ballet at the Lyric
Don’t get us wrong—we love a good Christmas movie. But sometimes, the true holiday spirit comes from dressing up, braving the chilly weather, and attending a live performance. If that sounds like you, don’t miss your chance to see The Magic City Nutcracker Ballet at the Lyric Theatre. From December 2–4, Magic City Performing Arts presents this interpretation of a wintertime classic featuring over 150 community dancers and actors.
Now in its tenth year, the Magic City Nutcracker takes local art to a whole new level. Better yet, a portion of the evening’s proceeds will go to Casa Paraiso, an orphanage for children with disabilities in Panama. You won’t want to miss this evening of magic, adventure, and classic holiday cheer.
Vulcan’s Magical Nights
After a smash hit debut season in 2021, Magical Nights: Vulcan’s Holiday Experience is back again! This holiday spectacular will once again transform Vulcan Park and Museum into a festival of lights, music, and goodies. With special guest appearances (including Old Saint Nick himself) and plenty of local food trucks, hot chocolate, and beer and wine for the grown-ups, Vulcan’s Magical Nights is quickly becoming a steadfast Magic City tradition.
Enjoy Birmingham’s best view and get ready to make some Magic City memories with the whole family. General admission is only $6 for adults, $4 for kids aged 5–12, and free for kids under 4. From December 2–23, you can be part of the Vulcan Holiday Experience every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evening.
Holiday Open House Events in Mountain Brook
A charming suburb of Birmingham, Mountain Brook always puts on a good show during the holidays. Its 3 main villages—Crestline Village, Mountain Brook Village, and English Village—are getting ready to throw the holiday party of the year with their annual Holiday Open House events.
These events are your chance to get the perfect unique and high-end gifts as local restaurants and retailers stage exclusive trunk shows, sales, and holiday events. There will be plenty of cheer to go around as Exceptional Foundation carolers and Mountain Brook High School’s jazz band rock the night away.
- Crestline Village: Thursday, November 17
- Mountain Brook Village & English Village: Thursday, December 1
- Holiday Parade: Sunday, December 4
A Magic City Holiday
Coming home to the lush woodlands of Shoal Creek after a night of cheer in the city feels like its own kind of fairytale. With a vibrant and modern Southern city just minutes away and all the private seclusion your heart could desire at home, Shoal Creek is the perfect place to make holiday memories with your family. We wish all our community members peace and joy this season!
Experience the Best of the Holidays in Birmingham at Shoal Creek Luxury Neighborhood
Live in your own private wonderland year-round at Shoal Creek. With incredible amenities, outdoor opulence, and a world-class private golf course, luxury is always at your fingertips here. Learn how you can make your dreams come true at Shoal Creek: call us at (205) 628-9983 or contact us online to learn more about our pristine gated community.