So many things about the 2020 holiday season are just not what we're used to experiencing. One bright spot you've surely noticed is that residents and organizations are raising the bar and going all out with holiday light displays across the Magic City. It's time to get in the car with your family or friends to go take in the magical illuminations of the season. Here's a roundup of high-level professional holiday lights in Birmingham you do not want to miss. And follow us on social media to see an array of home light displays across the city and share the ones you see as well!
Magic of Lights: Vulcan’s Holiday Light Experience
Vulcan Park and Museum invites the Birmingham area to gather for the Magic of Lights: Vulcan’s Holiday Light Experience.
At the top of each hour, beginning at 5 p.m., guests will enjoy a 15 minute lively array of dancing lights choreographed to delightful holiday music. The Anvil and Museum will have extended hours until 9 p.m. along with complimentary hot chocolate (while supplies last). Visitors are encouraged to shop at The Anvil for the Red Dot Sale or purchase Birmingham-themed items from local artisans such as Earthborn Pottery and Glass Studio.
This amazing show is made possible through the generous support from Kiwanis of Birmingham and their gift of the dynamic lighting package.
You can listen to the Vulcan Holiday light-to-music show from anywhere in Birmingham. Simply make sure you have a good view of Vulcan, and a strong wifi or mobile data signal, and then visit vulcanlightshow.com on your desktop or mobile device. Click through the buttons as instructed, and every hour on the hour from 5:00pm through 9:00 p.m. on December 12-25, the limited-edition web app will play the music that accompanies Vulcan’s light show!
*Please note that you will need to re-access the site for each show time you wish to listen to. A maximum 500 users will be permitted to access the audio for each show.
Dates: December 12, 2018 through December 25, 2018
Times: 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Tickets: $6 for ages 13+, $4 for ages 5-12, free for ages 4 & under.
Tickets and Info: visitvulcan.com
Glow Wild: An Animal Lantern Celebration
The Birmingham Zoo’s presents its new, larger-than-life illuminated experience, Glow Wild: An Animal Lantern Celebration. This extraordinary event isheld on select nights from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. during the months of November, December, and January. Guests will be captivated by visually stunning lantern creations of wildlife from around the world. Watch the Zoo come alive with hundreds of marvelous animal shapes of all sizes – from pandas, elephants, cheetahs, polar bears, and whales – soaring up to 30 feet high! Spend all winter long with your Birmingham Zoo and glow wild into the new year!
Glow Wild: An Animal Lantern Celebration is made possible by presenting sponsor Wells Fargo and featured sponsors Chick-fil-A Birmingham, UAB Callahan Eye Hospital & Clinics, T-Mobile, and Abogados Centro Legal.
Dates: Now through January 18, 2021 - Select nights: Wednesday through Sunday (CLOSED Dec. 24 and 25)
Times: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Tickets: $14.95-23.95/adult, $9.95-14.95/child 2-12, Free under 2. Discounts available for members and advance online ticket purchases. Ride tickets are an additional $3.50 each.
Tickets and Info: birminghamzoo.com
Siegel's Winter Wonderland
Stop by the Siegel home at 3408 Westbury Road on Saturday, December 19 to experience Siegel's Winter Wonderland. The outdoor event will feature lights, hot chocolate, Santa and Mrs. Claus, a photo booth and more. There is no cost to attend, but guests and the public are encouraged to bid on items in the virtual silent auction, including a football signed by UA Head Coach Nick Saban. Guests may park on the street, with overflow parking available at Mountain Brook Presbyterian Church.
Siegel's Winter Wonderland benefits Cedartown Animal Rescue, Education & Sterilization (CARES) is an all-volunteer, 501c3 non-profit rescue organization focused on rescuing shelter animals at risk for euthanasia. Guests may bid on items, donate online or drop a contribution in Santa’s Mailbox near the Hot Chocolate Bar. The Siegels are fundraising for this charity in memory of their German Shepherd Rudy, who suddenly lost his life to hepatic cancer. They rescued another German Shepherd named Zulu, who was located in a kill shelter prior to CARES giving them an opportunity to rescue him.
Learn more and check out the silent auction at 32auctions.com/SiegelsWinterWonderland.
Wacky Tacky Light Tour 2020
The Wacky Tacky Light Tour is an annual fundraiser for Fresh Air Family that takes groups around town on party buses select nights to take in the sights of the season. While the tour's bus trips have passed for this year, you can still download a map of the tour's route to make your own fun evening of touring the city enjoying light displays for a donation of $25 (members) or $50 (non-members).
Proceeds benefit Fresh Air Family's Gross Out Camp Scholarship Fund. Summer 2020, $54,000 in financial aid was awarded to 170 children to come to camp including children escaping violence and suicide orphans. Your tickets buy these children a summer reprieve where they can focus on learning and being children.
Visit wackytacky.org to make a donation and download the tour map.
