Holiday lights near Birmingham for families (2026)
Checked · Covers Oct 31 – Jan 15 · All times are local Central Time
We list 4 holiday light events around Birmingham for Oct 31 – Jan 15: 1 display running for weeks and 3 one-night events. Displays that run for weeks come first, then one-night parades and tree lightings around Birmingham. Popular nights can sell out, so check the official page before you go.
Light displays open for weeks
Glow Wild: An Animal Lantern Celebration at the Birmingham Zoo
- When
- Sat, Nov 21 – Thu, Dec 31 (Select nights Nov 21 – Jan 3 (closed Nov 26, Nov 30–Dec 1, Dec 7–9, 14–15 and 24–25; Dec 3 is adults-only; also open Jan 1–3)) · 5–9pm (last tickets 8pm); Dec 2 KultureCity sensory-friendly night 6–8pm
- Cost
- Advance tickets: adults $25, kids 2–12 $16 (members $19/$12); walk-up $27/$17
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
A mile-long path of hundreds of handcrafted animal lanterns and more than a million lights, with a Holiday Village, carolers, the Red Diamond Express train and s’mores. Santa visits 5:30–7:30pm on Nov 27–29 and Dec 12 and 19–23. Closed on rainy nights (tickets move to another night); advance tickets recommended because nightly capacity is limited.
✓ Checked Oct 31, 2026 on the organizer's official page
One-night light parades and tree lightings
Vestavia Hills Tree Lighting Festival
- When
- Thu, Nov 19 · Starts 6pm
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
The city’s official Christmas tree lighting kicks off Holiday in the Hills: pictures with Santa, a holiday treat, music and entertainment.
✓ Checked Oct 31, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Homewood Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting
- When
- Thu, Dec 3 · Parade starts 6:30pm
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
The parade starts at 6:30pm at Homewood Public Library and travels through downtown, with the lighting of the Homewood Star and a Christmas tree lighting at City Hall Plaza. The city provides the official Santa.
✓ Checked Oct 31, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Vestavia Hills Parade & Party in the Park
- When
- Sun, Dec 6 · Parade starts 4pm; tree lighting right after
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
The city’s official holiday parade starts at 4pm near The Bray in Liberty Park and ends with a Party in the Park on the Great Lawn, where a large Christmas tree is lit right after the parade. Rain date Dec 13.
✓ Checked Oct 31, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Frequently asked questions
When do holiday lights open around Birmingham in 2026?
1 light display on our list runs for weeks: Glow Wild: An Animal Lantern Celebration at the Birmingham Zoo (Birmingham, Nov 21 – Dec 31).
How much do ticketed light displays near Birmingham cost?
Prices from the official pages: Glow Wild: An Animal Lantern Celebration at the Birmingham Zoo (Advance tickets: adults $25, kids 2–12 $16, members $19/$12). Prices can change by night.
Can kids see Santa at a light display near Birmingham?
Yes. 3 light events on our list have Santa: Vestavia Hills Tree Lighting Festival (Vestavia Hills, Nov 19) and Glow Wild: An Animal Lantern Celebration at the Birmingham Zoo (Birmingham, Nov 21 – Dec 31). See all 3 above. Some charge extra for Santa photos.
Which Birmingham-area cities have holiday lights events?
We list holiday lights events in 3 cities, including Vestavia Hills (2), Birmingham (1) and Homewood (1).
Our weekend search covers Phoenix Metro & Arizona for now, and more areas are coming soon. This guide is hand-checked the same way.
How we build this page: each event comes from the organizer's official website and shows the date we checked it. An event is called free only when its official page says so. Read how we verify listings.
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