Birmingham lights its tree at a holiday block party in front of City Hall. The 2026 date is not out; in 2025 it was Dec. 7, 4 to 7 p.m. Glow Wild opens Nov. 21.

Last checked Oct. 17, 2026. Updated each year. The city had not announced its 2026 tree lighting on Oct. 17, so the City Hall section below describes the 2025 event from the city’s event listing. We will update this page when the 2026 date is set.

Birmingham’s official holiday kickoff is the City of Birmingham Holiday Block Party and tree lighting in front of City Hall, 710 20th St. N. The city has held it on a Sunday afternoon in early December. Around it, the Birmingham Zoo’s lantern festival and a Victorian Christmas at Arlington fill the season.

Who to call

  • City events and questions: 311, or 205-254-2489 (city events)
  • Birmingham Zoo: 2630 Cahaba Road (birminghamzoo.com)
  • Police non-emergency: 205-328-9311

The City Hall tree lighting

In 2025 the city held its holiday block party and tree lighting on Sunday, Dec. 7, from 4 to 7 p.m., with the countdown to the tree lighting at 5:30 p.m. Activities ran on Park Place and Short 20th Street North in front of City Hall: face painting, food trucks, a DJ, snack pack giveaways, inflatables and an appearance by the Grinch.

Earlier years followed the same pattern. In 2022, the Holiday Tree Lighting Block Party ran from 4 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 27, on Short 20th Street North, with the tree lit at 6 p.m., according to the city’s 2022 announcement.

Is there a Christmas parade?

Not from the city in recent years. The last downtown Christmas parade announcement on the city’s website was for Dec. 8, 2019 (archived notice). Since then the city has marked the season with the City Hall block party. If a 2026 parade is announced, we will add the route, time and road closures here.

Glow Wild at the Birmingham Zoo

The zoo’s holiday tradition, Glow Wild: An Animal Lantern Celebration, opens Nov. 21, 2026, and runs on select nights through Jan. 3, 2027, according to the zoo’s events page. Check the zoo’s calendar for the nights it is open and for tickets.

Christmas at Arlington

Sunday, Dec. 6, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Arlington Historic House. The Arlington Historical Association presents Victorian holiday decorations, docent talks on the history of the era, Christmas music by local artists and light refreshments. The city lists it as free (city listing).

Closures to know

  • City offices close Thursday, Dec. 24, and Friday, Dec. 25, for the Christmas holiday.
  • Sloss Furnaces is closed Dec. 24 and 25.
  • Trash pickup shifts for the holiday; see our trash and recycling guide.
  • Birmingham City Schools are out for winter holidays Dec. 21-31.

What this means for you

  • Hold the first Sunday afternoons of December for the City Hall lighting until the date is set.
  • Book Glow Wild nights early in the season.
  • Park downtown in a deck and walk to Short 20th Street; see getting around.

Related: things to do this month, parks and trails and history and landmarks.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Birmingham Christmas tree lighting in 2026?

The city had not announced a 2026 date as of Oct. 17. In 2025 its holiday block party and tree lighting was Sunday, Dec. 7, from 4 to 7 p.m. in front of City Hall, with the countdown at 5:30 p.m.

Does Birmingham have a Christmas parade?

The city’s recent holiday event is a block party and tree lighting at City Hall, not a parade. Its last downtown Christmas parade announcement on the city site was for Dec. 8, 2019.

When does Glow Wild start at the Birmingham Zoo?

Glow Wild: An Animal Lantern Celebration opens Nov. 21, 2026, and runs on select nights through Jan. 3, 2027, the zoo says.

What is Christmas at Arlington?

A free open house at Arlington Historic House on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with Victorian decorations, docent talks, Christmas music and light refreshments.