Hometown Holidays: 10 Ways to Lean Into Local Charm for a Magical Winter Season

There’s something magical about winter in Birmingham. The downtown lights glow a little warmer, coffee shops hum with carols, and every town from Pelham to Trussville feels like a Hallmark set. Whether you’re a longtime local or new to town, these ideas make it easy to enjoy the season close to home.

1) Lean into local event calendars.

Virtually all of Birmingham’s towns and chambers offer a local event calendar, and they are packed with fun things to do for the holidays in 2025. We recommend kicking things off with a classic: the Christmas Village Festival at the BJCC, a giant maker market that’s pure holiday energy (Nov 5–9, 2025). Grab gifts, snacks, and your first dose of festive spirit!

2) Follow your town’s social media accounts.

Last-minute changes and hidden gems often pop up on city and chamber feeds (Pelham Parks & Rec, Vestavia Chamber, Trussville Chamber, etc.). Local social media accounts are an easy way to spot pop-up markets, concerts, tree lightings, and volunteer drives near you.

3) The more the merrier.

Call a friend you haven’t seen in a while. Meet for cocoa after a tree lighting, catch a parade together, or do a quick market stroll before dinner. Small moments with people you love = holiday gold.

4) Plan your own event, big or small.

Plan a neighborhood cookie swap, host a movie marathon, or do a casual cocoa night. Keep it easy and joyful. At Fairin, we believe great living happens in simple, shared moments with old and new friends alike.

5) Don’t overthink it

Pick one effortless, local tradition and just show up. Hoover’s Christmas Tree Lighting at City Hall (Tue, Dec 2, 2025) is a low-key, family-friendly favorite. Santa included!

6) Support small businesses

Shopping with small businesses makes a big impact on the local economy. Homewood’s annual Holiday Open House is built for local shopping and festive strolling. Boutiques offer specials, treats, and that cozy Christmas street-scene everyone loves.

👉 Homewood Holiday Open House Homewood Chamber of Commerce

7) Catch a hometown parade (or two)

Christmas parade energy is unbeatable for getting in the holiday spirit, and nearly every city has one:

• Trussville Christmas Parade (Sat, Dec 13, 2025)
  👉 Trussville Christmas Parade
  
  
• Alabaster Christmas Parade (Sat, Dec 6, 2025, 10 AM).
  👉 City of Alabaster Christmas Parade 
  
  
• Gardendale Christmas Parade (Thu, Dec 4, 2025, evening).
  👉 Gardendale Christmas parade
  
  
• Chelsea Christmas Parade (Sat, Dec 20, 2025, 10 AM).
  👉 City of Chelsea parade
  
  

8) Explore village open houses

Mountain Brook’s villages turn on the charm with festive nights of shopping, music, and lights (Crestline, Mountain Brook Village, English Village).

 👉 Mountain Brook holiday events hub

9) Take a tiny adventure

Pick a suburb you don’t usually visit. Think: Irondale for dinner, Pelham for parks, Chelsea for lights, and make a mini-adventure of it. Try one new shop or café, walk the main street, and take in the décor. You’ll feel more “at home” in no time across the entire Birmingham area.

10) Capture the moments that matter

Snap a photo in front of your town’s tree, your favorite main-street window, or your own living room glow. These are the tiny memories that turn a place you live into a place you love.

Why Fairin?

We’re here for the part of leasing that goes beyond square footage, where you find a place that fits your life. Wherever you are in life, we meet you there. If exploring homes for lease in Birmingham or rental homes near Hoover, Homewood, or Trussville, we’ll make the process simple and straightforward (and a little more joyful!).