Christmas Village Festival

For generations of families in Birmingham, the official holiday kick off to Christmas merriment is a visit to the Christmas Village Festival. The popular consumer shopping event and local tradition returns to The BJCC November 5-9,  2025, with more than 700 local, regional and national vendors showcasing unique holiday items.

Now in its 44th  year, this year’s edition transforms The BJCC into a festive wonderland filled with decorations and brimming with holiday spirit. Guests can expect to find a wide range of holiday gifts, décor, gourmet food and handcrafted items, from personalized ornaments and jewelry to one-of-a-kind children’s toys and games.

The long-running Alabama tradition starts the countdown to December 25 clock, opening exactly 50 days before Christmas.

“The Christmas Village Festival is one of Birmingham’s most beloved holiday traditions. The magic of the holiday season really comes alive so guests can immerse themselves and escape into a festive respite of joy and cheer, with hundreds of holiday ideas for decorating, gifting – everything one would need to get into the spirit of the season,” said Kelsey Jackson, Show Manager. “We love seeing families and friend groups who come year after year and make Christmas Village Festival part of their annual holiday traditions, complete with custom shirts made exclusively for their day out at the show. It’s nearly impossible not to leave the rest of the world behind and enjoy the holiday spirit between the seasonal music, gorgeous décor, finding the perfect gift for family and friends alongside so many other people looking to do the same.”

To help guests shop for those perfect gifts, Christmas Village Festival includes Merry Money. Guests can register for $25 in Merry Money that can be used at the show like cash toward purchases at any show vendor. One winner will be drawn every hour during show hours. Merry Money is presented by Champion Windows.

In addition to Merry Money, other show highlights include:

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town. One of the season’s biggest celebrities appears at the show daily to hear children’s holiday wishes and to capture classic Christmas memories with photos. Santa Claus appears daily during Christmas Village Festival hours. Upgraded photo packages are available for a fee with Backroad Pix.

Christmas Village Exclusives.   Here’s a show hack for festive and frugal shoppers: many of the vendors extend exclusive show offers for guests. Pre-plan your day at the show and cross items off the guest list by checking out deals in the link: Show Specials | Christmas Village Festival.

Party Season Prep. With both Thanksgiving and Christmas on the horizon, the show provides entertaining inspiration and décor items to deck those halls and ‘scape those tables in advance of visiting family and friends.

Early Bird Entry. One of the greatest presents is the gift of time – a gift showgoers can give themselves with Advance Early Bird entry. A limited number of Advance Early Bird tickets are available, allowing admission one hour before doors open to the public. These tickets can be purchased online at Birmingham Christmas Village Festival 2025. Get a head start on your list and bank the extra hour for enjoying the holiday spirit – or spirits.

General adult admission (ages 13+) purchased online are $17, children (ages 6-12) are $5 and children ages five and under are free. Box office general adult admission is $19, children (ages 6-12) are $6 and children ages five and under are free.  A limited number of tickets for VIP Day on Wednesday, November 5 are available until October 1 at Birmingham Christmas Village Festival 2025.

Show hours are Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10 a.m.–7 p.m. and Sunday Noon to 5 p.m. For more information on the show, please visit Christmas Village Festival | November 5-9, 2025 | The BJCC.