Good morning, Birmingham.

Ronald McDonald House Alabama in downtown Birmingham invites residents to act as holiday elves by hosting toy drives, donating supplies + volunteering at Ronald’s Workshop to support special kids and their families during the season.

A local church is hosting an affordable toy sale ahead of Christmas to help families shop for budget-friendly gifts.

The sale will take place at the church, offering a selection of quality toys for the holiday season.

17-year-old Christopher Agee, a junior at Oak Mountain High School, runs a busy local Christmas tree removal service — partnering with Lloyd’s Tree Lot and scheduling pickups starting at $15.

He will drop off the collected trees at Oak Mountain State Park to aid wildlife recovery during the holiday season.

Five businesses opened this week in Birmingham—including Sweet Caroline’s Pizzeria and Creamery in Leeds, which opened Dec.6, Hana and Hollow at The Colonnade, and Magic City Fabric launching full operations in January—as new Costco and Target projects are set for 2028 while three local spots, like Sgt. Peppers, have closed.

Five middle schoolers from Birmingham formed Iron City Revival (ages 10 to 14) in August after auditioning for the Rock Band League; they performed at venues like WorkPlay Theatre and Holiday on the Mountain festival and plan to play local fairs this spring.

Ashley M. Jones, Alabama’s youngest and first Black poet laureate, is ending her four-year term at year’s end (she led state workshops, performed at major events, and published two poetry collections) and her successor Jacqueline Allen Trimble will assume the role in January.

Gas prices in Birmingham edged up by 2.7 cents to $2.64 per gallon last week based on GasBuddy data from Monday - the range spanned from $2.36 to $3.19, while the average stayed below last December’s level.

Homewood City Council will vote on the Brookwood Village redevelopment plan at its meeting Friday at 6 p.m. The proposal would bring Andrews Sports Medicine into the empty mall building + potentially add parking, office and retail space if the ordinance passes, following unanimous approval in April.

UAB professor Rita Jablonski advises families to simplify holiday gatherings for loved ones with dementia by keeping routines, using clear communication, and choosing short, low-crowd events.

She recommends quiet rooms, separate vehicles, and practical gift ideas to reduce stress and support caregivers.

Sam Dinka opened Caffe di Roma at Liberty Park in Vestavia Hills to meet customer demand for Italian cuisine.

The new restaurant serving New York style pizza, pastas and breakfast pizzas is open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (suite 125, 3215 Endeavor Lane).

The Alabama Crimson Tide, ranked No. 9, will face Oklahoma in a College Football Playoff rematch at 7:00 p.m. CST on Friday, Dec.

19. The team will play on the road — a key chance to seek revenge and advance in the playoff bracket.

Georgia Southern and Appalachian State will face off in the 19th JLab Birmingham Bowl on Dec.

29 at Protective Stadium, marking both schools' first bowl appearance as part of the historic (Deeper Than Hate) rivalry that began in 1932.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra - The Ghost of Christmas Eve

11 AM - 5 PM — Legacy Arena — Special ticket pricing available — Experience the holiday rock tradition with TSO's spectacular live performance blending music and theatrics.

Jeff Dunham Live

7-8:30 p.m. — Legacy Arena — Ticketed event — Experience the hilarious ventriloquism of Jeff Dunham and his unforgettable characters.

Marvin Hunter Comedy Show

7-8:30 p.m. — StarDome Comedy Club — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy an evening of laughs with the award-winning comedian Marvin Hunter.

Alabama Ballet: George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®

1:30 PM & 6 PM — BJCC Concert Hall — Ticket prices vary — Experience the magic of Tchaikovsky's beloved ballet with live music from the Alabama Symphony Orchestra.

A Christmas Story Screening

2:00 – 3:30 PM — Alabama Theatre — Ticketed event — Enjoy a classic family comedy as Ralphie Parker tries to convince everyone he needs a BB gun for Christmas.

Pentatonix Holiday Concert

6:00-8:30 p.m. — Legacy Arena, Birmingham, AL — Ticket prices vary — Experience the Grammy-winning a cappella group with festive holiday music and captivating performances.

Still Moves Live at The Nick

10 PM – 1 AM — The Nick, Birmingham, AL — Ticket prices not specified — Experience a genre-bending sonic journey from still moves that showcases their dynamic live energy.

HaHa Holiday Homecoming Comedy Show

7:00-8:30 p.m. — StarDome Comedy Club, Hoover, AL — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy holiday laughs with Martin Morrow and Mimi Landru back in Birmingham with special guests.

Cartoon Matinee Triple Feature

2-4 p.m. — Alabama Theatre — Free for children under 2 — Enjoy classic holiday cartoons with a sing-along at the historic Alabama Theatre.

Annual Christmas Toy Drive

11 AM – 2 PM — Sickle Cell Disease Association of America - Central Alabama — Free entry — Bring joy to local children this holiday season by donating toys.