The holiday season brings a variety of concerts and other festivities in this edition of Can’t Miss Alabama

Bellingrath Gardens and Home is celebrating its 20th year of “Magic Christmas in Lights.” (Mike Kittrell/Alabama NewsCenter)
Take some time to attend a festive holiday event this weekend.
Holiday Soul: Eric Essix and 5 Men On A Stool
Birmingham jazz guitarist and bandleader Eric Essix will celebrate the holiday season at the Alys Robinson Stephens Performing Arts Center Dec. 13. Essix will perform a medley of soulful holiday songs with Atlanta-based supergroup 5 Men on a Stool. Click here for more information.
Gaither Christmas Homecoming
Grammy Award-winning Bill Gaither presents the Gaither Christmas Homecoming Dec. 11 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex. The musical will feature the Gaither Vocal Band. Follow this link for ticket information.
George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker
The Alabama Ballet presents George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™ December 11-13 and 18-20 at Samford University’s Wright Center. Alabama Ballet remains one of only eight companies in the world licensed to perform Balanchine’s holiday masterpiece. Tickets are available online at www.alabamaballet.org or by calling 205-202-8142.
30th Annual Christmas Lighted Boat Parade
Gulf Shores is hosting its annual Christmas Lighted Boat Parade Dec. 12. The parade route will begin at Lulu’s at Homeport Marina and ends at Cobalt in Orange Beach. The event is free. For more information about the parade, call 251-981-2300 or 251-968-4237.
The Nutcracker
The Birmingham Ballet performs the holiday classic, The Nutcracker at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex Dec. 12-13. For ticket information, visit the website.
33rd Annual Christmas Festival
The 33rd Annual Christmas Festival is Dec. 11-12 in downtown Bay Minette. The two-day Christmas event features Santa’s Village, arts and crafts, tree lighting and live entertainment. Click here for the complete schedule.
Home for the Holidays
Opera Birmingham will present a holiday concert in Brock Hall of Samford University Dec. 10-12. The concert will showcase performers such as the Houston Opera. More information can be found on the website or call 205-322-6737.
Holiday Music Concert
The Alabama School of Fine Arts will have its Holiday Music Concert at the Dorothy Jemison Day Theater Dec. 10-11. Performances will highlight music from ASFA’s orchestra, jazz ensemble, choir and more. For information about this event, visit the website or call 205-458-0360.
Oak Mountain Festival of Lights
The 2nd annual Oak Mountain Festival of Lights kicks off the holiday season through Jan. 3, 2016 at 1000 Amphitheater Road in Pelham. The nightly driving event features Alabama’s largest animated holiday lights show with special effects. The show includes the “Mile of Light Displays” and other entertainment. For ticket information, click here or follow them on Facebook.
2015 ZooLight Safari
The 2015 ZooLight Safari begins Dec. 4 at the Birmingham Zoo. The safari will highlight its new Glacier Glide Ice Rink with a variety of other family-friendly entertainment. Click here for ticket information and to find out more about the event.
Bellingrath Magic Christmas in Lights
Bellingrath Gardens and Home is celebrating its 20th year of “Magic Christmas in Lights” through Jan. 2, 2016 (except Christmas and New Year’s Day). The magical Christmas show displays 3 million dazzling lights on the 65-acre garden estate. Tours of the South Terrace are available nightly. To learn more about Bellingrath Gardens and for ticket information, follow this link.
Live Nativity Trail and Exhibit
Winter at The Wharf is featuring their new Live Nativity Trail and Exhibit through Dec. 27 in Orange Beach. The live animal nativity will showcase a variety of entertainment by foot, car and other options. For more information about the exhibit, contact The Wharf at 251-224-1000 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Galaxy of Lights
Galaxy of Lights is underway nightly through Jan. 2, 2016 at the Huntsville Botanical Gardens. The holiday light display will highlight Santa and other children’s activities. Click here for the complete schedule.
A Christmas Carol
The Alabama Shakespeare Festival is setting the stage for the Charles Dickens’ play, “A Christmas Carol” through Dec. 24. Click here for ticket information.