Shoppers Can Valet Park During Magic of Birmingham This Year

The Birmingham Winter Markt may be over, but that doesn't mean the holiday season is winding down in Birmingham.

In fact, if you're looking to hit up downtown Birmingham for some holiday shopping this year, you'll definitely want to be at the sixth annual Magic of Birmingham, to be held this Saturday and Saturday, Dec. 15 at shops around town.

The annual Birmingham shopping event, held from noon-4 p.m. both days, highlights Birmingham's shops and restaurants and features carolers, a warming tent, free carriage rides, ice-carving demonstrations and plenty of prizes.

New this year, shoppers don't have to haul their bags far and can instead take advantage of valet parking on both days, courtesy of the Principal Shopping District and In-House Valet Company.

For $6 a day, shoppers can valet their car at three locations around town:

• On the southeast side of Old Woodward, south of Hamilton Row, in front of Comerica Bank
• On the southwest side of Old Woodward, south of Merrill, in front of Chase Bank and across from the Birmingham 8
• On the southwest side of Pierce Street between Merrill and Martin in front of City Hall

Also new to the Magic of Birmingham this year, the Birmingham girls lacrosse team will be offering complimentary gift wrapping at Caruso Caruso, La Belle Provence and Lucy.

The Magic of Birmingham officially kicks off with the Kids Holiday Parade, which starts at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Birmingham Historical Museum and Park. Beginning at noon, kids can make a holiday craft, explore the museum's model train exhibit and then march to the Birmingham Santa House in Shain Park.

In addition, there are even more prizes up for grabs this year. When you visit each participating retailer, make sure you enter their drawings for the chance to win thousands of dollars worth of Birmingham gifts items. Prizes include gift certificates, a ladies sterling silver diamond cuff bracelet from Astrein's Creative Jewelers, a free in-home consultation from the newly-open Sherwin-Williams store and one pair of free eyewear from SEE Eyewear.

In addition, keep an eye out for the strolling entertainers. They'll be passing out $15 gift certificates from Peabody's, chocolate gold coins from American Currency Exchange and car wash vouchers from Jax Car Wash.

Participating Birmingham businesses include:

• Adventures in Toys
• ArtLoft
• Astrein's Creative Jewelers
• Batteries Plus
• Blu Arch Collection
• Ceresnie & Offen Furs
• The Community House
• David Wachler & Sons Jewelers
• Ethan Allen Design Center
• Fifi & Coco's Gallerie
• Heartwear Designs
• J. McLaughlin
• La Belle Provence
• Lyudviga Couture
• Old World Olive Press
• Oliver's Trendz
• Paper Source
• Roots
• SEE Eyewear
• Sherwin-Williams
• The Spice and Tea Exchange
• Suhm-Thing
• Sweet Thing
• Teacups & Toys
• Tender
• Virtuoso Elemental Salon
• Wachler Estate Collection
• What Crepe?