A Coastal Alabama holiday is the perfect way to get in the holly jolly mood.

Celebrate the Season in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach

If you’ve been dreaming of a white Christmas, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are the place to be this December. You did mean white-sandy Christmas, right?

Start with some holiday shopping at the 7th Annual Merry Market, December 7 & 8, in Orange Beach, more than 70 vendors with unique gifts, fine arts, arts and crafts, jewelry, clothes, food vendors, door prizes, story time with Mrs. Claus and more produced by the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber and the City of Orange Beach.

On December 7^th, the Lighted Christmas Parade and Beach Celebration in Gulf Shores features festive lighted floats, as well as appearances from holiday characters and marching bands. The parade culminates at a celebration at Sims Park where families can enjoy pictures with Santa, holiday treats, crafts and the 4th Annual Snowball Drop. What exactly is a Snowball Drop? This man-made “blizzard” features 4,000 ping pong balls which are dropped from above by Santa.

At The Wharf, visitors will find a myriad of events including the City of Orange Beach Tree Lighting, Holiday Open House, the Holiday SPECTRA Sound and Light Spectacular, horse and carriage rides, an ice skating rink, as well as photos with Santa and holiday shopping galore.

This December, the South Baldwin Community Theatre presents A Charlie Brown Christmas.  The classic animated television special comes to life in this faithful stage adaptation, in which Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the rest of the Peanuts Gang discover the true meaning of Christmas. For show times, check with the South Baldwin Community Theatre.

Holiday Parades on the Eastern Shore

The City of Daphne’s Christmas parade will take to the streets on December 7^th as will Fairhope’s Magical Christmas Parade. Join in the excitement as the parade makes its way through the streets of downtown Fairhope, all in anticipation of Santa Claus’ arrival to Fairhope for the holiday season.

For even more fun, check out the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce where you’ll find details on the Christmas Concert with the Baldwin Pops, snow and movie night in the park, and other holiday events.

A North Baldwin Christmas 

Head to Bay Minette for the 36^th Annual Christmas Festival on December 7^th and 8^th. This time-honored tradition features arts and crafts vendors, live music, food vendors, kid’s activities and the annual Christmas parade. Friday evening is a fan-favorite with the Ping Pong Ball Drop where prizes are up for grabs.

For even more holiday joy, wear your pajamas for bedtime stories with Santa or watch the Christmas tree lighting, make reindeer food, and listen to carols in Bay Minette.

Festive Foley

Start the season in Foley where the annual Let it Snow event takes place on December 8^th, from 11:00-3:00 directly following the Christmas Parade. Come out to hear live musical performances, make arts and crafts in the Children’s Art Village, and of course play in the snow.

Looking to start putting presents under the tree? For 51 years, The Foley Art Center has sponsored the Annual Trim a Tree holiday Arts & Crafts show. Beginning on the second Friday in November and ending December 23, over 125 artists and craftsmen will display their handmade work for sale on consignment. The show takes place at Tanger Outlets in Foley.

The classic tale of Clara, the Rat King, a Sugar Plum Fairy, and, of course, the Nutcracker will be on display at Coastal Ballet’s 2018 Nutcracker performance. Catch the show on December 1^st and 2^nd in Foley or on December 8^th in Gulf Shores.

Don’t miss Christmas in Nature, which takes place at Graham Creek Interpretive Center on December 15^th at 10:30 a.m. Children will love hearing stories about winter wildlife as well as taking part in several nature-based crafts. They’ll will also be offered hot chocolate and snacks to enjoy, plus get to meet the big man in red himself.

Arts, Culture & Shopping in Mobile

Meanwhile in Mobile, culture is the name of the holiday celebration game. Get into the seasonal spirit by listening to all of the holiday classics when Mobile Symphony presents ‘Tis the Season with conductor Scott Speck. Continue the deep dive into the arts when you catch a performance of The Nutcracker by the Mobile Ballet on November 15^th and 16^th, or enjoy the Christmas Season at the Richards-DAR House, the Bragg Mitchell Mansion, or the Conde-Charlotte Museum where history, Southern charm, and architectural beauty come to life.

Christmas Nights of Lights over one million lights will sparkle at Hank Aaron Stadium from November 9th through January 1st. Drive through this dazzling show as the lights “dance” to tradition and modern Christmas tunes music playing through your car radio. It’s holiday fun the whole family can enjoy.

If your shopping list is on your mind, then don’t miss the Junior League of Mobile’s annual Christmas Jubilee from November 15^th through November 17^th. Known as one of the Gulf Coast’s greatest holiday markets, shoppers will find more than 100 merchants from around the country under one roof for three exciting days of shopping.

The shopping fun doesn’t stop there. On December 8th, gather in downtown Mobile for Holiday Market and Christmas Kids Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This family-friendly event features arts & crafts, dancing, music, and more.

Twinkling Lights & Historical Sites in South Mobile

One of the most anticipated events of the year is Magic Christmas in Lights at Bellingrath Gardens and Home in Theodore. In this Coastal Alabama holiday tradition, guests stroll through a dazzling light display that features more than 1,100 set pieces, 3 million lights and 15 scenes throughout the 65-acre Garden estate. In addition, the Bellingrath Home is decorated in its holiday finery and enhanced with beautiful poinsettias. Magic Christmas in Lights includes nightly choral performances on the South Terrace of the Home on Sundays through Thursdays, plus guests can meet Santa, sip hot chocolate, and peruse holiday gifts in the Bellingrath Gift Shop.

Keep the holiday magic going when you experience a Christmas of “days gone by” at Fort Gaines.  Christmas Through the Ages is a living history day for the whole family which takes place on December 8^th. Here, you’ll see soldiers from the 1700s through the 1900s and their families as they celebrate a non-commercial Christmas. Children will have the chance to make a seashell ornament and other decorations.

Get the details for all seasonal events from our partners.