Christmas 2018 is well underway! And I have some big plans to cover some big Christmas attractions across East and Northern Alabama this season. In this post, I am highlighting the top Christmas attractions that I have plans to cover before Christmas Day. Most of these attractions are free or come with a small fee. And all of these attractions are family friendly. Here is the list I plan to cover, weather permitting of course.
Friendship Santa
Every year, a house on McIntosh Road in Oxford goes all out on the Christmas fun! From plenty of Christmas decorations and lights, giant reindeer, and a Santa sleigh all out in the front yard! Avery Robertson plays the role of Santa Claus, and every night until December 23rd, he goes out and waves to traffic passing by on the road. People can stop at this attraction and kids can sit on Santa’s lap and get goodie bags. Plus, you can walk around and enjoy the Christmas decorations while sipping on hot chocolate.
Everything is free, and bring your own camera! To find The Robertson’s home along McIntosh Road, go south from exit 188 (US 431 north exit) at Interstate 20 along Leon Smith Parkway, about two miles down the road, the house will be on the right! To learn more about Friendship Santa, go to: https://www.facebook.com/Friendshipsanta
Christmas at Bubba’s
One of the newest Christmas light displays is called Christmas At Bubba’s just east of Piedmont. Located in Vigo, Alabama at the foot of Duggar Mountain, Christmas at Bubba’s is a light display for all ages. You can drive around the property or park your vehicle to walk around and enjoy the views of lots of Christmas lights and decorations. On some nights, the homeowners sell hot chocolate plus coffee and build a bonfire for those who want to warm up.
The lights are on from 5-9 pm nightly and as late as 10 pm Friday and Saturday nights until Christmas! Enjoy the pictures below! Learn more about Christmas at Bubba’s at: https://www.facebook.com/Christmas-at-Bubbas-495133990651567/
Santa’s Wonderland of Lights & Amusements
Each year, the Terrortorium in downtown Oxford turns into a Christmas attraction! You ride an old amusement rude and see some wonder Christmas decorations. The attraction is open every Friday and Saturday night in December from 6-9 p.m. It costs $7 to ride through Santa’s Wonderland, $5 for the Holiday Ferris Wheel, or $10 for combo tickets to both rides. Learn more on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/santaslightsandrides/
Noccalula Falls
Each year, the City of Gadsden puts on a major Christmas light show at Noccalula Falls Park. Enjoy riding the train or stroll through the park and experience the lights and sounds of the season. During your stroll enjoy over a million lights, the Christmas Story, photos with Santa (until Christmas), cookies decorating, sipping hot chocolate, visit the petting zoo, Christmas ornament decorations, and more!
Admission is $6 per person, and includes most of the activities in the park like riding the train. Learn more at: https://www.facebook.com/noccalulafalls/
Gilley’s Christmas Lights
This is a family tradition that began from a man who loved Christmas. J.C. Gilley worked on all the displays you see at the Christmas attraction through the years. For over 20 years he would mix metal wire with Christmas lights until another Christmas masterpiece was created. Each display was made by hand, and ever since J.C. Gilley’s death in 2002, his brothers Mike Gilley and Donnie Gilley continue the tradition by placing out all the Christmas decorations that are all mechanical. That’s right, they all move!
And this attraction will be featured on the ABC show The Great Christmas Light Fight. The episode airs on Monday, December 17th.
The lights are on from 5-9 pm through the Christmas season. Learn more at: https://www.facebook.com/Gilleys-Christmas-Lights-307215919298168/?fref=ts
First Baptist Church of Glencoe
For years now, the First Baptist Church of Glencoe puts on a massive Christmas light show in front of their church. It takes a team of approximately 20 people, starting in October to construct the display, however planning began in August. They put in all of their time and resources because they love to see everyone come out and enjoy the lights. They hope it serves as a reminder to them of the true meaning of Christmas.
You can find the First Baptist Church of Glencoe on US 431 in Glencoe at the traffic light intersection of College St. Learn more about the FBC of Glencoe Christmas Light Show at: https://www.facebook.com/glencoelights
Gaddys Light Display
Something I have planned to cover this year, the Gaddy’s have over 30,000 Christmas lights which most are synced to music you can listen too from a radio station in your car. There are also plenty of Christmas decorations! This light show is located at 1046 Angel Drive in Jacksonville. Learn more at: https://www.facebook.com/Gaddyslightdisplay
Quintard Avenue Lights
Each year, the City of Anniston puts out Christmas lights in the median of Quintard Ave. (AL-21) in the downtown Anniston area. The lights are on every night. Just see them in the median while you are driving down Quintard Ave.
Festival of Trees – Mary G. Center for Cultural Arts
The Cultural Arts Center is happy to present their 23rd annual Festival of Trees. This year’s trees each feature a different First Lady of the United States. The trees are decorated by area schools and non-profits using mostly recycled materials. Also, the Imagination Place has the Let It Snow attraction.
Learn more at: http://www.culturalarts.com/
Lakeside Park Pell City
Pell City Parks & Recreation Department (PARD) would like to invite everyone to participate in “Lights in the Park” this year. This event is a tradition that provides FREE advertising & shows support for one another within our community. All local companies, non-profit organizations, schools, churches as well as individuals may participate. Thousands drive through to view the displays so we do ask that they be of Holiday theme & in good taste.
Learn more at: https://pell-city.com/parks-and-recreation-department/lights-in-the-park/
River Country Campground Christmas
Kick off the season with the sites and sounds of Christmas with your family! Drive-thru Christmas lights beginning at dark each night for a minimal per person charge. This drive-thru light display is $3 per person; children under 2 are free. This attraction is located in Gadsden.
Learn more at: https://www.facebook.com/River-Country-Campground-112313862173497/
Christmas on the Creek
Big Wills Creek Campground is proud to announce that Christmas on the Creek will begin November 23, and continue nightly until December 23rd. Come take a tour of our light displays throughout the campground. Bring your children to decorate cookies with the elves, write letters to Santa, make a Christmas ornament, and get pictures with Santa. While the children are playing with the elves grab some Hot Coco, Coffee, or Apple Sider and shop for that perfect ornament before the grinch steals them!
$3 per person. (weather permitting) $5 per car. Learn more at: https://www.facebook.com/bigwillscreek/
ZooLight Safari at the Birmingham Zoo
Watch as the Zoo comes alive for 17 nights of holiday-centric fun at ZooLight Safari presented by Wells Fargo! Be amazed by over one million lights, listen to holiday music and delight in festive snowfalls every night! Enjoy a ride on the Candy Cane Train*, go for a spin on the Jingle Bell Carousel*, experience the thrill of the over 100 foot Yuletide Slide*, ride the Santa Rollers* and so much more. Take in the beauty of a decorated tree reaching nearly 30 feet tall in Trails of Africa as you dance and boogie to special entertainment each night!
Learn more at: https://www.birminghamzoo.com/event/zoolight-safari-presented-by-wells-fargo/
Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland
Come see over 3.25 miles of custom made displays dance to the music played over the radio in your car in perfect synchronization! Also, see Santa and his pals like you’ve never seen them…On vacation! The all-new SANTA’S MOUNTAIN theme features custom built, giant, all-led displays! They are guaranteed to delight everyone from young to old!
Learn more at: http://shadrackchristmas.com/birmingham-al/
Railroad Park Ice Skating
Railroad Park’s Brrrmingham presented by VIVA HEALTH opens the day after Thanksgiving, Friday, November 23, 2018. Open through January 6, 2019, this year’s rink will bring a magical, wintry atmosphere to the Regions Bank 17th Street Plaza. Take a spin on the ice with the Birmingham cityscape as the backdrop.
The 50’ x 80’ rink will be open 7 days a week, only closing on Christmas Day. The Boxcar Cafe will be fully stocked with Red Diamond coffee and tea, homemade hot chocolate and warm, delicious meals. Learn more at: http://railroadpark.org/iceskating.php
Santa’s Underground Workshop at Rickwood Caverns State Park
The Santa’s Underground Workshop is open at Rickwood Caverns State Park near Warrior, Alabama. Over 10,000 additional LED lights have been added for this year along with more Christmas characters. Laser lights and fog have also been added this year.
Learn more at: https://www.alapark.com/santas-underground-workshop-0
Galaxy of Lights
Located in the Huntsville Botanical Garden featuring a nearly two-mile driving route, this holiday light extravaganza showcases larger than life displays, a twinkling icicle forest, Santa soaring over a winter wonderland, and much, much more.
Learn more at: http://hsvbg.org/galaxy-of-lights/
Tinsel Trail Huntsville
The Tinsel Trail is a display of live Christmas trees in Downtown Huntsville’s Big Spring Park. An anticipated 300 trees will decorate the park for the holiday season. Intended to promote community, each tree is sponsored by a local corporation, group, or family, and can be decorated by its sponsor or another organization designated by the sponsor.
Learn more at: https://www.facebook.com/TinselTrail
Christmas In The Park Arab
A dazzling light display featuring more than 2,000,000 lights at Arab City Park. Live entertainment and old St. Nick visits. Adjacent to the Park, Historic Village includes restored buildings adorned with period decorations and open for holiday tours. Call for specific dates and times of special events.Always begins day after Thanksgiving and continues through December 31.
Learn more at: https://www.facebook.com/christmasintheparkarab/
Categories: Christmas Season Stuff, Local Scenes Stuff
