Happy Thanksgiving Week! My wish for you is that you only have to go to the grocery store once, that your gravy has no lumps, and that you take more than a moment to count the ridiculous amount of blessings surrounding you. I know we here at Rocket City Mom are incredibly thankful for all of our Readers and Partners – you make us possible!

The main reason RCM exists is to help families find ways to spend time together – we hope our Holiday Happenings Guide and our list of 30 Things to Do With Kids This Holiday will help you do that. You can also plan out winter camps for school break before they fill up.

While you’re in the grateful spirit, how about exploring ways to give back? Use our Holiday Giving List as a starting point, and make sure you Shop Local over the weekend! #blessed

Free & Cheap Events

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North Pole Stroll in Athens

Now – December
Cost: FREE
Big Spring Memorial Park, Athens | More Info
North Pole Stroll is a display of live Christmas trees at the Duck Pond (Big Spring Park) in downtown Athens during December. Trees are sponsored and decorated by local businesses, groups, and organizations, and can be enjoyed by the public daily beginning on November 21st until midnight each night. Bring your hot cocoa and take a stroll through Athens’s very own North Pole!

Thanksgiving Day Hike

Thursday from 9-11 AM
Cost: FREE
Monte Sano Nature Preserve | More Info
Take part in a favorite Huntsville tradition – appreciating the beauty of Monte Sano Nature Preserve with family and friends on Thanksgiving morning! Burn some extra calories and walk down Alms House Trail to Historic Three Caves. Then, drivers will be ferried back to our Bankhead hiker’s parking lot. Dogs on leads are welcome!

1st Annual Vintage Christmas at Thornhill Tree Farm

Friday – Sunday
Cost: FREE admission
Thornhill Tree Farm | More Info
This family friendly shopping event will have lots of fun activities. You can pick out a live tree and shop the vendors who will be set up selling antiques, crafts and furniture and handmade items. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be in attendance as well!

Gobble Wobble Fun Run

Friday from 9-10 AM
Cost: FREE
Fleet Feet Huntsville | More Info
Grab the kiddos and come out to wobble with the rest of us! All paces welcome to run or walk 3-5 miles and work off Thanksgiving dinner! If you have lots of leftovers there’s also an Ugly Sweater Fun Run on Sunday.

Light Up Providence

Friday from 4-7 PM
Cost: FREE
Village of Providence | More Info
Not just a tree lighting, ,any of the merchants will provide family-friendly activities, such as a corn-hole competition, a giant Jenga attraction, and a cookie decorating station and of course, Santa Clause will be available for pictures. You can bring an unwrapped and unopened gift to donate to Toys for Tots.

Santa’s Village Opens

Friday from 5-9 through Dec. 23
Cost: Tickets $5 per person, kids under 5 FREE
Constitution Village | More Info
All ages will delight in visiting the Claus’ house, meeting Santa’s reindeer, the North Pole elves, and Santa! Snow shows, craft projects and musical entertainment all add to the fun at the Village Santa calls home. The magical garden will come to life right before your eyes. Christmas trees will talk and sing, while holiday lights magically keep up the beat. Read our review before you go!

Tinsel Trail Kicks Off

Friday at 5PM through December
Cost: FREE
Big Spring Park EAST | More Info
Over 250 live trees will decorate the center of Big Spring Park East for the holiday season, including large flagship trees and the City of Huntsville tree located at the main entrance of the trail. Note the Trail has moved across the street this year! It’s a new Huntsville tradition!

“Christmas in the Park” Opens in Arab

Friday at 6:00 PM – December
Cost: FREE
Arab Historic Village | More Info
Featuring more than 2 million lights, the park is ablaze with the magic and beauty of Christmas, and it opens to the public this night with a tree lighting at 6PM. Visitors can stroll along the sidewalks and pathways within the park. The park lights begin each evening at dusk and remain on until 9PM.

Worth the Money

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Skating in the Park is Back!

Now – January 3
Cost: $5-10
Big Spring Park | More Info
Got a houseful for the holiday? Why not make some memories at Huntsville’s on version of “Rocket-fella” Center. Grab your family and friends and experience a magical winter wonderland right here in downtown Huntsville. Bring your own skates or rent them there.

Make an Amazing Gift

Saturday at 1PM and 3PM
Cost: $30-65
Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment | More Info
One for teens and parents to do, these special Handcrafted Holidays sessions at Designbyhart Pottery Studio are a great way to spend meaningful time together AND make someone a thoughtful gift. Create a Vintage Christmas Tree at 1PM, or a Tree Ornament at 3PM.

[themify_box style=”lavender announcement”]Didn’t find anything you liked here? Be thorough and check out our full RCM Event Calendar for event more activities.[/themify_box]

 

You Might Also Like…

• 30 Experiences to Give Instead of Toys
• Be a Winner via our 12 Days of Giveaways

[box style=”lavender rounded” ]DISCLAIMER: We do our best at Rocket City Mom to provide accurate, useful information about events and activities. This information (such as times and locations) is gathered from user submissions, press releases, local newspapers, signs around town and word of mouth. While we always try to confirm details in the Huntsville Weekend Roundup before they are posted here, sometimes details change or we are given inaccurate information. Whenever possible we link our write-ups to the source in which our information came from and strongly urge you to confirm details before you go, especially when it comes to outdoor events and weather. [/box]