Looking for sparkly lights and festive holiday parades? You’ve come to the right place! Watch the kids’ eyes get all aglow at these Christmas tree lightings and holiday parades in Huntsville and North Alabama.

For more holiday fun including all the places to hear holiday music, catch Santa, cavort with holiday cheerfulness and just plain get in the holiday spirit visit the main page of our comprehensive 2018 Holiday Happenings Guide sponsored by Galaxy of Lights at Huntsville Botanical Gardens.

[themify_box icon=”info” color=”green”]ON THE GO? Keep all of our Holiday Guides and our full Event Calendar at your fingertips with our free Explore Huntsville app. It’s available on iTunes & Google Play and will help make your spirit bright![/themify_box]

November

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Lights Up! Bridge Street Christmas Tree Lighting

Bridge Street Town Centre will light up like a winter wonderland to welcome Santa. The evening’s merriment features musical entertainment, strolling Victorian carolers and the lighting of the 45-foot-tall Christmas tree followed by a spectacular fireworks show from the lake choreographed to holiday music. Musical entertainment begins at 4:30, with the Christmas Tree lighting at 6PM followed by fireworks.

Dates/Times: Nov. 16 | 4:30-7PM
Location: Bridge Street Town Centre (map)
Cost: FREE
More Info: Website | Facebook

Village of Providence Tree Lighting

Join us in Providence Park for the 8th annual tree lighting event, where we will have games, activities, and pictures with Santa free with a new unwrapped toy for Toys-for-Tots. Our Village of Providence businesses will have crafts and game tents set up for your enjoyment.  The event starts at 4:00 p.m. with Santa’s arrival. and the tree lighting at 6:30 p.m. Help bring Christmas to local children in need by dropping a new unwrapped toy off at any participating Village of Providence business before Wed., December 7th and receive a discount at local businesses. Please note, there is no outside food or drink at this event. attendees are encouraged to visit one of our local restaurants for all your food and beverage needs.

Dates/Times: Nov. 23 | 4-7PM
Location: Village of Providence (map)
Cost: FREE
More Info: Website | Facebook

Christmas in the Park – Arab

Arab City Park is a must-see during the holiday season. Featuring more than 1 million lights and new displays, the park will be ablaze with the magic and beauty of Christmas. The 2018 Christmas in the Park festivities kick off with the 23rd Annual Lighting Ceremony on Friday, November 23rd at 6pm, featuring the Arab High School Jazz Band, led by Ty Parker, & Special Guest Alex Sierra, Arab’s Citizen of the Year. More than 2 million lights will illuminate the night sky, & decorations galore will line the sidewalks as the Arab City Park is transformed into Christmas in the Park every night beginning November 23rd & ending December 31st, weather-permitting. The public is invited to attend. Admission is free!

Dates/Times: Tree lighting ceremony is Nov. 23rd at 6PM | Park is open dusk through 9 p.m. from Nov. 23th-Dec. 31
Location: Arab Historic Village (map)
Cost: FREE
More Info: Facebook

Tinsel Trail

A local favorite, Huntsville’s Tinsel Trail is a display of live Christmas trees in Downtown Huntsville during the month of December. An anticipated 300 will trees decorate Big Spring Park for the holiday season. This includes large flagship trees and the City of Huntsville tree. Now in its 8th year, each tree is sponsored by a local corporation, group or family, and decorated by its sponsor. Trees can have themes that match the company’s mission, or sometimes they’re just totally unique! The Tinsel Trail is open to the public daily until midnight. Trees are lit from dusk until midnight each night.

Dates/Times: Nightly Nov. 23-Dec. 31, dusk until midnight
Location: Big Spring Park (map)
Cost: FREE
More Info: Website | Facebook

Ardmore’s Tinsel Trail

Don’t miss out on the lighting of the Ardmore Tinsel Trail, with a tree lighting ceremony and music form Ardmore High School Band. Sights include Whoville, a living nativity, carolers, a scavenger hunt and other special activities at area stores. Then, during the entire month of December, enjoy an array of 90+ trees decked with amazing collections of baubles and lights decorated by area businesses and organizations around Ardmore Town Hall.

Dates/Times: Lighting ceremony on Nov. 30 at 6PM; Trees on display nightly through December
Location: Ardmore Town Hall (map)
Cost: FREE
More Info: Website

Holiday Lane at Sharon Johnston Park

Stroll down Holiday Lane at Sharon Johnston Park to view decorated trees and holiday cards created by local community members.  Holiday Lane will be open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings until 8:00 pm during December.  Free admission, though donations are welcome!

Dates/Times: Friday through Sundays, Nov. 30-Dec. 30 | 6-8PM
Location: Sharon Johnston Park, Gate 3, New Market (map)
Cost: FREE
More Info: Facebook

Christmas in Cullman Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony

Join us on November 30 for a night of celebrating Christmas in Cullman with our annual parade and tree-lighting ceremony! We’re thrilled to welcome Anthem Lights to this year’s tree-lighting as our featured performers. The event is free, but VIP tickets are $10 each, and each VIP ticket ensures a seat at the performance and the tree-lighting.

Dates/Times: Nov. 30 | 6PM
Location: Depot Park, Downtown Cullman (map)
Cost: FREE; VIP tickets $10
More Info: Website | Facebook

December

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Priceville’s Sheila Smith Christmas Parade

The Town of Priceville Park and Recreation’s Annual Shelia Smith Christmas Parade is set for the first Saturday in December.  This year’s parade is set for December 1, 2018 at 2 P.M. with a rain date of December 8, 2018. Floats will be judged and cash prizes will be given to 1st through 3rd place winners. Santa arrives at the end of the parade!

Dates/Times: Dec. 1 | 2PM
Location: Priceville (parade route map)
Cost: FREE
More Info: Website

Trinity Christmas Parade

The Trinity, AL parade route begins at Love Chapel Church on North Seneca Drive and ends at Trinity Town Hall on Preston Drive. Bring the kids ready to catch sack fulls of candy while waiting to see Santa as he makes his way through our beloved town. We offer prize money for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place floats. Also, remember to stop in Trinity Methodist Church after the parade for a doughnut and some hot cocoa!

Dates/Times: Dec. 1 | 10AM
Location: Trinity, AL (map)
Cost: FREE
More Info: Facebook

Decatur Christmas Parade

At this year’s Christmas parade, we’re rockin’ around the Christmas tree!  Grab your guitars, drums, sunglasses and big hair – we can’t wait to see all of the creative floats this year. All proceeds from the event benefit local charities, and four cash prizes will be awarded for the following categories: Best Decorated Float, Best Walking Unit, Best Animal Unit and Best Decorated Vehicle.

Dates/Times: Dec. 3 | 6PM
Location: Downtown Decatur (map)
Cost: FREE
More Info: Website

Huntsville Christmas Parade

The Mix 96.9 and the Von Braun Center’s 2018 Huntsville Christmas Parade, presented by Redstone Federal Credit Union, will be held on Tuesday, December 4, 2018 at 6pm in downtown Huntsville. The theme this year is Santa’s Toy Shop, and as usual, all floats have lots of lights!

Dates/Times: Dec. 4 | 6PM
Location: Downtown Huntsville (map)
Cost: FREE
More Info: Website | Facebook

Arab Christmas Parade

Don’t miss the annual small town Arab Christmas parade! 2018’s theme is “People of Christmas,”a part of the People of Alabama 2018 Celebration of Alabama’s Bicentennial. As always, Santa will make his appearance at the end of the parade!

Dates/Times: Dec. 6 | 6PM
Location: Downtown Arab (map)
Cost: FREE
More Info: Website | Facebook

6th Annual Lighting of the Soldiers Tree

Rosie’s International Services, Inc. presents the 6th Annual Lighting of Soldiers Tree honoring our military soldiers, veterans, retirees, and families with an event sharing free music, art, and food. 1PM marks the Lighting of Soldiers Tree followed by a saxophonist performance at 3PM. There will be art and coloring for soldiers and families, and kids can make a Christmas Card with a message to a soldier. For more information:  256-429-8039.

Dates/Times: Dec. 8 | 1PM-4PM
Location: Downtown Public Library (map)
Cost: FREE
More Info: Facebook

Scottsboro Christmas Parade

Join us for Jingle Bell Square in Downtown Scottsboro! The activities will begin at 9:00 a.m. with our arts & crafts vendor fair. We will also have kid’s activities and food vendors, then continue the fun with the 2nd Annual Jingle Bell Run at 4:00 p.m. and the Christmas Parade at 5:00 p.m., which is themed “Jingle Bells on Main Street” this year. Enjoy the sights of the Jingle Bell Trail of Christmas trees and have your picture made with Santa. You can also ride in a horse and buggy around the square.!

Dates/Times: Dec. 8 | Festivities are 9AM-8PM, with the parade beginning at 5PM
Location: Downtown Scottsboro (map)
Cost: FREE
More Info: Website | Facebook

Guntersville Christmas Parade

It’s that time of year! Help us celebrate Christmas by joining us for the Guntersville Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 8. The parade begins at 5:00 p.m. and travels through downtown Guntersville.

Dates/Times: Dec. 8 | 5PM
Location: Downtown Guntersville (map)
Cost: FREE
More Info: Website | Facebook

Madison Christmas Parade

The Annual Madison Christmas Parade route will begin at Plaza Drive and Hughes Road and will continue to downtown Madison. This year’s theme is “The Polar Express!” Afterwards, gather for an old-fashioned celebration on the Village Green. Listen to carolers and instrumental music around the Roundhouse and sip hot chocolate at the Gazebo.

Dates/Times: Dec. 8 | 5:30PM
Location: Madison (parade route)
Cost: FREE
More Info: Website

New Market Christmas Parade

The New Market Volunteer Fire Department invites everyone out to the annual New Market Christmas Parade! The route begins and ends at New Market School, traveling down New Market Road to Powers, then Winchester and Hurricane Road.

Dates/Times: Dec. 8 | 2-4PM
Location: New Market (parade route)
Cost: FREE
More Info: Website | Facebook

Parade of Lights at Joe Wheeler State Park

The Parade of Lights is a fun, festive family event that features more than a dozen yachts, pontoons and other watercraft all decorated creatively with lights for the holidays. Bring your own hot chocolate to watch the boats float by from the banks outside The Lodge at Joe Wheeler State Park. You can also watch the parade from inside the restaurant, where a special holiday buffet is served beginning at 4PM. Many families choose to rent a lodge room and watch from inside their room; all 75 lodge rooms have balconies that over look the lake and offer a great view for the parade!

Dates/Times: Dec. 8 | 6PM-8PM
Location: The Lodge at Joe Wheeler State Park (map)
Cost: FREE
More Info: Facebook

Hartselle Christmas Parade

The Annual Hartselle Kiwanis Club Christmas Parade is held on the 2nd Thursday night in December starting at 7:00pm, and continues to be one of the largest in North Alabama. The parade route starts at the football stadium and goes down Railroad Street to Main Street in Downtown Hartselle.

Dates/Times: Dec. 13 | 7PM-9PM
Location: Downtown Hartselle (map)
Cost: FREE
More Info: Website | Facebook

New Hope Christmas Parade

Visit small town New Hope for their Annual Christmas Parade! Lineup begins at 5pm with the parade kicking off at 6pm. Join Santa immediately following the parade in the New Hope City Hall!

Dates/Times: Dec. 15 | 6PM-9PM
Location: New Hope City Hall (map)
Cost: FREE
More Info: Website | Facebook

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