If you’re trying to catch a glimpse of the jolly white headed man in the red suit, rumor has it he and his friends will be at these events. No more searching all over to figure out where to find Santa in Huntsville and North Alabama! Many of these events are the perfect setting to get a picture with Santa and we recommend hitting up a couple in case your little ones aren’t cooperative on the first attempt. It happens.

For more holiday fun including all the places to hear holiday music, watch holiday plays, 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 the Galaxy of Lights at Huntsville Botanical Garden.

November

Under the Christmas Tree

If marking early shopping off your list is a must, this popular local shopping event is definitely one to attend! Attendees can enjoy Christmas special events, children’s activities while shopping from more than 100 specialty merchants from 9 states. Photos with Santa are available as well as special children’s events such as Breakfast with Santa, which invites children of all ages to a pancake breakfast which includes a visit with Santa. Children under 7 must be accompanied by a parent. Each person must have a ticket to enter Breakfast with Santa.
Date/Time: Nov. 2-4 | Fri. 10AM-7PM; Sat. 10AM-6PM; Sun. 12-5PM; Breakfast with Santa is Nov. 3 at 9:30AM
Location: South Hall VBC (map)
Cost: $8 (adults);$5 (seniors 60+); children under 18 are FREE but Breakfast with Santa tickets are $20 each
More Info: Website

Pictures with Santa at Posh Mommy & Baby Too!

Our annual Pictures with SANTA are right around the corner!! Don’t miss out on capturing the moments of innocence! 17th & Pear will be our photographers again and they help make the magic happen. Call 256-722-3181 to book your appointment now!
Date/Time: Nov. 9 & 10
Location: Posh Mommy & Baby Too! (map)
Cost: Photo package prices vary
More Info: Facebook

Pictures with Mr. and Mrs. Claus at Honeycomb Salon

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be in town at Honeycomb Salon! All proceeds go to supporting families in need in the Arab area. Here at Honeycomb we believe in paying it forward. Last year we donated $500 worth of food and supplies to Tesa. Call 256-931-2662 or message the salon’s Facebook page to book an appointment!
Date/Time: Nov. 3, 10AM-5PM
Location: Honeycomb Salon, Athens (map)
Cost: $35 per sitting
More Info: Facebook

Santa at Cloud9

Join Santa at one of the cutest children’s boutiques in town. A photographer will be available to snap photos of your child (fees may apply) or you can take your own. Browse an incredible selection of toys and clothing for your tots while you wait.
Date/Time: Nov. 8, 10AM-1PM
Location: Cloud9, Decatur (map)
Cost: FREE to visit; photo fees may apply
More Info: Facebook

“Host of Christmas Past” in Fayetteville

Every year during the second weekend of November the small town of Fayetteville comes alive with its traditional “Host of Christmas Past.” This friendly small town offers free parking, great food, carriage rides, homemade snow, high tea, and nonstop entertainment. Of course, Santa will be present! Begin your visit on Friday afternoon to our beautiful Downtown all decorated for the holiday season. Friday evening following the Annual Lighting of the Christmas Tree at 5:00 pm, enjoy live music from the Bandstand on the Courthouse Lawn and stroll the square as many businesses will be open late. Enjoy photos with Santa Claus from 9AM-4PM with Gloria Stults Photography.
Date/Time: Nov. 9-11
Location: Downtown Fayetteville, TN (map)
Cost: FREE to attend; photos for a fee which benefit Fayetteville Main Street
More Info: Website | Facebook

Santa at the Mall

The big guy is coming to Parkway Place Mall and they’ve got all kinds of special events planned. Check the website for all the info, but here’s a preview of all the Santa opportunities available!

PJ Party with Santa: Nov. 10 at 9AM – At this free public event, kids can enjoy milk and fresh chocolate chip cookies, caroling, face painting, Letters to Santa, a Christmas magic show with Dr. Osborn, and the first 300 children receive a personalized ornament from the Ornament Workshop. Enjoy fun Christmas pictures with a Snow Queen and the Grinch and lastly, Santa will make his grand entrance for storytelling and singing before making his way to the Santa set!
Roll Tide Santa: Nov. 19, 6-9PM
War Eagle Santa: Nov. 21, 6-9PM
Santa Cares with the Riley Center: Dec. 9, 9-11AM – Santa Cares with the The Riley Center is a sensory-friendly opportunity for children with all spectrums of special needs to enjoy the time-honored tradition of the Santa Photo Experience! Families can enjoy a calming environment at the Santa set presented by Hyde Homes. There will be sensory stations and visits with Santa prior to public hours. Please RSVP in advance by reserving one ticket per group. Photo packages are available for purchase during the event.
Santa Paws: Nov. 13, 6-9PM – Pictures with Santa and pets are from 6-9pm on the lower level in center court. We can’t wait to see all the priceless pet photos with families.

Date/Time: Nov. 10 – Christmas Eve
Location: Parkway Place Mall (map)
Cost: Photo packages vary
More Info: Website | Facebook

Black Belt Santa at Alexander’s Martial Arts

Stop by the Alexander’s Martial Arts holiday sale for special deals on martial arts gear as well as food, festivities and fun. It’s the only place in town you can get your picture taken with a real Black Belt Santa! The annual Holiday Sale at Alexander’s is the best time of the year to renew your goals and membership, to buy the mats and heavy bags you want for your home gym or even to just replace your old sparring gear.
Dates/Times: Nov. 10  from 11AM-4PM
Location: All Alexander’s Martial Arts locations at Hampton Cove (map), Madison (map), and Winchester (map)
Cost: FREE
More Info: Facebook

Bike the Lights

Visit with Santa before riding your bikes through the 1.8-mile paved Galaxy of Lights trail! Santa will be available to participants beginning at 5:30PM for photos and early Christmas wishes. The Silvery Moon Band, Huntsville’s premiere big band, swing and jazz band/orchestra, will play during the event, and Domino’s pizza, snacks, and drinks will be available for participants. There will even be Decorated Bike Awards handed out, so get creative with your bike decorations!
Dates/Times: Nov. 13  from 5:30PM-7:30PM
Location: Huntsville Botanical Gardens (map)
Cost: Adults $20; Kids 12 and under $15
More Info: Website

Santa at Bridge Street

Bridge Street Town Centre will light up like a winter wonderland to welcome Santa! The big guy arrives at the Lights Up! tree lighting ceremony on November 16; after that, Santa will be in residence on select dates November 16th through December 24th. Santa Claus will be strolling the promenade dressed in Victorian attire, greeting shoppers and posing for photos. Guests are invited to bring their own cameras to visit Santa, as professional photography is not available.
Dates/Times: Nov. 17  through Dec. 24, various times (see full schedule)
Location: Bridge Street Town Centre (map)
Cost: FREE
More Info: Website

32nd Annual Athens Christmas Open House

Christmas comes early to downtown Athens with caroling, ice skating, snow, and specials for shopping to help complete your Christmas list! Visit with Santa for photos as well as Mother Christmas, Rudolph, and the Christmas Elf, who will be walking around to greet visitors. Santa photos will be held at the ASU Center for Lifelong Learning (map).
Dates/Times: Open House schedule is Nov. 16, 4-8PM; Nov. 17, 11AM-8PM; Nov. 18, 1-4PM; Santa photos on Saturday and Sunday, 1-3PM
Location: Downtown Athens (map)
Cost: FREE to attend; fee for some activities
More Info: Website

Kris Kringle Artist Market

The Madison Arts Council and Madison Parks and Recreation are teaming up bring back the Kris Kringle Market on November 17, 2018.  We’re excited to help bring a cherished German and European tradition with international flair and local charm to Madison. The Kris Kringle Market will feature artisans and craftsmen from across North Alabama, an Olde World Santa, lantern-making workshops for children, and various food and drink options for our guests!
Dates/Times: Nov. 17 | 9AM-4PM
Location: Dublin Park (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

Santa’s Village

Snow shows, craft projects and musical entertainment all add to the fun at the Village Santa Calls Home, located in a new location at the Huntsville Depot this year! Come see Santa’s Magic Garden – a magical garden that will come to life right before your eyes. Christmas trees will talk and sing, while holiday lights magically keep up the beat. There’s lots to see and do in the magical village that Santa calls home! Professional photos are made of each child with Santa, with photographs available online for private viewing. All ages will delight in visiting the Claus’ house, meeting Santa’s reindeer, the North Pole elves, and Santa!
Date/Time: Nov. 23 – Dec. 23 | 5-9PM nightly
Location: Historic Huntsville Depot (map)
Cost: $7 per person. Children 2 & under are free.
More Info: Website
Read our review of this event.

Arab’s Santa in the Park

The 8th Annual Santa in the Park is held in conjunction with Christmas in the Park Arab and adds to the excitement when the Arab Historic Village, adjacent to the Arab City Park, is transformed into Santa’s Village. As festival goers make their way thru the Village, a variety of activities will keep everyone entertained. Stop by the gristmill and pick up food for the reindeer, watch as the blacksmith makes reindeer shoes at his shop, visit with Santa Claus, decorate fun holiday cookies, and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate. All historic buildings will be open and adorned with festive Christmas decorations. Local musicians and carolers will line the sidewalks adding to the magic by singing acapella renditions of traditional holiday music. Plenty of photo opportunities will be available to capture the holiday spirit!
Dates/Times: Nov. 23-24, Nov. 30-Dec. 1, Dec. 7-8, Dec. 14-15, and Dec. 21-22 from 6-9PM
Location: Arab Historic Village (map)
Cost: $5 per person with a max of $20/family (children 2 and under FREE)
More Info: Facebook

Suppers with Santa

This popular Huntsville fundraiser sponsored by the Earlyworks Society includes a child-friendly meal and a seat at each table reserved for Santa to drop by and wish you a hearty Ho Ho Ho! When Santa’s not at your table, one of his many friends will drop by to say hello. The Grand Hall will be transformed into a magical Christmas wonderland by the Society members. Tickets also include admission to Santa’s Village anytime through December 23. So after dinner, head over to Santa’s Village to visit with the reindeer, hear a story from Mrs. Claus, and enjoy the snowfall while listening to our entertainers performing holiday classics (and you can visit with Santa there, too!). If you know you’d like to attend, mark your calendar now to snag tickets – they go on sale NOVEMBER 1st online only at 8AM, and they go FAST!

Date/Time: Nov. 26-29, seatings at 5PM and 6:30PM each night
Location: Earlyworks Children’s Museum Grand Hall (map)
Cost: Tickets are $15 each and are required for anyone above the age of one year. Includes admission to Santa’s Village.
More Info: Earlyworks Website
Read our review of this event.

December

Kris Kringle’s Candlelight Christmas

We are decking the halls, the walls and the stalls! Burritt on the Mountain invites everyone to Kris Kringle’s Candlelight Christmas November 30th and  December 1st from 5-9 p.m. The kids will love to see Kris Kringle in the Burritt Mansion from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. He has to get the reindeer to bed early as he has a busy month coming up! The star-lit mountain will be mirrored by more than 600 candles, adding to the nostalgic feel of the holidays. Music will be heard throughout the mansion and the park; cider, cookies and tasty figgy pudding will keep us warm. Children will enjoy stringing cranberries and popcorn, making paper punch ornaments, creating handmade cards and icing cookies. Many who have come to Candlelight Christmas have felt there was no better way to start the holiday season in a festive non-commercial setting.
Date/Time: Nov. 30 and Dec. 1  | 5:00-9:00 PM
Location: Burritt On the Mountain (map)
Cost: General admission for non-members ($10 adults, $9 seniors and military, $8 children 3-18); $2 for museum members; FREE for children 2 and under
More Info: Website
Read our review of this event.

North Star Limited

Santa Train

It’s an annual Huntsville Tradition! Riding the rails with Santa Claus at the North Alabama Railroad Museum! Santa spends time with each child on board the train, making sure to get his or her Christmas wish-list. Regular class passengers will see Santa at their seats and receive a small gift as they disembark the train. First-class passengers are our extra special guests! They receive a treat as they board the train, and then some extra family time with Santa in his Christmas Tree Room. An extra special gift awaits these children from Santa! The Santa Train rides are always a sell-out, so purchase tickets early!
Date/Time: December 1 & 8 | 12PM, 1:30PM, and 3PM
Location: North Alabama Railroad Museum (map)
Cost: $20 coach/$30 first class
More Info: Website
Read our review of this event.

Saturday with Santa

We’re pleased to announce that Santa has set aside some time in his busy holiday schedule to visit the Huntsville Botanical Garden!  We’re offering two seatings for this popular family event. Reservations are required, so pick your time and reserve your space today! The brunch seating will enjoy brunch with pancakes, sausage and fresh fruit, while the lunch seating serves kids’ favorites of mac-n-cheese, meatballs, and fresh fruit. Both brunch and lunch feature a hot cocoa bar, delicious cookies (Santa’s favorites!), and goodies for all. Kids will also have the opportunity to make a take-home cookie tree ornament and other Santa-themed crafts. Don’t forget to bring your camera to capture that one-on-one time with Santa!
Date/Time: Dec. 1 at 10AM and 12:00PM
Location: Huntsville Botanical Gardens (map)
Cost: Individuals are $13 members/$16 non-members | Family packs are $55 members/$70 non-members (immediate family only) | 2 and under are FREE but must be registered.
More Info: Website

Santa Comes to Beignet Cafe

Santa will visit Beignet Cafe Huntsville again this year! Come and tell him what you want for Christmas and have a bite to eat while here. They are excited to have Santa three years running at the Huntsville location, and for the first of many to come at Madison. With your permission, they will take photos and post on their Facebook page.
Date/Time: Winchester location – Dec. 7th from 5-7PM | Madison location – Dec. 8th from 5-7PM
Location: Beignet Cafe at Winchester (map) and Madison (map)
Cost: FREE
More Info: Facebook (Winchester) or Facebook (Madison)

Snacks with Santa at Imagination Place

Christmas Open House at University Pickers

Join us Saturday, November 10th for our annual Christmas Open House! Treat yourself to our hot cocoa bar, preview DIY classes, meet hipster Santa and enter to win amazing door prizes! This is one event you won’t want to miss.
Dates/Times: Nov. 10 | 9AM-6PM
Location: University Pickers (map)
Cost: FREE
More Info: Facebook

Christkindlmarket

A new way to see Santa in Huntsville is here! This year, Revel Events is excited to announce the Christkindlmarket Huntsville will be hosted at a new location, the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. Walk under the Saturn V Apollo moon rocket and grab a cup of hot chocolate as Revel Events and the U.S. Space & Rocket Center bring you the second-annual Christkindlmarket Huntsville. In 2017, the event attracted more than 2,000 visitors from the Tennessee Valley area and beyond. The market was also voted Best Holiday Market in Alabama by “Food and Wine.” Hear, see, smell and taste a Bavarian Christmas with a live German band, handcrafted Christmas gifts, a magical visit from Santa Claus, German street food including gluhwein (traditional mulled wine), local brews and beloved Christmas sweets and treats. Prost! Also enjoy a special performance by LMP Lyrique Music Productions Take a trip down memory lane or create some new ones as more than 50 craft vendors from the Southeast region bring your Christmas dreams to life. Toy and gift donations will be accepted on behalf of Kids to Love.
Dates/Times: Dec. 15, 4:30PM-9:30PM
Location: U.S. Space & Rocket Center (map)
Cost: FREE
More Info: Facebook

Cookies with Santa and Christmas Open House

Please join us at our annual Christmas Open House. Refreshments will be served all day. We will have gifts and give aways. Best of all, Santa will be here from 4p-6p for photos.
Dates/Times: Dec. 13 from 9-6PM
Location: Meri Beth Mabry State Farm (map)
Cost: FREE
More Info: Facebook

Cookies with Santa

Join the Bailey Cove Friends of the Library and their special guest Santa for cookies and stories after hours and before bedtime! Tickets available at the Bailey Cove Front Desk.
Dates/Times: Saturday, Dec. 14 from 6-7:30PM
Location: Bailey Cove Public Library (map)
Cost: $12
More Info: Website

Christmas Around the World

Come out to the Hogan YMCA for a free community event highlighting Christmas traditions from around the world.  There will also be cookies, cocoa and coffee as well as opportunities for families to take pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Dates/Times: Saturday, Dec. 14 from 6:3-8:30PM
Location: Hogan YMCA (map)
Cost: FREE
More Info: Facebook

Breakfast with Santa

Your family is invited to a special visit at the North Pole inside Santa’s workshop! Become one of Santa’s helpers and paint beautiful hand carved, wooden ornaments, eat breakfast and take photos with Santa! Tickets are $10 per child and include 1 ornament, breakfast and 1 photo with Santa. All proceeds go to 2 local families pursuing adoption. Tickets are sold in 45-minute timeslots with only 25 tickets each timeslot, so order yours today! To purchase please RSVP to our Facebook event and we will message you to reserve your time.

Dates/Times: Dec. 15 with limited seatings at 8:30, 9:15, 10:00
Location: Movement Church (map)
Cost: $10 per child
More Info: Facebook

Santa Comes to Athens North Pole Stroll

Santa visits the Athens North Pole Stroll for photos with the kids and pets. Be sure to bring your cell and camera. Stroll the trees, enjoy hot chocolate with Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful and other activities. Santa will then step inside the Athens-Limestone Visitors Center Meeting Space for a reading of “Twas the Night Before Christmas”.
Dates/Times: Saturday, Dec. 15 from 5-8PM
Location: North Pole Stroll, Big Spring Memorial Park, Athens (map)
Cost: TBA
More Info: Website

Pictures With Santa at Risen Life Church Without Wall

The Big Guy will be in the house at Risen Life Church Without Walls on Saturday, December 15th from 1-4 pm at The Legacy Center at 2212 Jordan Lane SW,35805! Bring your letters to Santa to make sure they make it to the North Pole and get a picture with him too! Light refreshments will be served.
Dates/Times: Saturday, Dec. 15 from 1-4PM
Location: The Legacy Center (map)
Cost: 0
More Info: Website

Santa at Topgolf

Come take pictures with Santa at Topgolf Huntsville before he heads back to the North Pole!
Dates/Times: Dec. 22 from 2-5PM
Location: Topgolf Huntsville (map)
Cost: FREE
More Info: Facebook

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