Huntsville Weekend Roundup December 14-16
The winter school break is creeping up – have you made your childcare arrangements yet? Our School Break Camp list can help! The best part about this list is the abundance of flexible options available for Huntsville parents. Sometimes you just need an afternoon to shop/wrap/cook, ya know? In addition to that we’ve rounded up our favorite free & family-friendly events in North Alabama below.
Be sure to check our huge Holiday Happenings Guide so you don’t miss something important! Our full Event Calendar also has more activities happening in Huntsville this weekend is you don’t see anything below that suits your fancy.
Finally, check in with our Giveaways for the Holidays that we host every year for our most devoted RCM Readers. You’ll be glad you did!
Free & Cheap Events
[themify_hr color=”orange” width=”75%” border_width=”1px” ]Go Light Hunting
Now through the season!
Cost: FREE, plus gas
Various locations | More Info
Gas up the car, bundle up the kids, and go looking for Christmas lights all over Huntsville. We made it super easy with our master list with a MAP!
Find Your Local Holiday Scene
Now – Dec. 31
Cost: FREE
Various locations
No matter what corner of North Alabama you live, you can find free seasonal fun every night that includes gorgeous lit trees or festive decorations! Lights typically come on at dusk.
- Tinsel Trail – Big Spring Park, Huntsville
- Christmas Card Lane – Downtown Madison
- North Poll Stroll – Downtown Athens
- Enchanted Forest – Decatur
- Holiday Lane – New Market
- Christmas in the Park – Arab Historic Village
Holiday Puppet Show
Thursday at 10:30 AM
Cost: FREE
Bailey Cove Library | More Info
Ideal for young audiences ages 0-5, these holiday puppet shows at the Library are tons of fun!
Family Winter Craft Sesh
Thursday from 4-6 PM
Cost: FREE
Madison Public Library | More Info
Families are invited to craft together & make snowmen, ornaments, and reindeer.
The Living Christmas Tree
Thursday – Sunday
Cost: FREE, tickets required
First Baptist Church Huntsville | More Info
A spectacle of sight and sound, over 150 singers, a 50 piece orchestra and thousands of lights bring a 39-foot Christmas tree to life. There’s even a Children’s Night! Tickets are now only available by pickup at the church or by calling (256) 428-9422.
Christmas Parades This Weekend
Thursday & Saturday
Cost: FREE
Everybody loves a parade, and there are a couple to choose from this weekend! Click the orange titles for details.
- Hartselle Christmas Parade – Thursday at 7:00 PM
- New Hope Christmas Parade – Saturday at 6 PM
Christmas Around the World
Friday at 6:30 PM
Cost: FREE
Madison YMCA | More Info
Learn about the different Christmas traditions all over the world, enjoy refreshments, and meet Santa!
Holiday Concert in Madison
Friday at 7:00 PM
Cost: FREE
Madison United Methodist Church | More Info
This annual free concert by the Madison City Community Orchestra will get you into the spirit with all your favorite Christmas songs.
Christmas Now & Then
Friday – Sunday
Cost: $3-5
Calvary Assembly Church | More Info
Two words: breakdancing Frosty! This popular show in Decatur has been running for 20 years. Read our review before you go.
Snacks with Santa
Saturday from 10AM – Noon
Cost: FREE
Hardin Center Imagination Place | More Info
Children can visit with Santa while enjoying free snacks provided by Downtown Gadsden, Inc.
3D Printer Maker Cart Holiday Workshop
Saturday from 10AM – 1PM
Cost: FREE
Calvary Hill Public Library | More Info
You’re invited to the grand opening of a new mobile 3D Printing space at the Library! Come and learn how to use 3D Printing to make your own gifts for the holidays.
Star of Wonder
Saturday at 7:30 PM
Cost: $3-5
VBAS Planetarium | More Info
Magi from the East: Gaspar and Melchior crash this VBAS show with gifts for the young ones and treats for all others. Each year kids can explore several possibilities of the Christmas Star, including comets, meteors, novae and other phenomena.
Greene Street Holiday Market
Sunday from 1-4 PM
Cost: FREE
Greene Street Market | More Info
This special holiday market will include all the produce, meat, and cheese you usually find, plus baked goods, greenery, and homemade gifts.
2018 Christkindlmarket
Saturday from 4:30 – 9:30 PM
Cost: FREE
USSRC Davidson Center | More Info
Walk under the Saturn V Apollo moon rocket and grab a cup of hot chocolate at the 2nd annual Christkindlmarket. The market was voted Best Holiday Market in Alabama by “Food and Wine.”
Santa Sightings
Friday – Sunday
Cost: FREE
Various locations
There are a couple of great opportunities around Huntsville & North Alabama to meet up with Santa for free/cheap this weekend!
- Cookies & Photos with Santa – Thursday from 4-6 PM
- Christmas Around the World – Friday from 6:30 – 8:30 PM
- Breakfast with Santa – Saturday from 7-10 AM
- Snacks with Santa in Gadsden – Saturday from 10AM – Noon
- Free Photos with Santa – Saturday from 1-4 PM
- Santa at North Pole Stroll in Athens – Saturday from 5PM – Midnight
- Santa in the Park in Arab – Saturday from 6-9 PM
PSSSST!!! You’ll find even more free events in our full Event Calendar!
Worth the Money
[themify_hr color=”orange” width=”75%” border_width=”1px” ]Sanders Family Christmas
Now – Sunday
Cost: $20
Burritt On the Mountain | More Info
The congregation of the Old Country Church will hear more than two-dozen Christmas carols, many of them vintage hymns, and hilarious yuletide stories from the more or less devout Sanders family members. See the full show schedule.
Marvel Universe LIVE!
Friday – Sunday
Cost: Start at $18
VBC Arena | More Info
All your favorite Marvel heroes assemble to fight evil right here in the Rocket City!
Friday Shows – 10:30 AM and 7:00 PM
Saturday Shows – 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM, and 7:00 PM
Sunday Show – 2:00 PM
Polar Express Day
Saturday from 10AM – 2PM
Cost: $5 for members, $12 for non-members
Hardin Center’s Imagination Place | More Info
Visitors will be able to play in Imagination Place, Let it Snow, join a guided tour of Festival of Trees, watch The Polar Express movie, create a special craft, and ride on the miniature “Polar Express” train in our rear parking lot. Snacks with Santa is from 10AM – Noon.
Skate with Santa
Saturday from 11AM – 1PM
Cost: $10-15
Huntsville Museum of Art Rink | More Info
Santa will be all laced up and ready to skate. Get your picture taken on or off the ice with Santa in our Skating in the Park winter wonderland!
Galaxy of Lights Driving Nights
Friday, Nov. 23 – Dec. 31st
Cost: $25 per car
Huntsville Botanical Garden | More Info
Galaxy of Lights is an award-winning holiday light extravaganza featuring larger-than-life animated light displays. Put it on your Must List. Check their calendar for discount nights!
Santa’s Village North Pole Express
Daily now – Dec. 23 from 5-9 PM
Cost: $7 per person, kids under 2 FREE
Huntsville Historic Depot | More Info
All ages will delight in visiting Santa’s NEW house at the Depot! Meet reindeer and the North Pole elves, play in the snow, enjoy musical entertainment and more at the Village Santa calls home. Save a buck on the ticket price with this coupon.
- Holly Jolly Stress Busters for Moms
- 2018 Huntsville Gift Guide
- The Star of Vengeance – A Christmas Story
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