It is beginning to look a lot of like Christmas on the island. Gulf Shores and Orange Beach have been busy decorating and prepping for holiday celebrations. There’s no shortage of events and activities to get your family in the holiday spirit. From Santa visits and snowball drops to gingerbread and The Nutcracker, check out just a few of the holiday happenings Coastal Alabama has to offer.

Gulf Shores

Gulf Shores kicks off the holiday festivities with a Christmas celebration at Sims Park Dec. 3 from 6-9 p.m. Families can enjoy pictures with Santa, holiday treats, crafts and the Sixth Annual Snowball Drop. The Snowball Drop is a man-made blizzard of Ping-Pong balls dropped from above by Santa. Winning snowballs will have a number that correlates with a prize.

Santa will take to the streets in Gulf Shores to ensure everyone has a chance to see him before he is off to the North Pole. He will be accompanied by some friends from the North Police and the Gulf Shores High School Steel Drum Band. Dec. 4 he will travel south of the Intracoastal Waterway and Dec. 11 on the north side of the Intracoastal Waterway. For more information on the route or to track Santa on his ride, visit gulfshoresal.gov.

The Gulf Coast Arts Alliance will host the annual Christmas Art Market Dec. 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Gulf Shores Presbyterian Church. The Gulf Coast Arts Alliance will also hold the GCAA Gallery Christmas Open House Dec. 4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Stop by both events to pick up some locally made original art for those holiday gifts.

Gulf State Park’s Very Merry Coastal Grinchmas event will take place at the Learning Campus at Gulf State Park this year Dec. 5 and Dec. 12 from 5-8 p.m. The free festivities begin at 5 p.m. and include Grinch Photos, Dance at the Whoville Disco, send Santa Grinch a letter, crafts and a Whoville Bookstore.

Enjoy an evening of holiday music with The Baldwin Pops. The annual holiday concert takes place at the Gulf Shores Cultural Center Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. Bring an unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots.

LuLu’s Lighted Boat Parade floats down the Intracoastal Waterway on Dec. 11 at dusk. The parade can be viewed from LuLu’s Gulf Shores and Homeport Marina to The Wharf in Orange Beach. Visit lulubuffet.com to register your boat.

Bring your stuffed friends to spend the night at the library Dec. 15. Library elves will capture all the fun and mischief that your favorite toys get into. Toys must be tucked in by 5:30 p.m. and owners can pick up their friends Dec. 16 at 10:30 a.m. Enjoy milk and cookies and pick up a Grab and Go children’s craft before heading home. Contact the Gulf Shores Public Library for more information.

Small Town, Big Beach Productions present the final Movies at Meyer Park Dec. 16 with the film “The Grinch”. Bring your chairs and blankets.

Children will have one last-minute chance to visit Santa Dec. 18 as Gulf Shores hosts Breakfast with Santa at the Erie H. Meyer Civic Center starting at 8 a.m. Families can enjoy a wholesome breakfast complete with sausage, bacon, eggs and pancakes. Admission is $5 and children three and under are free. The first 50 children will receive a complimentary picture with Santa.

Orange Beach

Community members and visitors alike will be lost in a Winter Wonderland this holiday season with events happening during Winter at The Wharf. Events include the merriest of festivities that are sure to bring a warm smile to your face despite the chillier weather. Events include Photos with Santa, Holiday Horse and Carriage Rides, Ice Skating, Toys for Tots Bike Drive and The Wharf North Pole Express Train. To see all events happening at The Wharf, visit, alwharf.com/events.

The Coastal Ballet Company, in cooperation with the city of Orange Beach, will present The Nutcracker Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. and Dec. 4 at 2 p.m. at the Orange Beach Performing Arts Center. General admission tickets are $25 for adults, $10 for children ages 4 to 17 and free for children 3 and younger. Visit coastalballet.com for tickets.

The Annual Gingerbread Jam returns Dec. 4 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Orange Beach Event Center. The gingerbread house assembly and decorating competition raises funds for the Expect Excellence Culinary Arts Program. To register visit orangebeachal.gov. The event is open to the public from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Entry is free and cookies and hot chocolate will be available for purchase. Judging begins at noon.

Orange Beach Conservatory of Fine Arts present A Christmas Carol Dec. 10-12 on the Performing Arts Center Main Stage. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students and senior citizens. Tickets can be purchased on gofan.co.

The Second Annual Holly Days on Main Festival will be bigger and better than last year. Join the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber Dec. 11 – 12 at The Wharf and shop local. The event features vendors, a student art showcase, music and dance performances, a Santa Pub Crawl and the best spot for viewing the Annual Lighted Boat Parade.

The Annual Orange Beach Police Department Kids’ Christmas Party with Santa returns Dec. 13 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Magnolia Hall behind BuzzCatz. Families are encouraged to enjoy games, crafts and photos with Santa.

The Coastal Art Center’s annual Light Up the Arts event will be held Dec. 16 at 5:30 p.m. Enjoy hot glass and pottery demonstrations and finish your Christmas shopping in the gallery.

Pensacola

Kick-off the Christmas holidays with the Flora-Bama’s annual Santa Drop Dec. 11 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. See Santa skydive onto the white sandy beaches and then have a free photo taken. Beginning at 11 a.m., kids can enjoy crafts, games, live music and face painting. Santa is expected to arrive at noon.

The Flora-Bama’s annual Christmas Potluck Dinner is a time to gather with family, friends and strangers. Turkey and ham will be provided by the Flora-Bama and everyone is encouraged to bring a covered dish to share. Beginning at noon on Christmas Day, patrons will gather and dinner will begin at 1 p.m.