From dazzling tree lightings to twinkling parades, Baldwin County is gearing up for a season full of holiday cheer.
Communities across the area are rolling out a wide mix of family-friendly events to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year, and Gulf Coast Media has pulled together a guide to help you take in as much as possible. If you're looking to jump right into the festive spirit, you can begin with Fairhope's Annual Lighting of the Trees on Thursday followed by OWA's Tree Lighting on Saturday. This season also brings fresh additions to the holiday lineup, including new celebrations at Historic Blakeley State Park and Summerdale's first-ever Lights in the Park.
This list is accurate as of press time, though weather or other circumstances may affect event times or details. Events for Magnolia Springs have not yet been announced, but we will update the article at www.gulfcoastmedia.com as details become available.
We've separated the events by region and ordered them by date so you can plan your holiday stops with ease.
What: The City of Orange Beach will host its annual Christmas Tree Lighting on Main Street at The Wharf. Attendees can enjoy performers singing Christmas carols, cookie decorating, letters to Santa, hot chocolate and a spectacular drone show produced by America's Got Talent finalists Sky Elements.
When: Tuesday, Dec. 2, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Where: The Wharf, Main Street, Orange Beach
Price: Free
What: Families and friends can enjoy pictures with Santa, holiday treats, crafts and the 10th Annual Snowball Drop, a man-made blizzard of 8,000 ping pong balls with winning numbers corresponding to prizes. For more information, visit www.gulfshoresal.gov/christmas.
When: Thursday, Dec. 4, 5:30 p.m.
Where: Johnnie Sims Park, 348 W 19th Ave., Gulf Shores
Price: Free
What: LuLu's Gulf Shores & Homeport Marina hosts the annual Lighted Boat Parade, traveling east down the Intracoastal Waterway to The Wharf at dark. Parade visible from Canal Road to The Wharf.
When: Saturday, Dec. 13, around 4 p.m.
Where: LuLu's, 200 East 25th Ave., Gulf Shores
Price: Free
What: Celebrate the magic of the holidays at Downtown OWA's annual Tree Lighting. The event features live entertainment, a Christmas Tree Show, performances by Brody Gravitt and Ballet Pensacola and meet-and-greets with Santa and Mrs. Claus. The 36-foot-tall Christmas tree will be lit in a synchronized show followed by fireworks. Toy donations are welcome to support the Toys for Tots program. For more information, visit https://visitowa.com/tree-lighting.
When: Saturday, Nov. 22, 2-8 p.m.
Where: Downtown OWA, 101 N S OWA Blvd., Foley
Price: Free
What: Celebrate with Christmas carols, a tree lighting, Santa visits, hot cocoa and snacks and awards for the Christmas tree decorating contest.
When: Friday, Dec. 5, 6 p.m. Rescheduled to Friday, Dec. 12 at 6 p.m.
Where: Heritage Park, 125 E Laurel Ave., Foley
Price: Free
What: The Let it Snow Marketplace offers kids' activities, live entertainment and a visit from Santa following the Christmas Parade. The event continues until 2 p.m.
When: Saturday, Dec. 6, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Rescheduled to Saturday, Dec. 13 at 11 a.m.
Where: Heritage Park, 101 E Laurel Ave., Foley
Price: Free
What: The Kiwanis Club of Foley hosts its annual Christmas Parade featuring floats, marching bands, candy and Santa Claus. The parade has been a community tradition since 1963.
When: Saturday, Dec. 6, 10 a.m. Rescheduled to Saturday, Dec. 13 at 10 a.m.
Where: Downtown Foley, 104 N McKenzie St., Foley
Price: Free
What: The event features Santa arriving by helicopter, rides on the Christmas train, games, Secret Santa Shop, hot chocolate, cookies, a s'mores bar, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus and the traditional light switch-on at 5:30 p.m. Other activities include Christmas Merry-Oke on Dec. 11 and Christmas Caroling on Dec. 18. For details, visit https://lillianrecreationalpark.org/programs-and-activities.
When: Saturday, Dec. 6 for kickoff event; lights continue through Wednesday, Dec. 31
Where: Lillian Recreational Park, 33914 Widell, Lillian
Price: Free
What: Celebrate the holiday season with a Christmas parade, tree lighting ceremony, pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, hot chocolate, cookies and Christmas movies in the park.
When: Saturday, Dec. 6, 3:30-9:30 p.m.
Where: Town of Elberta, 13052 Main Street, Elberta
Price: Free
What: Magnolia Springs will host its annual Christmas in the Park with the lighting of the Christmas tree at Old School Park. Guests can enjoy caroling, warm drinks and luminaries prepared by the Magnolia Springs Community Association. The event also highlights the town's new sidewalk and offers time for families and neighbors to gather.
When: Saturday, Dec. 6, 4:30-8 p.m.
Where: Old School Park, 14765 Gates Ave., Magnolia Springs
Price: Free
What: The City of Fairhope kicks off the holiday season with a tree lighting ceremony downtown. Mrs. Claus will hand out candy canes and help children write letters to Santa while Elsa and Anna will make an appearance along with a visit from the Grinch.
When: Thursday, Nov. 20, 5:30 p.m.
Where: Downtown Fairhope, 384 Fairhope Ave., Fairhope
Price: Free
What: Celebrate with train rides, caroling, children's activities, food trucks and more. Activities start at 5 p.m. with the program beginning at 6 p.m.
When: Thursday, Dec. 4, 5-6 p.m. Rescheduled to Tuesday, Dec. 9, 5-6:30 p.m.
Where: 1705 Main St., Daphne
Price: Free
What: Enjoy festive floats, marching bands playing holiday classics and Santa arriving on a red fire truck in downtown Fairhope.
When: Friday, Dec. 5, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Downtown Fairhope
Price: Free
What: Join the holiday favorite in Olde Towne Daphne along the Main Street Parade Route.
When: Saturday, Dec. 6, 11 a.m. CANCELLED
Where: Olde Towne Daphne, 1705 Main St., Daphne
Price: Free
What: Join the community for the annual tree lighting with Christmas carols and light refreshments.
When: Sunday, Dec. 7, 6-8 p.m.
Where: Spanish Fort Community Center, 7361 Spanish Fort Blvd., Spanish Fort
Price: Free
What: Enjoy a family-friendly evening with snow-themed activities and a movie screening.
When: Friday, Dec. 12, 4-8 p.m.
Where: Al Trione Sports Complex, Daphne
Price: Free
What: Blakeley's first-ever Christmas event features music, hayrides, Christmas cruises, live music, photos with Victorian-era Santa and nineteenth century cooking demonstrations. Free cookies and hot chocolate provided by Soul Caffeine Coffee House. For more information, visit www.blakeleypark.com.
When: Saturday, Dec. 13, 3-6 p.m.
Where: Historic Blakeley State Park, 34745 Hwy 225, Spanish Fort
Price: $7 per person or complimentary with purchase of Christmas cruise ticket
What: Celebrate the holidays with the City of Spanish Fort's 20th Annual Christmas Parade at The Eastern Shore Centre.
When: Saturday, Dec. 13, 6 p.m.
Where: Eastern Shore Centre, 30500 State Highway 181, Spanish Fort
Price: Free
What: Join the first-ever Lights in the Park celebration in Summerdale. The event includes Christmas carols, holiday treats and a countdown to flip the switch at 6 p.m. Organizations interested in participating can email summerdaleevents@gmail.com.
When: Tuesday, Dec. 2, 5:30 p.m.
Where: Pioneer Park, 110 E Jackson Ave., Summerdale
Price: Free
What: Enjoy a festive parade, food trucks, a photobooth and visits with Santa at Silverhill's Smalltown Christmas.
When: Friday, Dec. 5, 6:30 p.m.
Where: 15965 Silverhill Ave., Silverhill
Price: Free
What: Celebrate the season with arts and crafts, live music, kid's activities, a ping pong ball prize drop, shopping, food vendors and a twilight Christmas parade. Sponsored by the North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce.
When: Friday-Saturday, Dec. 5-6 Rescheduled: Friday-Saturday Dec. 12-13
Where: Blackburn Park, 102 N. Hoyle Ave., Bay Minette
Price: Free
What: The parade ends at Honeybee Park on Highway 59 with Santa available for photos. Bring your own camera as photos are not provided.
When: Saturday, Dec. 6, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Honeybee Park, Robertsdale
Price: Free
What: Enjoy a festive parade starting at Loxley Church and ending at the Civic Center followed by Christmas in the Park with tree lighting, live music, food trucks, face painting and snow. Bring a chair and a camera for photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
When: Friday, Dec. 12, 6 p.m. (parade), followed immediately by Christmas in the Park
Where: Municipal Park, 1089 S Hickory St., Loxley
Price: Free
What: Explore the enchanting 30th Annual Magic Christmas in Lights at Bellingrath Gardens & Home, a festive paradise on the Gulf Coast. Wander through a dazzling 65-acre Garden estate adorned with thousands of twinkling lights. The Bellingrath Home features elegant décor and vibrant poinsettias. Guests can enjoy live musical performances, holiday treats, warm beverages and handcrafted light displays. Contact (251) 973-2217 or visit the website for more information at https://bellingrath.org/event/30th-annual-magic-christmas-in-lights.
When: Friday, Nov. 21-Tuesday, Jan. 6, recurring daily
Where: Bellingrath Gardens & Home, 12401 Bellingrath Gardens Rd., Theodore
Price: Prices vary, see website for details
