Christmas Lights in Alabama 2024-2025

Alabama celebrates Christmas with fantastic light displays all over the state. From Gulf Coast to the Appalachian Mountains near the Tennessee River, millions of lights illuminate neighborhoods, gardens, parks, and downtowns.

Magic Christmas in Lights at Bellingrath Gardens and Home, Theodore (November 29, 2024–January 5, 2025)

Every holiday season, Bellingrath Gardens and Home in Theodore host Magic Christmas in Lights. This is a favorite Gulf Coast holiday tradition, attracting thousands of guests who stroll through a magical light display with more than 1,100 set pieces and fifteen scenes. Over three million lights illuminate the sixty-five-acre garden estate. Visitors have the chance to view the magical display from 8 am to 9 pm, except on Christmas Day and New Year's Day when it is closed.

The Bellingrath Home is lavishly decorated and enhanced with beautiful poinsettias. Every night there is a choral performance on the South Terrace of the Home. Guests may also get hot chocolate and other beverages at Live Oak Plaza. Magic Christmas in Lights was included in the Top 20 of Southeast Tourism Society Festivals & Events and ranked among “10 Best Botanical Garden Holiday Light Displays” by USA Today.

Glow Wild: An Animal Lantern Celebration at the Birmingham Zoo (mid-November 2024–mid-January 2025, select nights)

Glow Wild: An Animal Lantern Celebration is a new larger than life illuminated experience at the Birmingham Zoo. This extraordinary event will be held on select nights during November, December, and January. Guests will be captivated by visually stunning lantern creations of wildlife from around the world. Watch the Zoo come alive with hundreds of marvelous animal shapes of all sizes—from pandas, elephants, cheetahs, polar bears, and whales—soaring up to 30 feet (9.1 m) high!

Christmas at the Falls at Noccalula Falls Park, Gadsden (November 28–December 31, 2024)

Noccalula Falls Park and the City of Gadsden hold a big holiday celebration every year. Christmas at the Falls features millions of lights throughout the park, illuminating walking trails or magnificent views from the park’s train's vantage. In addition to seeing impressive light displays, families can try cookie decorating, visit the petting zoo, and warm up with hot chocolate.

Drop by to visit Santa Claus, take a picture, and send a letter to the North Pole in a special mailbox at the Old Post Office. Admission with a Train Ride included costs $10 per person from Monday to Thursday and $15 per person from Friday to Sunday.

Galaxy of Lights at Huntsville Botanical Garden, Huntsville (November 15–December 31, 2024)

Galaxy of Lights Nights is a truly magical experience at Huntsville Botanical Garden in Huntsville, Alabama. Bundle up and enjoy the Walking Nights, exploring dozens of larger-than-life displays on foot. Pay a visit to Santa and walk through snow falling inside the magical icicle forest. Cheer up with a cup of hot chocolate to complete your Galaxy of Light experience.

Other options include Walking Nights (November 15–December 1; December 4-8 and 18-26; closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day), Dog Walking Nights (November 18-19 and 25-26; December 23-24), when pets are invited to the Botanical Garden and Driving Nights (December 9-17 and 27-31), when visitors can explore the displays in the comfort of their own cars. Don't forget to stop by a delightful Christmas village to enjoy traditional holiday scenes and characters.

Walking Nights ticket prices for Non-Member Adults vary from $16 to $20 (plus tax), and Non-Member Child tickets (ages 3-15) range from $9 to $15 (plus tax). Dog admission is $5 per dog. Driving Nights Ticket for Non-Member range from $30 to $40 (plus tax), and Non-Member 5-Pack costs $120. Additionally, there are special prices for Members.

Tinsel Trail at Big Spring Park, Huntsville (November 29–January 1, 2025)

Tinsel Trail is a spectacular free display of live Christmas trees that can be seen in Downtown Huntsville's Big Spring Park. Since 2010 volunteers, families, businesses, and various organizations decorate trees for the holidays. Every winter, about 300 trees are sparkling with lights and colors for the whole community to enjoy. The Tinsel Trail can be accessed from Williams Avenue and Church Street, where parking with meters is available.

Oxford Festival of Lights (November 22–December 24, 2024)

A family-friendly drive-through light show at Choccolocco Park creates an unforgettable holiday experience for all and welcomes visitors with must-see twinkling lights. Afterwards, festival guests can visit Santa’s Village, featuring Santa photos, food-vendors, synthetic ice-skating, inflatables, hot apple cider, gourmet fudge, and more fun activities.

The Oxford Festival of Lights operates from November 22 to December 12, Monday through Thursday from 5 to 9 pm, and Friday through Sunday from 5 to 10 pm. From December 13 to December 24, visitors can attend daily from 5 to 10 pm. Car tickets range from $25 to $30, Van tickets from $30 to $35, and Bus/Limo tickets from $50 to $55, depending on the day of the week.

Winter Wonderland at Sportsmans Lake Park, Cullman (November 16–December 29, 2024, selected dates)

Sportsman Lake Park Winter Wonderland Christmas Light Display is an annual event, now in its 21st year, in Cullman, Alabama. A million lights and new displays return in 2024, featuring a Christmas Train, snow machine, horse and carriage rides, photo booth, hot chocolate, and much more to feel a Winter Wonderland atmosphere.

Display operates from 5 to 9 pm on November 16-17, 20-24, 29-30 and December 1, 4-8, 11-15, 18-22. The Drive-Thru is available only from December 26-29. Admission is $10 cash per car.

Christmas in Candy Land, Andalusia (December 6-29, 2024, selected dates)

Christmas in Candy Land at Andalusia Court Square makes lasting holiday memories with its Christmas lights and decorations, musical acts, imaginative play cottages for kids, train rides, snow tubing, winter skating, and a 30-minute snow show every weekend. Admission for Christmas in Candy Land is free; however, visitors must pay for some activities.

Other Events

For an even greater Christmas lights experience, you can also attend Lights on the Landing in Gadsden, Fayette Christmas in the Park in Fayette, Bearden Christmas Lights in West Blocton, Christmas Fantasyland in Calera, Lights of Noel in Birmingham, Rocket Around the Christmas Tree Trail in Gardendale, Cloutier Christmas Lights in Chelsea, and other magical events.