Holiday Magic in the Rocket City

Madison Hot Cocoa Stroll

City of Madison Retailers
Friday, November 1 through Sunday, December 15, 2024

Cozy up with delicious hot cocoa and support local businesses this holiday season! The Madison Chamber of Commerce invites everyone to participate in the second-annual Hot Cocoa Stroll, proudly sponsored by United Community Bank. From November 1 through December 15, 2024, enjoy the festive spirit while entering to win fabulous prizes by simply supporting local City of Madison retailers. Participating businesses are encouraged to enhance the shopping experience by serving shoppers hot cocoa packets or fresh hot cocoa! Click here for participating retailers and how to win prizes.

Galaxy of Lights  

Huntsville Botanical Garden
November 15 - December 31

Walking Nights: Pre-purchase your timed ticket (5:15–8:30 pm) to guarantee admission.
November 15–Dec 1 (Closed Nov 17 and Thanksgiving Day)
December 4–8, 18 – 26 (Closed Christmas Day)
Driving Nights: December 9–17 & 27–31 | 5:30–9:00 pm

Join the tradition of this winter light extravaganza with thousands of twinkling lights and animated displays. Enjoy the lights in various ways, including Walking Nights, Dog Nights, and a 3K and 5K race. Tickets for Walking Nights and Driving Nights are available to pre-purchase online or at the Garden’s front desk during regular business hours. 

Dog Walking Nights: Every Monday and Tuesday during Walking Nights (November 18 & 19, November 25 & 26, and December 23 & 24). Admission: $5 per dog.
5k Race: Monday, December 2 | 6:00 pm
3k Fun Run: Tuesday, December 3 | 6:30 pm

Christmas Light Show & Winter Wonderland

Toyota Field
November 22 - December 29

The musically synchronized, drive-through Christmas Light Show and Winter Wonderland inside Toyota Field return for the fifth straight year! Guests can drive through 1.5 miles of brilliant displays for $30 per car. Festivities last from 5-9 p.m. each night, rain or shine.

SKATING IN THE PARK

Huntsville Museum of Art
November 27 - January 5

Grab your friends, family, and skates, then head downtown to enjoy outdoor ice skating behind the Huntsville Museum of Art in Downtown Huntsville. Admission charged. Rental skates are available.

LIGHTS UP! HOLIDAY KICK-OFF

Bridge Street Town Centre
November 22 | 4:30PM-7PM
November 23, 29-30, December 6-7,13-14,20-21 | 6PM-8PM

Enjoy live music, choral singing, holidaycharacters, giveaways, and more. Santa lights a 45ft Christmas Tree before the debut of a Holiday lightshow.

DOWNTOWN HUNTSVILLE TINSEL TRAIL

Big Spring International Park
November 29 - December 31

Stroll through a festive forest of live Christmas trees in downtown Huntsville decorated by individuals, non-profits, and corporations.

Black Friday Market | November 29, 2PM-8PM
Kick off the holiday season with the Tinsel Trail and this downtown market, featuring retail vendors, food trucks, and free activities.

Miracle at MidCity

The Camp
November 29 - December 24

Enjoy a special menu of Christmas-themed cocktails, food specials, holiday music, festive events, and holiday décor that’ll flip any Resting Grinch Face. Plus, it’s family and pet friendly!

Christmas on the River

Ditto Landing
December 1 - 31

Wander through Christmas Card Lane, view an indoor holiday model train display, or make a purchase at the tree farm. Enjoy select drivable and dog-friendly dates, and special weekend events. Check the schedule for Santa, fireworks, and movie nights, too!

CANDLELIGHT CHRISTMAS & HOLIDAY MAGIC DINNERS

Burritt on the Mountain
December 1 - 17

The star-lit mountain will be mirrored by more than 600 flickering candles, adding to the dreamy, nostalgic feel of Candlelight Christmas. You'll find music everywhere on the Mountain. Cider, cookies, and tasty figgy pudding will warm you up. For another year, we will have performances of the Sanders Family Christmas play. Be sure to purchase tickets early; they're sure to sell out!

Candlelight Christmas: December 6-7, 5 PM-9 PM
Holiday Magic Dinners: December 10-15
Sanders Family Christmas: December 18-22

CHRISTMAS PARADES

Downtown Huntsville Christmas Parade
Tuesday, December 3 | 6:00 pm

City of Madison Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 14 | 7:00 pm

Mrs. Claus' Snow Stroll

Stovehouse
December 6-7, 13-14, 20-21 | 5:30 PM-8:30 PM 

Experience the magic of falling snow as you participate in kid-friendly activities and crafts, an inflatable snow globe for photo ops, a spiked hot chocolate bar for adults, a free hot chocolate bar for kids, and shop women-owned businesses.

A Christmas Carol

VBC Playhouse
December 6-8, 12-15 

With more theater magic than ever before, this Charles Dickens classic will delight all ages as an inspiration to keep Christmas in our hearts all year long. Get Tickets.

12 Nights of Santa

EarlyWorks Children's Museum
December 12-23

Write a letter to The Big Guy, decorate a gingerbread cookie, visit with Santa, play in snow, make an ornament, and more!

The Nutcracker

Von Braun Center Mark C. Smith Concert Hall
December 13-15, times vary.

December heralds Huntsville Ballet’s 55th production of The Nutcracker, performed with the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra. This time-honored event has become an enduring part of the holiday season. Tchaikovsky’s iconic score comes to life with Clara and her prince, the magical growing Christmas tree, a blizzard of white snowflakes, dancing flowers, and the Sugar Plum Fairy.

SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS PAST LUMINARY TOUR

Twickenham Historic District
NEW DATE/TIME: Friday, December 13, 5 PM-9 PM

Marvel at streets aglow with luminaries and lighted trees while front doors glisten and carolers stroll.

CHRISTKINDLMARKET HUNTSVILLE

The Orion Amphitheater
December 13 - 15

Arts Huntsville presents Christkindlmarket, a free Bavarian-style holiday art market. Combining German and European tradition with local flair, the new Christkindlmarket Huntsville will feature a unique shopping experience with over 60 juried artists and a blend of holiday food, drink, and music.

Big Spring Jingle

Big Spring International Park
December 20, 4PM-9PM

Big Spring Park West will be transformed into a magical winter wonderland featuring festive lights, live music, a dance floor and plenty of prizes and giveaways. Santa will also make a special appearance, taking a break from his North Pole workshop to take photos with everyone. His arrival might even bring a few flurries to the park!

Dickens Christmas Fair

The Orion Amphitheater + Apollo South
December 20, 5PM-9PM

Delight in traditional fare and festive libations worthy of a Dickensian feast, while enjoying timeless holiday tales and tunes brought to life by Fantasy Playhouse performers and roaming street carolers.

MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER CHRISTMAS BY CHIP DAVIS

Von Braun Center Mark C. Smith Concert Hall
December 28, 7 PM

MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER CHRISTMAS by Chip Davis has been America’s favorite holiday tradition for over 35 years! The program includes dazzling multimedia effects performed in an intimate setting. Experience the magic as the spirit of the season comes alive with the signature sound of Mannheim Steamroller.  

WINTER SOLSTICE MARKET

Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment
December 21, 11 AM - 7 PM

The Winter Solstice Market is the perfect place to find last-minute gifts as we prepare to celebrate the holidays and the end of the year. 

MENORAH LIGHTING WITH CHABAD HUNTSVILLE

Bridge Street Town Centre
December 29, 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm

Celebrate Chanukah with Chabad of Huntsville. Enjoy a grand Menorah lighting, hot latkes, street performers, kids crafts, and more.

Miss Bennet: Christmas At Pemberley

Von Braun Center Playhouse
November 15-24

Theatre Huntsville presents "Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley" by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon. A sequel to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice set two years after the novel ends, MISS BENNET continues the story, only this time with bookish middle-sister Mary as its unlikely heroine. Mary is growing tired of her role as dutiful middle sister in the face of her siblings’ romantic escapades. When the family gathers for Christmas at Pemberley, an unexpected guest sparks Mary’s hopes for independence, an intellectual match, and possibly even love. This show is recommended for ages 10 & up. Get Tickets.

Holiday Market at MidCity 2024

The Camp at MidCity District
Sunday, November 17, 11 AM-4 PM

Over 150 local vendors, Live music, Santa, and several special characters will be visiting with shoppers. TONS of food options all throughout MidCity, free to enter, no outside food and drink allowed. Adult beverages will be available all afternoon, and Tasty hot drinks will be available all day long. Come with your pocketbooks and be ready to #supportlocal. The goal is for the local bakers, makers, and farmers to #FEELTHELOVE. Make sure to bring some cash for vendors who are cash-only. Parking is throughout the MidCity District; please be mindful of the various types of parking. Some parking is angled-reverse parking. Not all parking will be within one block of the Market. (Perk of wearing walking shoes!)

501 Church St. Holiday Market

501 Church St., Huntsville, AL
Every Friday, November 8 through December 6

We’re welcoming some of our favorite local artisans to set up shop in Canadian Bakin on Fridays, starting November 8 through December 6! Grab your coffee and carbs, then shop at these local businesses. Don’t forget to pop by our neighbors, Church St. Wine Shoppe and Accents of the South, who will be hosting pop-up shops as part of the 501 Church Street Holiday market!

Celebrate Diwali

James Clemons High School
Saturday, November 16; 4-9 pm

Huntsville India Association will be celebrating the Indian Festival of Lights, Diwali, on Saturday, November 16th, 2024 at James Clemens High School. Diwali signifies triumph, the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance and good over evil. The celebration starts at 4:00 PM with live entertainment by local talent, followed by delicious Indian food at 7:00 PM. BUY TICKETS

Piper & Leaf Holiday Market

Piper & Leaf Tea Co. | The Farm HQ
Saturday, November 16; 10AM-3PM

Holiday Market & Christmas Tree Farm at the P&L Headquarters! Win a Christmas Tree from Shell Family Tree Farm (Must be present to win and take home). Featuring goods by dozens and dozens of local makers! Our most popular event of the year! Food trucks, special vendors, events, and activities!

Holiday on Gates Christmas Market

Constitution Hall Park
Saturday, November 16; 4PM-9PM

Stroll through beautifully decorated stalls showcasing handcrafted gifts, unique artwork, cozy winter goods, and delicious treats—all created by talented artists from our community!

JINGLE BELL BASH MARKET

Stovehouse
November 22 - 24

First 200 people in line on Friday, November 22, 2024 receive Swag Bags! Meet Santa, enjoy live music, stay for hourly giveaways, shop 100 vendors, and take advantage of Pre-Black Friday Deals.
Buy Tickets

CIRQUE DREAMS HOLIDAZE

Von Braun Center Propst Arena
November 27, 7 pm

CIRQUE DREAMS HOLIDAZE will be dazzling audiences in Huntsville during its 6-week, 60-city U.S. tour this holiday season. Audiences from coast to coast will be captivated by this brilliant and whimsical holiday spectacular. As the nation’s premier family holiday tradition, CIRQUE DREAMS HOLIDAZE will convey the season's magic with a Broadway-style production infused with contemporary circus arts.

A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS

Von Braun Center Mark C. Smith Concert Hall
Wednesday, December 4, 6 PM

Get into the Holiday spirit with A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage!

NEACA CHRISTMAS CRAFT SHOW

Von Braun Center South Hall
December 6-8 

It's the perfect place to find unique holiday gifts! Crafters will have a wide variety of items, including jewelry, pottery, home decor, outdoor decor, dolls, clothing, kitchen accessories, children’s items, food, and much more. Get into the holiday spirit with this festive shopping experience!

Breakfast with Santa

Toyota Field | SportsMED Stadium Club
Saturday, December 7, 9:30AM

Enjoy a breakfast buffet, photo opportunities with Jolly St. Nick, and more! Proceeds benefit the non-profit Trash Pandas Foundation. Get Tickets.

Christmas Carnival

The Orion Amphitheater + Apollo South
Saturday, December 7, 10AM-3PM

Try your hand at a park full of classic carnival games and an inflatable obstacle course. Relish carnival comfort foods and seasonal sips, including a DIY Hot Chocolate bar. $10 Admission. Get Tickets

YULE Y'ALL

Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment
Saturday, December 7, 11 AM-7 PM

Show your spirit early this year at ‘Yule Y’all,’ our Christmas Market with a southern twist and twinkle. Discover the work of hand-picked makers from across the South who will peddle their unique crafts and wares. Inside, keep your eyes peeled for unique seasonal artwork from participating Lowe Mill A&E studios. You’ll find that one-of-a-kind gift or stocking stuffer during our only holiday shopping day. Parking is $10 per vehicle. 

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA

Dave & Buster's Huntsville
Saturday, December 7, 9 AM

Santa Claus is coming to Dave & Buster’s! Score a ho-ho-whole morning of family fun with exclusive early access to the store. Forget the long lines at the mall. There’s no better place to meet Mr. Claus! Your kids can play games & get a photo with Santa. It’s a win-win!
Click here for more details and to purchase tickets.