Scott Turner
T he Christmas tree is already up at Bridge Street Town Centre. The light display at Toyota Field can be seen from Interstate 565 on the evening commute from work. Christmas music can also be heard on area radio stations.
There were already plenty of holiday activities for residents in the Tennessee Valley even before the first Thanksgiving turkey was carved up. It will be that way until people ring in the New Year.
Here are five things to do to keep you in the Christmas spirit throughout the holiday season.
1. Go see the Galaxy of Lights
One of Huntsville’s longest running holiday traditions is already underway at the Huntsville Botanical Garden. The fun began on Nov. 17 and will run through New Year’s Eve.
The garden is decked out with a wonderland of lights, fake snow and includes interactive activities and music entertainment. There are walking nights and dog-walking nights to go along with the traditional drive through the garden.
Walking nights began on Nov. 17 and run through Nov. 26, 29-Dec. 3, Dec. 16-24. Dog walking nights are held every Monday and Tuesday during the walking nights and Dec. 18-19.
Driving nights are Dec. 4-15 and 26-31.
People are asked to purchase tickets for walking nights in advance. Driving tickets can be pre-purchased or purchased on arrival per vehicle.
The garden is decked out with a wonderland of lights, fake snow and includes interactive activities and music entertainment. There are walking nights and dog-walking nights to go along with the traditional drive through the garden.
Walking nights began on Nov. 17 and run through Nov. 26, 29-Dec. 3, Dec. 16-24. Dog walking nights are held every Monday and Tuesday during the walking nights and Dec. 18-19.
Driving nights are Dec. 4-15 and 26-31.
People are asked to purchase tickets for walking nights in advance. Driving tickets can be pre-purchased or purchased on arrival per vehicle.
2. Go to a performance of The Nutcracker
Huntsville Ballet’s 54th production of The Nutcracker will be held Dec. 8-10, in addition to a free performance on Dec. 7 for military personnel and their families at the Mark C. Smith Concert Hall at the Von Braun Center.
The cast includes the full professional company, 80 students from Huntsville Ballet School and adult volunteers. Huntsville Symphony Orchestra will perform Tchaikovsky’s iconic score as the story of Clara and the Nutcracker Prince comes to life.
The performance includes colorful costumes, a growing Christmas tree and lively dances performed by the company members and students of the school.
Dancing the starring roles of Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier are Abby Callahan, Brooke Jarm, Nathaniel Otto and River Byrd.
3. Go to a Christmas parade
The Huntsville Christmas Parade “Christmas Through the Decades” will be 6 p.m. Dec. 5. The parade will begin near the U.S. Post Office on Clinton Avenue and will make its way around the courthouse square before ending near AM Booth’s Lumbar Yard.
The parade will feature 80 floats, animals and marching bands.
The parade is sponsored by Mix 96.9 and presented by Bank Independent.
The Jaycees Annual Decatur Christmas Parade will be 6:30 Dec. 2. It will run down Bank Street and 2nd Avenue past the Alabama Center for the Arts and the Princess Theater.
The Athens-Limestone County Christmas Parade will be 6 p.m. Dec. 7 and will run through downtown Athens around the Limestone County Courthouse Square. There parade’s theme is Bright Lights & Christmas Delights.
The Madison Christmas Parade is 5 p.m. Dec. 9. The theme is Santa’s Workshop. The parade lineup is on Plaza Boulevard. It will run south on Hughes Road to Insanity Skate Park at the corner of Hughes Road and Mills Road.
4. Go ice skating
The Huntsville Museum of Art’s Skating in the Park returned for its 11th season on Nov. 17 and will run through Jan. 7. Tickets may be purchased at the entrance, which is behind the museum at Big Spring Park, which features more than 400 Christmas trees with its Tinsel Trail.
Tickets are $15 for ages 10 and older, $10 for ages 9 and younger, $13 for groups of 10 or more. There is a $5 discount for people bringing their own skates.
Hours are 4 p.m-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 4 p.m.-10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and noon-8 p.m. Sunday.
There is also ice skating at the Orion Amphitheater’s Winter Park beginning on Nov. 30 and running through New Year’s Day. Activities also include curling under the Dome, meet and greets with Santa Claus, holiday movies, train rides and festive performances.
Hours are 4 p.m.-9 p.m. Thursdays, 4 p.m.-10 p.m. Fridays, noon-9 p.m. Saturdays and noon-9 p.m. Sundays. Extended hours begin Dec. 19, including 4 p.m.-9 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, noon-4 p.m. Christmas Eve, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. New Year’s Eve and 4 p.m.-9 p.m. New Year’s Day.
5. Go to a light show at Toyota Field
The Rocket City Christmas Light Show and Winter Wonderland began on Nov. 17 and features more than one million lights. It will run through New Year’s Eve.
This is the fourth year of the event. This year’s theme is Santa’s Favorite Tales. The route is 1.5 miles of displays. Drivers can tune into 95.5 FM for synchronized music to go along with the lights. The fee is $30 per car, or $60 for 15-passenger vans or larger vehicles.
Admission price includes access inside Toyota Field’s Winter Wonderland. There will be visits from Santa, a 15-foot snow globe, artisan craft and vendors booths.
For more information, visit: Rocket City Christmas Light Show | Trash Pandas (milb.com)
