Alabama's Holiday Celebrations in Lights
Catch spectacular holiday displays at these 10 Alabama Tourism recommended Holiday Light Festivals:
Arab -- Christmas in the Park
November 27-January 1
For the 14th consecutive year, the City of Arab will offer a dazzling display of nearly two million holiday lights that transform the park into a winter wonderland. Visitors will enjoy holiday music and special decorations in the Historic Complex, which features an old church, a school and an operational gristmill. 256.586.8128, www.arabcity.org.
Mobile -- Bellingrath Gardens -- Magic Christmas in Lights
November 27-December 31
Stroll through a wonderland of more than three million twinkling lights and 600 custom-designed holiday displays during Magic Christmas in Lights at Bellingrath Gardens in Mobile. Tour the historic Bellingrath Home decorated in its holiday finery, enjoy nightly entertainment and visit with Santa. 251.973.2217, www.bellingrath.org.
Birmingham -- Zoolight Safari at the Birmingham Zoo
December 4-30
Ride the Zoolight Express train while enjoying a half-million twinkling lights. The spirit is festive and the tradition comes complete with hot cocoa, a light show synchronized to favorite holiday tunes and appearances by Santa. 205.879.0409, www.birminghamzoo.com.
Decatur -- Christmas Tour of Homes
December 12
Decatur's historic districts are decorated with luminaries, greenery and thousands of lights. Several homes are open for tours. Refreshments are served and carriage rides are available. Tour from 4-8 p.m. 256.350.2028, www.decaturcvb.org.
Eufaula -- Christmas Tour of Homes
December 5
Visitors can stroll through downtown to see the antebellum homes aglow in holiday splendor. 334.687.6664, www.eufaula-barbourchamber.com.
Florence -- Open House & Festival of Lights
December 4
Florence businesses and Wilson Park will be decorated in lights for Christmas. Visitors can shop while listening to music on the street corners and in the park. The jingle of bells on horses giving carriage rides adds to the festive atmosphere. 256.740.4141, www.flo-tour.org.
Huntsville -- Galaxy of Lights Holiday Light Show
November 20 - January 2
Celebrate the holiday season with a drive or a stroll through the Huntsville Botanical Garden.
The walk-through takes place November 20-24 while the drive-through is November 26-January 2, 2010. This magnificent holiday light extravaganza features thousands of lights and more than 600 lighted displays arranged in 125 varied holiday scenes and themes, including a Patriotic Celebration, Winter Wonderland, Santa's Workshop, Christmas Celebrations, Nursery Rhymes, Birds, Bees and Butterflies. 256.830.4447, www.hsvbg.org.
Montgomery -- Governor's Mansion Candlelight Open House
December 7, 14, 21
Governor and Mrs. Bob Riley will open the Governor's Mansion for candlelight tours from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on each Monday night in December leading up to Christmas. The 1907 Colonial Revival mansion located at 1142 South Perry Street in Montgomery will be aglow with lights and filled with the spirit of the season. 1.800.ALABAMA, www.alabama.travel.
Montgomery Zoo -- Christmas Light Festival
November 25 and November 27-December 31
Thousands of lights illuminate the pathways on a leisurely stroll through the Montgomery Zoo during the city's Holiday Lights Festival. Visitors can ride the train through the forested wonderland and see animals come alive in lighted displays. 334.240.4900, www.montgomeryzoo.com.
Opelika --Victorian Christmas
December 9-13
Step back in time with a visit to an Ole World Christmas wonderland in Opelika. On the Victorian Front Porch Christmas Tour, visitors will see more than 60 turn-of-the-century homes in all their lighted glory featuring life-sized Santa's, angels, toy displays and carousel horses. Also enjoy live holiday entertainment. 334.887.8747, www.aotourism.com.
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