19 holiday light shows to experience across Alabama this season
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Holiday lights are popping up across Alabama, transforming parks, gardens, zoos + downtowns into glowing displays for the season. Whether you’re planning a family outing or a weekend road trip, Alabama has plenty of magical light shows to explore.
We’ve rounded up 17 Christmas light shows across the state, organized by region to help you plan your visit. Many of these displays run for several weeks, giving you time to enjoy your local favorites or road-trip to a new one.
Here are the Christmas light shows to experience this year!
Galaxy of Lights in Huntsville
- When:
- Walking Nights: Nov. 14–26, 28–30, Dec. 3–6, Dec. 17–24, 26–27
- Driving Nights: Dec. 7–16, Dec. 28–31
- Dog Nights: Nov. 17–18, Nov. 24–25, Dec. 22–23
- Evergreen Express Tram: Nov. 14–16, 20–23, 30, Dec. 4–6, 18–21, 26–27
- Sensory Hours: Nov. 30 at 4:30PM, Dec. 3 at 4:30PM
- Where: 4747 Bob Wallace Ave SW, Huntsville, AL 35805
- What: Galaxy of Lights celebrates 30 years of holiday displays, offering walking nights, driving nights, dog nights, sensory-friendly hours + the new Evergreen Express tram tour. Expect large light scenes, themed areas + plenty of festive photo spots.
- Tickets: Pricing varies by date + experience (walking, driving, tram tours, dog nights). Visit the website for full ticket details.
- Website | Instagram
Christmas at the Falls in Gadsden
- When:
- Nov. 14, 2025 – Jan. 3, 2026
- Closed Dec. 24 and Dec. 25
- Open nightly 4PM–10PM
- Santa visits Nov. 28 – Dec. 23
- Where: 1500 Noccalula Road, Gadsden, AL 35904
- What: Christmas at the Falls features millions of lights throughout Noccalula Falls Park, with illuminated walking paths, large holiday displays, a full train ride through the park, food vendors, and festive decorations. Guests can visit Santa, explore the new animal barn, shop local vendors, and enjoy views of the falls lit for the season. Tickets are sold online only.
- Tickets:
- Mon–Thurs: $12 per person
- Fri–Sun: $18 per person
- Children 3 and under free
- Express Train Pass: $10 (covers 2 people)
- Website | Instagram
Lights on the Lake in Guntersville
- When: Nov. 20 + Dec. 13, 2025
- Nov. 20-Boat lineup at 4:45PM, parade starts at 5:15PM
- Dec. 13-Follows the Guntersville Christmas Parade
- Where: 301 Scott St, Guntersville, AL 35976
- What: A Christmas boat parade of lights featuring decorated boats cruising into City Harbor for the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony. A festive lakeside tradition with holiday music, shops, restaurants + waterfront views.
- Tickets: Free to attend. Free to enter a boat with registration.
- Website | Facebook
Rocket City Christmas Light Show in Madison
- When:
- Nov. 21–Dec. 28
- 5–9PM nightly
- Where: 500 Trash Panda Way, Madison, AL 35758
- What: A walk-through Christmas light experience at Toyota Field featuring nearly one million lights, interactive displays, festive food + drinks, character visits, igloo add-ons, shopping, Santa appearances + more.
- Tickets:
- Kids 12 + under free
- General admission ranges $16–$25 depending on date
- Website | Instagram
Festival of Lights at Sportsman Lake Park in Cullman
- When: Nov. 21–23 + 28–30, Dec. 3–7 + Dec. 10–23
- 5–9PM nightly(Christmas lights only Dec. 10–23)
- Where: 1544 Sportsman Lake Rd NW, Cullman, AL 35055
- What: A sprawling Winter Wonderland featuring over one million lights, a Christmas Train, horse + carriage rides, a snow machine, photo booth, hot chocolate + more. A long-time family favorite in North Alabama with festive displays throughout Sportsman Lake Park.
- Tickets:
- $10 per car
- $20 per bus
- Website | Facebook
Lights of Noel in Birmingham
- When:
- Opening Nov. 21, 2025 at 5PM
- Nightly from 5PM–Midnight
- Where: Winners Way, Birmingham Race Course, Birmingham, AL 35253
- What: Alabama’s largest drive-through holiday light show featuring millions of lights, animated displays synchronized to Christmas music. Guests can drive comfortably through the spectacle, enjoying tunnels of light and festive scenes for all ages.
- Tickets:
- Cars/Family Vans: $25 Weekdays (Mon–Thurs) / $35 Weekends & Holidays
- Activity Vans/Limos/Mini-Bus: $40 Weekdays / $50 Weekends & Holidays
- Website | Instagram
Magic of Lights in Bessemer
- When:
- Nov. 21, 2025 – Jan. 3, 2026
- Nov. 21 – Dec. 11: 5:30PM–9PM
- Dec. 12 – Jan. 3: 5:30PM–10PM
- Where: 4599 Splash Adventure Parkway, Bessemer, AL 35022
- What: Magic of Lights is a drive-through holiday lights experience featuring LED displays, animated tunnels, and themed scenes. Guests drive through the illuminated path and can also stop for extras like Santa photos, s’mores, and holiday treats. A family-friendly event designed so visitors can enjoy the show from inside their vehicle.
- Tickets:
- Pricing varies by date and vehicle type
- Standard Car (Nov 7–Dec 4):
- Any Day: $30.02 online / $33 gate
- Weekday (Mon–Thurs): $26.91 online / $29 gate
- Prime Season (Dec 5–Jan 3):
- Any Day: $34.16 online / $38 gate
- Weekday (Mon–Thurs): $30.02 online / $35 gate
- Limo/Party Bus: From $56.93
- Website | Instagram
Festival of Lights in Oxford
- When:
- Nov. 21, 2025 – Jan. 4, 2026
- Hours vary by date (see event calendar)
- Where: 954 Leon Smith Parkway, Oxford, AL 36203
- What: A family-friendly drive-through light show that transforms Choccolocco Park into a holiday winter wonderland. After driving through the illuminated displays, guests can park and explore Santa’s Village, which features towering Christmas trees, synthetic ice skating, snow tubing, food trucks, inflatables, Santa photos, Frosty’s Playground, and holiday treats like hot apple cider and gourmet fudge.
- Tickets:
- One carload, one price
- Online purchase recommended
- (Pricing displayed on ticketing page)
- Website | Instagram
Magic Christmas in Lights at Bellingrath Gardens & Home in Theodore
- When:
- Nov. 21, 2025 – Jan. 6, 2026
- Closed Nov. 26–27, Dec. 25, and Jan. 1
- Evening event hours: 5PM–9PM (lights on by 5PM)
- Where: 12401 Bellingrath Gardens Road, Theodore, AL 36582
- What: Magic Christmas in Lights is a 65-acre holiday celebration with handcrafted light displays, illuminated garden paths, the historic Bellingrath Home decorated for the season, live music, seasonal treats and warm beverages. Guests can enjoy the gardens at night in a festive setting that blends nature and holiday magic.
- Tickets:
- Online purchase recommended (on-site tickets include a surcharge).
- Day and night tickets sold separately.
- Members free until 3PM; evening tickets required after 3PM.
- Website | Instagram
Christmas Lights on the Landing in Gadsden
- When:
- Nov. 21, 2025 – Jan. 4, 2026
- Nightly beginning at 5PM
- Where: 1 River Road, Gadsden, AL 35901
- What: A drive-thru holiday light show along the Coosa River featuring animated displays, glowing tunnels, riverfront scenes + festive zones throughout River Rocks Landing. After your drive, stop by Pique Nique for hot chocolate, desserts, Santa photos + live Christmas music.
- Tickets:
- Adults: $8
- Children: $5
- Season Pass: $30
- Group rates available with advanced reservation.
- Website | Instagram
Glow Wild in Birmingham
- When:
- Nov. 22, 2025 – Jan. 4, 2026
- Event hours: 5PM–9PM (last ticket sold at 8PM)
- Member Preview Night: Nov. 21
- Opening Night Celebration: Nov. 22
- Coca-Cola Caravan Night: Nov. 23
- Adult Night (18+): Dec. 4
- Where: 2630 Cahaba Road, Birmingham, AL 35223
- What: Glow Wild is a mile-long illuminated lantern festival featuring more than one million lights, artisan-crafted animal lanterns, live acrobatic performances, seasonal treats, a Holiday Village with Santa visits, the Red Diamond Express Train, and the “Elf Power, Inc.” Wild Explorer VR experience. Select animals may be visible in habitats after dark depending on weather.
- Tickets:
- Adult: Starting at $18.95
- Child (ages 2–12): Starting at $11.95
- Infant (under 2): Free
- Advance online purchase strongly recommended
- Website | Instagram
One Place Tinsel Trail in Tuscaloosa
- When:
- Trail Open: From Thanksgiving through New Year’s
- Grand Opening: Nov. 24, tree lighting at 5:30PM
- Suit Up With Santa: Dec. 6, 1–3PM
- Pet Palooza: Dec. 7, 3–5PM
- Holiday Market: Dec. 13, 11AM–3PM
- Family Night: Dec. 19
- Where: 618 Almon Ave, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
- What: Tuscaloosa’s One Place Tinsel Trail fills Government Plaza with more than 200 live Christmas trees decorated by local businesses, organizations + families. Events on the trail feature Santa photos, games, crafts, scavenger hunts, pet treats, a holiday market with local vendors, refreshments + holiday music.
- Tickets: Event details, registration info + any fees vary by activity. Visit the website for the most up-to-date information.
- Website | Instagram
Gardens Aglow in Dothan
- When:
- Nov. 28–29
- Dec. 5–6, 12–13, 19–20, 22–23, 2025
- 5PM–8PM on all event nights
- Where: 5130 Headland Ave, Dothan, AL 36303
- What: Gardens Aglow is a walk-through holiday light event featuring Christmas lights, holiday blow-ups, animated displays, and hidden “Christmas surprises” tucked in the trees along the paved garden trail. Families can bring strollers, wagons, wheelchairs and flashlights. Dogs are welcome on a leash.
- Tickets:
- Entry tickets must be purchased in advance for a designated date and 30-minute entry window.
- Tickets sold online at dabg.com or at the DABG office
- Website | Instagram
Holiday SPECTRA Laser Light Experience in Orange Beach
- When:
- Nightly in December
- Shows at 6PM and 7PM
- Where: 23101 Canal Road, Orange Beach, AL 36561
- What: A choreographed outdoor laser and light show set to music, with palm trees illuminated as part of the performance. The show combines lasers, lighting effects, and surround-sound audio for a high-energy visual experience. Mini shows featuring popular hits and throwbacks run throughout the season.
- Tickets:
- Free to attend
- Website | Instagram
Christmas Lights Festival in Montgomery
- When:
- Dec. 2–27, 2025
- Event hours: 5PM–9PM nightly (last admission by 9PM)
- Where: 2301 Coliseum Parkway, Montgomery, AL 36110
- What: The Montgomery Zoo is transformed into a winter wonderland with thousands of sparkling lights throughout the zoo, festive holiday displays, a Santa visit zone, train ride and sky lift adventures, and seasonal treats. Guests can stroll illuminated pathways, visit the Christmas Tree Village at the Mann Museum and enjoy themed nights like Tacky Sweater Night and Star Wars Night.
- Tickets:
- General night admission: $15 (ages 3 and up)
- Members free.
- Early Bird combo: $32 (day + night visit package)
- Website | Instagram
Holiday Light Fight in Opelika
- When:
- Displays must be lit nightly Dec. 8–30, 2025, from 6PM–10PM
- Entry deadline: Dec. 8, 2025
- Where: Citywide event within Opelika city limits (A public map of participating homes and businesses will be shared online. )
- What: Opelika’s Holiday Light Fight invites residents and businesses to decorate their homes or storefronts with festive outdoor holiday displays. Entries must be visible from the street and family friendly. Interior décor visible through windows is allowed, but all judging is done from the street — no yard or home entry.
- Participants may enter the contest or choose “map only.” Judges score displays based on creative use of lights, uniqueness, curb appeal, overall design + holiday spirit.
- Cost:
- $25 to enter the contest (map-only listings are free)
- Prizes:
- Two residential winners + two business winners
- Community Favorite
- Secret Judge Favorite
- Two residential winners + two business winners
- Website | Instagram
Wild Lights: Holiday Jeeps & More in Gulf Shores
- When:
- Dec. 6, 2025, 5PM–8PM
- Where: 20499 Oak Road E, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
- What: A one-night holiday event featuring holiday-decorated Jeeps lining the zoo’s pathways, with new additions this year including decorated golf carts and local artisan vendors. The event also includes photos with Santa, children’s crafts, animal ambassador meet-and-greets, music, hot chocolate, and other festive activities throughout the zoo.
- Tickets:
- $10 per person (ages 2 and under free)
- Zoo members free with valid membership
- Vehicle registration (Jeeps + golf carts): $25
- Vendor registration: $50
- Website | Instagram
Holiday Ladiga Lights in Jacksonville
- When:
- Beginning November 2025
- (Dates, times, and ticket details released closer to opening.)
- Where: Ladiga Landing to the Jacksonville Soccer Pavilion
- What: Holiday Ladiga Lights is a new 2.2-mile round-trip lighted trail debuting in 2025. Guests can walk or ride a trackless holiday train through themed sections including Santa’s Way, Reindeer Meadow, Snowflake Alley, and Candy Cane Lane. The trail features two 30-foot music-synced light tunnels, seasonal displays, concessions, holiday music, and a full Santa’s Village with festive photo scenes.
- Tickets:
- Details released closer to opening.
- Website | Instagram
Heading to any of these holiday light shows this year? Tag us on Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn and share your favorites!
