Birmingham Christmas Tree. (Pat Byington / The Bama Buzz)

Tree lighting season is here and communities all across Alabama are getting ready to flip the switch. These celebrations bring everyone together for the countdown, the glow of the lights and the start of the holiday season.

If you’re making a night of it, you can also look for nearby holiday light shows or check out local holiday markets while you’re in the area.

To help you plan, we’ve organized tree lighting celebrations across North, Central and South Alabama.

North Alabama

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From mountain ridges to valley towns, North Alabama lights up early for the holidays. Communities across the region host their own tree lighting traditions, each with its own local touch. Here’s what’s planned across North Alabama this season.

Arab: Christmas in the Park Lighting Ceremony — Nov. 28
Boaz: Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting — Dec. 5
Eva: Christmas Tree Lighting at Shorty Ryan Park — Nov. 30
Falkville: Christmas in the Park and Tinsel Trail — Dec. 7
Fort Payne: Christmas in the Park — Dec. 12
Gadsden: Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting at The Amp — Dec. 6
Hartselle: Lighting of Trees Ceremony at E.A.R.T.H Park — Dec. 6
Huntsville: Tinsel Trail Rocket City Tree Lighting — Nov. 28
Jacksonville: Christmas Light Ceremony on Public Square — Dec. 1
Jasper: Festival of Lights Tree Lighting — Dec. 1
Madison: Polar Express Christmas on Main Tree Lighting — Dec. 5
Mentone: Mentone Christmas Tree Lighting — Dec. 13
Phil Campbell: Christmas Tree Lighting — Dec. 11
Priceville: Christmas Carols + Tree Lighting — Dec. 7
Red Bay: Christmas Tree Lighting at Bay Tree Park — Nov. 30
Russellville: Christmas at City Lake Park Tree Lighting Ceremony — Dec. 4
Scottsboro: Jingle Bell Trail Opening Night — Nov. 28
Tuscumbia: Dickens Christmas Y’all Tree Lighting — Dec. (TBD)

Central Alabama

Homewood Christmas Tree in front of City Hall. Photo via Pat Byington for Bham Now

From metro centers to historic neighborhoods, Central Alabama celebrates the season with a mix of large city tree lightings and small-town traditions. Communities across the region gather for countdowns, music and holiday festivities. Here’s what’s planned across Central Alabama this season.

Alabaster: Annual Water Tower Lighting — Dec. 5
Alexander City: Chamber Christmas Parade + Tree Lighting — Dec. 1
Anniston: Tree Lighting Ceremony — Dec. 1
Bessemer: Annual Christmas Tree Lighting — Nov. 30
Birmingham: City Hall Holiday Tree Lighting — Dec. 7 & Regions “Flip The Switch” Downtown Tree Lighting — Nov. 28
Chelsea: First-Ever Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony — Dec. 6
Clanton: Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting — Dec. 5
Fayette: Tree Lighting Celebration — Dec. 1
Gardendale: Rocket Around the Christmas Tree Trail — Tree Lighting — Dec. 4
Greenville: Christmas Parade + Tree Lighting — Dec. 9
Homewood: Lighting of the Star + Christmas Parade — Dec. 9
Hoover: Christmas Tree Lighting — Dec. 2
Irondale: Believes Parade + Tree Lighting — Dec. 5
Jasper: Festival of Lights Tree Lighting + Christmas on Main — Dec. 1
Millbrook: Millbrook Christmas Tree Lighting — Nov. 27
Montevallo: Christmas Parade + Tree Lighting — Dec. 5
Pelham: Hometown Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting — Dec. 14
Prattville: Christmas Tree Lighting — Dec. 4
Selma: Christmas Parade + Tree Lighting — Dec. 7
Sylacauga: Christmas in Sylacauga — Tree Lighting — Dec. 4
Talladega: Tree Lighting on the Square + Christmas Parade — Dec. 8
Trussville: Community Caroling & Tree Lighting — Nov. 29
Tuscaloosa: PARA Courthouse Tree Lighting — Dec. 8
Wetumpka: Christmas on the Coosa — Tree Lighting Ceremony — Dec. 5

South Alabama

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From the Gulf Coast to the Wiregrass, South Alabama brings a coastal twist to the holiday season. Communities across the region gather for tree lightings that range from waterfront celebrations to small-town traditions. Here’s what’s planned across South Alabama this year.