Your Ultimate Guide To Winter Attractions And Activities In Alabama

This spectacular light show is not only a favorite in South Alabama but all of America. The Magic Christmas in Lights at Bellingrath Gardens is the only production in the Southeast to have made USA Today’s top 10 ranking of botanical garden holiday light displays. Theodore is located on the west side of Mobile Bay about 15 miles south of Mobile and 25 miles north of Dauphin Island.

A simple recipe for Christmas wonder: Start with waterfalls. Fold in millions of lights. Add a dash or two of dog-friendly days. Christmas at the Falls at Noccalula Falls is a treasured tradition where the park somehow becomes even more beautiful than ever. It runs from Thanksgiving night through all of December. Kids who’d like to put in their asks (or pledge their cases) with Santa will find him at the park until the day before Christmas Eve. Note that dogs are permitted only during the popular Paws On The Falls nights.

If your idea of a white Christmas means the white sand beaches of Alabama and Florida along the Gulf of Mexico, this is a must-do. A beloved event on the Alabama Gulf Coast, LuLu’s Lighted Boat Parade draws spectators along the Intracoastal Waterway from Gulf Shores to Orange Beach to see boats shine their brightest in the holiday spirit. The event usually happens on an early December Saturday at dusk. Check the website to confirm the date.

French colonists founded Mobile in 1702 and also celebrated America’s first Mardi Gras that same year. Yep, that’s 15 years before Louisiana held its first Mardi Gras. Here, you can expect the same level of grandeur and fab floats along with a vibe the whole family can enjoy. Be sure to make time to see all that Mobile has to offer beyond the Carnival season. As Alabama’s oldest city, it’s chock full of historic sites that showcase the state’s important role throughout American history.

December is simply delightful in the small town of Andalusia, which becomes better known as Candyland throughout the holiday season. It is one of the state's southernmost cities, smack-dab in the middle of the southern border with Florida. Even with a warm climate, it's become a winter wonderland. Candyland sprawls across the heart of Andalusia throughout December weekends at two locations - the downtown square and half a mile east at the Springdale Estate. The site on the square features dozens of play cottages, carriage rides, and snow and light shows. Springdale expands the joy with space for snow tubing, ice skating, food vendors, more play cottages, visits with Santa, and more.

Light shows in the Huntsville area draw people from all around North Alabama, southern Tennessee, and far beyond. It may be because the Rocket City is known for space exploration, and so folks are curious about what light displays it offers here on humble Earth.

Downtown's Tinsel Trail does not disappoint. The massive display features more than 400 trees that local businesses and other organizations trim with delightfully creative decorations. While you're there, round out your travel plan with at least one overnight stay downtown to check out its growing nightlife scene. The next day, set out for a crisp winter hike at Monte Sano State Park or pay a visit to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center.

While the Alabama Gulf Coast community of Fairhope earns accolades for its beauty and charm all year long, it’s a dazzler during the holiday season with fun events that extend for weeks. It all starts in mid-November with a Lighting of the Trees and then a holiday movie night under the twinkling lights and stars. Next up is a downtown merchants’ Christmas Open House. In early December, Santa arrives during the annual Magical Christmas Parade. The jolly fella sticks around for photo ops during Santa Saturdays for the next couple of weeks. He then heads home to the North Pole to wrap up his work before the big day.

One of Alabama’s coolest and newest winter outdoor activities is Skate at Sand Mountain at Albertville’s Sand Mountain Park & Amphitheater. The 130-acre multipurpose park opened in 2021 and features a water park, playing fields for several different sports, a splash pad, and more. When winter rolls around, the park converts the amphitheater into the largest real outdoor ice rink in North Alabama. Check out the park’s Penguin Party Packages for a fun group outing that includes snacks, a hot chocolate bar, and a private igloo.

Enjoy winter at its peak at Alabama’s highest peak with a hiking or camping adventure at Cheaha State Park. Plan well with layered clothing, your most grippy hiking boots, and all you need to stay toasty. Then be prepared to see another beautiful facet of this popular park many do not.

This winter outdoor experience is not only under the radar but also underground. At Rickwood Caverns State Park in Warrior, you can descend into the delightful Wonderland Under Warrior, which features lights, lasers, and other holiday displays. If you chill easily, be sure to bring a light jacket, even if it doesn’t feel like winter above ground. The cave maintains a temperature of about 62 degrees year-round. The park is not far from Birmingham (about 20 miles north).

Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge welcomes you to be its guest each winter along with more than 20,000 sandhill cranes and 18 extremely rare, endangered whooping cranes that winter here. Every year, the refuge rolls out the red carpet for these graceful creatures with its well-protected wetlands and abundant food sources. There’s even a free, weekend-long festival for them in mid-January. While some of the birds begin to arrive as early as October and may stick around until April, the best time to see them in optimal numbers is mid-November through mid-February. The refuge complex observation building is a great spot to see them throughout the season.

An extraordinary history, luxurious modern amenities, and timeless beach vistas all add up to a getaway that’s truly grand at The Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa in Point Clear on Mobile Bay. The Grand Hotel opened in 1847 and quickly established a reputation as the “Queen of Southern Resorts.” Because of its strategic location, the hotel served as a hospital during the Civil War and later as a training ground for Allied forces in World War II. Easy, elevated experiences abound here, including golf at the Lakewood Club, which is part of the prestigious Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail; 20,000 square feet devoted to spa services; and several highly-rated places for dining and cocktails.

While Bear Creek Log Cabins on Lookout Mountain in Fort Payne are available individually, they seem ideal among unique vacation rentals for a group, especially for winter family celebrations. There are six cabins and a lodge from which to choose. The lodge alone has four bedrooms and can accommodate up to 10 people. All of the cabins are reconstructions of original 1800s American Pioneer log cabins and feature thoughtfully chosen antiques alongside modern furniture and appliances. There is plenty to do without going anywhere, like hiking, fishing, rock climbing, and private hot tub soaking. If you do venture out, you’re next door to Little River Canyon National Preserve and also close to DeSoto State Park.