On Tuesday, the City of Tuscumbia kicked off the Shoals Yuletide festivities with its annual Christmas parade in downtown Main Street. Town Creek did the same on its Main Street.
These parades are only the beginning of a festive-filled 26 calendar days of events in the Shoals to gather with friends, family and your community to celebrate the season.
Here is a sprinkling of some of the events around the Tennessee Valley over the next week.
Muscle Shoals Christmas Parade
On Thursday at 7:00 p.m., Muscle Shoals will have its 22nd Annual Christmas Parade down Avalon Avenue. Bank Independent at 1109 Avalon will be having an open house before the parade at 5:00 p.m., featuring hot chocolate, wassail and a visit from Santa Claus.
Franklin County Christmas Parade
On Thursday, the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce is hosting its “Classic Christmas” Parade at 6:00 p.m. in downtown Russellville (Jackson Avenue), followed by the Lighting of the Trees at City Lake featuring food trucks, Santa Claus and live entertainment.
“Santa In The Park” at Heritage Park
On Friday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., the town of Rogersville will host Santa in the Park. Children can take photos with Santa Claus for free and families can walk through a tinsel trail, take carriage rides and enjoy a variety of food trucks. 1609 Lee Street.
“Kicks and Licks” Lighting At Wilson Park in Florence
On Saturday at 5:00 p.m., the City of Florence will do the annual lighting of historic Wilson Park in the downtown center. This tradition includes a Library Bike Parade and live musical performances, with food trucks and refreshments.
Mistletoe Market in Muscle Shoals
On Saturday at 10:00 a.m. through Sunday at 5:00 p.m., the Mistletoe Marketplace will be hosted by All Star Dance Academy of Florence at the North Alabama State Fairgrounds, 65 Sportsplex Drive in Muscle Shoals.
This third annual event hosts over 100 vendors and craftsmen.
Festival of Yule 2024
On Saturday from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuscumbia’s Main Street, The Festival of Yule features small businesses consisting of artists, creators, vendors selling their arts, crafts and goods in a family-friendly environment with a distinctly Northern European flavor. Experience various cosplay and displays depicting how different cultures have and continue to celebrate Yule, and period costumes are encouraged! Donations of coats, blankets and non-perishable foods will be collected for those in need.
Crafty Christmas in Florence
On Saturday in Florence, Yes Dear Creations and Kathie Gromkoski Pendergrass will host the 5th Annual Crafty Christmas at 9:00 a.m. Admission is free.
This event features a variety of vendors with handcrafted items for your home and gifts. Bring a small toy donation for less fortunate children if you would like. 81 St. Florine Road in Florence.
On Saturday, December 7, the Children’s Museum of the Shoals presents Grinchmas @CMS from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The cost is $10 per person and includes a photo-op with The Grinch, “Grinch Dust” to keep him away on Christmas, and a special craft gift. 2810 Darby Drive in Florence.
The Shoals Christmas Market in Florence
On Saturday, The Shoals Christmas Market will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Shoals Christian School, 301 Heathrow Drive in Florence. Cost: $3, inside vendors and food trucks.
Christmas at Sloss Lake in Russellville
On Sunday, Russellville’s Sloss Lake is holding its Christmas at Sloss Lake event from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. featuring craft vendors, food trucks, Christmas music, Santa Claus, inflatables and rides, a live nativity.
Sheffield Christmas Parade
On Tuesday, December 10 at 6:00 p.m., Sheffield will hold its annual parade in the downtown center. In the event of rain, the parade will be moved to Wednesday, December 11. Visit the Sheffield Central Facebook page to stay updated (https://www.facebook.com/sheffieldcentralal).
It’s a Dickens’ Christmas, Ya’ll in Tuscumbia
Starting Thursday, December 12, Tuscumbia will be hosting a series of events for its 14th annual “It's a Dickens' Christmas, Y'all!" in downtown Tuscumbia. Falling snow, fire pits, Dickens characters, Clydesdale carriage rides, live music, a Holiday high tea, a petting zoo and street vendors will be featured throughout the weekend.
On Saturday, December 14, Coldwater Books will host a “Strut Your Mutt” event at 12:30 p.m. Cost: a decked-out holiday dog and a donation of dry or wet dog food.
That same Saturday at 3:00 p.m. there will be a Dickens Holiday Tea hosted by the Tennessee Valley Country Club at the Christian Home, 101 W. Maple Street. Cost is $20.00. Visit the Tuscumbia Retail Development Facebook page for updates.
Leighton Christmas Parade
Thursday evening December 12 the town of Leighton will celebrate its Christmas Parade between 4:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. on Main Street in downtown center, featuring cookies, crafts, cocoa, a Candy Cane Lane, and Santa at the Library.
“A WC Handy Musical/Historical Christmas!” Parade in Florence
On Thursday, December 12, at 7:00 p.m., Bank Independent hosts the WC Handy Musical/Historical Christmas Parade in downtown Florence starting at Court Street.
Merry Christmas Market in Florence
On Saturday December 14, a Merry Christmas Market will be held from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 2701 Florence Boulevard. Santa Claus is scheduled to make an appearance.
Breakfast With Buddy The Elf in Florence
On Saturday, December 14, “Breakfast with Buddy the Elf,” a special needs family Christmas event is happening from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Christian Fellowship Baptist Church, 7150 Guston Street in Florence.
Joe Wheeler State Park Parade of Lights
On Saturday, December 14, at 6:00 p.m., Joe Wheeler State Park in Rogersville will hold its 49th Annual Parade of Lights, featuring boats festooned in holiday style. The park is located at 4401 McLean Drive. Admission is free.
Cloverdale Flea Market in Florence
From Saturday, December 14, to Sunday, December 15, Cloverdale Flea Market will host vendors with collectible, vintage, used and new times, arts and crafts, and food trucks from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Cullman Christkindlmarkt
The Cullman Christkindlmarkt is already underway, Thursdays through Sundays, from November 21-December 23 at Depot Park in downtown Cullman. Admission is free.
The Christkindlmarkt is where German tradition meets southern charm and features an assortment of German-themed events and attractions including the tallest Weihnachtspyramide on display, carousel rides, German food and popular holiday traditions such as ice skating, a Christmas parade and ceremonial lighting of a massive tree, which occur during the first week of the event.
The hours are: Thursday through Saturday, 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and Sunday, 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Starting December 16, Christkindlmarkt will be open seven days a week. It is located at 304 1st Avenue NE.
For more information on the Cullman Christkindlmarkt, visit here.
Christmas At The Grotto in Cullman
Christmas at the Grotto is at 1600 St Bernard Dr SE. A beautiful Christmas light display with music. The Grotto has expanded this unique holiday experience to include a Christmas Tunnel at entry and Santa's Workshop. Refreshments will be available every night.
The weekend of December 13 and 14 will include musical performances, food trucks, kids' rides and horse-drawn wagon rides around St. Bernard's campus.
Admission prices are as follows:
Adults - $10
Seniors - $8
Military/Veterans/1st Responders - $7
Teens (13-17) - $8
Children (5-12) - $7
Children under 4 - free
Wagon rides on Dec 13,14 - $5
Kids' rides on Dec 13, 14 - $3
Because of its growing popularity, the Grotto has added additional dates.
December 5-7: - 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Dec 12 - 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Dec 13- 14 - 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (food trucks, kids’ rides, wagon rides, and Santa Claus)
Dec 19-23 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Dec. 26-28 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Historic Decatur Christmas Tour of Homes
On Saturday, December 14, the Albany and Old Decatur historic Districts invite the public to tour 14 of the town’s historic homes, churches and historic places including the Historic Decatur Union Train Depot, the Scottsboro Boys Museum in Decatur, and the Judge Henry Horton House. Each venue is beautifully decorated with period-themed festive lights, ornaments, and seasonal decorations. The tour is from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and is self-guided, with opportunities to shop, carriage rides and live holiday music.
Cost is $35 per person and can be purchased in advance here. Admission is free to children 12 and under.
Look for more listings of events around the Shoals as they come in.
Jennifer Oliver O'Connell, As the Girl Turns, is an investigative journalist, author, opinion analyst, and contributor to 1819 News, Redstate, and other publications. Jennifer writes on Politics and Pop Culture, with occasional detours into Reinvention, Yoga, and Food. You can read more about Jennifer's world at her As the Girl Turns website. You can also follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Telegram.
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning.
