The holiday season is upon us.
Many of you have enjoyed the Greater Gadsden area’s signature holiday event, Christmas at the Falls at Noccalula Falls Park. They’ll open on November 28 at 5 p.m., and this year’s festivities promise to be bigger and better than ever.
But more about that later.
Why not spend the entire day, or the weekend taking in all of the many delights of the season? Don’t worry. We’re here to help with a quick breakdown of holiday magic throughout the season.
Why wait for the Black Friday crowds to knock out some of your Christmas shopping?
Shop under the stars at Downtown Gadsden’s Christmas Open House on November 22 and 23! Windows will be decorated with star displays, and the Elf on the Shelf will be hidden among shops to be found for prizes. You might even catch a glimpse of Santa on Saturday.
Who doesn’t love a snow day?
Imagination Place Children’s Museum is back with the perennial favorite Let it Snow. The kiddos will love playing in this winter wonderland without the bulk of mittens, hats, and scarves.
Using a non-toxic polymer, Imagination Place brings the fun of snow indoors for all visitors to enjoy. It looks and feels just like real snow, but it won’t get you wet. Visitors can enjoy the snow, a slide, and sock-footed ice skating.
Admission to Let It Snow includes entrance to the 29th annual Festival of Trees, as well as KidsTown USA. This year’s trees each feature a different Alabamian of note. The trees are decorated by area schools and non-profits using mostly recycled materials.
Don’t miss the Downtown Dance Conservatory’s performance of The Nutcracker Princess, another spectacular tradition.
The program takes inspiration from the original choreography and story and adds some Russian flair and an interesting twist. Dazzling sets, costuming, and choreography make for an evening fun for the whole family!
Performances are November 23 and 24 at Wallace Hall Fine Arts Center.
If you choose just one weekend to come into the Greater Gadsden area, consider the first weekend.
You won’t want to miss the Gadsden Christmas Tree Lighting and Coosa Christmas Boat Parade. The City of Gadsden will light its 50-foot tall Christmas tree and the lawn ay City Hall at 5:30. Tuba Christmas will perform. The Coosa Christmas Boat Parade will pass by City Hall at 6 p.m.
If that’s not enough, there are multiple Christmas parades that weekend. Attalla kicks it off on December 5, Altoona, on December 6, and the City of Gadsden will parade down Broad Street the morning of December 7.
If you weren’t able to check off all of the gifts on your list at Downtown Gadsden’s First Friday, don’t despair. The 3rd Annual Mistletoe Market has got you covered. There’s something for everyone, from locally sourced food and snacks to crafts and gifts for all ages. The event is free to the public and will be open on Friday, December 6th, from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Saturday, December 7th, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, December 8th from noon to 5 p.m. at the Downtown Civic Center.
Ready for more?
The following weekend brings a performance of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever at The Ritz Theatre, and if you didn’t catch a parade last weekend, you have another chance with the annual Carver Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 14.
Children will love meeting Santa as the Mary G. Hardin Center hosts their annual Snacks with Santa. Santa Claus arrives at 10 am and will stay until noon. Children can visit with Santa while enjoying free snacks. Follow that with a ride on the Polar Express at the fifth annual Polar Express Day at Imagination Place on Saturday, December 14, 2019!
Last, but certainly not least, celebrate the holiday season with Noccalula Falls and the City of Gadsden at Christmas at the Falls.
Enjoy millions of lights throughout the park with spectacular views from the paved walking trails or the vantage of a ride on the park’s train.
During your visit to see the light displays, including several new features, you can stop for activities like cookie decorating, visit the petting zoo, and sip on some hot chocolate. While at Christmas at the Falls, don’t miss a visit with Santa Claus, take a picture, and even drop a letter to the North Pole in Santa’s special mailbox at the Old Post Office in the Pioneer Village.
Christmas at the Falls runs nightly from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and kicks off on Thanksgiving evening at 5 p.m. and runs through January 5th, 2020.
We hope you’ll come to the Greater Gadsden area to eat, drink, and be merry with us! For details on all of these events and more, please visit the Greater Gadsden Area Tourism Event Calendar.
Wishing you and yours the most magical holiday season.
