Families across the Alabama Gulf Coast will have plenty of ways to celebrate the season this year, with Christmas events planned in Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, Gulf State Park and Foley. From photos with Santa, tree lightings and drone shows to boat parades and ice rinks, local cities and area venues are rolling out a full calendar of activities. Many events are free or low-cost, with options ranging from traditional holiday gatherings to nature programs and beachside celebrations. There is something for residents and visitors of all ages.

In Orange Beach, The Wharf is hosting photos with Santa at The Wharf Store and the Ice Skating Rink presented by Pepsi, while the City of Orange Beach prepares its annual Christmas Tree Lighting and a new holiday drone show. Gulf Shores is highlighting its Community Christmas at Sims Park, the Baldwin Pops Holiday Concert, and several events at Erie Meyer Civic Center and Embassy Suites. Gulf State Park will feature family programs such as Breakfast with the Grinch, Christmas Card Lane and wildlife-themed events at the Nature Center, and Foley is planning Christmas in the Park and marketplace activities in Heritage Park.

Gulf Shores

• POSTPONED until Dec. 10th Due to Weather: Community Christmas at Sims Park: Held December 4 at 5:30 p.m. at Johnnie Sims Park (348 W 19th Ave.), it features photos with Santa, crafts, treats, and the 10th Annual Snowball Drop (8,000 ping-pong balls with prizes). Free and family-oriented. Event page.
• Big Beach Kegmas Tree Lighting: For years, the iconic Big Beach Kegmas tree has lit up our facade during the holiday season, and it only felt right to make an official event out of it (think Rockefeller Center)! We're excited to invite you all to our Kegmas tree lighting on Thursday, December 4th at 6pm to officially kick off the holiday season! Join us for libations, festivities, and a hell of a good time at your local brewery. Click here for the Facebook event.
• Tacky Jacks Gulf Shores Breakfast with Santa: is a day of holiday cheer on Saturday, December 6, with two special events for families. Start the morning with Breakfast with Santa from 8–11 a.m., where guests can enjoy a breakfast buffet and receive a digital photo with Santa. Pricing for breakfast is $12 for adults and $6 for children 12 and under. The festivities continue with Lunch with Reindeer from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., offering lunch and free reindeer rides for an extra touch of magic. RSVPs for both events are available online at TackyJacks.com. 
• Wild Lights: Holiday Jeeps & More: Join the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo and the JEEP community as we celebrate the holidays! Holiday-decorated Jeeps will line the pathways inside the zoo, on December 6th creating a winter wonderland of lights and showcasing the incredible Jeeps in our community. New this year! – decorated golf carts and local artisan vendors (perfect for holiday shopping). Click here for more information.
• GCAA Gallery Christmas Market & Open House: The Gulf Coast Arts Alliance (GCAA) will kick off the holiday season on Saturday, Dec. 6, with a Christmas Open House from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the GCAA Gallery, located in Waterway Village at 225 E. 24th Ave. in Gulf Shores. Visitors can enjoy food, wine, music, and door prizes while supporting local artists. Also on Dec. 6, the GCAA will host its Christmas Art Market at the First Presbyterian Church in Gulf Shores from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This event is the GCAA’s largest and most popular art market of the year. The church is located at 309 E. 21st Ave. For more information about either event, call 251-948-2627 or visit gulfcoastartsalliance.com. 
• Baldwin Pops Holiday Concert: December 9th at 7 p.m. at Erie Meyer Civic Center in Gulf Shores, featuring holiday music. Concert details.
• Santa Storytime at Gulf Shores Library: Thursday, December 11th, gather the whole family for a Storytime that’s sure to delight! Join us for Santa Storytime, where the jolliest man in red will read a festive story sure to spark the magic of the season. After the story, children will have the chance to meet Santa, take a photo, and share their holiday wishes. Click here for the Facebook Event.
• The Hangout in Gulf Shores Holiday Breakfasts will take place on December 13th and the 20th. The “mean one” (Mr. Grinch) himself helps set the tone for a morning of fun. Families can dig into an all-you-can-eat feast featuring biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage and breakfast potatoes, with the option to add French toast, pancakes or fresh fruit plates for an extra treat. The restaurant will be transformed into a festive wonderland complete with themed costumes, playful decorations and plenty of surprises around every corner. Pricing is $19.99 for adults, $9.99 for children ages 6–10, and children 5 and under eat free (limit two per check), making it an easy and entertaining way to kick off a day of holiday fun in Gulf Shores. Click here for more information. 
• LuLu's Lighted Christmas Boat Parade: Starting around 4 p.m. on December 13 along the Intracoastal Waterway from LuLu's (200 E 25th Ave.) to The Wharf, watch decorated boats parade by. Visible from Canal Road; free to view. Parade info.
• Breakfast with Santa at Erie Meyer Civic Center: On December 14 at 8 a.m., enjoy a holiday meal and a Santa visit. Reservations suggested. Event Details.
• Skate the Shore! at Embassy Suites: From November 15 to January 15, this ice skating option provides another festive skating experience near the beach. Facebook Event.

Orange Beach

• Photos with Santa at The Wharf: Running weekends from now until December 24, families can meet Santa for photos at The Wharf Store (Suite D118). This event ties into the broader holiday vibe at The Wharf. More details.
• 3rd Annual Merry Memories Tinsel Trail - The Garner C. Tampary Memorial Foundation, in cooperation with the City of Orange Beach, will host the 3rd Annual Merry Memories Tinsel Trail this Christmas holiday season at Orange Beach Waterfront Park. Grand opening of the trail will be Saturday, November 29th and trees will be on display until December 27th. The Tinsel Trail is a holiday display of live Christmas trees. Trees are provided and can be reserved for $350 with all proceeds benefiting the Christian Service Center, helping local families in need. Tree selection day will be Saturday, November 22nd. Reserve a tree and find additional details by clicking here.
• Visions of Christmas: Visions of Christmas returns to the Orange Beach Performing Arts Center for its fifth season on Dec. 4th-7th. Showtime is 7 p.m. on Dec. 4th-6th and 2 p.m. on Dec. 7th. The annual holiday variety show is produced by the Expect Excellence Music Department. Come and celebrate the season with the city. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased online.
• Ice Skating Rink presented by Pepsi at The Wharf: Open from now until January 19, this outdoor rink offers skating sessions amid holiday lights and decorations, perfect for all ages. Admission varies; skate rentals are available. Event info.
• City of Orange Beach Annual Christmas Tree Lighting: The tree-lighting ceremony will begin at 5:30 p.m., featuring performers singing Christmas carols, cookie decorating, letters to Santa, hot chocolate and will end with the traditional tree lighting and our first-ever spectacular drone show! The City of Orange Beach and the Wharf have partnered with America's Got Talent finalists, Sky Elements, to produce a magical light show for attendees to enjoy! Free entry. Full schedule.
• Santa’s Beach Bash at the Flora-Bama Yacht Club: You’re invited to kick off the most wonderful time of the year—Gulf Coast style! Santa’s Beach Bash, the Annual Holiday Party of 2025, is set to make spirits bright on Friday, December 5, from 5:00–9:00 PM CST at the iconic Flora-Bama Yacht Club. Hosted by the Perdido Chamber, this festive evening blends coastal charm with classic holiday cheer as guests mix, mingle, and toast the season under twinkling lights and salty breezes. Pull out your most gloriously tacky holiday sweaters, don your favorite festive accessories, and get ready for a night packed with fun surprises, door prize drawings, and special gifts for every attendee. With tickets just $20 for Merry Chamber Members and $40 for Naughty-or-Nice Non-Members, this beachfront celebration is the perfect way to gather your friends, support the local business community, and slide into the season with a little extra sparkle. Click here for more information. 
• Nativity Fest at Canal Road Baptist Church: The event will be open Dec. 4–5 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Dec. 6–7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Dec. 11–12 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Dec. 13–14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free, and refreshments will be provided. The family-friendly festival will showcase more than 300 nativity scenes owned by church members, including many pieces from countries around the world. Canal Road Baptist Church is located at 25326 Canal Road. 
• Cosmo’s Restaurant & Bar and Posh Pets Boutique are teaming up to spread holiday cheer to four-legged friends with a special Pet Photos with Santa fundraiser on Dec. 6–7 in the Cosmo’s courtyard at 25753 Canal Road in Orange Beach. On Saturday, Dec. 6, pets and their people can stop by from 10 a.m.–2 p.m., and on Sunday, Dec. 7, from 11 a.m.–3 p.m., to pose with Santa for a festive keepsake. The cost is $25 per session, with all proceeds benefiting local animal rescue organizations. Professional photographer Stop or I’ll Shoot will be on hand to capture the perfect holiday portrait, and reservations are encouraged by calling Posh Pets Boutique at (251) 948-0147.
• A Very CoastAL Christmas at CoastAL Orange Beach invites guests to celebrate the season right on the sand with an elegant, beachfront holiday evening. On Saturday, December 6, from 6–9 p.m., friends, families and co-workers can gather for a chef-crafted Christmas dinner created exclusively for the event, complete with festive flavors and coastal flair. The night features interactive experiences, including a hands-on cocktail station and other food-focused fun, along with a photo booth and professional photographer to capture the memories. Live holiday music and dancing keep the energy high, and every guest will go home with a special gift to extend the magic. Reservations are required, with tickets at $79 per person plus tax, fees and gratuity, and space is limited—making this beachside celebration a standout way to mark the holidays in Orange Beach. Click here for more information. 
• Santa Drop at The Flora-Bama: December 6 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Flora-Bama (Perdido Key border, near Orange Beach/Gulf Shores), Santa skydives onto the beach with crafts, music, face painting, and Toys for Tots donations (free drink card for donors). Flora-Bama event.
• Rhonda Hart’s Annual Barbies For Charity Birthday Fundraiser: Participants are encouraged to dress like their favorite toys or dolls and join Rhonda Hart for her annual Barbies For Charity fundraiser on Monday, Dec. 8, in the Flora-Bama big tent from 5–9 p.m. Guests are asked to bring a toy for Toys for Tots and Gulf Coast Kid’s House. There is no cover charge, and prizes will be awarded in several categories for both men and women, including the popular Ugliest Boy Barbie. Charities include Toys for Tots and Gulf Coast Kid's House. Click here for more Info.
• Orange Beach Police Department’s Christmas Kids Party: Kids and their families are invited for a festive night of holiday fun at the annual Kids’ Christmas Party from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, December 11th at Magnolia Hall, behind BuzzCatz. This event is open to the public — bring the kids, wear your Christmas PJs, and enjoy a cheerful evening filled with crafts, games, refreshments, and a special appearance from Santa!  Click here for more information.
• Light Up the Arts: The Coastal Art Center’s annual Light Up the Arts event will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 11th. There will be hot glass and cool clay demonstrations, raffles, gift shop specials, live holiday saxophone music, a hot chocolate bar, Santa Claus, and a special Christmas photo op. A special limited edition ornament will be available for purchase. A wine bar will be provided by Friends of the Arts. Dress is holiday cocktail attire. Click here for more information.
• Tacky Jacks Orange Beach Brunch with Santa: Tacky Jacks is inviting families to celebrate the season with a festive Brunch with Santa on Saturday, December 13. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., guests can enjoy a hearty waterfront brunch while little ones share their Christmas wishes with the jolly man in red. Each reservation includes brunch and a digital photo with Santa, creating a keepsake to remember the day. Tickets are $16 for adults and $8 for children 12 and under, and RSVPs are available online at TackyJacks.com. 
• Breakfast with Santa: December 13, from 9am until 11am. Celebrate the season with us and enjoy a delicious breakfast at CoastAL Restaurant while taking in the breathtaking Gulf views, enjoy an ornament decorating station for the littles and make the day even more special with a FREE photo with Santa Claus. Click here for more information. 
• Santa Scramble - The Orange Beach Golf Center will host the 2nd Annual Santa Scramble on Saturday, December 13th for a day full of golf, giving, and holiday cheer. All proceeds benefit the Orange Beach High School boys and girls golf teams, and toys will also be collected for the Baldwin County Child Advocacy Center. Only 21 team spots are available. Register here. 
• Christmas Carols at the Museum:  The Orange Beach Garden Club was busy last week decorating the Orange Beach History Museum. The museum is all decked out once again for the Garden Club's Christmas Carols at the Museum to be held at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 16th. There will be caroling, cookies and the museum will be open.
• CoastAL Orange Beach Candlelight Christmas Eve Service: December 24 at 4:30 p.m. Located at 25722 Perdido Beach Blvd., this annual event offers a beautiful evening of worship, joy, and reflection on the birth of the Savior. It's a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas in a serene beachfront setting. Click here for more information. 

Gulf State Park

• Breakfast with the Grinch at Gulf State Park: On December 6 at 9 a.m. at the Beach Pavilion, includes breakfast, photo ops, and surprises; proceeds support the Pendergrass Nature Sensory Trail. Tickets required. Details.
• Christmas Card Lane at Gulf State Park: Taking place from December 1st through the 31st from 6 to 9pm around Lake Shelby Picnic Area, drive through decorated displays as part of Coastal Nights of Lights. Free. Event Info.
• Reading with Raptors: The Christmas Owl at Gulf State Park Nature Center: December 22 at 10 a.m., a family program with hot chocolate, wildlife education, and naturalist talks. Register here.
• 12 Days of Snakes at Gulf State Park Nature Center: On December 24 at 10 a.m., learn about 12 native snake species in a holiday-themed educational session. Free. Event Info.

Foley

• Christmas in the Park at Downtown Foley: On December 5 at 6 p.m. at Foley Heritage Park (125 E Laurel Ave.), with carols, tree lighting, Santa, hot cocoa, and snacks; includes awards for a tree decorating contest. Free. Event Info.
• Foley's Christmas Parade and Let it Snow Marketplace: December 6 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Heritage Park (101 E Laurel Ave.), post-parade event with kids' activities, entertainment, and Santa following the Kiwanis Christmas Parade (10 a.m. start on N McKenzie St.). Free. Parade and market details.
• The Baldwin Pops Christmas Concert will bring the sounds of the season to Foley with a special Christmas concert at the Foley Civic Center on December 8 at 7 p.m. Guests can settle in for an evening of holiday favorites performed by this talented community band, with everything from classic carols to spirited medleys sure to delight all ages. Admission is free, and attendees are encouraged to share the holiday spirit by bringing a new, unwrapped toy to support Toys for Tots. It’s a festive night of music, community and giving back on the Alabama Gulf Coast. Click here for more information. 
• Annual Trim-a-Tree at Foley Art Center: From November 14 to December 23, visitors decorate mini trees for display and potential sale. Event Details.
• Christmas Night Market: The Coastal Alabama Farmers and Fishermen’s Market will host its Christmas Night Market on December 11th from 5 to 8pm. The event takes place at 781 Farmers Market Lane in Foley. There will be bakers with all your favorite holiday treats, artisans with the perfect gifts for everyone on your list, and food trucks serving up warm snacks and cozy cups of cocoa to keep you going as you shop. The Foley High School choir will be bringing carolers, there will be fun kids activities with a bit of snow, and Santa himself will be ready to hear all about what you're hoping to find under the tree. Click here for more information.
• North Pole Experience at OWA: Weekends starting November 22 (November 22-23, 29-30, and December weekends), features elf crafts and Santa photos at Downtown OWA. More Info. 

Elberta

• The Town of Elberta Christmas Tree Lighting: Families to gather for a full evening of small-town Christmas magic as the streets come alive at sunset with the annual Christmas parade. After the last float passes, everyone is encouraged to head to the park for a festive tree lighting ceremony and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, along with hot chocolate, cookies, and classic Christmas movies under the stars. The event is free and open to the public, making it a relaxed and cheerful way to celebrate the season together. Click here for more information.