Enjoy the Holidays in Tuscaloosa! (Upcoming/Annual Events)
Holidays in Tuscaloosa are always exciting and feature annual traditions as well as newer events each year. Whether you prefer parades or decorations, charity events or community activities, there are so many events and activities to choose from in Tuscaloosa and the surrounding area. This list is by no means exhaustive, but highlights many of the big events or annual events in the area. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season!
Holidays on the Plaza features the annual Tinsel Trail display benefitting Tuscaloosa One Place which boasts more than 200 decorated Christmas trees and other holiday installations, as well as an ice skating rink greeting you as you enter Government Plaza from the free parking deck downtown. The festivities begin on November the twenty-fourth of 2025 and are scheduled through January the first of 2026. There is no admission charged for Holidays on the Plaza, but admission and skate rentals are required to skate. You can purchase tickets and rent skates on site when you come to skate! For more information, you can visit https://holidaysontheplaza.com. There is an event calendar on the site to help you plan your holiday outing!
Some special events on the trail include but aren’t limited to Tinsel Trail Holiday Market, Tinsel Trail Family Night, Pet Palooza, and more.
On December the sixth, be sure to stop by the Tuscaloosa One Place Tinsel Trail to see Santa! The man of the season will be present for photos, so be sure to swing by Government plaza from 1-3PM in your most festive holiday attire. Thanks to Price McGiffert Construction Company for sponsoring this family friendly event!
December 7th will feature Pet Palooza. It’s a fun time to include the four-legged members of your family in the holiday celebrations! Stop by from 3-5PM for this festive event sponsored by RiverFall Credit Union!
You can also visit the Visit Tuscaloosa page for upcoming events in the Tuscaloosa area as well as at Holidays on the Plaza. Check out their website at https://visittuscaloosa.com/holiday-magic-in-tuscaloosa-county-your-guide-to-festive-events-this-season/
Dickens Downtown is always a holiday favorite. This event takes place in Historic Downtown Northport and features all the small town nostalgic charm one would want to experience during the holidays and often features live music, art, concessions, live poetry readings and story performances, carolers, Father Christmas, snow that brings wonder to children and adults alike, and so much more! This event is a great opportunity to celebrate the season while supporting local businesses in Historic Downtown Northport. Many will sport Victorian era fashion adding to the festive nature of this event. Feel like you have stepped back in time as you experience this unique holiday tradition! Join in the fun on Tuesday, December the second of 2025 from 5:00-8:00PM!
Are you a Bama fan and want to see Alabama Football added to your holiday calendar? Merry and Bright Under the Stadium Lights “Holiday Experience” will be December the 2nd at the Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium from 5:20-7:50PM. This is a new event that will include tours of the football locker room, recruiting room, LED light tunnel, and features a light show in the field. Tickets are $40 per person and include hot chocolate. See the Visit Tuscaloosa page for more information on light show time slots!
Shop to support local small businesses this year at the Tuscaloosa Retail Trail December 4th-7th in downtown Tuscaloosa. There will be a kickoff event from 4-6PM on the 4th featuring live music, photos with Santa, and more! These activities are provided by the Tuscaloosa Downtown Merchants Association. Enjoy a weekend of local shopping, nostalgic Christmas decorations, and exclusive deals! More details can be found on the Visit Tuscaloosa website and Facebook page. Shop local and support small business!
Are you a local history buff? Stop by the Gorgas House from 1-4PM for A Gorgas House Christmas! On December 6th, there will be a variety of historical holiday activities provided with treats and crafts while supplies last. This event has free admission, but donations for preservation and maintenance of one of Tuscaloosa’s historical gems are greatly appreciated! See Visit Tuscaloosa’s social media accounts for more details!
Tannehill Ironworks State Park will feature Pancakes with Santa from 8:00AM-2:00PM on December the 6th. Tickets will be available beginning on November 22nd. See the Visit Tuscaloosa page for the registration link. Pre-registration is required!
If you like parades, you will find an opportunity to attend several in our area. Downtown Tuscaloosa will feature the West Alabama Christmas Parade organized by the Tuscaloosa Park and Recreation Authority (PARA) on December the first. This will include a tree lighting ceremony at the Tuscaloosa County Courthouse as well as performances from local school bands and choirs. Following this ceremony, the parade will commence through downtown Tuscaloosa. See a route map in the Tuscaloosa News, the City of Tuscaloosa social media accounts, or the West Alabama Christmas Parade accounts the week of the parade. As a veteran spectator, I would recommend planning to arrive early and secure a parking spot in the free parking deck adjacent to Government Plaza. Be sure to do some Christmas shopping at the many locally owned small businesses that are featured downtown and grab a bite to eat at one of the many locally owned establishments available along the parade route. If you are wanting to find a great spot for viewing the parade, plan on finding a place early and securing your spot. The long wait will be well worth it when the parade commences and you see all the floats and hear the bands. Be prepared for a variety of weather conditions. Some years feature mild temperatures and clear skies while others fall on colder or rainy weather patterns. Please be aware that this parade does not permit items to be thrown to the crowd and that all spectators are to stay out of the parade route for everyone’s safety.
Christmas Afloat/Holidays on the River is a fun tradition that takes the concept of a Christmas Parade to the water! Sailing down the Black Warrior River, these locally owned boats are decorated with Christmas lights, inflatables, and sometimes even feature costumed characters and music! This unique floating parade brings lots of excitement as people line the Black Warrior River on both the Tuscaloosa and Northport sides to view fireworks and the Christmas flotilla. You definitely want to arrive early to claim a great spot! See Tuscaloosa News or the City of Tuscaloosa social media accounts for the date and time each year.
The town of Moundville offers a Christmas parade annually as well. This parade, while smaller than the West Alabama Christmas Parade, is still very exciting and comes with the unmistakeable charm of a small town. There are activities and food trucks and often live performances as well as decorated Christmas trees and lights on all the lamp posts. All of Main Street features Christmas decorations and there is a feeling of warmth and Christmas cheer. Candy and treats will often be tossed from the passing floats and vehicles to the spectators on the sidewalks. Parking is limited, so be sure to arrive early to find a good spot and enjoy the charm that Moundville offers!
December 8th - Home For The Holidays -Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra
December 12th-21st - Scrooge! The Musical - Theatre Tuscaloosa
December 11th-14th - The Nutcracker - Bama Theatre/Tuscaloosa Community Dancers
