Huntsville has a number of beautifully illuminated landmarks during the holiday season. So grab a peppermint latte, some hot cocoa for the kids, and load up the station wagon to see some lights. There’s nothing like looking at holiday lights to get into the spirit of the season.
Here are our favorite places in Huntsville to see Christmas lights, updated for 2015.
Kris Kringle’s Candlelight Christmas
December 4 and 5
5 – 9 pm
Burritt on the Mountain
Admission is $10/adult and $8/children 3-18 for non-Burritt members and $2 for members.
The star-lit mountain will be mirrored by more than 600 candles, adding to the nostalgic feel of the holidays. Music will be heard throughout the mansion and the park; cider, cookies and tasty figgie pudding will keep us warm. Many who have come to Candlelight Christmas have felt there was no better way to start the holiday season in a festive non-commercial setting.
Tinsel Trail
Through January 2, 2016
FREE
Huntsville’s Big Spring Park
READ: Ultimate Tinsel Trail Guide
The Tinsel Trail is a display of live Christmas trees in downtown Huntsville during the holidays and one of our favorite places to see Christmas lights. This year will be the biggest Tinsel Trail yet, with over 250 trees decorating Big Spring Park for the holiday season.
Twickenham’s Spirit of Christmas Past Luminaries
Saturday, December 12
5 -9 pm
FREE for luminaries. Home tour has associated cost $15 per person, $5 for children 12 and younger.
Huntsville’s Twickenham Historic District
Take a nostalgic walk down luminary lit streets and avenues in Huntsville’s historic Twickenham District. The luminaries coincide with the Spirit of Christmas Part Home tour where you can tour private residences, the Weeden House Museum and other historic buildings ornately decorated for the holidays.
Christmas Maritime Parade of Lights, Decatur
Saturday, December 12
6 pm
FREE
The boat parade will make a few circles from the entrance of the Riverwalk Marina towards the west to the railroad bridge, east in front of Rhodes Ferry Park and then back into the marina.
A night-time Christmas boat parade on the river in Decatur! The best viewing will be at Rhodes Ferry Park, the Hard Dock Cafe or the marina launch and parking area. During the parade, the Riverwalk Yacht Club will be accepting canned goods to donate.
Huntsville Christmas Parade
Thursday, December 17
6 pm
FREE
Downtown Huntsville
Huntsville’s annual Christmas parade will be at NIGHT this year! Bring the family to Downtown Huntsville for this wonderful parade of lights and fun.
Hall Family Light Show in Hampton Cove
Sunday – Thursday, 4:30 – 10 pm
Friday and Saturday, 4:30 – 11 pm
FREE; donations accepted for Kids to Love
4924 Cove Valley Drive, Hampton Cove
The Hall Animated Christmas light show in Hampton Cove features over 80,000 Led lights and over 80 inflatables! Each year they add to the display and offer something new so be sure to bring your camera, you will want to capture these memories! Tune your radio to 107.1 FM to hear the synchronized music and please don’t block anyone’s driveway. Dim your car lights and enjoy the show!
Galaxy of Lights
Through January 2, 2016
5:30 -9 pm
$20 per carload
Huntsville Botanical Gardens
Galaxy of Lights is a holiday light extravaganza featuring larger-than-life animated light displays. See Santa soaring over a delightful winter village. Nursery rhyme characters dance and frolic among traditional scenes of the season. And, our favorite, experience the magic of the twinkling icicle forest. Galaxy of Lights is the perfect holiday treat for the young and young-at-heart.
Huntsville Santa’s House
FREE
5008 Shaun Circle
Did you know that Santa has a home in Huntsville!? THE Santa of the Huntsville Christmas Parade and more, makes his Huntsville home a Christmas lights sight to behold! Santa himself has been known to visit on special nights and sit out front in his Santa throne for anyone who would like a picture or to make a special wish. This is all weather and Santa’s works schedule dependent, of course.
If you are reading this – this is an older article published by Our Valley Events. The information may be out of date – be sure to check for new info!
I would like to know about anything that is free to attend,or discounted. I love music crafts, and things for my grand children to do.
Hi Kathy,
We can help! We have a “Free” filter on our calendar and just published this post yesterday: 16 Amazing Free Things to do in December.
Thank you!
Any news about what’s happening with the lights at Horseshoe Trail this year?
We just heard that they are up and running again this year!! Thanks!
Lexi, there’s another great house near Horseshoe Bend for lights. It’s on Vincent Drive, close to Whitesburg Elementary. It’s my favorite to drive by – vintage, cutesy, and way less crowded!