There’s so many great opportunities to get into the holiday spirit this season in Calhoun County, even Santa’s head is spinning! Parades, Christmas markets, live nativities, and Christmas tree lightings are just some of the festive events you can attend. Get ready for a holly, jolly Christmas with our holiday event guide.
Christmas Parades
Downtown Anniston Christmas Parade – Hollywood Christmas
The city of Anniston’s annual Downtown Christmas Parade will take place Tuesday evening, December 6th from 5pm till 9pm, with the parade kicking off at 6:30pm. The Hollywood-themed procession will progress down Historic Noble Street, featuring floats, local high school bands and other entertainers, and local community supporters.
In conjunction with this evening, the city of Anniston is also hosting a Christmas Village and Pop-Up Shop at 1118 Noble Street, where local artisans and smaller retailers will be selling their merchandise and seasonal wares. It will be open:
Friday, December 2nd from 6 – 9pm
Saturday, December 3rd from 6 – 9pm
Monday, December 5th from 6 – 9pm
Tuesday, December 6th from 5pm – 9pm
For more info, or for parade/vendor applications, call (256) 231-7633 or email Keden@annistonal.gov.
Oxford Christmas Parade is scheduled for Thursday, December 8th at 6pm and is
hosted by Oxfordfest. Historic Main Street Oxford will be hosting a Holiday Market on December 10th from 2pm – 7:30pm. Events that will take place in and around Simmons Park include an old fashioned Christmas tree lighting, a Christmas Pop Up Market, food trucks, a Movie in the Park, downtown shopping with special holiday deals, and other events.
For more info or for parade/vendor applications, call (256) 241-6667 or email hunter.gentry@oxfordal.gov
Jacksonville Christmas Tree Lighting and Parade
On Monday evening, November 28, at 6pm there will be a Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony at Public Square in downtown Jacksonville, Alabama. The following evening, Tuesday November 29th at 6:30pm, get ready for a festive Christmas parade along Pelham Road, featuring marching bands, floats, and candy, among other festivities.
Call (256) 435-7611 or email cityhall@jacksonville-al.org for more information.
Heflin Christmas Parade of Lights
Another Christmas parade local to Calhoun County is the Heflin Christmas Parade of Lights set for Saturday evening, December 10th at 6pm. It will take place on Main Street in downtown Heflin. Preceding this merry affair, folks can also attend the Heflin Main Street Tree Lighting and Cookie Crawl on Tuesday, November 22nd from 4pm to 7pm. This festive event will feature a traditional Christmas tree lighting, a Candlelight Cookie Crawl where folks can shop downtown and partake of yummy Christmas cookies! There will also be food vendors such as the Fusion Taco food truck to satisfy your dinner appetite.
Contact tperry@cityofheflin.org by email for more information, and you can register for the parade here.
Christmas Markets
The YMCA of Calhoun County is hosting a Christmas market you won’t want to miss on Saturday, November 19th from 9am – 1pm. Enjoy a festive shopping experience with local vendors and artisans while holiday music ushers in the Christmas spirit. There will be gift basket giveaways, baked goods, concessions, and more.
Check it out at 29 W. 14th St. in Anniston, AL. For more info call (256) 238-YMCA.
The Anniston Museums and Gardens has several options for holiday fun, one of which is their three-day Christmas market featuring perfect gift items from artisans and craftspeople like jewelry, hand-crafted decor, glassworks, and more. Dates and times for this merry event are Friday & Saturday, November 18 & 19 from 10am – 5pm and Sunday, November 20 from 1pm-5pm.
Visit it at 800 Museum Drive in Anniston, AL. Call (256) 237-6766 for more information.
Mark your calendars for the Jacksonville Arts Council’s Christmas Village on Saturday, November 19 from 9am till 3pm. It will not only feature vendors selling terrific gift items for the holidays, but Santa Claus and his wife will be in attendance to take gift requests from children, as well as pose for photo ops. Attend this market at Jacksonville Community Center, 501 Alexandria Rd SW #A, Jacksonville, AL.
Greenbrier Road Baptist Church is hosting a Christmas market with vendors and food trucks on Saturday, December 10 thru Monday December 12 from 5:30-8:30pm. This community event is located at 1235 Greenbrier Dear Road, Anniston, AL.
More Holiday Activities
From 11am-3pm on Saturday, December 3rd, visit the Dustbunnies and Dog Hair Animal Sanctuary to interact with a variety of farm animals, many in festive costumes, and take photos till your heart’s content. It’s located at 1085 Anniston Beach Rd, Anniston, AL.
Santa’s Wonderland of Lights and Amusements
Santa’s Wonderland of Lights and Amusements is a holiday attraction featuring vintage lights and decorations, rides, concessions, and snacks like funnel cakes. It’s open Fridays and Saturdays in December from 6pm to 9pm, and will be open nightly from December 19-23. Visit it in downtown Oxford, AL at 25 W. Choccolocco St.
Christmas isn’t quite complete without a Live Nativity. On Saturday, December 10 from 5:30 – 8:30pm, you can visit one at Greenbrier Road Baptist Church, 1235 Greenbrier Dear Road, Anniston, AL.
Sleighrides & Santa at Creekside Farm is a two day event that provides interaction with Santa and Mrs. Claus and so much more from 9am – 5pm on Saturday, December 10 and 12pm – 5pm on Sunday, December 11. Photo sessions and hot cocoa with Santa, or pancakes with Mrs. Claus (9am-noon) are highlights. Check out over 40 vendors in the rustic hay barn, take a sleigh ride in the field, make a craft, or feast on great food from local food trucks.
Creekside Farm is located at 4128 Choctaw St., Anniston, AL. Call (256) 239-7460 for more information.
Christmas Carols and the Stories Behind Them
If you love Christmas Carols, this event hosted by the Berman Museum is the perfect opportunity to enjoy a variety of carols played on the Berman Collections organs. You’ll learn numerous stories behind these holiday classics while enjoying some refreshments. This nostalgic affair takes place Saturday, December 10 from 2pm – 3pm.
