Your Guide to Calhoun County’s Biggest Holiday Tradition

If you love Christmas lights, hot cocoa, and watching kids’ faces light up brighter than a 30-foot tree, the Oxford Festival of Lights at Choccolocco Park needs to be on your holiday list this year.

For 2025, the Festival of Lights returns to Choccolocco Park from November 21, 2025 through January 4, 2026, turning the park into a full-scale winter wonderland with more than 2.5 million lights, a drive-through show, Santa’s Village, and now a full Snow Mountain experience with real snow tubing.

When & Where

• Dates: November 21, 2025 – January 4, 2026
• Location: Choccolocco Park – 954 Leon Smith Parkway, Oxford, AL 36203
• Hours: Evenings with added daytime hours on select days – check the official calendar for exact times before you go.

Choccolocco Park sits right off I-20 at Exit 188, which makes this an easy holiday outing from anywhere in Calhoun County, Birmingham, Atlanta, or Gadsden.

Tickets & Pricing (Per Vehicle)

One of the best parts of the Festival is that it’s priced by the carload, not per person:

• Cars (up to 8 seats):
  – $25 Monday–Thursday
  – $30 Friday–Sunday

• Vans (9–15 seats):
  – $30 Monday–Thursday
  – $35 Friday–Sunday

• Buses & limos (16+ seats):
  – $50 Monday–Thursday
  – $55 Friday–Sunday

Discounts are offered through early-bird tickets and select special nights during the season. Buying tickets online ahead of time is highly encouraged for the smoothest entry.

The Drive-Through Light Show

The heart of the Festival is a one-mile drive-through light trail that winds through Choccolocco Park. You’ll pass tunnels of lights, towering Christmas trees, themed displays, and animated scenes, all set to holiday music you can tune in to from your car.

You stay warm and cozy in your vehicle, which makes this perfect for families with little ones, grandparents, or anyone who doesn’t want to spend the whole night out in the cold.

Santa’s Village

After the drive-through portion, you’ll park and walk into Santa’s Village, the interactive side of the Festival and where families tend to stay the longest.

Inside Santa’s Village you’ll find:

• Photos with Santa

• A large walk-through display of lights and decorated trees

• Food trucks and festival treats

• Hot chocolate, cider, snacks, and sweets

• Synthetic ice skating

• Inflatables and kid-friendly activities

• Local vendors and holiday shopping

Hours and specific activities can vary by night, so it’s always smart to double-check the schedule before you go.

New for 2025: Snow Mountain Tubing & Frosty’s Playground

This year brings a whole new level of winter fun to Oxford.

Snow Mountain Tubing

The Festival has added Snow Mountain Tubing – a multi-lane, roughly 20-foot-tall snow slide built on a blanket of real snow. Guests ride inner tubes down the hill, racing friends and family in side-by-side lanes. The snow is created using specialty snowmaking systems, designed to bring a true “snow day” feel to Choccolocco Park without leaving Calhoun County.

Snow Mountain is located inside Santa’s Village, and it’s geared toward kids, teens, and adults who want that “mountain sledding” thrill without a long road trip.

Frosty’s Playground

Right alongside the tubing hill is Frosty’s Playground – a dedicated snow play area where children can:

• Throw snowballs

• Make snow angels

• Build snowmen

• Just run wild in the snow

Together, Snow Mountain Tubing and Frosty’s Playground turn Santa’s Village into a full winter experience, not just a walk-through lights display.

Special & Discount Nights

Throughout the season, the Festival typically offers special theme nights and discount evenings, such as:

• Local hero or first responder nights

• Military appreciation nights

• Character/theme nights for kids

• Select “$20 per carload” dates

Exact dates and details are announced as the season goes on, so keep an eye on the Festival’s official channels for the latest list of specials.

Tips for Planning Your Visit

A few local-insider tips to make your night easier:

• Pick your night wisely
Weekends close to Christmas are the busiest. If you want shorter lines and more time in Santa’s Village and on Snow Mountain, consider going early in the season or on a weeknight.

• Buy ahead
Ordering tickets online before you arrive helps you move through the gate faster and locks in your price.

• Bring layers
You’ll be toasty in the car, but Snow Mountain and Frosty’s Playground mean kids (and adults) will want to play in real snow. Hats, gloves, and warm coats make a huge difference.

• Give yourself extra time
Plan for both the drive-through and Santa’s Village. Between tubing, skating, photos with Santa, and food trucks, it’s easy to turn this into a full evening.

• Check the calendar
Hours, discount nights, and village attractions can vary by date and weather. Always glance at the official calendar for any updates before you head out.

A New Holiday Tradition in Calhoun County

In just a few years, the Oxford Festival of Lights has grown into one of the biggest holiday traditions in East Alabama. It brings families, church groups, teams, and visitors together to share a night of lights, music, and now real snow—all without leaving Calhoun County.

Whether it’s your first time or an annual family tradition, 2025 is a great year to go back: more lights, more activities, and the debut of Snow Mountain Tubing and Frosty’s Playground make this season bigger than ever.

Load up the car, hit Choccolocco Park, and let the Festival of Lights kick off your holidays.