Happy Holidays in Auburn-Opelika

Get in the holiday spirit with these annual events

Looking for holiday festivities for your group? Look no further than Auburn-Opelika! From parades to 5Ks to gingerbread villages, there's something for every group. Cheers to the holidays and happy New Year!

Opelika Holiday Open House - November 14, from noon - 5 p.m.

Start your Christmas shopping off by visiting the charming shops and restaurants in downtown Opelika. You will find many unique and special gifts and can mark those hard people off your list! And, if you just can’t decide, then a gift card is always appreciated. Enjoy music, free gift wrapping, door prizes, and refreshments to get you in the holiday spirit.

Holiday Art Sale - November 20, from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Join the Auburn Arts Association, Auburn Parks & Recreation, and Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center for the annual Holiday Art Sale! The event will take place at the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center, the Harris Center, and the Frank Brown Recreation Center. Local artists will be selling paintings, pottery, stained glass, photography, cards, jewelry, hats, scarves, and more.

Small Business Saturday - November 27

You can feel good about supporting small businesses when you shop on Small Business Saturday! Celebrated the Saturday after Thanksgiving, this is a great chance to explore downtown Auburn and downtown Opelika. 

Downtown Auburn Holiday Open House - November 28, from noon - 6 p.m.

Check everyone off your holiday list! Join the Auburn Downtown Merchants Association for our Holiday Open House on November 18 from 12 - 6 pm. Merchants will open on Sunday for extended shopping hours and offer exclusive discounts and specials.

AORTA Toy Drive 1 mile, 5k, and 10k - November 28, 2 p.m.

AORTA is hosting 1 Mile, 5K, and 10K to benefit Toys for Tots. The Auburn Toy Drive 10k, 5k, and 1-mile fun run is a great way to start the holiday season with giving! All are asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy to be distributed to children in need in Lee County.

Sno*pelika Christmas Festival and Tree Lighting - November 30, from 4:30 - 7 p.m.

Snopelika will be a winter wonderland festival from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. including a tree lighting ceremony at 6:30 p.m as artificial snow falls throughout courthouse square. The Opelika Chamber is accepting vendors to participate during the event. Business owners and organizations can apply by completing an application here. The event will conclude with the Opelika High School marching band leading the community from Courthouse Square to the Opelika Christmas Tree at 6:30 pm. Mayor Fuller and City Council will share a Christmas story before the official tree lighting. 

Santa on the Corner - December 4, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Santa Claus is comin' to town! Dress your little ones in their holiday best and practice saying, "cheese!" for Santa on the Corner. This fun photo op benefits the United Way. Donations are welcome. 

Ho Ho Ho Hike at the Kreher Preserve - December 4, from 10-11:30 a.m.

Bring the family to the Kreher Preserve and Nature Center for the annual Ho Ho Ho Hike! Venture out on a guided hike to try and find the elusive man in red. We'll also explore all the other red things might we find in nature! Then, we'll return to a warm campfire, hot chocolate, crafts, and more.

Opelika Christmas Parade - December 4, at 10 a.m.

Don't miss the Opelika Christmas Parade! This is an annual community event that occurs on the first Saturday of December. Hundreds of people attend to see over 70 parade entries to kick off the Christmas season. The purpose of the event is to give chamber members an opportunity for recognition in the community through sponsorship opportunities as well as participating in the parade.

Polar Express with Auburn Parks and Recreation - December 4, at 9 a.m.

Bring your kiddos to the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center to hop aboard the Polar Express! Activities include "train" rides, arts & crafts, sweet treats, a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and much more! Children are encouraged to wear their favorite holiday pajamas. Tickets on sale November 1.

Jingle Jog 5K and Santa Stroll Fun Run - December 4, from 7-9 a.m.

Ready to burn off those holiday calories? The Jingle Jog 5k and Santa Stroll Fun Run is back, so pull out those ugly sweaters again! Join Active Auburn for this annual run in downtown Auburn to ring in the holiday season in style!

Loveliest Village Holiday Fair - December 4 & 5, at 11 a.m.

Make plans to visit Auburn this weekend for a shopping experience filled with Christmas lights, music, and of course, Santa. Inspired by the street fairs of Paris, the Loveliest Village Holiday Fair will offer everything from fine art to antiques, treats, and more! The Auburn Downtown Merchants Association is pleased to announce this new, two-day holiday event.

Auburn Christmas Parade - December 5, at 2 p.m.

Join the Downtown Merchants Association for the annual Downtown Auburn Christmas Parade! The parade will feature local favorites, festive floats, and an appearance by Santa. 

Auburn Gingerbread Village - December 5 - January 1

Come experience the largest Gingerbread Village in East Alabama in the conference center of the hotel! Over 10 Gingerbread Buildings will be displayed in the pre-function foyer for guests to admire. The Auburn Gingerbread Village was named one of the STS Top 20 Events in the Southeast. The annual kick-off to the holiday season features prominent Auburn University buildings crafted out of gingerbread, candy, and icing. More than 2,000 people visited The Hotel at Auburn University in 2017 to enjoy the magical display.

Christmas in a Railroad Town - December 10

Whether you’re a young child or simply a child at heart, there will be activities for everyone at this great night out in historic downtown Opelika. Enjoy festivities including a children's train, pony rides, live animal petting zoo, wagon rides, trolley rides photo booth, hot chocolate, face painting, gingerbread house contest, make your own Reindeer Food, and more! Guests can also be transported back in time with a wagon ride through the Victorian Front Porch Christmas Tour. Enclosed trolley rides will also be available at the Museum of East Alabama.

Rocky Brook Rocket Reindeer Express - December 10-12

Children will love riding the Rocky Brook Rocket around Municipal Park! This adorable miniature train has been a staple in Opelika since 1955, but during the Christmas season, the Rocket transforms into one of Santa’s Helpers and becomes the Rocky Brook Rocket Reindeer Express! Don’t miss this fun two-night event featuring food, hot chocolate, face painting, and pictures with Santa! 

Victorian Front Porch Christmas Tour - December 10-14

Opelika is celebrating Christmas like it's 1899! From December 10 to 14, 2021, historic homes in Opelika's northside historic district are transformed into a colorful, nostalgic reminder of Christmas from a simpler era. The event is a self-driving tour except for Saturday night when the streets are closed for visitors to stroll through the neighborhood. 

Sweet Homemade Alabama Art Show - December 11, from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Stop by the Sweet Homemade Alabama Art Show on December 11 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. to shop local artists while supporting a great cause. The show will feature amazing art pieces and unique handmade gifts for purchase. The event will be held at the Opelika Art Haus.

Opelika Theatre Company's Winter Showcase - December 12, at 2 p.m.

The Opelika Theatre Company Winter Showcase is on December 12 at 2 p.m. at the Sportsplex Amphitheatre. The show will consist of Christmas songs and Disney favorites. 

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical - December 12, at 3 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.

The Gogue Performing Arts Center at Auburn University is proud to present Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical on December 12. There will be two shows, one at 3:00 p.m. and one at 7:30 p.m. The timeless TV classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer soars off the screen and onto the stage this holiday season. See all of your favorite characters—Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice, Yukon Cornelius, and, of course, Rudolph—as they come to life in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical.

Collinwood Luminaries - December 17

Collinwood Luminaries is a neighborhood event with live characters and animals showing the path to Christ. All are welcome to drive the path and experience the live event lit by candles. Admission is free. 

A Holiday Walk in the Woods - December 17 & 18

A walking small-group tour at the Kreher Preserve & Nature Center through the piney winter woods with lights, decoration, and songs by local talent at stations along the trail. All performances will be family-friendly and highlight the diverse traditions and culture of our community. The Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center will offer a trail stop with woodsy holiday art activities. Additionally, walks will have special surprises and songs for the kids!  

The Holiday Wrap Up - December 18, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.

The Auburn Parks and Recreation Department program, Find the Leader in You (FLY) is offering holiday gift wrapping services as a fundraiser for the coming year's activities. Wrapping will begin at 8:00 AM and continue until 12:00 PM on Saturday, December 18, 2021, at the Harris Center. Participants will be able to choose from a selection of wrapping papers or may bring their own.

Christmas in Camelot Lighted Tour - Month of December 

Watch as the magic of Christmas comes alive throughout Camelot with the many large Christmas cards painted under art teacher, Roslyn Stern, by Opelika High art students! The neighborhood lights are adorned with lighted wreaths and all the houses are decorated with the wonders of Christmas. This drive-through event off of Rocky Brook Road begins at 4:30 p.m. and lasts until 10 p.m. each day.

Drive-Thru Nativity Story - Month of December

Through stunning artwork and dramatic narration, the Drive-Thru Nativity brings to life the biblical accounts of Jesus' birth from Luke 2 and Matthew 2. Drive down Grand National Parkway, past the Auburn Marriott, and take a left on to Spa Loop and listen to the Biblical account on your mobile device. While looking at the art that illustrates the birth of Christ.  A free outdoor event that is for the whole family and COVID safe.

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