31 Holiday Happenings in Auburn-Opelika
Get into the holiday spirit with these festive holiday events
We're making spirits bright here in Auburn-Opelika with a full list of holiday festivities for you and your family to enjoy! From parades to 5Ks to one of the largest gingerbread villages in the Southeast, there's something for every crew. Matching holiday jammies are accepted. Cheers to the holidays and a happy New Year!
November 12 | 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. | Downtown Opelika
Start your holiday shopping in downtown Opelika. Stores will be offering up great sales on a variety of different gift options, they will also have live holiday music playing throughout downtown. Make a day out of it and enjoy this annual holiday tradition.
November 15 | 4:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. | Moore's Mill Club
Get ready for an evening of shopping and fun, where there's something for everyone! Four local Auburn-Opelika small businesses are collaborating to bring the community an opportunity to get "holiday ready" on November 15 from 4:30pm-7pm.
November 17 | 12 - 8:30 p.m. | Hey Day Market Greenspace
Kick off the holiday season with the grand opening of Hey Day Holiday! With all-day ice skating, snowfall at 5 p.m., and a quick pawn game by the AU Club hockey team to warm up the ice at 5:30 p.m., this event will be nothing short of magical.
November 18 | 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Frank Brown Recreation Center and Harris Center
Get your shopping started early and get into the holiday spirit by attending this festive shopping experience, while meeting local artists selling their own unique handmade work. Local artists will be selling paintings, pottery, stained glass, photography, cards, jewelry, hats, scarves and much more. Admission is free and open to the public.
November 24 | 5 p.m. | Hey Day Market
Witness the magic of the lighting of the 24 ft Christmas tree at Hey Day Market. The lighting will be at the ice skating rink and is the perfect way to kick off the holidays.
November 26 | 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. | Samford Lawn
Experience the enchantment of Auburn University's annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony on Samford Lawn. Indulge in hot cocoa, cookies, and latkes as the festive spirit builds towards the 5:00 p.m. on-stage program. Open to the entire community, the celebration features choral performances, special guests, and the illumination of the Menorah and Christmas Tree.
November 26 | 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. | O Town Ice Cream
Santa and Mrs. Claus will be stopping by O Town Ice Cream, to visit the magical sweet shop, and anyone who desires to tell Santa their Christmas wishes.
December 1 | 5 p.m. | Courthouse Square/Railroad Avenue
Snopelika is Opelika’s official kick-off event for the Christmas season. This is an annual community event, which kicks off the Christmas season in Opelika with artificial snowfall and tree lighting. It will be at the Courthouse Square on Friday, December 1st, at 5:00 p.m. This is a free event for all.
December 1 | 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. | Downtown Auburn
This is the perfect event to check off everyone on your Christmas list. Downtown Merchants will remain open for extended shopping hours and offer exclusive discounts and specials from 5-8 p.m. on December 1. There will also be children’s activities, Santa, live music, cocktails to go, and more.
December 1 | 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. | Twin City FOP Lodge #21
Don't miss a festive and fun holiday drop-in with the Lee County Deputies. There will be sweet treats, coloring activities, and more. There will also be a special mailbox to send off your letters to Santa, so brainstorm what you are going to wish for. Don't worry parents, there will be coffee for you.
December 2 | 6:30 a.m. | Toomer's Corner
Pull out your ugly Christmas sweaters and get ready for the Jingle Jog 5k and Santa Stroll Fun Run. Join Active Auburn on Saturday, December 2 at 6 a.m. to ring in the holiday season in style! The Santa Stroll Fun Run (1-mile) will begin at 6:30 a.m. and the Jingle Jog 5k will begin at 7 a.m., both at Toomer’s Corner.
December 2 | 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. | Downtown Auburn
Join us for our Loveliest Village Holiday Market featuring a curated selection of local artists, homemade gifts, baked goods, and more!
December 2 | 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. | True Deliverance Holiness Church
The annual Cookie Walk Fundraiser is back for the 28th time! The Cookie Walk is a fundraiser sponsored by the WeHelp Coalition of Churches to benefit the mission of Auburn Opelika Habitat for Humanity.
December 2 | 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Auburn United Methodist Church
The Annual Christmas Market is one you need to circle on your calendar. For over 50 years the United Women of Faith at Auburn United Methodist Church have used all proceeds from their annual Christmas Market to support local area missions. Shop local arts, crafts, and food and traditional baked goods and frozen soups and casseroles at the annual Christmas Market at AUMC. There is no admission to attend.
December 2 | 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. | Opelika Art Haus
A market, which is a one stop shop for local arts and crafts makers as well as artisan foods, soaps, candles, pottery, and many other beautiful items. Be prepared to leave with gifts for all those that you love.
December 2 | 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Kreher Perserve & Nature Center
On December 2, Kreher Perserve & Nature Center will transform into a winter wonderland filled with nature-themed crafts, performances, cookies, hot chocolate, and a visit from Mrs. Claus. In addition, the Ho-Ho-Ho Hike, is a fun "Santa Hunt," where you will hike the Preserve looking for the elusive visitor in red, meeting many of nature's creatures along the way.
December 2 | 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. | the Rane Culinary Science Center
Kids, grab a grown-up! The Holiday Cookie Baking class is coming to town!
The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to celebrate than by baking? This Holiday Cookie Baking class is a family affair! Every young cookie enthusiast is invited to bring along their very own grown-up baking assistant. Team up, laugh together, and let the cookie magic unfold!
December 2 | 1 p.m. - 11 p.m. | The Plaza Bar & Lounge
Join The Plaza for their very first Oysterfest! They will have raw and grilled oysters available. Your ticket includes your first 1/2 dozen oysters, a drink ticket, and a raffle ticket!
December 3 | 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Toomer's Corner
Santa is coming to town, and will be on Toomer's Corner from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Be sure to have your Christmas list ready to share with Santa.
December 3 | 2 p.m. | Downtown Auburn
It wouldn't be Christmas time without the Downtown Auburn Christmas parade, so don't miss it. The parade will be held in downtown Auburn on Sunday, December 3 at 2 p.m.
December 8 | 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. | Downtown Opelika
Christmas in a Railroad Town is a night full of activites for children and children at heart including a children's train, pony rides, large and small animal petting zoo, wagon rides, trolley rides, and late night shopping and dining to name a few. You can also be transported back in time and take a wagon ride through the Victorian Front Porch Christmas Tour.
December 8-12 | Opelika Historic District, 8th & 9th Streets
A Christmas tradtion that has been voted one of the southeast's top-rated tourism events and featured in Better Homes and Gardens and Southern Living. For five days in early December 60 Victorian and historic homes near downtown Opelika are transformed into colorful, nostalgic reminders of Christmas from a simpler, slower-paced era. The Victorian Front Porch Christmas Tour will surely make your holiday season special.
December 9 | 8 a.m. | Wrights Mill Road Elementary School
Join us for a festive start to the holiday season at the 2023 Auburn Toys for Tots Race! Participants can choose from a 10K, 5K, or 1-Mile run, with a special request to bring a new, unwrapped toy to be donated to children in need. This year's race is especially important as we aim to bring holiday cheer to families facing economic challenges.
December 9 | 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Auburn Marriott Opelika at Grand National
Have you always dreamed of eating brunch with Santa? Well, you can enjoy a very merry brunch with Santa at the Auburn Marriott Opelika at Grand National. While enjoying brunch you will also enjoy Christmas crafts, train rides on the North Pole Express, and time with Santa & his elves to make sure he knows what you want for Christmas!
December 13 | 6 - 9 p.m. | The Depot
Join The Hound and The Depot for their Sixth Annual Feast of the Seven Fishes. While the feast is not being held on the tradition of Christmas Eve, they want to celebrate the bounty of their beautiful coastal seafood selections in order to extend our holiday jubilations. Indulge in seven courses thoughtfully planned and prepared by Chef Robbie Nicolaisen from The Hound and Chef Scott Simpson from The Depot. Limited availability. Tickets are required. This event will be community seating.
December 14-16 | 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. | Opelika Municipal Park (Monkey Park)
The Opelika Parks and Recreation Department is hosting the Rocky Brook Reindeer Express Dec. 14-16 in Monkey Park. Train rides will be $2 per person, cash only, and will take you through stunning Christmas scenes with thousands of lights sure to put you in the Holiday mood.
December 15 | 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Collinwood Luminaries is a neighborhood event with live characters and animals showing the path to Christ. Drive-thru this lovely neighborhood by candlelight which leads to a live nativity.
December 16-22 | Various drop off times | Harris Center
Auburn Parks and Recreation will offer free holiday gift wrapping services during The Holiday Wrap Up. Community members are invited to drop off pre-boxed gifts at the Harris Center. Wrapping services will include paper, ribbon, a gift tag and an optional bow. Participants may choose from the paper selection or bring their own their own wrapping supplies.
ENJOY THESE EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE MONTH OF DECEMBER!
November 17 - January 13 | 12 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. | Hey Day Market
The most wonderful time of the year is upon us, and Hey Day Market is hosting a new family tradition: Hey Day Holiday. The most magical hoilday festivities will be at Hey Day with a 24 ft Christmas Tree and an ice skating rink on the expansive Greenspace. This event will be fun and festive and open for all to enjoy during the winter season!
November 17 - January 13 | 12 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. | Hey Day Market
Hey Day Holiday will feature an incredible ice skating rink. The rink will be open from November 17th - January 13th. Reserve your spot here.
December 3 - January 1 | Tony & Libba Rane Culinary Science Center
East Alabama's largest Gingerbread Village display debuts Sunday December 3rd at 3pm inside The Tony & Libba Rane Culinary Science Center just after the Auburn, AL, Christmas Parade concludes. This event is free to the general public and will remain open through New Year's Day!
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