Check out all of the fun Christmas Events in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, Alabama!
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Christmas Events in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
There are so many fun Christmas Events in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach along with Foley and Baldwin County, Alabama. Get ready for tons of holiday cheer and fun at the beach!
FREE Photos with Santa on the Beach - Date TBD in 2026
We are so excited to share that we will be hosting FREE Santa Photos on the beach with Sand Castle University on TBD.
Sand Castle University is going to build an amazing holiday-themed sand sculpture, and we will have Santa there for photos! Bring your cell phone, and we will make sure you get a great Santa photo.
We will be accepting donations of non-perishable food and toys that we can spread to the blessing boxes around the area to help local families.
Magic Christmas in Lights - Bellingrath Gardens
- Dates - TBD 2026
- Location - Bellingrath Gardens
Enjoy the 30th Annual Magic Christmas in Lights at Bellingrath Gardens & Home. Explore the 65-acre garden adorned with thousands of holiday lights.
Tree Lighting & Fireworks at OWA
- Dates - TBD 2026
- Location - Downtown OWA
Enjoy the kick off of the holidays with the lighting of the holiday tree at OWA followed by an epic fireworks celebration.
North Pole Experience - OWA
- Dates - TBD 2026
- Location - Downtown OWA
Enjoy craft time with elves along with Santa photos at the North Pole at OWA.
Photos with Santa - The Wharf
- Dates - TBD 2026
- Location - The Wharf Store, Suite D118
Christmas Card Lane - Lake Shelby, Gulf State Park
- Starting Date - December 1, 2025, 6 pm
- Location - Lake Shelby Picnic Area
The entire family will enjoy a fun drive around the Lake Shelby Picnic Area to see Christmas Card Lane and the Coastal Nights of Lights.
The City of Orange Beach Christmas Tree Lighting
- Date - TBD 2026
- Location - Main Street at the Wharf
This year's Orange Beach Christmas Tree lighting will include a drone show from America's Got Talent finalists, Sky Elements!
Community Christmas at Sims Park - Gulf Shores
Date - TBD 2026
- 4:30 pm - Mrs Claus will be holding storytime at the Gulf Shores Museum
- 5:30 pm - Santa will leave Fire Station 1 for Sims Park for the tree lighting
Christmas in the Park - Downtown Foley
- Rescheduled Date - TBD 2026
- Location - Foley Heritage Park
Breakfast with Santa - Tacky Jacks Gulf Shores
- Date -TBD 2026
- Location - Tacky Jacks Gulf Shores
Enjoy a breakast buffet and get a fun digital photo with Santa! RSVP online
Due to our wet, rainy weather, the reindeer are on strike. The Lunch with reindeer has been cancelled but breakfast with Santa is still happening.
Breakfast with the Grinch - Sold Out
- Date - TBD 2026
- Location - Beach Pavilion, Gulf State Park
Join The Grinch for a fun morning of giggles and photo ops. The event includes breakfast and festive surprises. All proceeds go to support the Pendergrass Nature Sensory Trail
Santa Drop at The Flora Bama
- Date - TBD 2026
- Location - Flora Bama
Kick off the holiday season with the annual Santa Drop at the Flora-Bama! Santa will skydive onto the white sand beach in front of the Flora Bama.
Enjoy kids crafts, live music, face painting, and all the holiday fun! Toys for Tots will be on site accepting unwrapped and unopened toy donations. Anyone who donates a toy gets a free drink card!
Sugarplum Festival - OWA
- Date - TBD 2026
- Location - Downtown OWA
Enjoy a fun market with arts and crafts vendors, sweet treats, and more holiday fun!
Swift Coles House Christmas Tea
- Date - TBD 2026
- Location - Swift-Coles Historic Home
Very Merry Coastal Grinchmas - Learning Campus at Gulf State Park
- Date - TBD 2026
- Location - Gulf State Park Learning Campus
Step into Whoville and get ready for fun! Stop by the Whoville Beauty Parlor, take a walk down the Whoville Enchanted Trail, and meet the Grinch!
Santa Pub Crawl - The Wharf
- Date - TBD 2026
- Location - The Wharf
The Lower Alabama Young Professionals Santa Pub Crawl has been rescheduled to Saturday December 13th. The Pub crawl begins at 7pm.
The closing ceremony and raffle with be at Tee off at The Wharf.
Daphne Christmas Parade
- Rescheduled Date - TBD 2026
- Location - Olde Towne Daphne
Daphne Holiday events still happening:
Tuesday, December 9: Daphne's Annual Tree Lighting, 5 - 8 PM, Daphne City Hall
Thursday, December 11: Baldwin Pops FREE Christmas Concert, 7 PM, Daphne Civic Center
Friday, December 12: "Snow" & Movie Night in the Park, 4 - 8 PM, Al Trione Sports Complex
Thursday, December 18 & Friday, December 19: Skating with Santa, 4 - 8 PM, Daphne Civic Center
Baldwin Pops Holiday Concert
- Date - TBD 2026
- Location - Erie Meyer Civic Center, Gulf Shores
Brunch With Santa - Tacky Jacks Orange Beach
- Date - TBD 2026
- Location - Tacky Jacks Orange Beach
Celebrate brunch with Santa at Tacky Jacks Orange Beach! The event includes brunch and a digital photo with Santa! RSVP online
Foley Christmas Parade
- Rescheduled Date - TBD 2026
- Location - Foley
The Foley Christmas Parade will roll at 10 am. The Let it Snow activities will start with the marketplace at 9 am and activities at 11 am.
Selfies with Santa - Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
- Date - TBD 2026
- Location - Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
Head to the Giraffe Pavilion for selfies with Santa included with regular zoo admission.
LuLu's Lighted Christmas Parade
- Date - TBD 2026
- Location - Along the Intracoastal Waterway and at LuLu's
Breakfast With Santa - Gulf Shores
- Date - TBD 2026
- location Erie Meyer Civic Center
Elf Academy at OWA
- Date - TBD 2026
- Location - Downtown OWA
Kids can learn how to be one of Santa's elves!
Reading with Raptors: The Christmas Owl - Gulf State Park
- Date- December 22, 2025, 10 am
- Location - Gulf State Park Nature Center
Enjoy a family-friendly program with hot chocolate, learn about local wildlife, and meet the naturalists.
Holiday Oyster Decoupage Class - Gulf State Park Learning Campus
- Date - December 23th
- Location - Learning Campus at Gulf State Park
Decorate an oyster shell that is recycled from the Gulf State Park restaurants. Create a colorful and artistic dish with a touch of the coast. Registration is required.
12 Days of Snakes - Gulf State Park
- Date - December 24, 2025, 10 am
- Location - Gulf State Park Nature Center
Visit the Nature Center at Gulf State Park and learn about 12 native snakes species.
Christmas Fun at Dick's Last Resort at The Wharf
- Date - Wednesday December 24th, 11 am to close
Enjoy Christmas trivia and Caroling challenges
Flora-Bama Christmas Potluck
- Date - Christmas Day, December 25th
- Location - Flora Bama
Gulf Shores Christmas Ornaments
Location - City of Gulf Shores Store
Make sure to visit the Gulf Shores City Store to pick up the annual Gulf Shores Christmas ornament.
Designed by Steve & Dee Burrow from Sea Oat Studio
Address - 1821 AL Hwy 59, Gulf Shores
Christmas Themed Food in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
We will be updating this with all of the fun holiday food and drink specials in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, Alabama
Bahama Buck's Orange Beach - Great santa sno along with a Christmas cookie sno
Tee off at The Wharf - Fun Christmas Cocktail menu with Jingle Juice, Santa's Nightcap, Golden Sleigh, a frosted Negroni, and Eggnog Martini and Winter Orchard Mule.
Tacky Jacks - Spiced Gingerbread Bushwacker to celebrate the Bushwacker
Gulf Babe Wine Boutique - Fun holiday themed cocktails and mocktails
Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Lodging
If you are visiting and need to book accommodations, here are our recommendations. We have personally stayed at each of these lodging options (except Margaritaville, coming 2027!):
Use code GULFJOURNEY at checkout with Spectrum Resorts and Beachball Properties for an exclusive discount!
🏖️ Beachball Properties - Vacation houses and condos throughout Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Use Code GULFJOURNEY for a discount. Book with Beachball Properties
🏖️ The Beach Club Resort and Spa (Fort Morgan) - Beachfront condos with amazing amenities, a spa, and the incredible Coast Restaurant on-site. Use Code GULFJOURNEY for a discount with Spectrum Resorts. Book The Beach Club
🏖️ Turquoise Place (Orange Beach) - Our favorite resort in the area! Luxury amenities, epic Gulf-front views, and stunning condos. Truly unforgettable. Use Code GULFJOURNEY for a discount with Spectrum Resorts. Book Turquoise Place
🏨 The Tides Hotel (Orange Beach) - Gorgeous beachfront hotel with a great breakfast buffet, outdoor pool, and top-notch customer service. Book The Tides
🏨 Island House Hotel (Orange Beach) - Right on the beach with epic views from every room. Book Island House
⛺ Timberline Glamping (Orange Beach) - Stay in an amazing glamping tent with a private bathroom, right next to Gulf State Park. Book Timberline
🏨 The Lodge at Gulf State Park - Beachfront Hilton hotel in Gulf State Park offering epic views, sustainable practices, and great on-site restaurants. Book The Lodge
🏨 Springhill Suites Orange Beach - Located next to The Wharf with a gorgeous pool. Perfect location for shopping and dining. Book Springhill Suites
🔜 Margaritaville Resort Orange Beach (Coming 2027) - The highly anticipated Margaritaville resort is coming to Orange Beach! The first phase opens in 2027 and will include beachfront cottages, bungalows, condos, pickleball courts, and an entertainment district.
The map below shows the current hotels and vacation rentals available in the area. You can select the dates you are visiting to see current availability.
Don't miss our other Gulf Coast destinations, including Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Dauphin Island, Fairhope, Fort Morgan, Foley, Mobile, Bayou La Batre, Alabama, and so many more!
We also have articles on the Emerald Coast of Florida, including Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Pensacola Beach, Navarre Beach, Panama City Beach, Perdido Key, Pensacola, and more.
Keep an eye out for articles on the Gulf Coast of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and Florida!
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