Enjoy the magic of the season in Tuscaloosa with our detailed event guide. Whether Tuscaloosa is your everyday backdrop or your dream destination, our guide brings festive dreams to life.
Explore the dazzling Tuscaloosa Tinsel Trail, where illuminated trees light up the Riverwalk. Step back in time with the charming attractions of Dickens Downtown, featuring Victorian-era festivities and carolers. And the Christmas Afloat Parade is something you definitely don't want to miss, with boats adorned in holiday lights sailing down the river. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Tuscaloosa
- Tuscaloosa Tinsel Trail
- Christmas at Bama Theatre
- Christmas Wonderland Show
- Tuscaloosa Christmas Parade
- Jingle Bell Run
- Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Tuscaloosa Holiday Light Displays
Tuscaloosa Tinsel Trail
What to Expect:
Community-decorated Christmas trees lining the Riverwalk
Description:
The Tuscaloosa Tinsel Trail transforms the city's Riverwalk into a glittering forest of uniquely decorated Christmas trees. Local businesses, organizations, and families sponsor and adorn trees, creating a dazzling display of community creativity. Stroll along the illuminated path and admire the diverse array of ornaments and themes. This relatively new tradition, started in 2013, has quickly become a beloved part of Tuscaloosa's holiday season. You can vote for your favorite tree, with proceeds benefiting Tuscaloosa's One Place, a local family resource center.
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Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
What to Expect:
Community gathering to illuminate a 60-foot Christmas tree
Description:
Tuscaloosa's Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony centers around the illumination of a towering 60-foot tree, a spectacle that marks the official start of the holiday season. The event brings together city officials, local performers, and hundreds of residents in a display of community spirit. As the massive tree bursts into light, it becomes a beacon visible throughout downtown Tuscaloosa. This tradition, dating back several decades, has grown to include live music, hot cocoa stations, and activities for children. Witness the collective gasp of awe as the switch is flipped, bathing the surrounding area in a warm glow.
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Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Tuscaloosa Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Christmas at Bama Theatre
What to Expect:
Holiday performances in a historic 1938 movie palace
Description:
Christmas at Bama Theatre brings holiday cheer to a lovingly restored 1938 movie palace. The theatre's Art Deco architecture and vintage marquee transport visitors to a bygone era of entertainment. A diverse lineup of performances, from classic ballet to contemporary music, graces the stage throughout the season. The Bama Theatre, originally built as part of President Roosevelt's New Deal, has been a cornerstone of Tuscaloosa's cultural scene for over 80 years. Arrive early to admire the building's unique blend of Streamline Moderne and Mediterranean styles before settling in for a memorable holiday performance.
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Christmas Wonderland Show
What to Expect:
Broadway-style holiday production with elaborate sets and costumes
Description:
The Christmas Wonderland Show dazzles audiences with a high-energy, Broadway-style spectacular. Lavish costumes and intricate set designs bring holiday scenes to life on stage. Professional dancers and singers perform beloved Christmas classics and modern hits alike. This production stands out for its scale and polish, rivaling shows typically found in larger cities. The show pays homage to various holiday traditions from around the world, offering a culturally diverse celebration. Witness breathtaking choreography as performers glide across the stage in a flurry of sequins and snowflakes.
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Tuscaloosa Other Holiday Activities
Tuscaloosa Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
One of Alabama's largest and longest-running Christmas parades
Description:
The Tuscaloosa Christmas Parade, one of Alabama's largest and longest-running holiday processions, winds through the heart of the city. Elaborate floats, marching bands, and community groups fill the streets with holiday spirit. The parade's history stretches back over 70 years, evolving alongside the city it celebrates. Towering helium balloons, a rarity in smaller city parades, float above the crowds. Secure a spot along the route to catch candy and trinkets tossed by parade participants. The event culminates with the arrival of Santa Claus, officially kicking off the holiday season in Tuscaloosa.
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Jingle Bell Run
What to Expect:
Festive 5K run/walk with participants in holiday costumes
Description:
The Jingle Bell Run energizes Tuscaloosa with a spirited 5K race where participants don their most creative holiday attire. Runners and walkers alike jingle through the streets, many adorned with bells, antlers, and even full Santa suits. This lively event, part of a nationwide series, raises funds and awareness for the Arthritis Foundation. The sound of jingling bells fills the air as participants make their way along the course. Challenge yourself to beat your personal best time or simply enjoy the festive atmosphere. The run showcases Tuscaloosa's commitment to combining fitness with philanthropy during the holiday season.
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Nearby Events
Dickens Downtown (Northport)
What to Expect:
Victorian-era Christmas celebration in historic downtown
Description:
Northport's historic downtown leaps back in time during Dickens Downtown, recreating a Victorian-era Christmas celebration. Gas lamps flicker as costumed characters roam the streets, bringing Charles Dickens' world to life. Local shops transform into quaint storefronts of yesteryear, offering unique gifts and treats. Live performances of classic carols fill the air with nostalgic melodies. Northport's rich history, dating back to 1871, provides the perfect backdrop for this immersive event. Try your hand at traditional Victorian crafts or games as you explore this charming step back in time.
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Christmas Afloat Parade (Northport)
What to Expect:
Illuminated boat parade on the Black Warrior River
Description:
The Christmas Afloat Parade illuminates the Black Warrior River with a procession of brilliantly decorated boats. Spectators line the riverbanks to witness this unique aquatic spectacle, where captains compete for the most creative and dazzling displays. The parade, a tradition since 1990, showcases Northport's strong connection to its waterways. Boats of all sizes participate, from small fishing vessels to large yachts, each adorned with thousands of twinkling lights. Find a spot along the river to watch as these floating works of art glide by, reflecting off the water's surface.