With festive holiday events and activities like the Magic Christmas in Lights at Bellingrath Gardens and the Annual Christmas Lighted Boat Parade, the Alabama Gulf Coast is brimming with holiday cheer. Young’s Suncoast offers cozy vacation rentals in the Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, and Fort Morgan area, featuring spacious living areas for gathering and fully equipped kitchens for holiday meal prep. Keep reading to discover more holiday activities to enjoy this season on the Alabama Gulf Coast!
Join in the Holiday Activities & Events on the Alabama Coast
Holiday Fun at The Wharf
Experience winter magic at The Wharf with real ice skating and Ho Ho Holiday photo sessions with Santa. Kids can bring or write wish list letters in Santa’s village, while the Christmas Tree Farm transforms The Wharf into a holiday wonderland. It’s the perfect spot for festive fun and holiday activities for all ages.
Christmas Lights at Bellingrath Gardens
Bellingrath Gardens and Home, just a short drive from Gulf Shores, hosts the annual Magic Christmas in Lights display. Stroll through thousands of lights across 65 acres of gardens, enjoy holiday music, festive food, and even a visit from Santa Claus. It’s one of the best holiday events for the whole family.
Flora-Bama Santa Drop
One of the most unique holiday events on the Alabama Coast is the iconic Flora-Bama Annual Santa Drop. Guests of all ages can delight in watching Santa parachute onto the beach and family-friendly activities such as meeting santa, face painting, crafts, sweets, and kids games. Afterward, enjoy holiday activities such as live music, holiday food, and drink specials at the famous beachfront bar.
The Annual Christmas Lighted Boat Parade
A Gulf Coast holiday tradition, this boat parade features brightly lit vessels cruising along Waterway Village. The parade can be viewed from the canal in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores but arrive early if you want to secure a table and enjoy the festivities at LuLu’s. Boats depart at dusk from LuLu’s Gulf Shores and Homeport Marina, heading toward The Wharf in Orange Beach, offering a dazzling canal view. Free admission makes it one of the top things to do this holiday season!
Flora-Bama’s New Year’s Eve Bash
For a lively New Year’s Eve, Flora-Bama offers the ultimate event with live music on three stages, an all-you-can-eat dinner buffet, a midnight breakfast buffet, and a free champagne toast. Party favors, surprises, and an energetic vibe make it the perfect 21+ destination to welcome the New Year in true Flora-Bama style on the Alabama-Florida line.
Noon Year’s Eve at LuLu’s
LuLu’s NOON Year’s Eve is one of the most lively holiday events for kids and adults, perfect for welcoming the New Year. Morning holiday activities include crafts, bubble wrap “fireworks,” and a sandcastle contest. At noon, the Beach Ball Drop sends hundreds of beach balls cascading onto LuLu’s Beach. The fun continues with face painting, balloon animals, an inflatable slide, and more!
