
How to Spend 12 Days of Christmas
Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
Give your family a white Christmas with a getaway to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.
While the chances of seeing snow are slim, you can experience the Alabama Gulf Coast's version of a white Christmas, including making snowmen from sand while you relax on our beaches. Enjoy 12 days of Christmas in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Here's how:

1. Browse Local Art
Browse incredible artwork crafted by local artists at the Gulf Coast Arts Alliance Gallery’s Holiday Open House on Saturday, December 3. Pick up a piece for yourself or as a gift!

View Christmas Lights
View stunning Christmas lights reflecting off the water during the Annual Lighted Boat Parade Saturday, December 10. At dusk, this dazzling parade travels from LuLu’s down the Intracoastal Waterway Canal. You can see the parade at public spots like The Wharf and Orange Beach Waterfront Park, and restaurants such as GTs on the Bay, OSO, Playa, Tiki Bar, and Cobalt.

3. Visit Whoville
Plan a visit to the town of Whoville at the Learning Campus in Gulf State Park to celebrate Grinchmas. On December 4, 11, and 18, you’ll enjoy holiday crafts, Who activities, refreshments, and photos with Santa Grinch.

4. See Santa
Don’t let the season pass by without having your photo taken with the big man in red. You can snap a picture with Santa this winter at Downtown OWA and The Wharf. Be sure to wear your best Christmas sweater!

5. Attend Holly Days on Main
Head to The Wharf for Holly Days on Main, December 10-11. Shop ‘til you drop, listen to live local music, participate in the Santa Pub Crawl, and don’t forget to check out all the dazzling lights lining Main Street!

6. Attend Flora-Bama's Santa Drop
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s Santa Clause parachuting from the sky! Visit Flora-Bama on December 10 and catch the Jolly Old Elf himself dropping from above during The Santa Drop.

7. Create Your Own Presents
Create your holiday gifts and show off your artistic skills this year at The Hot Shop, where you’ll learn the art of glass blowing. Or try your hand at pottery at The Clay Studio.

8. Enjoy Bellingrath’s Magic Christmas in Lights
Stroll through the renowned garden estate at Bellingrath's Magic Christmas in Lights. Lit by more than three million lights, the gardens include more than 1,100 lighted pieces in 16 scenes throughout the gardens. This year, the event will be open for tours from November 25 through January 4.

9. Snap Some Pics at the Cool Shots Selfie Museum
Try something new and exciting for this year’s Christmas cards and have your family photos taken at Cool Shots Selfie Museum at The Wharf. With so many engaging and immersive backgrounds, you’ll have the coolest holiday card ever!

10. Attend Christmas Card Lane
Attend Gulf State Park’s first-ever Christmas Card Lane at the beautiful Lake Shelby. This holiday event lasts all of December and features lighted holiday greetings from area residents and businesses. Proceeds from the event will fund an autism nature trail within the park.

11. Go Ice Skating
Get in the holiday spirit by hitting the rink – the ice skating rink! The Wharf has an ice skating rink throughout the entire month of December and skates are included when you buy a ticket.

Attend the Flora-Bama Christmas Potluck
Eat, drink, and be merry on the line this year at Flora-Bama’s Annual Christmas Potluck. Flora-Bama will provide the turkey and ham and encourages patrons to bring their favorite covered side dish to share.
Check out all the holiday festivities happening this winter on Alabama’s beaches!