Things to Do in December
in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
Winter is an excellent time to visit Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Fort Morgan. The comfortable temperatures mixed with fewer crowds make the area the ultimate vacation destination. Outdoor adventures, holiday events, and family-friendly attractions are just a few of the activities to enjoy during the festive season. Discover all the fun things to do in December on Alabama's Beaches!
Best December Activites & Attractions on Alabama's Beaches
Explore Gulf State Park
You can enjoy outdoor activities like biking, hiking, and kayaking all year round here on Alabama's Beaches. However, the cool weather that winter brings to the coast makes December the ideal time to experience the area's natural beauty, and with 6,150 acres, Gulf State Park is a great place to explore.
Play Golf
Keep up your golf game in winter by playing on the area's incredible courses. The cool, comfortable temperatures, combined with fewer crowds, make this time of year ideal for securing the perfect tee time. With 15 amazing golf courses open year-round, the Alabama Gulf Coast is the premier destination for winter golfing.
Shop 'Til You Drop
Get all of your Christmas shopping done while you're here on Alabama's Beaches. You'll find something for everyone on your list. Choose to shop from prominent spots like The Wharf, Pelican Place, and Tanger Outlets or local treasures such as art galleries and specialty food stores. Need a few ideas on what to give? We've got you covered with our gift guide for beach lovers and souvenir list!
Create an Ornament at The Hot Shop
Decorated your tree with a handmade piece from The Hot Shop. This premier glass blowing studio offers classes throughout the week for guests to learn all about glass blowing and craft an ornament. The professional artists will guide you through the process and help you created a memorable piece of art to take home. You can also buy ornaments and other handcrafted work from The Hot Shop inside the Coastal Arts Center.
Holiday Fun at The Wharf
The Wharf in Orange Beach is the hotspot for the holiday season. Here, you'll find an ice skating rink, horse-drawn carriage rides, and lots of shopping. You can take a spin on the Ferris wheel that runs year-round and the nightly Spectra light show. Be sure to snap a photo of the giant Christmas tree at the end of Main Street!
Race Around The Track
Take advantage of the fewer crowds to visit popular beach attractions like The Track. This Gulf Shores hot spot is a vacation staple, featuring mini golf, bumper boats, kiddie rides, an arcade and go-kart tracks for all ages. Winter is an excellent time to race around, as there won’t be as many lines as in summer.
Play at Adventure Island
Speaking of family entertainment, Adventure Island is another fabulous attraction to visit in December. Guests can take their time on the putt-putt course, play to their heart’s content in the arcade, and enjoy amusement rides without the big crowds or humidity.
December Events on Alabama's Beaches
Flora-Bama Santa Drop: December 6
Santa loves to visit the Coast before Christmas and loves our shoreline so much he ditches his sleigh and flies down to the beach on a parachute. The Big Man in Red skydives onto the beach on December 6 at Flora-Bama’s Santa Drop. After landing, guests are welcome to take photos with him inside the iconic Flora-Bama Lounge & Oyster Bar.
December Wine Tastings at Tacky Jacks: December 8 & 11
There’s nothing quite like sipping wine by the water. Tacky Jack’s is bringing the flavors of South Africa to its Gulf Shores and Orange Beach restaurants with a curated wine tasting. The nights feature four samples, each paired with a small plate. The Orange Beach tasting is December 8, and the Gulf Shores tasting is December 11.
Christmas Lighted Boat Parade: December 12
Checking out the beautiful Christmas lights is one of the best parts of the holiday season. You'll find light displays throughout Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, even on the water. The lighted Christmas Boat Parade on December 12 is a bright and festive spectacle featuring boats adorned with lights that cruise down the Intracoastal Waterway
Tip: Lulu’s and The Wharf are two of the best public places to watch the parade.
Magic Christmas in Lights: December 2026
Every winter, Bellingrath Gardens and Home in nearby Theodore adorns its 65-acre estate with dazzling lights, creating a mesmerizing display. During the Magic Christmas in Lights event, guests can walk through the grounds, admiring the twinkling lights and sipping hot cocoa.
Tip: Reserve your tickets online in advance to avoid long entry lines.
Looking for a coastal holiday getaway? From lighted boat parades and parachuting Santa's to visiting Whoville and ice skating, there is something for the whole crew on Alabama's Beaches in December.
Explore Rentals on Alabama's Beaches
Whatever your vacation style, Alabama’s Beaches have the perfect spot for you. Start planning by choosing your dates and group size, and explore the best vacation rentals in Gulf Shores, comfortable places to stay in Orange Beach, or the charming rentals of Fort Morgan. With verified listings, secure payments, and real support, there are plenty of reasons why you should book with us.
Sydnie Lee
A Gulf Coast native and Travel Marketing Professional, Sydnie is Alabama's Beaches Content Specialist (AKA taste tester and destination researcher.) She spends time visiting restaurants, attractions, activities, and events in the area to get the inside scoop on all things happening in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Fort Morgan.
