Have a holly, jolly Coastal Christmas on Alabama’s beaches

Media Contact:

Mary Sergeant • Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism
[email protected] • GulfShores.com/Media-Room
1-800-745-SAND • 251-974-4605 (direct) • 251-509-3832 (cell)

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach celebrate the Christmas season from Thanksgiving until New Year’s Day

GULF SHORES AND ORANGE BEACH, ALA. – Choose sand angels over snow angels this holiday season on the Alabama Gulf Coast. From 65-acres of Christmas lights and lighted boat parades to Santa Claus parachuting down from the North Pole, there are plenty of joyful, family-friendly events happening this year during Coastal Christmas.

Winter at The Wharf
Dates: End of November through mid-January
Location: The Wharf (23101 Canal Road, Orange Beach)
Website: ALWharf.com
Phone: 251-224-1000
Events:

• Ice Skating Rink
  Date: Nov. 16 to Jan. 13
  Time: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (daily); see website for holiday school break times
  Admission: $10 for skating; $13 for skating and Ferris wheel; $80 for frequent skater pass
• Photos with Santa
  Date: Nov. 16 to Dec. 24
  Time: 3-7 p.m. (Friday); 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Saturday); 12-6 p.m. (Sunday); Nov. 27 (Christmas Tree Lighting) 5:30-9:30 p.m.; Dec. 17-22 (Monday-Saturday) 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve) 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 
  Admission: Various price packages
• Horse & Carriage Rides
  Date: Nov. 18, 25, 30; Dec. 2, 8, 9, 14-16
  Time: 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.
  Admission: $20 per carriage ride for up to four people and $5 for one extra person

Bellingrath’s 23rd Annual Magic Christmas in Lights
Dates: Nov. 23-Dec. 31 (Closed Dec. 25)
Time: 5-9 p.m.
Location: Bellingrath Gardens and Home (12401 Bellingrath Gardens Road, Theodore)
Website: Bellingrath.org
Phone: 251-973-2217
Admission: Visit website for ticket details
Details: Be dazzled by three million lights, 15 scenes and more than 1,100 set pieces across the 65-acre garden estate along with choral performances and photos with Santa

Kaiser Realty by Wyndham Vacation Rentals Coastal Half-Marathon, 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run
Date: Nov. 24
Location: Orange Beach Sportsplex (4389 William Silvers Parkway)
Website: https://www.team-magic.com/events/122
Register: https://www.team-magic.com/events/122/contents/register
Details: Enjoy family, fun and fitness as athletes of all ages race along the scenic paved trails of Gulf State Park; post-race party at the Sportsplex

City of Orange Beach Tree Lighting at The Wharf
Date: Nov. 27
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Location: The Wharf (23101 Canal Road, Orange Beach)
Website: ALWharf.com
Admission: Free
Details: Traditional tree lighting with live music, children’s activities and more

The Baldwin Pops Holiday Concert
Date: Dec. 4
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Gulf Shores Cultural Center (19470 Oak Road W., Gulf Shores)
Website: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-baldwin-pops-holiday-concert-tickets-49675819714
Admission: Free
Details: Get in the Christmas spirit with the Baldwin Pops and their special guest from the North Pole

City of Gulf Shores Lighted Christmas Parade
Date: Dec. 7
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Gulf Place Public Beach
Website: GulfShoresAL.gov
Phone: 251-968-1171
Admission: Free
Details: Floats decked out in holiday décor will roll down Hwy. 59 from Gulf Place to Sims Park; post-parade celebration to follow at Sims Park

South Baldwin Community Theatre presents: A Charlie Brown Christmas
Date: Dec. 7-9 and 14-16
Time: 7:30 p.m. (Dec. 7-8 and 14-15); 2:30 p.m. (Dec. 9 and 16)
Location: South Baldwin Community Theatre (2022 West 2nd St., Gulf Shores)
Website: SBCT.biz
Phone: 251-968-6721
Admission: $18 for adults; $15 for students
Details: Based on the classic animated television special, SBCT brings to life Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts gang discover the meaning of Christmas

7th Annual Merry Market
Date: Dec 8-9
Location: Orange Beach Event Center at The Wharf (4671 Wharf Parkway, Orange Beach)
Phone: 251-968-7215
Admission: Free
Details: Unique gifts, arts and crafts, jewelry, specialty food items, children’s games and books from more than 70 vendors; produced by the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber and the city of Orange Beach

Santa Drop at Flora-Bama
Date: Dec. 8
Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: Flora-Bama (17401 Perdido Key Drive, Pensacola)
Website: FloraBama.com
Phone: 850-492-0611
Admission: Free
Details: Bring the family down to the Flora-Bama beachfront to watch Santa parachute in to kick off a day of activities including arts and crafts, sweet treats, live music and more. Adults 21 and over can bring in a canned food item to donate to Manna Food Bank or a toy for Toys for Tots in exchange for a free drink

LuLu’s presents Billy Claus and the LuLuBelles
Date: Dec. 8
Time: 1 p.m.
Location: LuLu’s (200 E. 25th Ave., Gulf Shores)
Website: LuLuBuffett.com
Phone: 251-967-5858
Admission: Free
Details: Based on Lucy Buffett’s holiday children’s book, Santa’s warm-weather-loving younger brother Billy Claus and his LuLuBelles come to town; activities include arts and crafts, Santa letter station and photos with Billy followed by the Lighted Boat Parade

Lighted Boat Parade Pirate Cruise
Date: Dec. 8
Time: 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Location: Hudson Marina (4575 South Wilson Blvd., Orange Beach)
Website: HudsonMarina.net
Phone: 251-981-4127
Admission: $39 plus taxes and fees
Details: Ride aboard the American Star Pirate Ship in the 33rd Annual Christmas Lighted Boat Parade; coolers with snacks and drinks are welcome

33rd Annual Christmas Lighted Boat Parade
Date: Dec. 8
Time: 5 p.m.
Location: Begins at LuLu's (200 E. 25th Ave., Gulf Shores) 
Phone: 251-968-7200
Admission: Free
Details: More than 45 decorated vessels, including sailboats, charters and kayaks will parade from Lulu’s to the Flora-Bama to kick off the Christmas season

Jingle Jubilee Kids Craft Day
Date: Dec. 8
Time: Noon to 4 p.m.
Location: The Wharf (23101 Canal Road, Orange Beach)
Website: ALWharf.com
Phone: 251-224-1000
Admission: Free
Details: Join The Wharf for a full day of kid-friendly “do it yourself” with crafting stations at various stores and restaurants, a Coastal Christmas Art Contest exhibition, musical performances and more

Happy Howlidays Kid & Pet Parade
Date: Dec. 9
Time: 2 p.m.
Location: The Wharf (23101 Canal Road, Orange Beach)
Website: ALWharf.com
Phone: 251-224-1000
Admission: Free
Details: Strut down Main Street at The Wharf with dogs, cats, parrots and more in full Christmas attire for this fun, family-friendly parade

Breakfast with Santa
Date: Dec. 15
Time: 8 a.m.
Location: Erie Meyer Civic Center
Website: GulfShoresAL.gov
Phone: 251-968-1171
Admission: $5; free for children 3 and under
Details: Families may enjoy a traditional breakfast spread and photos with Santa Claus

Make It to the Line 4-Mile Run/Walk and 1-Mile Fun Run
Date: Dec. 29
Time: 10 a.m.
Location: Flora-Bama (17401 Perdido Key Drive, Pensacola)
Website: FloraBama.com
Phone: 850-492-0611
Registration: Email Jessica Langston at [email protected]
Details: Individuals and groups may run, jog, walk or crawl to the Florida-Alabama line in this holiday race; special awards will be given in multiple categories; a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Innerarity Point and Orange Beach Fire Departments

Noon Year’s Eve at LuLu’s
Date: Dec. 31
Time: 10 a.m.
Location: LuLu’s (200 E. 25th Ave., Gulf Shores)
Website: LuLuBuffett.com
Phone: 251-967-5858
Admission: Free
Details: Join LuLu’s for a family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration with the island-famous beach ball drop at noon, live music and more

Reelin’ in the New Year at The Wharf
Date:  Dec. 31
Time: 5 p.m.
Location: The Wharf (23101 Canal Road, Orange Beach)
Website: ALWharf.com
Phone: 251-224-1000
Admission: Free general admission; $5-10 for kids’ activities
Details: Reel in the new year with family-friendly fun at The Wharf’s annual New Year’s Eve Street Party with live music, children and adult activities throughout the night, and the marlin drop and fireworks at midnight

Flora-Bama’s New Year’s Eve Bash
Date: Dec. 31
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Flora-Bama (17401 Perdido Key Drive, Pensacola)
Website: FloraBama.com
Phone: 850-492-0611
Admission: $40 in advance through Dec. 30; $45 at the door (ages 21 and up); $55 at the door (ages 18-20); $10 at the door (ages 18-20 who purchased an advanced ticket)
Details: Ticket price includes live music, all-you-can-eat food, party favors and champagne at midnight to ring in the new year

Flora-Bama Polar Bear Dip
Date: Jan. 1
Time: Noon
Location: Flora-Bama (17401 Perdido Key Drive, Pensacola)
Website: FloraBama.com
Phone: 850-492-0611
Admission: Free
Details: Ring in 2019 by taking a dip in the Gulf waters followed by a traditional New Year’s Day feast of black-eyed peas, cornbread, ham and more

For more information on this family beach destination, visit GulfShores.com and OrangeBeach.com.

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Photos:

Download: https://gsob.co/2Rh23Pm
Caption: More than 45 vessels travel down the Intercoastal Waterway during the 2017 Christmas Lighted Boat Parade. This year’s parade will be held Dec. 8 at 5 p.m. beginning at LuLu’s in Gulf Shores.
Credit: Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism

About Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism:

Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism serves as the official destination marketing organization for the cities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach in addition to the unincorporated area of Fort Morgan. To learn more about the whole different state of discovery on Alabama’s 32 miles of white-sand beaches, visit either GulfShores.com or OrangeBeach.com. This convention and visitors bureau is an accredited Destination Marketing Organization.