2024 Holiday Events in Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa Downtown Merchant’s Association Retail Trail
Date: November 14
Location: Downtown Tuscaloosa
Join the Annual Retail Trail featuring over 50 restaurants, stores, and shops in downtown Tuscaloosa. Many businesses will offer special discounts and free refreshments for patrons. Hosted by the Tuscaloosa Downtown Merchants Association, this event is the perfect opportunity to get festive and stock up on all your holiday goodies!
Follow the TDMA on Facebook and Instagram for event details.
Elf Jr. presented by Brookwood High School Musical Theatre
Date: November 22 and 23
Location: Bama Theatre, 600 Greensboro Ave
Enjoy this magical seasonal musical filled with laughs and Christmas cheer at the historic Bama Theatre! Don’t miss talented local performers bringing the story of Elf Jr. to life.
Tickets available at Bama Theatre.
Wagner’s Tuscaloosa Turkey Trot
Date: November 23
Location: 406 Bridge Ave, Northport, AL
Participate in the 16th Annual Wagner’s Turkey Trot starting at 8 AM. Enjoy a flat 2-mile course that is family-friendly and suitable for all levels of runners and walkers. The race is located next to Iron Tribe Fitness near Dreamland BBQ in Northport.
Sign up at Tuscaloosa Turkey Trot.
Tinsel Trail
Opening Date: November 25 (Lasts Until January 1)
Location: Government Plaza, Downtown Tuscaloosa
This holiday season, Government Plaza will be lit with over 200 live Christmas trees sponsored and decorated by local businesses, organizations, and individuals. Tinsel Trail is a project of Tuscaloosa’s One Place: A Family Resource Center. Special events include Pet Night, Suit Up with Santa, and Ugly Sweater Night.
Check out the full schedule at Tinsel Trail.
Holidays on the Plaza
Dates: November 29 – January 20
Location: Government Plaza, 618 21st Ave
Experience the joy of the season at Holidays on The Plaza, featuring an ice-skating rink and holiday-themed activities. Regular skate price is $15 for a day pass, and season passes are available for $85. Guests can leave and return as long as they keep their wristband on. Every Tuesday night in December is Family Skate Day, with $12 skating and free drinks donated by Coca-Cola.
Santa’s Photo Opportunities:
Sunday, December 1, 1-5 PM
Sunday, December 15, 1-5 PM
Saturday, December 21, 1-5 PM
Sunday, December 22, 1-5 PM
Other special events will occur throughout the season. For a full rundown, visit: https://holidaysontheplaza.com/
Historic Tuscaloosa Annual Holiday Open House
Date: December 1
Location: All Five Historic Tuscaloosa Properties
Explore five beautifully preserved historic properties and soak in the ambiance of Tuscaloosa’s rich history. Admission is free, with donations welcome. The event runs from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM and includes children’s activities such as crafts, letter writing to the North Pole, and a visit from Santa. Enjoy complimentary hot chocolate, cider, cookies, and snacks during your tour.
Participating Locations:
- Old Tavern – 500 Nick’s Kids Avenue
- Battle-Friedman Home – 1010 Greensboro Ave
- Jemison Van de Graaff Mansion – 1305 Greensboro Ave
- Murphy Collins Museum – 2601 Paul W. Bryant Dr
- McGuire Strickland House – 2828 6th St
For more information, visit: Holiday Open House
Christmas-themed Painting Class with Joanna Lemmon
Date: December 3
Location: Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center, 7th Street and Greensboro Avenue
Join us for a festive painting class from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM, led by Joanna Lemmon, a local artist and educator. Tickets are $40 and include all supplies needed for the class. A cash bar will also be available.
About the Instructor:
Joanna Lemmon is an art teacher, artist, and owner of the Art Garage—a mobile art studio for children. She holds degrees in Early Childhood Education and Consumer Economics and has years of teaching experience. Her passion is bringing art to local parks, schools, festivals, and private events, helping others bring their creative visions to life.
For more information, visit: Holiday Painting with Joanna Lemmon
Dickens Downton
Date: December 3
Location: Historic Downtown Northport
Step into a Victorian Christmas wonderland at Dickens Downtown, an outdoor celebration inspired by Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. From 5-8 PM, Historic Downtown Northport will be transformed with snow, live music, caroling, and plenty of holiday cheer. Guests are encouraged to dress in their best Dickens-era costumes to fully embrace the festive spirit!
Historic Tuscaloosa Annual Pine & Prosecco
Date: December 4
Location: Jemison Van de Graaff Mansion, 1305 Greensboro Ave
Enjoy a delightful evening of food, fun, and floral design at Pine & Prosecco! Led by Leska Graves Taylor of LeskaCreativeArtist, this workshop offers participants the chance to create a fresh holiday arrangement perfect for a table, mantle, or gift. The event runs from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
Tickets:
- $75 for members
- $85 for non-members
Only 32 tickets are available. To reserve your spot, call Historic Tuscaloosa at 205-758-2238 or email info@historictuscaloosa.org.
Check out the photo album from our first Pine & Prosecco event here: Pine & Prosecco Gallery
Hilaritas
Date: December 6 and 8
Location: Moody Music Hall, 810 2nd Avenue
Since 1969, the annual Hilaritas concert has been a cherished holiday tradition at the UA School of Music. The performance includes instrumental and choral arrangements of holiday favorites. “Hilaritas” translates to “live joyfully and be proud of what you are.”
Purchase tickets at UA Music Tickets.
YMCA Rudolph Run 8K
Date: December 7
Location: 2300 13th St
This 8K run through downtown Tuscaloosa promises a fun morning amidst holiday decorations. For parents participating, the YMCA offers childcare with fun activities for kids starting 30 minutes before the race.
Register at YMCA Rudolph Run.
Stillman College Choir Candlelight Christmas Concert
Date: December 8
Location: Birthright Alumni Hall, Stillman College
The annual music celebration will begin at 6 PM and feature the Stillman College’s renowned choir, soloists and ensembles singing familiar Christmas carols, including music from George Frideric Handel to spirituals. Dr. Jocqueline K. Richardson is the choir’s director, and it will be accompanied by Mr. Christopher Dixon. The event is free. Donations are encouraged.
More information is available here.
West Alabama Christmas Parade
Date: December 9
Location: Downtown Tuscaloosa
The 48th Annual West Alabama Christmas Parade will feature floats, walking groups, marching bands, horse groups, and decorated vehicles. The parade will be preceded by a Tree Lighting ceremony on the steps of the Tuscaloosa County Courthouse at 5:15 PM. The parade begins at 6:30 PM.
More information at West Alabama Parade.
The Nutcracker by Tuscaloosa Community Dancers
Date: December 12-15
Location: Bama Theatre, 600 Greensboro Ave
Experience the enchanting production of The Nutcracker by the Tuscaloosa Community Dancers, set to Tchaikovsky’s timeless music. The TCD is a pre-professional ballet company for ages 10 and up.
Learn more at Tuscaloosa Community Dancers.
Who Sleighed Santa? Murder Mystery Interactive Event
Date: December 13, 6:30 PM until 9:30 PM
Location: The Historic Drish House
Sleigh or slay?
The Southern Ghost Girls Tours is hosting an interactive Murder Mystery Dinner at The Historic Drish House this holiday season! What better day to have this event than Friday the 13th? Dash into the sleuthing fun as you’re transported to the North Pole! You’ll get to actively participate in the clue-based mystery as you try to decide who “done it” during the event. Holiday attire is not required, but is certainly encouraged! Tickets include delicious food and a special Christmas punch! This event is perfect for friends night out, date night, celebrations, holiday parties, family gatherings and more. Get your tickets here!
Christmas Afloat 2024 Tuscaloosa
Date: December 14, beginning at 5:00 PM
Location: Black Warrior River, beginning at the Holt Lock and Dam
Set sail into the holiday spirit with Christmas Afloat 2024! Watch as dazzlingly decorated boats glide down the Black Warrior River, lighting up the water with festive cheer. Spots to enjoy the twinkling lights and holiday magic along the beauty of the river include Eagle Cove Marina & RV Park, Rock Quarry Boat Landing (Black Warrior River), Rocky Branch Boat Landing, Holt Hydro Power Dam Site Overlook, Deerlick Boat Launch, and anywhere else you can see the river between the Holt Dam and Old Lock 15 Boat Launch.
Learn more at the Christmas Afloat 2024 Facebook Event Page.
Diverse Business Council of West Alabama Jingle and Mingle Holiday Expo
Date: December 17 from 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM
Location: Tuscaloosa River Market, 1900 Jack Warner Parkway
Get into the holiday spirit at the annual Jingle & Mingle Christmas Expo hosted in partnership with the Chamber’s Diverse Business Council. Shop 40+ local vendors, enjoy holiday cheer, and find unique gifts for everyone! Free and open to the public.
10th Annual Live Outdoor Christmas Nativity Pageant
Date: December 19-26
Location: 904 Princeton Place, Northport
The Story of Christmas will be told in an outdoor setting, staged with an authentic 80-ft. set featuring drama, lights, 30 costumed actors and dancers of all ages, music, and live animals! There will be two 25-minute showings nightly at 7:00 and 7:45 pm, 904 Princeton Place, Northport. Admission is free! Come early for front row seating. Children may pet the animals after each show.
Christmas Movie Classics at the Bama Theatre
Date: December 21 and 23
Location: Bama Theatre, 600 Greensboro Ave
The Arts Council of Tuscaloosa presents its Bama Art House Nostalgic Holiday Film Series. Enjoy classic holiday films on December 21 and December 23, with both matinee and evening showings.
December 21: How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) – (2:00 p.m.) and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (7:00 p.m.)
December 23: Home Alone (2:00 p.m.) and The Polar Express (6:00 p.m.)
For more information, visit Bama Art House.
Don’t see your favorite Holiday event in Tuscaloosa County? Email us at jhart@visittuscaloosa.com or call 205-860-1310.
A special thanks to our partners at Hampton Inn University, Hampton Inn East, and Holiday Inn Express & Suites Tuscaloosa East for sponsoring this content!
