GINGERBREAD VILLAGE @ RANE CENTER
The Gingerbread Village is on display at Tony & Libba Rane Culinary Science Center through the end of the year. Santa will be onsite at the Gingerbread Village from 4 to 5 p.m. on two Saturdays, Dec. 16 and 23, ready to listen to wish lists and pose for photos.
OPELIKA PUBLIC LIBRARY
Winter Wonder Workshop is coming to the Opelika Public Library on Saturday, Dec. 16, featuring crafts, games, hot cocoa and a chance to meet Santa Claus.
HOLIDAY TEA @ 1856 – CULINARY RESIDENCE
On Sunday, Dec. 17, celebrate the holidays with a Holiday Tea at 1856 – Culinary Residence from 2 to 4 p.m. The event will feature a mixture of assorted patisseries, a selection of specialty teas and wine and champagne selections, as well as a Teddy Bear Tea menu specially made for children. Reservations required.
SANTA CLAUS AT HEY DAY MARKET
Santa will Join Hey Day Market in their holiday festivities with a visit from Santa Claus! Bring your cameras and Christmas cheer to meet the big man in red from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Saturdays, Dec. 16 and 23.
ICE SKATING
Located on the Hey Day Market greenspace, the ice-skating rink is open daily from noon until 8:30 p.m. through Jan. 15, 2024. The cost, which includes skate rental and one hour of skate time, is $13 for children ages 12 & under and $20 for adults.
DAILY “SNOWFALL”
Enjoy a touch of winter wonder every evening at 5 p.m., with “snowfall” at Auburn’s Hey Day Market.
COUNTRY CHRISTMAS @ ROCKY TOP FARM
The Farm at Rocky Top hosts Country Christmas at 2910 Lee Road 145 in Salem, featuring Santa Claus Corner, a reindeer food-making station, a snow castle, Christmas tree picking, train rides and more. Admission is $12 for ages two and up and $7 for ages 65 and up. Dates and times are Friday, Dec. 15, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 16, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 17, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
ROCKY BROOK ROCKET REINDEER EXPRESS
The Opelika Parks and Recreation Department will host the Rocky Brook Reindeer Express Dec. 14-16 in Monkey Park. Train rides will be $2 per person, cash only, and will take you through stunning Christmas scenes with thousands of lights sure to put you in the Holiday mood.
COLLINWOOD LUMINARIES
Collinwood Luminaries is a neighborhood event off 10th Street in Opelika with live characters and animals and a live nativity. Drive through the neighborhood beginning on Friday, Dec. 15, from 5 to 9 p.m. nightly.
HOMETOWN CHRISTMAS MARKET
Santa will be at the Camp Hill Hometown Christmas Market, to be held from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec 16. Located at Mount Lovely Baptist Church, 21900 Sen. Claude Pepper Drive (Hwy 50) Camp Hill 36850. Winter produce, homemade art, crafts. Hot cocoa for the kids. Several hot food vendors. No vendor fees. Call or text 334-332-5970 to be a vendor (home grown, home made only). Live music. The town Christmas parade follows at 3 p.m. down Main Street.
MARRIAGE CHRISTMAS BALL
Covenant Relationship Ministries will present the 11th annual Marriage Christmas Ball on Saturday, Dec. 16, at the Southern Room at Southern Union Community College. This black-tie event was started and is hosted by marriage counselors Glenn and Anita Comer to provide an evening of fun for married couples and those who are seeking marriage relationships. Tickets are on sale for $50 per person, which includes a plated dinner and entertainment by a live band featuring Demetriace Jordan and other performers. This event is supported with donations from local businesses and three area churches: New Life Christian Center, Pastor Auzzie Comer; True Deliverance Holiness Church, Bishop Nolan Torbert; and Christ Temple, Bishop Kenneth Carter.
SANTA CLAUS AT BOTANIC
Bring your camera to Botanic on Saturday, Dec. 16, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for free photos with Santa Claus. Afterward, children can decorate cookies and visit Santa’s workshop to make a surprise gift for their parents. A kid-friendly buffet will be served. Tickets are $20 per person, $10 for ages 10 and under, available in advance, but walk-ins are also welcome. Santa will roam through The Grille during the Sunday Brunch Buffet from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Dec. 17. Botanic is located at 1702 Frederick Rd. in Opelika.
NINE LESSONS & CAROLS AT ST. DUNSTAN’S
St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church, located at 136 E Magnolia Ave. in Auburn, will host a service of Nine Lessons and Carols at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 17. The service alternates lessons from scripture with hymns/anthems by the choir and is a beloved Episcopal/Anglican tradition for many.
CHRISTMAS WREATH WORKSHOP
Celebrate the holiday spirit by creating your own wreath on Sunday, Dec. 17, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Kreher Preserve and Nature Center, located at 2222 N. College St. in Auburn. Led by Cyndi Czerkawski, this event will lead you through the steps of creating and designing a festive wreath made of natural materials. Cost is $20 per participant ($16 for KPNC members) and all materials will be provided.