BY THE OPELIKA
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
OPELIKA — The Opelika Chamber of Commerce invites you to experience the magic of the holiday season at the SNOPELIKA Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting on Friday, Dec. 6, in downtown Opelika. This beloved event, presented by Autosport Bodyworks, will feature the annual Christmas parade, a winter wonderland at Courthouse Square, and the official lighting of Alabama’s tallest Christmas tree.
This year, we are thrilled to welcome Opelika-born comedian Dusty Slay as the Grand Marshal. Known for his Netflix special Workin’ Man and appearances on The Tonight Show and Jimmy Kimmel Live, Slay’s signature Southern humor promises to bring plenty of laughs and hometown pride to this year’s festivities.
To make your experience stress-free, attendees are encouraged to use Southern Union State Community College’s shuttle service, offering convenient transportation between Southern Union’s Parking Lot C (the largest lot near the walking track) and downtown Opelika. Shuttles will run every 15 to 20 minutes, starting at 4 p.m. and continuing until 9 p.m.
The Christmas parade will begin at 5:30 p.m. at 7th Street and Avenue B, filling the streets with holiday cheer as it winds through downtown and concludes at Courthouse Square. With over 120 entries, including themed floats, marching bands, and even some horses, the parade is a beloved community tradition you won’t want to miss.
At 6:30 p.m., Courthouse Square will transform into a snowy winter wonderland. Attendees can enjoy festive music, snowball fights with the Opelika Police Department, and a visit with Santa Claus on the Courthouse steps. New this year, families can write letters to Santa and deliver them to Santa’s mailbox near the Christmas tree. The Fired Fox Art Studio will also be hosting family-friendly crafts in The Breezeway. Food and drinks will be available for purchase from more than 20 food trucks and vendors stationed around Courthouse Square and along Avenue A.
The tree-lighting ceremony will begin at 8:30 p.m. at Courthouse Square with a special reading by Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller & the entire Opelika City Council of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas – Opelika Edition. Christmas Champions, Leigh Krehling, John Gwin, Matt Battles & Rosanna McGinnis will then flip the switch to illuminate the 72-foot Christmas tree and officially usher in the holiday season.
For more details and a complete timeline of events, visit opelikachamber.com/snopelika. For questions, call 334-745-4861 or email info@opelikachamber.com.
