You don’t have to turn on a Hallmark Channel Christmas movie to find holiday charm in Alabama. Right here in our backyards are Christmas celebrations that will dazzle and delight with foods, lights, music, and markets – and SNOW. With only a few weeks until the big day, make one of these five towns a holiday destination this year.

Deep in south Alabama on the doorstep of Florida, sits charming Andalusia with a picturesque town square and enough Christmas cheer to make it snow. Snow is part of the scene at Andalusia’s Christmas in Candyland which runs through December 30(See calendar for specific dates and events.)

Christmas in Candyland is so big it requires two locations, the town square and Springdale Mall.  Attractions include Alabama's largest snow tubing hill, a winter skating rink, train rides on The Springdale Express, imaginative play at the themed Candyland Cottages, hot cocoa and characters, visits with Santa in the Candyland Sleigh, and the Arctic Trek - Polar Bear Maze. Admission is free.

Situated right off I-65 between Huntsville and Birmingham, Cullman is a city whose roots can be traced back to a German immigrant, John Cullmann. The city’s German heritage is brought to life during Advent with Christkindlmarkt which draws visitors on Thursdays through Sundays until December 23rd. The unique Christmas village features a Christmas market with a wide array of vendors, holiday characters, ice skating, Santa’s village, music, train rides, authentic German food and a giant wooden Christmas tower.

After dark, head over to Cullman’s Sportsman Lake Park for the 21^st annual  Winter Wonderland. With over one million lights, it’s a dazzling light show and much more.  Enjoy the Christmas train, horse and carriage rides, snow machine, photo booth, hot chocolate, and more!  Winter Wonderland is open from 5:00-9:00 p.m. December 8-10, 13-23, and for drive-thru only December 26-29. 

The east Alabama city of Gadsden hosts its annual Christmas at the Falls featuring millions of lights and displays along the paved paths in the park surrounding beautiful Noccalula Falls. The celebration lasts through December 31 and visitors can walk through the light displays or enjoy them on a train ride.  Santa will visit until December 23.  

After enjoying the falls, move over to Christmas on the Coosa in downtown Gadsden. The star of this new event is a 3,000 square foot ice skating rink. Since ice skating isn’t exactly an Alabama tradition, there will be skate helpers available for those who need assistance. The event also boasts food vendors, a Mistletoe Market, a Polar Bear Club for photos, and a Christmas Cocktail Bar.

Alabama’s Rocket City is home to high-tech wonders, and that extends to its holiday celebrations with not one, but two light shows.  Start at the Huntsville Botanical Gardens’ Galaxy of Lights.  Through December 31, visitors can walk or drive through the magical lights and beautiful gardens. With immersive displays throughout the gardens, there’s something to delight everyone.  Enjoy laser lights, light shows, faux snow, and other special effects.  Tickets required.

Huntsville’s Toyota Field (home of the Trash Pandas baseball team) hosts the Rocket City Christmas Light Show every evening from 5:00-9:00 p.m. through December 31.  The drive-thru show features nearly a million lights synchronized to music in a mile and a half maze. This year's theme is "Santa's Favorite Tales.”

If you’re yearning for some ice beneath your feet, Skating in the Park behind the Huntsville Art Museum may be just the ticket.  The outdoor rink will be open through January 7 and allows both skaters and scooters for great family fun. Tickets are available at the rink and food and drinks are available for purchase.  

Alabama’s port city’s holiday calendar is filled with concerts, ballets, carriage rides and festivals. The city’s surrounding communities, Theodore and Irvington, offer two fabulous light shows to brighten your holiday spirit.  

Magic Christmas in Lights is based at Historic Bellingrath Garden in Theodore where the gardens hosts its 28^th annual festival of holiday lights through January 3 (except Christmas and New Year’s Day). Guests are welcome to tour the Bellingrath home (Santa may be there for photos from 5:30-9:30 p.m.) and enjoy the light show spread over the estate’s 65 acres. Snacks and hot chocolate are available for purchase on Live Oak Plaza at the midway point of the walking tour. Tickets are required.

The Mobile International Speedway, in Irvington, is the setting for Christmas Nights in Lights from 5:50-10:00 p.m. daily through January 1st. It's a magical, immersive experience from the convenience of your vehicle. The drive-thru showcase is over 1.5 miles long and features over one million lights fully synchronized to holiday classics you can hear on your car radio.

Set your GPS for one of these Christmas fun in Alabama destinations and discover holiday cheer along the way.