Family Christmas Activities Near Dothan, AL
Summer is my season, and the beach is my family’s jam. I hate being cold so much that years ago I swore I would never complain about the South’s summer heat again (and I haven’t!). But, the Christmas season is my absolute favorite time of year.
For those of you that are local, here is an awesome round-up of family Christmas activities near Dothan, AL.
I’ve listed events in order by date!
Family Christmas Activities Near Dothan, AL
Christmas Parade- Abbeville, AL
Date: November 16, 2021
Time: TBD
Price: Free to attend
Head downtown to Kirkland Street to enjoy a Christmas parade. There will be bands, floats, queens, special entertainment, and Santa Claus. Stay up to date here.
Festival of Trees- Dothan, AL
Date: November 18, 2021
Time: 6:00PM
Price: Ticket required; varies
Leave the kiddos at home for a night of fun and generosity at Festival of Trees. My husband and I attended a few years ago and had a fantastic time! Festival of Trees is a gala auction benefit for the Wiregrass Children’s Home. Christmas trees are professionally decorated and auctioned to the highest bidder! There are also a plethora of other goodies available for bidding in a silent auction.
Holiday Market- Hartford, AL
Date: November 20, 2021
Time: 9:00AM - 4:00PM
Price: Free to attend; Canned food donations accepted
All proceeds for this event go to Geneva County 4H Foundation. There will be live music, local vendors, door prizes, a blood drive, and more! Get all the details here.
Wadlington Park Ice Skating- Dothan, AL
Date: November 26, 2021 - January 9, 2021
Time: Tuesday - Thursday: 10:00AM - 9:00PM
Friday - Saturday: 9:00AM - 10:00PM
Sunday: 1:00PM - 8:00PM
Price: $10 per person- includes skate rental
I’m super excited about the ice skating rink coming to downtown Dothan this year! You better believe my family will be busting our butts at least once this Christmas season. See more from the Dothan Eagle here.
Gardens Aglow- Dothan Area Botanical Gardens
Date: Multiple
Time: 5:00PM - 8:00PM
Price: $8 per person; free for children 8 and under
The Gardens Aglow event will be help on the nights of November 26, and 27, and December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, and 18. This is a walking tour that visitors can take at their own pace. Christmas lights and holiday displays will be decorating approximately 1/2 mile of paved trail. Last admissions will be accepted at 7:30PM.
Enterprise Christmas Parade
Date: November 30, 2021
Time: 4:30PM
Price: Free to attend
More details to come. Stay up to date here.
Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting- Headland, AL
Date: December 2, 2021
Time: 6:00PM; 6:30PM
Price: Free to attend
Headland is one of my family’s favorite small cities to celebrate… anything… in. They know how to have a good time, and the events are fun for any family.
The tree lighting will take place at 6PM, and the parade will begin at 6:30PM.
To find the parade route or enter into the parade find more info here.
Daleville Christmas Parade
Date: December 3, 2021
Time: 11:30PM
Price: Free to attend
After the Christmas parade there will be a tree lighting ceremony and a visit from Santa. If you are interested in participating in the parade, you can find more info here.
Dothan Downtown’s Annual Christmas Festival
Date: December 4, 2021
Time: 1:00PM - 5:30PM
Price: Free to attend
We’ve attended this festival a few times before and had a blast. Lots of local vendors will be there including retail and food. Pictures can be taken with Santa… and the Grinch! There are other activities for kids. This year, there will be ice skating too! Read more about Dothan’s annual Christmas festival here.
Enterprise Whoville Festival
Date: December 4, 2021
Time: 9:00AM - 4:00PM
Price: Free to attend. Vendors on site.
I know this festival has gone on for, at least, the past few years. I see pictures and want to go… we just haven’t yet. It takes place downtown. Last year there were 70+ vendors including food, arts and crafts, retail, and more. There are several free activities for kids, as well as others that require tickets. If I remember correctly a “Who-Village” is set up too! Super cute.
Christmas in Rehobeth
Date: Decemeber 4, 2021
Time: 9:00AM
Price: Free to attend
The town of Rehobeth is hosting a Christmas parade and craft fair. There will also be food trucks, a selfie station, snow, and more!
Twas The Night Before Murder-Christmas Mystery Dinner- Enterprise, AL
Date: December 4, 2021
Time: 6:00PM
Price: Tickets required; $45
This event is for a 12+ crowd, and takes place at Black Cat Bakeshop & Kitchen in Enterprise, AL. I’ve actually had a girls night at one of these a few years back, and we had a blast. You will be given a story line and parts within the story. As you watch scenes play out before you, you will need to solve the crime with the help of others. Great fun! Read more here.
BBS Fitness 4th Annual Toy Drive- “Push-Pull” Challenge, Enterprise, AL
Date: December 11, 2021
Time: 8:00AM
Price: Lifters- $10 entry and toy donation, Spectators- toy donation
Join BBS Fitness in Enterprise, AL for their 4th annual benefit to raise money and toy donations for the regional Boys & Girls Club. There are two divisions- under 200 pounds and over 200 pounds. They also have divisions for males and females under 18, 18 - 39, and over 40.
Newton’s Annual Christmas Festival
Date: December 11, 2021
Time: 9:00AM - 7:00PM
Price: Free to attend
Holiday shopping takes place from 9AM - 2PM, and the parade begins at 5PM. Immediately after the tree lighting will take place, as well as a visit with Santa! Interested in being a vendor or entering the parade? Find more info here.
Saddle Up Santa- Dothan, AL
Date: December 11, 2021
Time: 10:00AM - 2:00PM
Price: Free to attend
This Christmas festival is hosted by Dothan Boots & Saddle Club. It will be located at the Houston County Farm Center. Proceeds raised during the event will go to the local Wiregrass 2-1-1 program.
There will be free entertainment including games, bounce houses, and visits with Santa. There will also be a baked goods auction and silent auction. Local vendors will be in attendance. Read more details here.
Victorian Christmas- Landmark Park, Dothan, AL
Date: December 12, 2021
Time: 1:00PM - 4:00PM
Price: Free to enter
During this free event at Landmark Park, families can listen to Christmas carols and visit with Santa. There will also be arts and crafts, music, wagon rides, and handmade decorations. A preacher will deliver a holiday message. It is encouraged for those attending to bring nonperishable food items for donation to the Food Bank.
Christmas Lights Festival- Montgomery Zoo
Date: December 16, 2021 - December 25, 2021
Time: 5:30PM - 9:00PM
Price: $10 for regular nighttime admission (ages 3+)
We’ve done this too! The boys were little, but they really enjoyed it. It’s a different experience being at the zoo at night, but the lights are beautiful! If you visit the zoo during the afternoon, you receive “early bird admission” for $25. You will be able to enjoy the zoo, plus stay for the lights at night. If you want to do the train ride to see the lights around the zoo, I highly recommend jumping in line immediately… it is a loooong line. The price to ride the train is $3 per person, and it is a good time for the kiddos. You can also take photos with Santa for $5 per photo. Find all the info here.
Family Christmas Activities Near Dothan, AL
Christmas is my very favorite holiday, and I can’t wait to get the season kicked off. I hope everyone has an amazing Christmas this year!
Am I missing an event? Let me know! I’ll add it to the list.
Easy and delicious lunch box ideas for kids - no cooking required!