Galaxy of Lights runs Nov. 13 to Dec. 31, Tinsel Trail Nov. 27 to Dec. 31, the Nutcracker Dec. 11-13, plus Santa visits and Christmas markets in Huntsville.

Last checked Oct. 17, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address; the dates below are for the 2026 season. Every event comes from the organizer’s own page, linked below. The downtown tree lighting and the Christmas parade have their own page: Huntsville Christmas parade and tree lighting.

Huntsville’s holiday lights run from mid-November to New Year’s Eve. The Huntsville Botanical Garden’s Galaxy of Lights opens Nov. 13, the Von Braun Center lights its first Christmas tree on Nov. 6, and Downtown Huntsville Inc.’s Tinsel Trail fills Big Spring Park from Nov. 27 to Dec. 31. December brings the Nutcracker, Christmas markets at Lowe Mill and two weekends of holiday dinners at Burritt on the Mountain.

Updated Nov. 1: Parkway Place’s Santa visits start Nov. 5; Galaxy of Lights prices and dog nights are on our new Galaxy of Lights page.

At a glance

  • Galaxy of Lights: Nov. 13 to Dec. 31, Huntsville Botanical Garden; tickets in advance.
  • Tinsel Trail: Nov. 27 to Dec. 31, Big Spring Park; free to walk.
  • Santa: Parkway Place from Nov. 5; VBC tree lighting Nov. 6; Big Spring Park Nov. 27; Burritt Dec. 5-6.
  • The Nutcracker: Dec. 11-13, Mark C. Smith Concert Hall.
  • Questions: Burritt reservations, 256-512-0141; Von Braun Center, 256-533-1953.

Light displays

Display Dates Where
Galaxy of Lights Nov. 13 to Dec. 31 Huntsville Botanical Garden, 4747 Bob Wallace Ave. SW
Tinsel Trail Nov. 27 to Dec. 31 Big Spring Park, 200 Church St. NW
Lowe Mill water tower lighting 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5 Lowe Mill, 2211 Seminole Drive SW

Prices, dog nights and the full night-by-night calendar are on our Galaxy of Lights page. Galaxy of Lights has two ways to see it, the Garden says: walking nights on a 1.75-mile route, and driving nights from your own car. A guided 50-minute tram ride runs on select walking nights. Dogs are welcome on six dog walking nights, and sensory hours at 4:30 p.m. on four walking nights cut the audio for visitors who want a quieter visit. Tickets are sold by night and time slot, and the Garden advises buying ahead. The Galaxy of Lights 5K is at 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 30, and the 3K fun run is at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1.

Tinsel Trail is more than 450 live Christmas trees decorated by local businesses, nonprofits and families. It opens with the Rocket City Tree lighting at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27; details are on our tree lighting page.

Santa visits

  • Friday, Nov. 6, 4 to 6 p.m.: the Von Braun Center’s first Christmas tree lighting, outside the Propst Arena entrance overlooking Big Spring Park, with phone photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, free hot cocoa and cookies, and the lighting at 5:30 p.m. Details.
  • Friday, Nov. 27, 6 to 8 p.m.: pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Rocket City Tree lighting in Big Spring Park. Tinsel Trail.
  • Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 5-6: Father Christmas hosts the Winter Whimsy Tea on Saturday and Cookies and Cocoa on Sunday at Burritt’s Merriment on the Mountain.
  • From Thursday, Nov. 5: Santa arrives at Parkway Place, 2801 Memorial Parkway South, for a five-day first visit in the lower-level center court, and visits continue through the season, the mall’s Santa’s Workshop page says. Reservations are recommended. Pet photos with Santa are listed from Nov. 9.

Christmas events

  • Merriment on the Mountain, Burritt on the Mountain: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, at 3101 Burritt Drive. The Historic Park and mansion fill with music and old holiday crafts: boxwood wreaths, popcorn and cranberry garlands and figgy pudding. Saturday’s tea includes a Rocket City Ballet performance. Details.
  • Yule Y’all Christmas Market, Lowe Mill: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, with more than 100 vendors, local spirit samples, Krampus and the water tower lighting at 5 p.m. Parking is $10 a car. Details.
  • Holiday Magic, Burritt on the Mountain: a five-course dinner in the Burritt Mansion with a Huntsville Master Chorale serenade and a visit from Father Christmas, Dec. 10-12 and Dec. 17-19, dinner from 6 p.m. Reservations: 256-512-0141. Details.
  • The Nutcracker: Huntsville Ballet’s 56th annual production with the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra, Dec. 11-13 at the Mark C. Smith Concert Hall, Von Braun Center. Tickets.
  • Winter Solstice Market, Lowe Mill: last-minute gifts from local artists, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19. Details.

Earlier in the season, the Von Braun Center hosts A Celtic Christmas at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7 and Georgiana & Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 13 in the VBC Playhouse.

A public menorah lighting for Hanukkah, which begins at sundown Friday, Dec. 4, 2026, is added here when its organizer posts the date and place.

What this means for you

  • Book Galaxy of Lights early: tickets are sold by night and time slot.
  • Tinsel Trail is free and open every day from Nov. 27; downtown meters are not enforced on weekends. See our getting around guide.
  • Holiday trash pickup: there are no garbage delays for Christmas, Friday, Dec. 25, the city says; RANA recycling routes due that Friday move to Saturday, Dec. 26. Details on our trash guide.

Frequently asked questions

When is Galaxy of Lights in Huntsville in 2026?

Nov. 13 to Dec. 31, 2026, at the Huntsville Botanical Garden, 4747 Bob Wallace Ave. SW, with walking nights on a 1.75-mile route, driving nights, six dog walking nights and sensory hours. Tickets are sold in advance by the Garden.

How long is Tinsel Trail up in Big Spring Park?

From the Rocket City Tree lighting at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27, through Dec. 31, 2026, Downtown Huntsville Inc. says.

When is the Nutcracker in Huntsville in 2026?

Huntsville Ballet’s 56th annual Nutcracker, with the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra, runs Dec. 11-13, 2026, at the Mark C. Smith Concert Hall in the Von Braun Center.

Where can kids see Santa in Huntsville?

Santa and Mrs. Claus are at the Von Braun Center tree lighting, 4 to 6 p.m. Nov. 6, and at the Rocket City Tree lighting in Big Spring Park, 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 27. Santa’s visits at Parkway Place start Nov. 5, and Father Christmas visits Burritt on the Mountain on Dec. 5-6.