Tis the season: Holiday Activities in Auburn & Opelika

Sitting just 30 minutes from the Georgia border, the Auburn-Opelika, Alabama, Metropolitan Area has all the benefits of a bustling city with a small-town Alabama feel. It’s not only home to Auburn University, but it also features a culturally diverse group of community members and has an extensive artist community. The area has numerous museums, a wide selection of dining options, and lots of shopping. When the holidays roll around, Auburn-Opelika offers activities and events to help you get in the holiday spirit. Let’s look at some fun you can have while getting ready for the season.

Victorian Front Porch Christmas Tour

In early December, 60 Victorian homes in Opelika transform for the holidays. Owners of these old homes decorate them with lights, toys, life-size depictions of Santa Claus, and even carousel horses to remind visitors of what it was like when life was simpler. The Victorian Front Porch Christmas Tour  has been voted one of the top tourism events in the south. It’s a self-guided driving tour that takes place from Dec. 9 through Dec. 13. On Saturday, Dec. 10, North 8th and 9th Streets are closed to traffic so that you can walk through the neighborhood for a slower-paced look at all the decorations. This fun evening also brings carolers, and many residents dress up in Victorian costumes. The driving tour starts at North 8th Street and 2nd Avenue and takes you through 10 city blocks.

Holiday Open House

On Nov. 13, you can start your holiday shopping right in downtown Opelika. The local shops will open their doors and offer great deals on many excellent gift items. You’ll listen to festive holiday music as you shop, with live music playing throughout the downtown area. This annual holiday tradition runs from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The AO Christmas Market

The annual AO Christmas Market starts on Nov. 29 and runs through Dec. 1. You can visit the market at The Bottling Plant Event Center in downtown Opelika. It opens at 6 p.m. on Nov. 9 for a VIP preview night. Tickets for this event are $50. Starting Nov. 30, general admission tickets are $10.

The Loveliest Village Holiday Fair

On Dec. 3, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Auburn Downtown Merchants Association will host a new festive celebration this year. The Loveliest Village Holiday Fair is an event that will combine past holiday traditions with some new events. It will feature a Holiday Market in the Gay Street parking lot with over 40 vendors. You can start your holiday shopping at the holiday fair and support the local artisans selling their works, offering you the opportunity to find unique gifts. The event will also feature food trucks and much more.

Christmas in a Railroad Town

Make sure you don’t miss the annual Christmas in a Railroad Town event. It takes place on Dec. 9, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in historic downtown Opelika. The kids can write letters to Santa, take a pony ride, and sing Christmas carols.

There will also be fun for the adults with personalized gifts and lots of sweet treats to purchase, and the local retail shops will stay open late. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there for family photos, and you can all take a wagon ride through the Victorian Front Porch Christmas Tour. The Museum of East Alabama will also be offering enclosed trolley rides.

Rocky Brook Rocket Reindeer Express

The kids will love their chance to ride the Rocky Brook Rocket miniature train around Municipal Park. The train has been a part of Opelika since 1955, but during the holiday season, it transforms into the Reindeer Express. This three-night event on Dec. 8 through Dec. 10 is much more than just riding the train. There’s also food, face painting, hot chocolate, and of course, pictures with Santa.

The Collinwood Luminaries

On Dec. 14, The Collinwood neighborhood will continue its Christmas tradition of transforming its streets into a holiday journey commemorating the path to Bethlehem. This event features live actors, live animals, and a fun night for the whole family. The luminaries create a one-way route starting on Collinwood Street at the intersection of Oakbowery Road and North Tenth Street. It winds through the entire Collinwood neighborhood ending at Mclure Avenue.

Christmas in Camelot Lighted Tour

You can visit the Camelot neighborhood from Dec. 1 through Dec. 31 to see the large painted Christmas cards. All the cards are the work of Opelika High School art students. The neighborhood is also decorated with holiday wreaths on the streetlights, and many homes feature beautiful holiday decorations. The drive-through event starts at sundown.

2022 Auburn Toys for Tots

The Annual Auburn Toys for Tots event will take place on Saturday, Dec. 10, at Wrights Mill Road Elementary. The 1-mile, 5K, and 10K run will benefit Toys for Tots and the Auburn Toy Drive. This run is a great way to start the holiday season and help children in need.

Holiday Walk in the Woods

On Dec. 16, from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and Dec. 17, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., the Kreher Preserve & Nature Center will host its Holiday Walk in the Woods  . This new tradition features a walk in the woods adorned with lights and holiday decorations. Family-friendly performances will demonstrate the diverse cultures and traditions of the local community. The walks feature fun surprises for the kids and some holiday art activities at the end.

These are just a few of the many holiday events happening in Auburn and Opelika this season. Many are annual events that happen each year, but there are also some new things going on too. If you want to find out more, you can stop by Hyundai of Auburn . We’d be happy to talk more about the local events and show you our new Hyundai models to help you get around to all the activities.

Snowflake Ornament  by John Morgan  is licensed with CC BY 2.0