It would be such an understatement to just say we love Christmas around here. Although we have a tendency to go all out on most holidays, Christmas is definitely one of our favorites! You’ve seen the Hallmark movies with the adorable little Christmas towns-well, that’s us! Fun activities abound around Lake Martin at Christmas time, and many of them are completely free. Our goal is to help make your holidays even more special, and below is our list of 10 free things that you can do around Lake Martin this Christmas.
1. A Walk Through The Trees At Pennington Park
Now-January 3
Pennington Park, 360 Real Estate, and Everything’s Art! are excited to offer the opportunity for families and businesses to help celebrate the Christmas season. Once again, they have turn the park into a Christmas Wonderland with over 50 Christmas displays sponsored by 48 local businesses. This year the Park will be open and lit from 4:45pm until 10pm nightly until Jan 3rd. In addition to the displays, there will be a full-size Santa sleigh suitable for photographs and a mailbox for kids of all ages to send letters to the North Pole (Santa WILL respond).
2. Christmas Open House at Creekside Lodge
December 2
The Christmas Open House at Creekside Lodge is a great chance to check out this beautiful lakeside hotel while it is all decorated for Christmas. They are also partnering with the Tri-County Children’s Advocacy Center and will be collecting gifts for children who have endured trauma.
3. It’s A Wonderful Life-Live Radio Play
December 2-5
Alexander City Theatre II will present “It’s a Wonderful Life Live Radio Play” by Joe Landry free to the community at 7 p.m. Dec. 2 and 3 and at 2 p.m. Dec. 5 on the Betty Carol Graham Center stage at the Alexander City campus of Central Alabama Community College. Set in a 1946 radio studio, the play relates the story of George Bailey, who learns what life would be like for those he loves if he had never been born. In the process, he helps his guardian angel win his wings. Each actor plays up to five parts in the production, changing voices and nuances of appearance with each one. This heartwarming production is a great way to bring out the spirit of Christmas for the whole family!
4. Christmas At Stone Ridge
December 5
Stone Ridge Baptist Church is hosting their first Stone Ridge Christmas Fest on December 5 and is inviting everyone to attend. This family event that includes dinner, reindeer games, cookie decorating, a Nativity scene, and more. You can even have your picture made with Santa!
5. and 6. Christmas Parades
Dadeville: December 5
Alexander City: December 13
Dadeville’s Spirit of a Hometown Christmas Parade will be happening December 5. Earlier in the day, you can check out arts and crafts, food booths, a bouncy house, and train rides.
The Alexander City Chamber of Commerce Hometown Christmas Parade will be happening December 6. The parade winds its way through the streets of Alexander City the first Monday of each December. Spectators are invited to line the parade route to watch bands and dancers perform, see the festively decorated floats, and wait for the much anticipated arrival of Jolly Old St. Nick himself.
7. Christmas Music In The Air At Zazu’s Verandah
December 9
Christmas Music in the Air at Zazu’s Verandah is a special night with David Jones performing all of our Christmas favorites. The event will take place inside the Listening Room at Zazu’s Verandah, and there will be beer and wine for sale.
8. Christmas at the Creek
December 10-11
Although this one is just for the campers, all of the actual activities are free. If you are looking for a reason to get out and camp at Wind Creek State Park (as if you needed a reason), Christmas at the Creek is it! There is so much fun going on for the whole family. There will be a PJ Parade, a Jingle Bell Hayride, Gingerbread decorating, Ornament making, North Pole Socials, and the annual Campsite Christmas decorating contest.
9. A Downtown Christmas
December 16
A Downtown Christmas takes place in downtown Alexander City. Come get in the Christmas spirit in beautiful downtown, get your picture taken with Santa, decorate ornaments with Mrs. Claus, write letters to Santa, check out the Polar Express train, enjoy food trucks, and more!
10. Live Nativity
December 16
The Live Nativity is such a beautiful thing to see in downtown Alexander City. You can walk or drive by, and see the the Live Nativity that is put on by the youth from 1st UMC. They go all out for this-and it even includes live animals. While you are downtown, you can also stroll around, enjoy the downtown Christmas decoration, enjoy festive Christmas music, and shop our unique shops for the perfect last minute Christmas gift.
