Get ready to experience the magic of the holiday season at Lake Martin! The Lake Martin area comes alive with festive cheer, offering a variety of events for all ages. From dazzling light displays and holiday markets to cozy gatherings and winter parades, Lake Martin has something to make everyone’s season bright. Dive into our guide to festive fun and get ready to celebrate the holidays like a local this season!
Holiday Events
Alexander City & Dadeville Holiday Open House Events
On Sunday, Nov. 17, both Alexander City and Dadeville will host their annual Holiday Open House events, marking the start of the festive season in the Lake Martin area! Local shops will open their doors for a day of holiday cheer, offering special discounts, seasonal treats, and gift inspirations. Visitors can stroll through charming downtowns, enjoy beautifully decorated storefronts, and take advantage of exclusive sales. It’s the perfect opportunity to kick off holiday shopping while supporting local businesses and soaking in the joyful atmosphere with friends and family.
Alexander City Hometown Christmas Parade
On Dec. 2, enjoy a longtime community tradition, the Hometown Christmas Parade. The parade, hosted by the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce, will line up on Comer Street at 4 P.M. and proceed down Cherokee Road toward Benjamin Russell High School. The route will then turn up Church Street and head toward downtown, ending down the hill of AL-22, near the bottom of Strand Park. Spectators can enjoy the festivities anywhere along the route. Be sure to bring a chair and your holiday cheer!
Alexander City’s 6th Annual Downtown Christmas
Mark your calendars for Dec. 14 and enjoy Alexander City’s 6th Annual Downtown Christmas! Alexander City Parks & Recreation partners with Main Street Alexander City to bring Frosty’s Playground, Letters to Santa, The Polar Express, Ornament Building, Hot Cocoa, and more to the community. Taking place from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. in downtown Alexander City, you’ll be sure to find fun for the whole family.
ACT II’s “Have Yourself A Crazy Little Christmas”
ACT II presents “Have Yourself A Crazy Little Christmas” Dec. 6-7 at 7 P.M. and Dec. 8 at 2 P.M. on the stage in the Benjamin Russell High School Auditorium. Get ready to laugh out loud with a festive Christmas play that’s packed with holiday humor and fun for the whole family! Free admission.
Christmas at Crossroads
The turkey and dressing have all disappeared YUM! We hope you had a great Thanksgiving! Now, it’s time to start thinking about Christmas! Your first stop on the Friday after Thanksgiving should be Russell Crossroads for Christmas at Crossroads. Christmas at Crossroads, complete with Santa, is held in conjunction with our Holiday Bazaar! Make sure your kids have their lists ready for Santa, we sure hope they have been really good this year! The Jolly Elf will make his way from the North Pole and arrive by horse-drawn carriage at 10 A.M. There will be tons of arts and crafts for the children to make and games for them to play! Come spend Black Friday at Russell Crossroads with Santa and a whole lot more!
Christmas in Pennington Park
Pennington Park hosts an annual Christmas display where community members, organizations, churches and more can participate by setting up a lighted holiday-themed display. The park will be open for display installation throughout November and the lighting ceremony will be in conjunction with Dadeville’s Christmas Tree Lighting on the Town Square. Throughout the season, children can stop by and drop their Christmas letters to Santa in the magical North Pole mailbox on site. Each participant will receive a personalized response from Santa himself; last year, Santa sent over 100 letters to children in the community.
Come check out the beautiful displays from 5:00-10 P.M. beginning Dec. 1 through Jan. 1. For more information, contact Kurt Pfitzner at [email protected] or call 334-233-9852.
Dadeville Historic District Christmas Tour
The Dadeville Historic District Committee presents the Dadeville Historic District Christmas Tour 2024 on Sunday, Dec. 8, from 1-5 PM. This self-guided tour will showcase historic homes and buildings around the Square in honor of Mr. Bill Ponder. Start at Zazu’s Verandah to get your wristband, tour map, and tickets ($25 each). Enjoy Christmas music by David Jones from 3-5 PM, along with light snacks. Tickets can also be purchased at Tallapoosa Nutrition or via EventBrite. The tour will proceed rain or shine. Don’t miss visiting these historical sites!
Dadeville’s “Spirit of a Hometown” Christmas Parade
Dadeville hosts one of the most loved annual events, The Spirit of a Hometown Christmas Parade, on Dec. 1 starting at noon. Artisan and food vendors will set up on campus at Dadeville High School to celebrate before the parade at 2:00 P.M. The parade starts on Lafayette street, making a turn on Spring street past Pennington Park, then turning on South street and ending back at Dadeville High School. Be sure to bring an appetite and a chair to enjoy Dadeville’s Christmas spirit.
Dadeville Christmas Tree Lighting
Join community members and city officials at the Dadeville Square on Dec. 1 for hot chocolate, Christmas carols and the lighting of the town tree. The annual tree lighting marks the official start of the holiday season.
Holiday Bazaar at Russell Crossroads
The Holiday Bazaar, in conjunction with Christmas at Crossroads, will be held Friday, Nov. 29, on the Town Green at Russell Crossroads. Artisans and patrons from all over gather for the huge display of handmade goods – there is something for everyone on your Christmas List under the big tents. Jury-selected artists will display for sale everything from jewelry, soaps, paintings, pottery, woodwork, lotions, furniture, and much more!
For more information, contact Sydnee Riley at 256-212-1431 or [email protected].
Jingle Jump at Camp ASCCA
On Dec. 14, support Camp ASCCA by participating in the 2024 Jingle Jump. This is the 10th annual Jingle Jump, the camp’s biggest fundraiser, encourages teams and individuals to raise funds for the ASCCA Campership Fund. Camp ASCCA is one of the most sought-after organizations in the South that specializes in serving children and adults with disabilities and providing therapeutic recreation.
The ASCCA Campership Fund helps campers who may need financial assistance be able to come and enjoy a week at Camp ASCCA for the upcoming summer. Costumes and Christmas attire are encouraged, as it provides entertainment and smiles for Christmas campers. This year, Camp ASCCA’s goal is to raise $50,000.
Participants and guests can join in person at the Camp ASCCA pool or if needed, record their jump somewhere else (lake, pool, etc.) You can jump by yourself or recruit a team to jump with you. All participants must do is set up a simple fundraising page that Camp ASCCA provides and share it with family and friends! If you can’t jump in with us this year, please consider donating to the event or a jumper’s page.
To learn more about participation and donation, check out their website and follow them on Facebook for updates.
Santa at the Library
On Dec. 12, Santa Claus is coming to the Dadeville Public Library! From 5:30-7 P.M., bring the kids to the library to tell Santa what’s on their wish-list, take pictures, and enjoy story time! For more information, please contact the Dadeville Public Library or visit their Facebook page.
‘Tis the Season to Shop Local
‘Tis the Season to Shop Local is a program designed by the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce to encourage our community to continue supporting local businesses and keep their dollars in town. Pick up your card by shopping at participating stores between Sunday, Nov. 17 and Saturday, Dec. 14.
For every $10 you spend, you earn one stamp. Once you’ve spent $50 and filled the card up, simply write your name and phone number on the card and leave it with the retailer who put the last stamp on the card; they will turn it in for you. There is no limit to the per transaction limit of punches or the number of rewards cards you can turn in throughout the campaign. You will then be entered for one of three $250 grand prizes in which you can select gift cards from the participating retailers.
If you’ve won a prize, you will be contacted by the chamber using the information you’ve filled out on the rewards card. For more information, please contact the chamber or visit their website.
The Lake Martin-Dadeville Area Chamber of Commerce also hosts $20 on the 20th, a program that supports our local economy and encourages community members to shop local. For more information about Dadeville retailers, please contact the chamber or visit store locations.
Town of Camp Hill Christmas Parade
The Town of Camp Hill hosts their annual Christmas Parade on Dec. 7 starting at 2 P.M. There will be performances from local marching bands, horses, vendors, and food booths set up. For more details, follow the Town of Camp Hill, AL on Facebook!
Town of New Site Christmas Tree Lighting
On Dec. 3, the Town of New Site invites you to enjoy the 4th annual Community Christmas Celebration at the New Site Town Hall from 6:00 P.M. to 7:30 P.M. There will be a Tree Lighting Ceremony, Christmas music, a Hot Cocoa Booth, and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Children are encouraged to bring their Christmas letters to drop in Santa’s mailbox. In addition, a Christmas Open House will be held at Jackson Apothecary & Russell Medical Health Partners of New Site.
Holiday Music
Dadeville Community Chorus Holiday Concert
Enjoy the Dadeville Community Chorus Holiday Concert at the Dadeville Performing Arts Center on November 26! Community members are welcome to listen to classic carols and songs of the season starting at 7 P.M.
For more information, be sure to check out the Dadeville Performing Arts Center or find them on Facebook!
David Jones Christmas Special at Zazu’s Verandah
Join David Jones on the Dadeville Square at Zazu’s Verandah for Christmas tunes and personal holiday favorites on Thursday, Dec. 5 starting at 6:30 P.M. Be sure to bring friends and help spread the holiday cheer.
For more information, please contact Mitzy or Rick Hidding at Zazu’s.
“The Bev” Beverly Ceasar & Band
The Dadeville Performing Arts Center is thrilled to present Dadeville’s own Beverly Caesar and her band, singing holiday hits on December 6 at 6:30 P.M. Come to the center and enjoy a smooth jazzy twist on classic Christmas tunes! For more information, please visit the center’s website or find them on Facebook for updates.
Hand Bells Holiday Concert
On Dec. 17, Dadeville Performing Arts Center hosts a Christmas Concert featuring the Lake Martin Dulcimer Club and Real Bells Hand Bells. Starting at 6:30 P.M., enjoy holiday favorites and a festive atmosphere. For more information about the concert, please contact Dadeville Performing Arts Center or find them on Facebook!
Christmas with Friends Benefit Concert
Join community members on Dec. 12 at the Christmas with Friends Benefit Concert featuring The Fireball Singers and The Modulators. The telling of The Christmas Story by special guest, Wayne Cowhick. The concert will take place at the Betty Carol Graham Technology Center on campus at Central Alabama Community College in Alexander City.
The event is free admission, but cash donations are appreciated and encouraged. Proceeds will benefit a local charity.
Explore the Lake Martin area this holiday season! For more information or details about holiday events, check out our calendar of events. To submit an event, click here.