Holidays on the Plaza, Tinsel Trail return to downtown Tuscaloosa

Ken Roberts, Tuscaloosa News
Updated ·2 min read

The city of Tuscaloosa will open its outdoor ice skating rink on the day after Thanksgiving.

Holidays on the Plaza returns to Government Plaza, a 5-acre park off Sixth Street in downtown Tuscaloosa, from Nov. 24 through Jan. 15.

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Skate passes go on sale at 10 a.m. Monday and cost $15 per day or $85 for a full season pass. Tickets can be purchased online at www.holidaysontheplaza.com or on site.

Dec 15, 2022; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Skaters enjoy the ice rink which is part of the Holidays on the Plaza at Government Plaza in Tuscaloosa.
Dec 15, 2022; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Skaters enjoy the ice rink which is part of the Holidays on the Plaza at Government Plaza in Tuscaloosa.

Group rates, family rates and military discounts are also available. Birthday and corporate party rental packages can be reserved at the website now.

The portable ice-skating rink began in 2012 outside the Mildred Westervelt Warner Transportation Museum, then relocated to the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater in 2015. The ice-skating rink moved to Government Plaza in 2021, in part because of road construction along Jack Warner Parkway.

Ice skaters zip around the rink in Government Plaza Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021. [Staff Photo/Gary Cosby Jr.]
Ice skaters zip around the rink in Government Plaza Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021. [Staff Photo/Gary Cosby Jr.]

Also returning to Government Plaza is the Tinsel Trail, a free display of more than 200 live Christmas trees sponsored and decorated by Tuscaloosa area businesses, schools, arts groups and other organizations.

The Tinsel Trail is a fundraiser for Tuscaloosa's One Place, a nonprofit agency that provides a variety of services for families.

The Tinsel Trail’s grand opening celebration is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 27, with holiday music, refreshments, a visit by Santa Claus and the display of more than 200 trees.

From 3-5 p.m. Dec. 3 will be Pet Night on the Tinsel Trail. People can bring their pets for holiday pictures and meet pet vendors from the Tuscaloosa area.

Beginning at 5 p.m. Dec. 8, WVUA 23 will sponsor Ugly Sweater Night on the Tinsel Trail. People are encouraged to visit the trail while wearing their tackiest Christmas sweaters. There will be games and awards for the ugliest sweaters.

From 4-6 p.m. Dec. 15, the Tinsel Trail will host Family Night. The festivities will include arts and crafts, refreshments and a visit from Santa.

Nov 21, 2022; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; The Tinsel Trail opened in Government Plaza Monday night. Crowds of viewers walked the paths to view the decorated trees.
Nov 21, 2022; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; The Tinsel Trail opened in Government Plaza Monday night. Crowds of viewers walked the paths to view the decorated trees.

This is the 11th year of the Tinsel Trail. Originally set at the Tuscaloosa Riverwalk, the Tinsel Trail moved in 2021 to Government Plaza.

The Tinsel Trail also moved from the Tuscaloosa Riverwalk to Government Plaza in 2021.

For more information about the Tinsel Trail, go to www.ttowntinsel.com.

Reach Ken Roberts at ken.roberts@tuscaloosanews.com.

NOTE: This story has been updated to reflect that the opening date for the Tinsel Trail has been changed to Nov. 27 because of threat of rain on the original opening date of Nov. 20.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: What to know about Holidays on the Plaza skate rink, Tinsel Trail