Rolling into Christmas: How to celebrate the holidays in Tuscaloosa

With the possible exception of football season, Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year in Tuscaloosa.

Here's a look at some of Tuscaloosa's top Christmas events coming up in the days ahead:

Midtown Village's 'All Is Bright'

Midtown Village will hold its second annual "All Is Bright" tree-lighting event from 6-8 p.m. Nov. 30 on the green at the shopping center, 1800 McFarland Blvd. E.  The event will include a visit from Santa, free cotton candy, a live performance by the Tuscaloosa Community Dancers, a caricature artist and a live DJ playing Christmas carols. For the kids, there will be face painting, a bounce house and a magician.  Kids are welcome to drop off letters to Santa in the mailbox on the village green. For more information, go to midtownvillagetuscaloosa.com/events.

West Alabama Christmas Parade

The 47th annual West Alabama Christmas parade will begin at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 4 along Greensboro Avenue in downtown Tuscaloosa, preceded by the 5:15 p.m. Christmas tree lighting at the Tuscaloosa County Courthouse, 714 Greensboro Ave. The parade features dozens of floats, decorated vehicles and marching bands. This year's parade theme is "A Hometown Christmas." For the parade route and other information, go to www.tcpara.org/west-alabama-christmas-parade.

Dickens Downtown

Dickens Downtown will be from 5-8 p.m. Dec. 5 in downtown Northport. The free, family-friendly event is Victorian-style Christmas celebration inspired by the Charles Dickens tale "A Christmas Carol." The event will include caroling performances, an appearance by Father Christmas, snow machines, a tree lighting, the 5th Alabama Regimental Band, a town crier and live artist demonstrations.

The Nutcracker

The Tuscaloosa Community Dancers will present "The Nutcracker" Dec. 7-10 at the Bama Theatre, 600 Greensboro Ave. The production of Tchaikovsky’s "The Nutcracker" has been a Tuscaloosa tradition since 1971. Performances will be at 7 p.m. Dec. 7-8; 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Dec. 9; and 2 p.m. Dec. 10. Tickets range from $16 to $30. There's also a "Breakfast with the Nutcracker" scheduled for 8:45 a.m. Dec. 9 at the Battle-Friedman House, 1010 Greensboro Ave., with $15 admission. For more information, go to www.tuscaloosadancers.com.

Tinsel Trail

The Tinsel Trail featuring more than 200 live Christmas trees decorated by local businesses, organizations and individuals, is at Government Plaza, 2106 Sixth St. The display, which is marking its 11th year in Tuscaloosa, is free to tour at any time day or night now through Jan. 1. For more information, go to www.ttowntinsel.com.

Holidays on the Plaza

Holidays on the Plaza, an ice-skating and Christmas-themed event, will also be at Government Plaza now through Jan. 15. Private parties and other holiday-related events will be included during some weeks of Holidays on the Plaza. Skate passes are $15 each, which includes skate rental and admission to the rink. A season pass is $85. Tuesdays are family skate night with skate pass specials at $12. www.holidaysontheplaza.com.

Christmas Afloat

Christmas Afloat, a lighted boat parade, will begin at 4:30 p.m. dark Dec. 16, with a route between the Woolsey Finnell and Lurleen B. Wallace bridges at the Black Warrior River, and back again. A fireworks show is scheduled at the conclusion. In past years, 10 to 15 boats have participated in Christmas Afloat. Good places for viewing include near the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater, the Farmers Market, the Tuscaloosa Riverwalk and the Northport Levee.

Holiday Singalong

The Holiday Singalong, caroling in Capitol Park, free and family-friendly, returns after pandemic-driven hiatus. 1-2:30 p.m. Dec. 10, with lyrics, song leaders and accompaniment provided. Capitol Park is at 2828 Sixth St.

Amahl and the Night Visitors

The University of Alabama Opera Theatre will bring the moral and magical Christmas tale of “Amahl and the Night Visitors” to life in one performance only at 3 p.m. Dec. 10 at Bryant-Jordan Hall on the Bryce side of the UA campus. The opera is a family-oriented production about a disabled boy’s interaction with three traveling kings, the biblical Magi, and how his loving mother with a heart of gold tries to teach him vital life lessons. Admission is free and open to the public.

Christmas concerts

The Shelton State Community College music department will host the college’s annual tree lighting and sing-along at 1 p.m. Tuesday in the atrium of the Martin campus, 9500 Old Greensboro Road.  Sacred and secular holiday pieces will be performed, and the audience will participate in a sing-along.  Also, the music department will present its annual Christmas concert at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7 in the Martin campus atrium, featuring the Shelton Singers and the Shelton State Jazz Ensemble. Both events are free and open to the public.

The University of Alabama's School of Music will present "Hilaritas," at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1 and  2:30 p.m. Dec. 3, .at the Moody Music Building, 810 Second Ave. on the the UA campus. "Hilaritas" was created at UA in 1969 by Steve Sample Sr., then director of jazz, and Fred Prentice, director of choral studies, blending new and established jazz and pop arrangements of classical, standard and contemporary songs, sacred and secular, from the season. The name came from a Greek word translating loosely to "Live joyfully and be proud of what you are." Tickets cost $15 for general admission, $5 for seniors and children and $5 for UA students, faculty and staff.

The Stillman College Choir's Christmas Candlelight Concert will be at 6 p.m. Dec. 3 at Birthright Alumni Hall, Stillman campus. Admission is free. The choir, directed by Jocqueline K. Richardson,, is comprised of music majors and non-music majors at the school and its repertoire includes a wide variety of secular and sacred songs. The Stillman College campus is at 3601 Stillman Blvd. in Tuscaloosa.

The Tuscaloosa Symphony will perform its "Home for the Holidays" concert beginning at 7 p.m. Dec. 11 at the Moody Music Building, 810 Second Ave., on the UA campus. The TSO show will also feature the Alabama Choir School, UA Choral Department and Tuscaloosa Community Dancers. Tickets cost $30 to $40, with students admitted free. For more information, go to www.tsoonline.org.

The Alabama Choir School will hold its winter concert at 7 p.m. Dec. 16 in the concert hall of the Moody Music Building, 810 Second Ave., on the UA campus. The performance will feature a variety of seasonal pieces, including traditional holiday carols, spirituals and songs from around the world, contemporary and popular. The choir consists of children in the first through 12th grades. For ticket information, go to  www.alachoirschool.org.

Where's Santa Claus?

Santa Claus has arrived at his spot in the center court at University Mall, 1701 McFarland Blvd. E.  Hours are 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, with a break from 2:30-3:30. Sunday hours are 1-5:30 p.m. Professional photo packages with Santa will be available. Holiday Express train rides will run during Santa hours for $3 per rider. St. Nick will be at the mall until 5 p.m. Dec. 24.

Santa will also be at Fire Station No. 1, 1501 Greensboro Ave. from 10 a.m. until noon Dec. 2 for cookies, cocoa and photos. Admission is free, but Tuscaloosa Fire Rescue request that attendees bring a toy to donate for the Toys for Tots collection bins.

The Children’s Hands-on Museum, 2213 University Blvd., will host “Breakfast with Santa” at 8:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Dec. 2. Admission is $20 and children must be 1 year or older to participate. Reservations can be made at https://www.chomonline.org/breakfast-with-santa.html.

The Children’s Hands-on Museum will also host “Cookies with Santa” from 10:30-11:30 a.m. and 1-2 p.m. Dec. 9. Kids can meet Santa and Mrs. Claus while decorating and eating their own cookies. Admission is $10, which includes seating for one child and one adult. More information is at www.chomonline.org.

Santa in the Park, featuring holiday lights, hot chocolate, popcorn and a visit from Santa, will be held from 4-7 p.m. Dec. 1-2 and Dec. 8-9at Lake Lurleen State Park, 13226 Lake Lurleen Road in Coker. Admission is $5 for adults and $2 for children. For more information, go to the Santa in the Park Facebook page.

NOTE: This story was updated to reflect a new date for Christmas Afloat.

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

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This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Rolling into Christmas: How to celebrate the holidays in Tuscaloosa