Winter Wonderland opens at Sportsman Lake

Benjamin Bullard, The Cullman Times, Ala.
Updated ·2 min read

Nov. 18—It's safe to say at this point that there're more than a few folks in Cullman County who have grown up right alongside the Winter Wonderland Christmas display at Sportsman Lake park. With the Winter Wonderland now entering its 21st year, you might even say there's a whole stocking full.

Every year, the annual Christmas tradition in Cullman makes spirits bright one carload of drive-through sightseers at a time — and that's not even counting all the guests who stop to have their pictures taken with Santa, tour the park by night aboard the miniature train, or watch the kids play in the snow-machine snow (even when the weather's unseasonably warm).

Cullman County Parks director Doug Davenport estimates more than 10,000 vehicles passed through the attraction last year, and with more than 20 new display additions ready to greet guests as the event kicks off this Christmas season, there's at least an encore performance in the offing for 2023.

"The snow machine is great, because we've got it sitting right next to the waiting line for train so the kids can play while they wait," said Davenport. "We're actually going to be playing a movie there in that area too, and we've added eleven new displays — all on the right-hand side of the drive when you first come in, so people will know which ones are new — plus ten more inflatables throughout the park. We just got finished putting up our 40-foot Santa inflatable, and he'll be waiting there right at the entrance as kind of a focal point — so you really can't miss it."

Admission to the Winter Wonderland costs $10 per passenger vehicle, while buses (including motor homes) can tour the attraction for $15 per vehicle. The display is open only on specific dates from now through the end of December, so be sure to check the operating schedule below before you plan your visit (or, should we say, visits — if one round of Christmas cheer simply isn't enough.)

21st Annual Winter Wonderland schedule:

* Driving tours and access to all the event's inside-the-park attractions and amenities begin at 5 p.m. each evening.

Nov. 18-19

Nov. 24-26

Nov. 29-30

Dec. 1-3

Dec. 6-10

Dec. 13-23

The drive-through portion of the Winter Wonderland will remain open from Dec. 26-29, though the train, photos with Santa, and other on-foot attractions will end on the event's final full night on Dec. 23.

For more information about the 21st annual Winter Wonderland Christmas display at Sportsman Lake Park, call 256-734-3052.

Benjamin Bullard can be reached by phone at 256-734-2131 ext. 234.