Countdown to the Holidays

By Staff
Through Nov. 26
Athens Festival of Trees will be held through Nov. 26 at the Donnell House. Each room of the 1850s home features a different Christmas theme, reflecting the varied artistic talents of local merchants, organizations and individuals. Hours are Friday - Saturday from 4-8 p.m. and Sunday 2-4 p.m. Admission charged.
Nov. 24-Dec. 23
Huntsville will host Santa’s Village Nov. 24-Dec. 23 at the EarlyWorks Children’s Museum. Admission is charged. The event will take place 5-9 p.m. each night.
Dec. 1
Moulton’s Christmas Parade will be Dec. 1 downtown starting at 7 p.m.
Dec. 1, 2
Christmas Arts and Crafts, sponsored by the Cullman City Parks and Recreation Department, will be held Dec. 1-2 at the Cullman Civic Center. Hours are 9 a.m.-9 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Saturday. Lunch is available.
Dec. 1, 2, 3
The Northeast Alabama Craftsmen’s Association Christmas Craft Show will be Dec. 1, 2, 3 and the Von Braun Center South Hall in Huntsville.
Hours are Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sunday noon - 5 p.m. Admission is free.
Dec. 1-3, 7-10
Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater in Huntsville presents “A Christmas Carol” Dec. 1-3 and 7-10 at the Von Braun Center. Admission is charged.
Dec. 1-22
Cullman’s Sportsman’s Wonderland will host a drive through light display with Santa Claus, miniature train rides and horse-drawn carriages. For more information, call 734-3369.
Dec. 1-3
The second annual Christmas Festival of the Huntsville Alabama Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be presented Friday, Saturday and Sunday, December 1-3, at 1804 Sparkman Drive in Huntsville.
Please join us in this celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Festival times are Friday, 5-9 p.m., Saturday, 4-9 p.m., and Sunday, 3-6 p.m. You may come and go at your leisure.
On display will be hundreds of nativity sets, many beautiful handmade Christmas quilts, and Christmas trees. There will be an indoor live nativity featuring three scenes from the nativity story and a four minute video presentation “The Nativity.” There will also be a “Seek and Find” activity for children.
Choral concerts will be presented Friday at 6:30 and 8 p.m., Saturday at 5 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 3:30 and 5 p.m. The concerts are 30 minutes; reserved seating, with tickets available at the door. Advance reservations may be made in person during festival hours. Admission is free and no offerings accepted.
Dec. 2
Holiday Craft Market will be held in Hartselle Dec. 2 on, Railroad Street from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Through Dec. 3
The Santa Train will be in Huntsville through Dec. 3 at the North Alabama Railroad Museum. This event is designed for children under 10.
The train is decorated inside and out in a Christmas theme. Santa is on board to meet the children, have photos made, and gives each child a gift upon departure plus candy canes for all.
Dec. 3
The Wallace State Concert Choir and St. John’s Chancel Choir will present a public performance of Handel’s “Messiah” Dec. 3 at 4:30 p.m. at Cullman Civic Center.
Members of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra will accompany the performance.
Featured soloists include Wallace State voice instructor Tiffany Richter, soprano; St. John’s Minister of Education Steve Wood, tenor; Dr. Timothy Banks of Samford University, baritone; Nikki West, alto; and Amy McCracken, soprano.
St. John’s Chancel Choir is conducted by Jim Walker. The Wallace State Concert Choir is directed by Michael Sparks.
Admission to the concert is free. For more information call 352-8153 or 734-0344.
Dec. 6
Faith Lutheran Church, 660 Gillespie Road in Madison, will host advent services Dec. 6, 13 and 20 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 24 at 8 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. with fellowship time between services. There will also be a Christmas Eve candlelight service at 7 p.m. and a Christmas Day service at 10 a.m.
All are welcome and invited to attend. For more information, call 830-5600.
Dec. 7
Hartselle’s annual Christmas parade, presented by the Kiwanis Club of Hartselle, is panned for Dec. 7. The theme is “Santa’s Workshop.” Applications available at the Hartselle Chamber of Commerce in the railroad depot.
Dec. 7-9
Dec. 8-10
The show will be presented Friday at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Admission charged.
Dec. 9
The Hartselle Christmas Tour of Homes, presented by the Hartselle Beautification Association, is planned for Dec. 9 from 4-8 p.m.
The Twickenham Historic Preservation District Association will present “The Spirit of Christmas Past” homes tour Dec. 9 from 5-9 p.m. on Randolph Ave. in Huntsville.
The evening will feature traditional decorations, luminaries, caroling, music, live entertainment and a tour of homes. The four homes date back to 1819. Advance tour tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children 12 and under. Tickets will be available the evening of the tour at each home. For more information, call 536-7718.
First United Methodist Church Luminary Night Celebration will be held 4-6 p.m. on Dec. 9. The event is free to the public. The church is located on the corner of Green and Randolph Streets in Huntsville.
Christmas in Decatur is planned for Dec. 9 in Old Decatur and the Albany Historic District. Downtown stores will be open for shopping.
Dec. 17-19
Quail Creek Resort will host Christmas at the Creek Dec. 17-19 at 6 p.m. each night.
The wonders of Christmas will come alive through caroling, Christmas lights and drama. Dinners will be held at the Conference Center at 6 p.m. and festivities will follow.
Reservations are required for the dinner.
Dinner menu includes, salad, smokes turkey breast with white sauce, mashed potato casserole, glazed carrots, rolls and dessert. Dinner is $10 per adults; $5 age 12 and younger.
Call 784-5033 for reservations.
Dec. 19
Hartselle’s Civic Clubs, including Civitans, Rotary, Kiwanis, and Lions Club are joining forces for a common cause. The groups will kick off this joint effort as co-sponsors of Christmas at the Creek on Dec. 19 at 6 p.m. at Quail Creek.
The clubs have already begun working to make the special needs playground a reality. You do not have to be a member of a civic club to enjoy Christmas at the Creek and all of the food and festivities. For more information call 784-5033.
Ongoing
Drive-through nights are Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve, 5:30-9 p.m. Walk-through is $6 for adults and $3 for children ages 3-17. Drive-through is $12 per car or $10 in advance. A $1 discount is offered for a donation of canned goods, paper products, pet food, children’s book, warm coat or Toy for Tots. For more information, call 830-4447 or visit www.hsvbg.com.
Chances to help others
CCC currently has 130 families, including 321 children ranging from infants to age 16, which have applied for holiday assistance.
You can either call CCC and find out about a family’s specific needs and purchase those items or send a cash donation earmarked for a sponsorship. This donation can be made in memory or honor of someone.
Also, the CCC’s Toy Room will be open the week prior to Christmas. The Toy Room enables parents who did not receive help for their children to receive help with gifts and toys. Extra items, especially those for teenagers, are always needed for the Toy Room.
If you, your family or Sunday School class or group would like to sponsor a family for the holidays call 355-8893.
Place a collection box at your workplace, school or church and deliver the canned goods to Redstone Federal Credit Union on Bradford Drive in Huntsville. For more information, contact The Volunteer Center at 539-7797 or email roz@volunteerhsv.org.