December is synonymous with the holiday season, and around Auburn and Opelika, the holiday season is synonymous with an events calendar full of parades, celebrations, concerts and more! With so much going on this month in the Auburn-Opelika area, narrowing down our list to 10 events was not easy. If you’re looking for ways to participate in the magic of the holidays with your friends, family and neighbors, check out Ryan’s December 2017 events in Auburn and Opelika!
Polar Express Holiday Celebration, Dec. 2
- What: Children ages 12 and younger are invited to hop aboard “The Polar Express” and enjoy arts and crafts, treats, a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus and more. Children are encouraged to wear their favorite holiday pajamas.
- Where: Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center, 222 E. Drake Ave., Auburn
- When: 9 a.m., noon and 2:30 p.m.
- Cost: $12/person for participants 25 months and older. Children younger than 24 months are free with the purchase of an adult ticket.
Ho! Ho! Ho! Hike: A Holiday Adventure, Dec. 2
- What: This nature hike through the Kreher Preserve and Nature Center will take participants on an adventure to find Santa while stopping to view some of the preserve’s wildlife along the way. The hike will conclude with a visit to the amphitheater for hot cocoa and a fire.
- Where: Kreher Preserve and Nature Center, 2222 North College Street, Auburn
- When: 10 to 3 p.m.
- Cost: $5 per person
Opelika Christmas Parade, Dec. 2
- What: This annual holiday parade through Historic Downtown Opelika boasts the theme, “Christmas Showcase.” Enjoy floats, marching bands and a visit from Santa himself!
- Where: Downtown Opelika
- When: 10 a.m.
- Cost: Free
Samford Hall Lighting Ceremony, Dec. 3
- What: Celebrate the beginning of the holiday season with the lighting of the Christmas tree and menorah on Samford Lawn. The event will include free entertainment, refreshments, and readings from the Christmas story and Hanukkah story.
- Where: Samford Hall Lawn
- When: 5 p.m.
- Cost: Free
Victorian Front Porch Christmas Tour, Dec. 6-10
- What: View more than 60 festively-decorated homes on North Eighth and Ninth streets in downtown Opelika. The event features a self-directed driving tour as well as a walking tour on Dec. 9. There will also be a tree lighting with Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller and his wife Laura at 6 p.m. on the corner of North Eighth Street and Second Avenue on Dec. 9. The Victorian Front Porch Christmas Tour has been voted one of the Southeast’s top-rated tourism events and has been featured in Better Homes and Gardens and Southern Living.
- Where: Opelika Historic District
- When: Lighted driving tour is 5 to 10 p.m. Dec. 6-10, walking tour is 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 9
Community Night: A Celebration of Diversity! Dec. 7
- What: This first biannual community day intends to celebrate diversity in the Auburn community and bring people together before the winter break. The event will include displays from local organizations, activities, international music, dance performances and more. Groups attending include the Auburn Pointe School of Dance, Esperanza House, Auburn Heritage Association, College of Science and Mathematics, Student Diversity Ambassadors and locAL Market.
- Where: Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art, 901 S. College St., Auburn
- When: 5 to 8 p.m.
- Cost: Free
Back in Time Christmas at Pioneer Park, Dec. 9
- What: The Lee County 4H History Seekers will host this “Back in Time” dinner event to benefit the Lee County Historical Society. The night will feature historically-accurate dining and entertainment among the preserved buildings of Pioneer Park. Enjoy skits, choral performances and a dinner typical for the mid-1800s to early 1900s era.
- Where: Pioneer Park, 6500 Stage Road, Loachapoka
- When: 5 to 8 p.m.
- Cost: $50
11th Annual Loveliest Village Christmas Tour of Homes and Buildings, Dec. 9-10
- What: Tour and view the holiday décor of seven homes and two buildings in the Auburn area, including the Townsend home on South Gay Street, the Davis-Marentes home on Cox Street, the Pittard home on Cross Creek Road, the Gray, West Turner and Sager homes on Cary Drive, St. Dustan’s Episcopal Church on East Magnolia Avenue and the Gen. James H. Lane home on Sanders Street.
- Where: Various locations
- When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 9, 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 10
- Cost: $20
Auburn Christmas Parade, Dec. 10
- What: The Auburn Chamber of Commerce and the Auburn Downtown Merchants Association host the annual Auburn Christmas Parade through downtown Auburn. See Aubie, marching bands, Santa and more.
- Where: Downtown Auburn
- When: 2 p.m.
- Cost: Free
The Nutcracker Ballet, Dec. 15-17
- What: The East Alabama Community Ballet brings the magic of The Nutcracker to the Telfair Peet Theatre stage on Auburn University’s campus. There will a special meet and greet event with the dancers at Clara’s Tea Party on Dec. 16 at 10 a.m.
- Where: Telfair Peet Theatre, 350 W. Samford Ave., Auburn
- When: 7 p.m. Dec. 15, 2 p.m. Dec. 16, 2 p.m. Dec. 17
- Cost: $15
Attend one or several of these December 2017 events in Auburn and Opelika to help get you and your family in the holiday spirit this year!
For your real estate needs in the Auburn, Opelika and Lake Martin areas, contact Realtor Ryan Roberts today at 334-750-9872, or email [email protected]!
