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Christmas Fun Worthy of a Hallmark Movie
You may know that Foley is a great place for sporting events but what you may not know is it’s just as great for Christmas events. In fact, one website even said Foley is worthy of a Hallmark movie. So it’s no surprise that if you’re headed here for one of December events, you’ll be just in time to join in on the fun.
If you’re planning on competing in the Gulf States Juniors Showcase make sure to get here early. Come celebrate the unofficial kick off (see what we did there?) to the season with Christmas in the Park. The free festivities take place in Heritage Park starting at 6 p.m. and will feature the lighting of the City’s towering tree, choirs singing carols, and even a visit from Santa. And just to make sure you’re fueled up for a weekend of soccer, there will be hot chocolate and snacks served.
But the weekend of fun doesn’t stop there. The Foley Christmas Parade kicks off at 10 a.m. If you have a game to get to make sure you plan plenty of time to get there if you’re heading through downtown, because this one is a local favorite. Now here in south Alabama parades aren’t just for marching, they’re for testing your catching skills, so goalies get ready. There will be plenty of candy canes and other goodies being launched to bystanders so bring a bag to carry your haul.
If you can’t make the parade don’t worry there’s fun all day long at the free Let It Snow event in Heritage Park, so if you’re looking for fun between games, it’s definitely worth the trip. The event takes place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and features live entertainment and all kinds of kids activities. It’s also Santa’s first stop after he hops off his parade float.
But we don’t leave the Christmas fun to just that first week. If you’re headed this way to compete in the Gulf States Showcase soccer tournament or the Volley Jolley volleyball tournament you’re in luck. Plan a long weekend and arrive in time for the award-winning Coastal Alabama Farmers & Fishermens Market’s annual Christmas Night Market December 11 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is free so you can get that European Christmas Market feel with artisan vendors crafting the perfect gifts, bakers whipping up the very best flavors of the season, and food trucks serving up those warm treats to munch on while you shop. The Foley High School choir will be wandering through the facility caroling, there will be kids activities, selfies with Santa, and maybe even a little snow.
If you can’t make it early don’t despair there’s still plenty of cheer to be had. Once night falls and the tournaments are over for the day it’s time to head to Graham Creek Nature Preserve for their Christmas Trail. Nothing is better after a long day of competition than a slow recovery walk through the woods as Christmas decorations light up the night and take you through scene after scene from your favorite holiday stories. There’s plenty of opportunities to capture the spirit of the Trail because it’s open from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. on December 6, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, and 21. There is a $5 entry fee for this one, but kids two and under are free. It’s worth the price for the amount of Christmas magic you’ll experience.
If you’re headed to the Foley Event Center for the Winter Futsal Challenge you can head to the Christmas Trail and enjoy the gorgeous decorations downtown which will both still be available. But since school will be out you might want to consider extending your trip an extra day and celebrate the holiday at the Foley Public Library’s Kids Christmas Party December 22 from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. at the Foley Civic Center. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be visiting and reading stories. There will be cookies and hot cocoa along with some Christmas crafts to get your creativity flowing.
Keep in mind these are just the City of Foley’s Christmas festivities. There’s plenty more going on everywhere you turn. Make sure to check in with your favorite Foley restaurants and attractions to catch all their holiday fun.
