Celebrate the Season with the City of Mobile
Nov 17th, 2017
Mobile, Ala. -- Come celebrate the season with the City of Mobile complete with outdoor movies, a snow maze, elves and more. Head to the City of Mobile events calendar to make sure you don't miss a minute of the holiday festivities. You can watch Mayor Stimpson consult with his holiday advisor on the 2017 seasonal events here.Mayor Stimpson said: "Mobile was born to celebrate the holidays and this year will not disappoint. The holiday season is an important time to come together as a community. I encourage all of our citizens to take part, and even take it one step further, and reach out to anyone you know who is feeling lost or alone. There truly is something for everyone this year. Be on the lookout for more to come!"
LIGHTING OF THE TREE
What: Usher in the holidays with live music, reindeer, pictures with Santa and shopping at the merry market. The switch for the Lighting of the Tree and the Ceiling of Lights down Dauphin Street will be thrown promptly at 6:10, so be sure to be there in plenty of time for the all of the events of the evening.
When: November 17, 5pm-8pm.
Where: Bienville Square
PORT CITY CRAFTSMAN HOLIDAY ARTS & CRAFTS SHOW
What: This arts & crafts show features over 90 vendors exhibiting handmade items from candles, soaps, jewelry, wood working, paintings, crochet, sewing, ceramics, Christmas decorations and much more. Don't miss Santa Claus on Saturday!
When: November 17-19, 11 am-4 pm
Where: Abba Shrine Auditorium
SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY
What: Shop with the local merchants, artists and artisans of Downtown Mobile for one-of-a-kind holiday gifts. Stop by the welcome table at 261 Dauphin Street for a cup of cocoa and pick up a Passport which you can return to be eligible to win a $100 Downtown Mobile Gift Card.
When: November 25, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Where: Downtown Mobile
LIGHTS OF LOVE
What: Local children's choirs and other live acts will perform, Santa and Ronald McDonald will be on hand for photos and everyone can enjoy crafts and sweet treats such as cocoa, coffee and cookies. At dusk, a 50-foot tall tree will sparkle with more than 350,000 lights. Guests are encouraged to bring cameras to take photos with Santa, Ronald, and some very popular characters. A snow village will be on display inside the hospital's main lobby complete with a train that chugs through the winter wonderland.
When: November 28, 4:30 pm
Where: USA Children's & Women's Hospital
HOLIDAY MOVIE IN THE SQUARE: The Muppet Christmas Carol
What: Bundle up, bring a blanket and enjoy the timeless "Christmas Carol" interpreted by the Muppets! The holiday craft activity will begin at 5:30 and the movie will begin at 6:00.
When: December 1, 5:30 - 8:00 pm
Where: Cathedral Square
USA HOLIDAY CONCERT
What: Enjoy an exciting celebration of the world's favorite seasonal music during this holiday concert by the University of South Alabama Department of Music. Performances will feature faculty and student soloists and ensembles including Concert Choir, Chorale, Wind Ensemble, Opera Theatre, Orchestra and a variety of vocal, woodwind, brass, string, percussion ensembles, and the Jaguar Marching Band. Indulge in some light refreshments following the concert on the arena floor.
When: December 1, 6:30 pm
Where: Mitchell Center
CHRISTMAS ON THE RIVER LIGHTED BOAT PARADE
What: Don't miss out on Mobile's oldest and largest boat parade: the 42nd Annual Dog River Christmas Boat Parade on December 2nd. The parade of boats cruise from the Alba Fishing & Hunting Club to the Grand Mariner Restaurant on Dog River.
When: December 2, 6 pm
Where: Dog River
ICE SKATING WITH THE SNOW QUEEN
What: Frolic in the snow and ice skate with the Snow Queen herself. Be on the lookout for appearances by special guests!
When: December 2, 9 & 16
Where: The Fort of Colonial Mobile
A HOLIDAY MARKET AND ART BAZAAR IN THE GARDENS
What: Explore the gardens and pick up those camellias and poinsettias that make your house a home during the holidays.
When: December 1: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
December 2: 9 a.m - 2 p.m.
Where: Mobile Botanical Gardens
CHILDREN'S NUTCRACKER TEA at THE BRAGG-MITCHELL MANSION
What: Come enjoy a fun-filled afternoon of tea, delicious treats, and a delightful appearance by Mobile Ballet's Nutcracker dancers. Characters from the Nutcracker Performance will be there and the Mansion will be dressed in all its Holiday splendor.
When: December 2, 3:30-5:30 pm
Where: Bragg-Mitchell Mansion
CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION AT THE RICHARDS-DAR HOUSE
What: Enjoy beautiful Victorian decorations, holiday treats, live music, gift shop, bake sale and visits with Santa.
When: December 2-3, Sat. 10am-4pm, Sun. 1pm-4pm.
Where: Richards-DAR House
ROMAN STREET & ERIC ESSIX TRIO CHRISTMAS CONCERT
What: This jazz Christmas concert is one you won't want to miss!
When: December 3, 7 pm
Where: Saenger Theater
HOLIDAY MARKET at OK BICYCLE SHOP
What: Local vendors will be selling their unique items from clothes, jewelry, specialty made food items, art, furniture, home decor, handbags, candles, beauty products and the list goes on!
When: December 3, 1-4 pm
Where: OK Bicycle Shop
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
What: Playhouse in the Park will revive the beloved Dicken's Christmas story on the Saenger stage. Start your holidays with this delightful production, sure to entertain with all the familiar characters – Ebenezer Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, Marley, and of course, Tiny Tim.
When: December 6, 7:30 pm
Where: Saenger Theater
CHRISTMAS AT OAKLEIGH
What: Dressed in traditional holiday finery, Oakleigh guides give you a glimpse into life in early Mobile.
When: December 7-9
Where: Historic Oakleigh Complex.
ELFAPALOOZA
What: Free the elf from the shelf! This is Mobile's chance to break the Guinness World Record for most elves in one place. To be a part of the official count, come wearing red, green, an elf hat and - whatever you do - don't forget your pointy ears! Afterward, everyone is invited to attend a free showing of the movie "Elf" at 7:30 pm in Bienville Square.
When: December 8, 5-7 pm
Where: Bienville Square
MOBILE'S MAGICAL CHRISTMAS by the MOBILE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
What: The Mobile Symphony Orchestra will be joined by Mobile's Singing Children and soloist Diane Penning performing all your holiday favorites, popular movie music and lush Christmas arrangements originally created by legendary pops conductor Carmen Dragon for the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra.
When: December 9-10
Where: Saenger Theater
MOBILE BALLET PRESENTS THE NUTCRACKER
What: The lavish new production of The Nutcracker continues to be an annual holiday tradition for the entire Gulf Coast region. Brighter than ever, this charming story will capture your imagination and transport you to a magical world for the holidays. With Tchaikovsky's cherished score, hundreds of unforgettable characters, and the artistic direction and thrilling new choreography of Katia Garza, this production will leave you wide-eyed with delight.
When: December 9-10
Where: Mobile Civic Center Theater
A SOUTHERN CHRISTMAS at THE BRAGG-MITCHELL MANSION
What: Guests are invited to tour the Mansion with traditional decorations adorning each room, enjoy homemade refreshments, and children's storytelling and shopping in our gift shop.
When: December 9, 1-4 pm
Where: Bragg-Mitchell Mansion
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA
What: Indulge your family in a delicious breakfast catered by Sylvia's featuring traditional favorites and sweet treats. Adults and children of all ages are welcome to make their holiday wishes while enjoying meeting Santa and his holiday helpers, holiday ornament crafts, and a dramatic reading of the Night Before Christmas by Santa himself, all designed to warm hearts and elicit smiles.
When: December 9 & 16
Where: The Fort of Colonial Mobile
BRUNCH WITH THE GRINCH
What: Straight from Mount Crumpit, the Grinch brings his special blend of mischief, turning your morning meal into an animated adventure. After indulging in a delicious brunch catered by Sylvia's, get your camera ready. The Green One himself will make the rounds, stopping at every table to pose for photos. Will his heart grow three sizes bigger that day? Or will his belly? All we can say is watch out—he's been known to steal his share of bacon here and there.
When: December 10, 17 and 23rd (Times vary)
Where: The Fort of Colonial Mobile
MOBILE POPS BAND'S CHRISTMAS CONCERT
What: Enjoy a variety of holiday music performed by the Mobile Pops Band at the Davidson High School Auditorium on December 11th and an encore performance at the Murphy High School Auditorium on December 14th.
When: December 11 & 14, 7-9 pm
Where: Davidson High School Auditorium & Murphy High School Auditorium
HOLIDAY MOVIES AT THE SAENGER
What: Voting has ended on which films to show and will be announced soon
When: December 15 & 17
Where: Saenger Theater
HOLIDAY MARKET & CHRISTMAS KIDS DAY
What: Take your picture with Santa Claus and shop for last minute Christmas gifts at the Christmas market in Cathedral Square. Mirrored after the Christmas market in Hamburg, Germany, the market will feature presents, locally grown produce and baked goods. After you've shopped til you've dropped, hop on one of our trains and head to Bienville Square for kids activities. There will be music, dance, and more!
When: December 16, 10am-2pm
Where: Bienville & Cathedral Squares
SNOW MAZE
What: Race through Mobile's first snow maze! More details to come.
When: December 16, 12 pm- 4pm
December 17, 10 am- 4pm
Where: Cathedral Square
CHARLIE BROWN JAZZ CHRISTMAS CONCERT
What: The performance will feature The Joe Cool Trio – John Milham (drums), Chris Spies (piano) and Chris Severin (bass) performing Vince Guaraldi's Soundtrack "A Charlie Brown Christmas." The following set is a Louis Armstrong/Ella Fitzgerald Christmas Tribute featuring New Orleans own and dynamic trumpet voice of HBO's Treme – Leon "Kid Chocolate" Brown (trumpet) – and special guest Eileina Dennis on Vocals. As a bonus, The Jazz Studio, an on-going Jazz music education program for intermediate level, aspiring young Jazz artists throughout the greater Mobile area, will be performing in the Saenger foyer before the show.
When: December 16, 7 pm
Where: Saenger Theater
TUBA CHRISTMAS
What: Mobile is one of 200 cities around the world who participate in this unusual Christmas tradition. Originally established by tuba virtuoso Harvey Phillips, he began Tuba Christmas to honor his teacher, the late William J. Bell, who was born on Christmas Day in 1902.
When: December 17, 2:30 pm
Where: Cathedral Square
MENORAH LIGHTING
What: Mayor Stimpson will light Mobile's public, nine foot menorah on the last night of Hanukkah with refreshments to follow.
When: December 19, 5:30 pm
Where: Bienville Square
HOME FREE: A Country Christmas
What: Home Free is bringing new music, new production, more country and holiday favorites as they come to town in "A Country Christmas Tour"! The 5-man band has become known for their show-stopping performances that mix their signature no-instrument, all-vocal music with their quick-witted humor. Home Free continues A Country Christmas in 2017, bringing the slam-dunk smashing success of a show to new cities, on the back of the success of the first tour in 2016. The show brings music from the Billboard No. 2 Full Of (Even More) Cheer, released in November 2016.
When December 20, 8 pm
Where: Saenger Theater
DOLLAR GENERAL BOWL
What: Two of the top college football teams in the country clash in this nationally televised postseason bowl. Stay tuned for more details on events that will be held throughout the week.
When: Parade – December 22.
Game — December 23
Where: Ladd-Peebles Stadium
HAPPY NOON YEAR'S
What: Happy Noon Year will feature its very own mini MoonPie drop, a Noon year countdown to 2018 and lots of family activities.
When: DECEMBER 30, 2017
Where: Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center
MOONPIE OVER MOBILE NEW YEAR'S EVE CELEBRATION
When: Ring in 2018 and the Mardi Gras season with a fireworks show, live entertainment and the world-famous MoonPie drop at midnight!
When: December 31
Where: Downtown Mobile
Ongoing Events
CHRISTMAS NIGHTS OF LIGHTS
What: Christmas Nights of Lights is one of the most amazing drive-thru Christmas light shows you will ever experience. Over 1 million LED lights, driven by over 10,000 computer channels, synchronized to both traditional and new rocking Christmas music playing through your car radio. Pack your vehicle full of friends and family to enjoy the show as you begin a new Christmas tradition.
When: November 10- December 31
Where: Hank Aaron Stadium
ICE SKATING AT THE FORT
What: This ice skating adventure includes your skate rental and admission to the Fort!
When: November 24 - March 4
Where: Fort of Colonial Mobile
MAGIC CHRISTMAS IN LIGHTS
What: Stroll through Bellingrath Gardens and Home to view three million twinkling lights in 15 scenes with more than 1,000 custom designed set pieces. The holiday-decorated home is also open for tours.
When: November 24 – December 31. Closed Christmas Day.
Where: Bellingrath Gardens
HOLIDAY DUCKS
What: Embark on a Jingle Cruise for a cheerful Holiday adventure and roll through the streets of downtown and splash twice into the Mobile River.
When: Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, December 1-23
Where: Fort of Colonial Mobile
Don't see your holiday event on this list? Submit your event to the City of Mobile's holiday calendar.