Celebrate Christmas in Auburn-Opelika!

Santa at the Village Mall
November 16 at 6:30 pm
Santa is coming to the Village Mall Friday, November 16th with entertainment by Make Your Move Performing Arts. Santa will be arriving at 6:30 and will be followed by a reading of The Christmas Story.

7th Annual Polar Express Holiday Celebration
December 1 from 10 am to 3 pm
Join the Auburn Arts Association and Auburn Parks and Recreation as we jump aboard the Polar Express! The 7th Annual Polar Express Holiday Celebration, a community event recreating the magical ride to the North Pole, will be held Saturday, Dec. 1 at the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center. Children 12 and under are invited to wear their favorite holiday pajamas and join in on the fun. Children 5 years and younger must be accompanied by an adult.

Festivities include a trackless train, holiday inflatables, a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, tasty treats, holiday arts & crafts, games, live musical entertainment, and a performance by the East Alabama Community Ballet. Tickets are $8/child and will be on sale Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 7 and 8, from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center. Last year's event SOLD OUT, so be sure to purchase your tickets in advance! For more information or to volunteer, please contact the Arts Center.

Holiday Wreath Workshop at the Louise Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve
December 1 from 2 to 4 pm
Join us at the Ham Wilson Arena for a fun morning of making beautiful wreaths or sprays with natural elements for your holiday enjoyment. Music and delicious snacks will make the morning festive. Children 6 and older can join parent to help and make an ornament. Fee is $20 per wreath or spray. Registration is required and will start in November. Call 334-844-8091 or e-mail preserve@auburn.edu to reserve your spot. Limited to first 25. Choose wreath or spray when registering. Please specify if bringing child and age.

Opelika Christmas Parade
December 1 at 10am
The Opelika Chamber of Commerce puts on the city's annual Christmas parade to officially bring in the Christmas season! It's a great time for family and friends to gather in beautiful, historic downtown Opelika and see everybody's favorite - a great parade!

Christmas In Camelot
December 2-31 from 4:30 to 10 pm
The magic of Christmas comes alive throughout Camelot with the many large Christmas Cards, painted under art teacher, Roslyn Stern, by Opelika High art students. The neighborhood lights are adorned with lighted wreaths and all the houses are decorated with the wonders of Christmas. This drive-through event begins at sundown.

Victorian Front Porch Tour
December 5-9
The front porches of the North Opelika Historic Neighborhood are adorned in Victorian Christmas splendor, with Old World Santas, angels, toys, teddy bears, carousel horses, sleighs and Victorian ladies and gentlemen. This event has won broad recognition and has been featured in numerous national publications, such as Better Homes and Gardens, Southern Living, Sew Beautiful and Southern Lady. The Victorian Front Porch brings in about 10,000 visitors annually. Mayor Gary Fuller will open the Walking Tour by lighting the tree. Admission to this spectacular production is free.
                     Driving Tour        Wednesday-Friday, Sunday 5-10 p.m.
                     Walking Tour        Saturday, 6-9 pm (CST)

18th Annual Christmas in a Railroad Town
December 7 from 6-9 pm
Bring the family and enjoy a very Merry Christmas in Historic Downtown Opelika! Children will enjoy a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, train and pony rides, visiting the Children's Village and much more. Create a gingerbread house, buy some goodies at the bake sale, shop for unique one-of-a-kind gifts, screen print a holiday t-shirt and have dinner with family and friends. Complete your evening with a wagon or trolley ride through the Victorian Front Porch Tour. The Opelika Post Office, located inside the Museum for the evening, will be hand stamping your Christmas cards. A courtesy shuttle will be provided. For more information, visit www.opelikamainstreet.org or call Main Street at (334) 745-0466.

6th Annual Holiday Art Sale
December 8 from 9 to 4 pm
The Auburn Arts Association and Auburn Parks & Recreation will host the 5th Annual Holiday Art Sale at the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center. Local artists will be selling paintings, pottery, stained glass, photography, cards, jewelry, hats, scarves and much more!

6th Annual Loveliest Village Christmas Tour of Homes
December 8-9 from 10 to 4 pm
The 6th Annual Loveliest Village Christmas Tour of Homes and Buildings 2012 is hosted by the Auburn Preservation League (APL). Tickets for the tour, which will run from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Saturday and 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. Sunday can be purchased for $20. The tour is a fundraiser for the APL, whose purpose is to foster historic preservation and to promote cooperation in combining the resources of local government, organizations, associations, businesses and citizens in order to enhance the quality and beauty of the Auburn community.  For more information about membership in the Auburn Preservation League, visit the website.

Breakfast with Santa at the Marriott at Grand National
December 15 (time TBA). Make your reservation today for breakfast with Santa at the Marriott at Grand National!

Downtown Auburn Christmas Parade
December 15 at 10 am
Join us in downtown Auburn to celebrate the season with the annual Auburn Christmas Parade. After the parade, enjoy the special events and holiday shopping offered by downtown merchants.

Teddy Bear Tea at Piccolo
December 15-16, 19-21 from 3 to 5 pm
December 22 from 11 am to 1 pm and 3-5 pm
The annual Teddy Bear Tea is returning to Piccolo at The Hotel at Auburn University & Dixon Conference Center! Visit their Facebook page to check out the delicious menu their chefs have created. For children, a live Teddy Bear will be available for entertainment and hugs. Tickets are $25 per person. Advanced reservations are required and can be made by contacting Lauren Benson at (334) 321-3116.

Collinwood Luminaries
December 20 from 5-9 pm
Enjoy the peaceful feel of luminaries as they line the streets of Collinwood subdivision in Opelika. Traditionally, the hope was that the lights would guide the spirit of the Christ child to one's home. The Collinwood Luminaries is in its 28th year and involves a live nativity scene. Drive through this beautiful enchanted neighborhood and watch Christmas come to life!

Auburn-Opelika Halloween 2012

Farmer In the Dell Pumpkin Patch
October 29-31 from 3-6 pm

Customers can also enjoy the chicken pen at the patch, the Hay Bale play area and a hay ride. Remember you can reserve a group time for birthdays, daycares, schools, moms group, etc. anytime including mornings during the week by email, fb message, or calling! Also, this year we have fall Mums for sale that we grew, just like the pumpkins!! There is also a trebuchet and a smaller slingshot where participants can sling the pumpkin of their choice.

6th Annual Howl-o-ween Dog Costume Contest in Opelika!
Oct. 29 from 5-7 pm

Bring out your pooch in their best dressed costume this Halloween! Registration is from 5 p.m. - 6 p.m. in front of Taylor Made Designs in Opelika. Canine Trick or Treating at local downtown merchants will begin at 5:00 p.m. Stores will have special dog treats available. The costume contest begins at 6:00 p.m. Prizes will be given for the best costumes!!! A supporter donation is $10 and allows your canine to walk in the parade. A V.I.P. or “Very Important Pooch” can be registered for $25. This ensures that your pup will be one of the first in line to show off their costume. You may also make a dog food donation in lieu of money. Pre-registration begins Monday, October 1, 2011 at Taylor Made Designs at 120 S. 8th St. Donations will support Rescue K911. Rescue k911 is a non-profit, no-kill organization dedicated to reducing overpopulation, abuse and neglect of domestic animals. They provide food, shelter and care for animals in need. For more information visit www.rescuek911.com. This year Howl-o-ween will be a new experience ensuring that your dogs feel special and can enjoy the holiday as their own. Participant’s owners are encouraged to register early to guarantee a spot in the costume contest and parade.

Fall Festival – Children’s Carnival at the Opelika Sportsplex
Oct. 30 from 6-8 pm

Children wear costumes and bring a treat bag! Enjoy fun activity booths, win prizes, visit local mascots and ride the hay wagon or train. Special musical entertainment will be provided by “ROUTE 66”.

Popes Haunted Farm in Salem, AL
Lee Rd. 724 Salem AL
Salem, AL 36874
Oct 30-31 from 7:30- 10 pm

This haunted attraction is one of the largest in the southeast! Events include haunted hayride, walk through the haunted barn, walk through the haunted forest, and 3D clown maze. Over 30 live actors for each event will be sure to scare you this year! Open every Friday and Saturday through October from 7:30pm to 11:30pm, and Sunday October 21, 30, and 31 from 7:30 pm to 10 pm! TICKETS - General Admission - 1 Event - $12.00 - 2 Events - $20.00 - 3 Events - $25.00 - 3D Clown Maze - $5.00

Opelika City Wide Halloween
Oct. 31 from 5-8 pm

City-wide Trick or Treat activities in Opelika are for children 12 and under, and all children must be accompanied by an adult.

City of Auburn Downtown Trick or Treat
Oct. 31 from 6-8 pm

Downtown Trick or Treat - Auburn Parks and Recreation and the Auburn Downtown Merchants will partner for the 12th Annual Downtown Trick or Treat on Wednesday, Oct. 31 from 6 - 8 p.m. This FREE, community event features candy and giveaways - courtesy of downtown merchants, live music, and children's activities. Downtown Trick or Treat offers children 12 years and younger and is an excellent alternative to door-to-door trick or treating. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Downtown streets will be closed during the event.

Auburn City Wide Halloween
Oct. 31 from 6-8 pm

Neighborhood Trick or Treat - Auburn citizens are invited to participate in door-to-door trick or treating on Wednesday, Oct. 31 from 6 - 8 p.m. During this time, Auburn's Public Safety Department will provide additional patrols throughout the City for participants. Neighborhood Trick or Treat is for children 12 and under. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Annual Events in Auburn Opelika!

Be sure to check your calendar and keep the dates below open! The community, as well as out-of-towners, look forward to these annual events each year. Of course all of this information and MUCH more can be found on our website aotourism.com or mobile site m.aotourism.com!

Keep Opelika Beautiful will present the Garden in the Park Festival on Saturday, March 31, 2012 at the Opelika Municipal Park from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This arts and craft style event will feature a variety of vendors, children's activities and entertainment. Garden in the Park is a fundraiser to benefit the little red caboose located at the Depot in Downtown Historic Opelika.

2012 Amphibious Warrior Mud Run on April 7
The Mud Run is a CHALLENGING course full of MUD and just clean fun brought to you by the The Few and Proud Marines of Auburn University. The route will consist of about 4 miles of off-road trails, creeks, hills, obstacles and of course MUD PITS! This event is open to women and men of ages 13 and up. There will be individual and team registration available for those like us that don’t like leaving a buddy behind when the “going gets tough”. So grab an old pair of shoes and some worn out clothes and get ready to get MUDDY! aumudrun.eventbrite.com/

A-Day 2012
This year A-Day will be Saturday, April 14. Each year Auburn gives students, alumni, parents, and friends a sneak peek at the upcoming football season by holding a spring football game in Jordan-Hare Stadium. It is always Orange vs. Blue and the entire Auburn football team is divided in half to make up the two teams.

All of the players are given the chance to participate, which allows Auburn fans to see the depth and future of the team. Since football is such a huge part of Auburn, A-Day serves as a way to carry us over until the true football season begins again. Bring your shakers and wear your orange and blue, and enjoy a day on the Plains watching the Auburn Tigers play. Stay tuned for more information on the events around town, game time and more!

On the Tracks

"On the Tracks" is a Biannual Food & Wine Festival held on Friday Night at the Historic Downtown Opelika from 6pm 'til Midnight. This spring it will be Friday, April 20.

Food vendors lined the street, as live music was performed from a stage in the middle of the Railroad Avenue. A wine tasting trail took participants through quaint shops and galleries. The private corporate tables draw friends and co-workers together for an elegant night of fun. Entrance, food and beverages are priced accordingly. Trail tickets are available online or on the night of the event. www.onthetracks.org

Auburn CityFest 2012
The arts & crafts festival is not only known for the spectacular artists and exhibitors, but also for delicious food, family oriented entertainment and a variety of interactive activities for the entire family to enjoy. In year's past, a variety of activities were offered, including a National Guard Rock Climbing Wall, more than 15 inflatables for kids of all ages, the Auburn Fire Department Smoke House, a Children's Art Exhibition, Meet and Greet with the Auburn University SEC Sports Teams, the Story Maker, Gamma Phi Beta Carnival, Cartoon Network Characters, Martial Arts Show, the Charter Communications Trailer and much more.

Come to Kiesel Park this April 28, 2012 to enjoy spectacular scenery, exceptional musical entertainment, fine, funky, and hip art in a casual, relaxing atmosphere. Stretch out on the lawn and enjoy non-stop entertainment, or dance to the irresistible sounds, while savoring tasty treats from a variety of food vendors!