Many winter holiday events coming up
It’s that time of year again.
Some even call it the most wonderful time.
As Christmas and the other winter holidays draw near, so do the many events celebrating the season.
If you like Christmas parades and you live in or near The Shoals, you are in luck.
Tuscumbia, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield and Florence each host their own event.
Tuscumbia will host on Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. followed by Muscle Shoals on Dec. 5 at 7 p.m.
The Tuscumbia parade will begin at Deshler High School and go down Commons to Main Street. It will turn south on Main down to 6th Street, west to Water Street, north to Commons and back to Deshler.
The Muscle Shoals parade will begin at Gusmus beside the police department and end right past city hall on Avalon Avenue.
Sheffield’s parade will be held downtown on Dec. 10 beginning at 6 p.m., while Florence will host its parade downtown on Dec. 12 at 7 p.m.
Tuscumbia will also host the annual Festival of Yule event from noon to 8 p.m. on Dec. 7 and the 14th “It’s a Dickens Christmas, Y’all” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 14.
“Come on out and enjoy learning about how different cultures have and continue to celebrate Winter Solstice Yule,” according to the event page on social media. “Enjoy the atmosphere that is heavily themed in the old Northern European Culture. Enjoy Food, entertainment and various vendors selling their arts crafts and goods! The Icelandic Cat will be there for you to donate coats and blankets and also nonperishable foods for those in need. We encourage the public to dress up along with us! This is a great opportunity for last minute unique shopping experience for the holidays!”
Both Yule and Dickens take place in downtown Tuscumbia.
“Join us in historic downtown Tuscumbia as we go back in time for the 14th Dickens Festival,” according to the event page. “Snow will be falling, s’mores by the fire pit, Scones & Moans, Cookie Decorating, Strut your mutt, Dickens Characters, Clydesdale Carriage Rides, live music, Holiday Tea, Petting Zoo, Street Vendors, Calliope music, Storyteller Dolores Hydock and much more.”
The Spring Park Christmas train will get rolling each weekend starting Dec. 6 from 4-8 p.m., and the City of Florence will officially light up Wilson Park Dec. 7 at 5 p.m.
“This is the time of year that Tuscumbia really shines,” said Mayor William Foster.
The Ritz Theatre in Sheffield is hosting an event around the holiday classic “The Polar Express.”
“Starting at 6 p.m., you’ll get to ride a trolley with Santa, enjoy hot cocoa and cookies, make an ornament, and have festive family fun! Then at 7 p.m., we’ll watch the movie on our big screen in the historic Ritz Theatre, which will be decked out for the season,” said the venue on social media.
Tickets are $18 (plus tax) and must be purchased in advance. Last year’s events sold out, so get your tickets today. Event dates are Dec. 20 and Dec. 21.
The Ritz is also showing “Elf” on Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. and “It’s a Wonderful Life” Dec. 19 at 7 p.m.
The Tennessee Valley Art Association is hosting Sip ‘n’ Shop – An Evening at the Winter Art Market, Dec. 2 from 5-7 p.m. at the Tennessee Valley Museum of Art.
“Come enjoy fine food, drinks, and shopping with your friends,” said the TVAA. “The Winter Art Market, now in its fifth year, is filled with unique gifts created by our hand-selected artisans. Our curator, Jonathan Cain, has sought a fine selection of products for this market.
“Come toast to the holidays and solve your gifting challenges during this festive night event! We will have ‘naughty/nice’ lists you can fill out and leave with us for your significant other to consult when they come shopping for you.
“Your tickets will be emailed to you upon purchase. Please have your tickets either loaded on your phone or printed when you arrive at the museum.”
