Big Spring Park is all kinds of twinkling and glowing. And it’s thanks to the Downtown 47 and the 2013 Tinsel Trail. For those of you who may have seen the sparkling lights and been intrigued but unsure, here is a guide to the 2013 Tinsel Trail.

Guide to the 2013 Tinsel Trail

2013 Tinsel Trail Dates: November 29, 2013- January 1, 2014
2013 Tinsel Trail Hours: Closes at midnight
When trees are lit: Dusk until midnight
Location: Big Spring Park
Cost: Free

What: About the 2013 Tinsel Trail

minion tree — The official Downtown 47 tree (and my personal favorite!)

Let’s start off with the basic information: what exactly IS this 2013 Tinsel Trail? It is a collection of live Christmas trees (more than 200 to be exact) set up in downtown Huntsville’s Big Spring Park for the holidays. And since it’s the holidays, the trees are decked out in their holiday best, each one representing a different local business or nonprofit.

When: 2013 Tinsel Trail Dates

The Tinsel Trail is open to the public daily until midnight. Trees are lit from dusk until midnight each night. The trees will remain in the park until January 1, 2014.

How: Ways to Enjoy the 2013 Tinsel Trail

The 2013 Tinsel Trail is one of the few completely free holiday attractions. That’s right I said FREE! I think we can all appreciate that price at the holidays!

But what exactly do you do? That part is up to you! Since there is no official start or end, you’re in charge of the experience. You take a self guided tour of the trees, and because each tree includes information about the featured organization or business it’s easy to be your own tour guide.

And it’s fun to go back multiple times. I recommend going when it’s dark AND during the day. The trees look very different in the light and dark. I prefer their nighttime look. It’s when the Christmas trees really shine.

Who: The Folks behind the 2013 Tinsel Trail

The Tinsel Trail is a project of The Downtown 47, a nonprofit charitable organization whose mission is to encourage, support, and promote the ongoing cultural, aesthetic, social and economic vitality of the downtown area of Huntsville, Alabama.

Want to learn more?

Find the Downtown 47 on Facebook
Visit the Downtown 47 website

Where: 2013 Tinsel Trail Location

lucky duck tree at 2013 tinsel trail — The Huntsville/Madison County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau Tree

The Tinsel Trail is located on the west side of Big Spring Park, with the trees lining the lake. If you’re like me and this means nothing to you, here’s a landmark for you: it’s right by the Huntsville Museum of Art and their holiday skating rink.

The main entrance to the trail is by the Big Spring Park gazebo, which is near the intersection of Williams Avenue and Lowe Avenue. The Trail is also accessible to all, with the trees placed on either side of the sidewalk.

Parking options: