Huntsville has a number of beautifully illuminated landmarks during the holiday season. So grab a peppermint latte, some hot cocoa for the kids, and load up the station wagon a la Clark W. Griswold and enjoy the show. There’s nothing like looking at holiday lights to get into the spirit of the season.
Here are our 6 favorite places in Huntsville to see Christmas lights in 2014.
Tinsel Trail
Friday, November 28, 2014 – January 4, 2015
FREE
Huntsville’s Big Spring Park
Ultimate Tinsel Trail Guide
The Tinsel Trail is a display of live Christmas trees in downtown Huntsville during the holidays and one of our favorite places to see Christmas lights. This year will be the biggest Tinsel Trail yet, with over 200 trees decorating Big Spring Park for the holiday season. And with free events happening at the Trail (Tacky Sweater Party anyone?) we will be enjoying Tinsel Trail more than once.
Horseshoe Trail House
Thursday, November 27, 2014 – Christmas Eve
Monday-Thursday, 5:00-10:30 pm; Weekends, 5:00-11:30 pm
FREE
7826 Horseshoe Trail
When we asked around for local top favorites, Dr. Higginbotham’s home on Horseshoe trail consistently came in first place. “It is a Huntsville Christmas ICON and is the decorated house to see in Huntsville.” Icon it is- Dr. Higg has been lighting his house for over 30 years. Enjoy over 85,000 LED lights, characters including elves and nutcrackers, a twinkling train, a spinning merry-go-round, and you might even get a visit with Santa himself.
Twickenham’s Spirit of Christmas Past Luminaries
Saturday, December 13, 2014
5:00-9:00 pm
FREE for luminaries. Home tour has associated cost TBD
Huntsville’s Twickenham Historic District
Take a nostalgic walk down luminary lit streets and avenues in Huntsville’s historic Twickenham District. The luminaries coincide with the Spirit of Christmas Part Home tour where you can tour private residences, the Weeden House Museum and other historic buildings ornately decorated for the holidays.
Hall Family Light Show in Hampton Cove
Thursday, November 27- January 1, 2015
5:00-10:00 pm weekdays; 5:00-11:00 pm weekends
FREE; donations accepted for Kids to Love
4924 Cove Valley Drive, Hampton Cove
The Hall Animated Christmas light show in Hampton Cove features over 100,000 Led lights and over 160 Computerized Channels and over 80 Inflatables! Each year they add to the display and offer something new so be sure to bring your camera, you will want to capture these memories! Tune your radio to 107.1 FM to hear the synchronized music and please don’t block anyone’s driveway. Dim your car lights and enjoy the show!
Rocket City Santa’s House
FREE
16008 Deaton Drive
Did you know that Santa has a home in Huntsville!? Rocket City’s Santa– THE Santa of the Huntsville Christmas Parade and more, makes his Huntsville home a Christmas lights sight to behold! Here you’ll enjoy a synchronized light show and see Santa’s Practice Landing Field- listen closely (to 95.7 FM) you just might hear the Jolly Old Elf practicing flyovers for Christmas Day! Santa himself has been known to visit on special nights and sit out front in his Santa throne for anyone who would like a picture or to make a special wish. This is all weather and Santa’s works schedule dependent, of course.
Galaxy of Lights
Thursday, November 27- January 3, 2015
5:30-9:00 p.m.
$20 per carload
Huntsville Botanical Gardens
What to Expect at Galaxy of Lights
Galaxy of Lights is a holiday light extravaganza featuring larger-than-life animated light displays. See Santa soaring over a delightful winter village. Nursery rhyme characters dance and frolic among traditional scenes of the season. And, our favorite, experience the magic of the twinkling icicle forest. Galaxy of Lights is the perfect holiday treat for the young and young-at-heart.
Know of any great local light displays we missed? Let us know in the comments or on our Facebook Page!

Guest blogger for We Are Huntsville. Are you interested in writing a post for our site? Email katelyn@wearehuntsville.com.
1108 Woodmont avenue in Blossomwood have beautiful lights! Have been doing them for 27 years!
Thanks for the tip!