‘Tis the season to celebrate in Tallapoosa County and the Lake Martin area. Whether you are
travelling or live locally, there is no better place to find heart-warming holiday activities. From
shopping local at holiday markets to themed parades and pictures with Santa, there are holiday celebrations at Lake Martin lined up through the New Year that are sure to spread cheer and spark the Christmas spirit.
Open Houses & Holiday Markets
Shop local at some of the Lake Martin area’s Open Houses and Holiday Markets this season
and cross some items off your Christmas list while supporting small businesses. Shops will
showcase new items, host sales and giveaways, and provide visitors with some seasonal refreshments. Celebrate the holidays and shop local this holiday season.
Southern Star Alpaca Holiday Market
The annual Alpaca Holiday Market starts Nov. 5 and will continue every Saturday until December weather permitting. The market will be open from 8:30-10:30 a.m. Southern Star will have alpacas at the store front for visits and holiday refreshments while you shop from a variety of local handmade goods. Of course, pets are welcome to the store on a leash and around the alpacas. Find Southern Star on Facebook for updates.
Dadeville’s Christmas Open House
On Nov. 6, celebrate and shop local from 1-5 p.m. with the Dadeville-Lake Martin Area Chamber of Commerce. Enjoy refreshments, holiday tunes, and support local businesses while kicking-off the holiday season. For a list of participating businesses and vendors, visit the chamber website or find them on Facebook.
Alexander City Chamber of Commerce Holiday Open House
The Chamber of Commerce supports small businesses throughout the holiday season with their ‘Tis the Season to Shop Local campaign beginning with a Holiday Open House on Nov. 13 from 1-4 p.m.
Participating businesses provide customers with stamp cards encouraging them to keep their holiday shopping within the community with every dollar going toward a chance to win raffle prizes and gift cards valued at $250. The campaign starts in conjunction with the Open House and runs through Dec. 10.
Main Street Holiday Market
Join Main Street in the former City Hall parking lot for their Holiday Market on Nov. 19 from 10-2 p.m. They will host a variety of local vendors, arts and crafts, candle makers, homemade baked goods, jams, jellies and more. Find Main Street on Facebook for instant updates and visit their website for information on how to become a vendor.
Holiday Bazaar at Russell Crossroads
The Holiday Bazaar on Nov. 25 is held on the Town Green and offers a great opportunity for local shopping. Artisans and patrons from all over gather for this vast annual display of handmade goods. Artisans feature everything from jewelry, soaps, paintings, pottery, woodwork, lotions, furniture, and much more! To find out more information, check out Russell’s event calendar.
Lake Martin Mini Mall Customer Appreciation Party
Lake Martin Mini Mall is bringing the Christmas spirit with a customer appreciation party on Dec. 10 at their brick and mortar location. They will celebrate with live music, food and drinks, and an Ugly Sweater theme.
Community Holiday Events
Christmas at Crossroads
In conjunction with the Holiday Bazaar, Russell Crossroads hosts Christmas at Crossroads! Make sure your kids have their lists ready for Santa! The Jolly Elf will make his way from the North Pole to the Green Stage at 10 a.m. And, as in the past, he will arrive by carriage and will be in place on the Green Stage until around 2.
On the Town Green, in addition to the Holiday Bazaar, there will be tons of arts and crafts for the children to make and games for them to play! Come spend Black Friday at Russell Crossroads with Santa and a whole lot more! For more information, visit Russell Lands.
Dadeville Christmas Tree Lighting
Join community members and city officials at the Dadeville Square on Nov. 27 for hot chocolate, Christmas carols and the lighting of the town tree. The annual tree lighting marks the official start of the holiday season and encourages community members to shop local. Following the tree lighting, the Dadeville Performing Arts Center will host a free concert at Pennington Park featuring the Dadeville Community Chorus performing classic holiday tunes.
Christmas in Pennington Park
Pennington Park hosts their annual Christmas display where community members, organizations, churches and more can participate by setting up a lighted holiday-themed display. The park will be open for installation throughout November. The lighting ceremony will be in conjunction with Dadeville’s Christmas Tree Lighting on the Town Square. Throughout the season, children can stop by and drop their Christmas letters to Santa in the magical North Pole mailbox on site. Each participant will receive a personalized response from Santa himself; last year, Santa sent over 100 letters to children in the community.
Come check out the beautiful displays from 5-10 p.m. beginning Nov. 27 through Jan. 5. For more information, contact Kurt Pfitzner at kppfitzner@gmail.com or call 334-233-9852.
Christmas at the Creek
Enjoy a cozy Christmas weekend camping at Wind Creek State Park Dec. 9-10. Christmas at the Creek is one of the merriest weekends in December with activities taking place on the hour. The whole family is sure to enjoy this magical weekend including a visit from Santa, hayrides, a PJ parade, ornament making, and a North Pole Social on Friday and Saturday night. Secure your camping spot today as these activities are limited to overnight guests. Check out Wind Creek to book a campsite or find out more information.
A Downtown Christmas
On Dec. 10, dash downtown to experience the ultimate Christmas celebration for the entire family beginning at 10 a.m. Main Street and Alexander City Parks and Recreation partner to create one of the most magical, festive winter wonderlands. You can expect appearances from Mr. and Mrs. Claus, ornament decorating, a Polar Express train ride, and playtime at Frosty’s Playground. Of course, you can’t let the day go by without visiting the “eflie” photo station or writing a letter to Santa. This event is FREE for the entire community, so come enjoy and let’s celebrate the special season.
For more information about Downtown Christmas, please contact Alexander City Parks and Rec or Main Street.
Wind Creek State Park Holiday Social
Check out Lake Martin’s Wind Creek State Park on Dec. 17 for Christmas spirit. Enjoy classic festive stories, ornament making, holiday music, and yummy s’mores. This event is free with paid park admission and for overnight guests. For more details, contact District Naturalist Scottie Jackson at Wind Creek State Park.
Christmas Parades
Christmas parades are one of the most festive, spirited holiday celebrations at Lake Martin. Communities gather, lining the streets and sidewalks with heartwarming smiles. Local schools, businesses, and other community organizations participate with holiday themed floats. Join the fun this holiday season in the Lake Martin area and come celebrate with one of our thriving communities.
Camp Hill Christmas Parade
Join the Town of Camp Hill for their annual Christmas parade. Bring a chair and holiday cheer for one of the best hometown parades. For updates and parade route information, visit the Town of Camp Hill Facebook page.
Dadeville Christmas Parade
The Lake Martin-Dadeville Area Chamber of Commerce hosts one of the most loved annual events on Dec. 4 starting at noon. Artisan and food vendors will set up around Dadeville school grounds to celebrate before the parade at 2:30 p.m. Then, the parade turns right on Spring street, making a left on Lafayette street, ultimately ending on Legion street. Be sure to bring an appetite and a chair to enjoy Dadeville’s Christmas spirit.
Alexander City Hometown Christmas Parade: Santa’s Helpers
On Dec. 5, enjoy a longtime community tradition, the Hometown Christmas Parade. The parade, hosted by the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce, will line up on Comer Street at 4 p.m. and proceed down Cherokee Road toward Benjamin Russell High School. The route will then turn up Church Street and head toward downtown, ending down the hill of AL-22, near the bottom of Strand Park. Spectators can enjoy the festivities anywhere along the route. Be sure to bring a chair and holiday cheer as we watch Santa’s Helpers!
Caroling Tunes & Holiday Listening Rooms
Holiday celebrations at Lake Martin are not complete without the arts. Join us and find some of the best local Christmas music and entertainment. From caroling to watching local actors, we’ll be sure to get you in the Christmas spirit.
David Jones Christmas Special at Zazu’s Verandah
Join David Jones on the Dadeville Square at Zazu’s Verandah for Christmas tunes and personal holiday favorites on Thursday, Dec. 8 starting at 6:30 p.m. Be sure to bring a friend and help spread the holiday cheer.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
In partnership with Alexander City Arts, Alexander City Act II presents “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” on Sunday, Dec. 4. The play tells the story of six misfit children who volunteer to be in their church’s Christmas pageant and unknowingly end up teaching the entire town the true meaning of Christmas. Call 256-749-8073 or visit their website for ticketing information.
Breakfast with Santa
The Dadeville Performing Arts Center tentatively hosts a breakfast with Santa on Dec. 3. Gather your family and come out to the center to enjoy a breakfast, classic Christmas tunes, and pictures with Santa. For more information, please visit the center’s website or find them on Facebook for updates.
Season of Giving Events
Photo by Elise Quinn
Tallapoosa County is home to many dedicated nonprofit organizations and programs that assist those in need, especially during the holiday season. Each year, local churches, food banks, and other assistance programs rally together to help spread the Christmas cheer and take part in holiday celebrations at Lake Martin. We all know it is better to give than to receive. So, this holiday season be sure to check out some of the great philanthropic events in the area.
St. James Annual Bazaar & Pottery Sale
Find the perfect unique, handmade gift this season at the St. James Episcopal Church Annual Bazaar this year on Nov. 5 from 9-12 p.m. The bazaar will feature arts and crafts, handmade baked goods and knit items for sale, in addition to beautiful handmade pottery from the St. James Pottery Guild. All proceeds benefit the church’s outreach fund to assist members of the community.
Denim & Diamonds: An Evening of Giving
The Dadeville Lake-Martin Area Chamber of Commerce hosts the 9th annual Denim & Diamonds Charity Ball on Nov. 5 starting at 5:30 p.m. Get ready for a night of dancing and good old-fashioned fun complete with a live and silent auction, music, and a sizzling steak dinner. The event will be held at the Lake Martin Event Center, so gather your friends for a merry time and give back to United Way. Tickets are available to purchase until Nov. 1 through the chamber or Lake Martin Area United Way.
Camp ASCCA’s Annual Jingle Jump
On Dec. 10, support Camp ASCCA by participating in the 8th annual Jingle Jump. The Jingle Jump, the camp’s biggest fundraiser, encourages teams and individuals to raise funds for the ASCCA Campership Fund. Camp ASSCA is one of the most sought-after organizations in the South that specializes in serving children and adults with disabilities and providing therapeutic recreation .
The ASCCA Campership Fund helps campers who may need financial assistance be able to come and enjoy a week at Camp ASCCA for the upcoming summer. Costumes and Christmas attire are strongly encouraged, as it provides entertainment and smiles for Christmas campers. Last year, Camp ASSCA exceeded fundraising expectations. Now, they have set a goal to raise $50,000 for the organization.
To learn more about participation and donation, check out their website and follow them on Facebook for updates.
Experience the Holiday Magic at Lake Martin
So, whether it be shopping local, lighting Christmas trees, or giving back there are tons of
reasons to join the holiday celebrations in the Lake Martin area. Join us for the most wonderful time of the year and find true holiday cheer!
For more information about holiday events in our area, visit our website and find us on Facebook. We can’t wait to have you at merry Lake Martin this holiday season!
