Small Town, Big Beach Christmas

2023 Christmas mailer

The City of Gulf Shores is pleased to announce our holiday event schedule
that the whole family can enjoy this Holiday Season!

Special Events

Community Christmas Logo Tile

Community Christmas at Sims Park
December 10, 2025
Johnnie Sims Park

Enjoy a night with family, friends, and fellow residents celebrating the holiday season at Johnnie Sims Park! We have several fun holiday festivities in store, including pictures with Santa, holiday treats, crafts, and the Annual Snowball Drop! Click here to learn more.

Baldwin Pops

The Baldwin Pops Holiday Concert
December 9, 2025
Erie H. Meyer Civic Center

The City of Gulf Shores will open its doors to host the Baldwin Pops for a traditional Christmas Concert. The Baldwin Pops is an organization of volunteer musicians whose mission is to share music in a concert band format free of charge to the citizens of Baldwin County. Click here to learn more. 

Breakfast with Santa Website Tile-01

Breakfast with Santa
December 13, 2025
Erie H. Meyer Civic Center

Children will have the opportunity to meet and take FREE photos with Santa. Children are also entered into a raffle to win prizes, with the grand prize being a bicycle - one for a boy and one for a girl. Click here Version Options Small Town, Big Beach Christmas Special EventsHeadlineGulf Shores Public Library Holiday ProgramsGulf Shores Recreation Department Holiday Programs to learn more. 

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Tinsel & Traditions - Beautification Board Award

Judging takes place December 13-15 from 5-8 p.m.

The Beautification Board of the City of Gulf Shores encourages residents and commercial properties to enhance their properties for "Tinsel & Traditions."  Winning entries may display the Beautification Award on the recognized property and a picture of the owners and property is posted on the City of Gulf Shores Website. Click here for more information.

Gulf Shores Public Library Holiday Programs

Library Christmas - Ornament

Ornament Making with Mrs. Claus and Storytime

December 4 at 10:30 a.m.
Gulf Shores Public Library

Don't leave your tree without the perfect holiday decoration! Decorate an ornament with our library staff and Santa's helpers. Be ready to sing your favorite holiday songs and enjoy a festive story!

Library Christmas - Santa

SANTA! Storytime

December 11 at 10:30 a.m.
Gulf Shores Public Library

Santa is making an appearance at the Gulf Shores Public Library to read a special book for the children in our community.

Gingerbread house

Gingerbread House Decorating Contest - Kids Edition

December 17 at 10:30 a.m. & 4 p.m. 

Gulf Shores Public Library

The Great Gingerbread Build Off! Supplies provided. Bring your own extra flair to build the sweetest masterpiece! Click here to sign up!

Library Christmas - cookies

December 18 at 10:30 a.m.
Gulf Shores Public Library

Santa loves cookies, and so do we! Enjoy decorating cookies with the library staff and enjoy listening to one of our favorite holiday books. 

Gulf Shores Recreation Department Holiday Programs

Jammies and Gingerbread

Jammies & Gingerbread - A Fun Festive Family Night
December 10 at 6 p.m.
Gulf Shores Cultural Center

Join Gulf Shores Recreation for an exciting NEW program - Jammies & Gingerbread! 

Registration fee is $10 𝙥𝙚𝙧 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙤𝙣 | 𝘌𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘳𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯.

Click here to register! 

Deck the House Lights

Deck the House Lights Contest

We're looking for the most festive homes in Gulf Shores this holiday season!

How to Enter: 

  1. Submit your Gulf Shores address
  2. Include a nighttime photo of your decorated home
  3. E-mail entry to  emcgrath@gulfshoresal.gov

Submissions due by December 14
Winners announced December 19


For more information, click here Version Options Small Town, Big Beach Christmas Special EventsGulf Shores Public Library Holiday ProgramsGulf Shores Recreation Department Holiday ProgramsHeadline to view the flyer. 


Ramble On Christmas
Christmas Wreath

Ramble On - Deck the House Tour
December 16 at 5:30 p.m.
Meet at the Gulf Shores Activity Center


Click here to register!


Click here to register


To view other partner programs with the Gulf Coast Center for Ecotourism & Sustainability, click here. 

Deck the House Scavenger Hunt

Deck the House Scavenger Hunt

Click here to download and print the scavenger hunt form! Good luck! 

For inquiries regarding our Christmas programs and events, please contact our staff. They will be pleased to assist you. 

251-967-1171

251-968-1176

251-968-1420