Rally is researching the season
Christmas with kids in Auburn
In Auburn, Christmas begins on a college lawn, where a tree and a menorah light up together every year. Next door in Opelika, a 72-foot tree and more than 120 parade floats keep the season going.
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The story of Christmas in Auburn
How Auburn celebrates
Auburn's Christmas season is shared with its neighbor Opelika, and the two cities promote their holiday traditions together through Visit Auburn Opelika. On campus, the Auburn University Holiday Lighting Ceremony takes place each year on Samford Lawn, with a choir, student performances and the lighting of both a tree and a menorah. The city's Parks and Recreation department runs a Letters to Santa program, where children write to the North Pole and get a personal reply. No postage is needed, and families drop letters off at the Harris Center.
Christmas last year in Auburn
In 2025 the season opened on Nov. 28 with Hey Day Holiday, which offered ice skating and Santa visits through Dec. 31. The university lighting ceremony followed on Nov. 30 from 4:30 to 6:00 PM. In Opelika, the Snopelika Parade on Dec. 5 sent more than 120 floats past Courthouse Square before a 72-foot tree with 106,200 LED lights was lit. The Auburn Gingerbread Village showed more than a dozen houses from Dec. 7 to Jan. 1. A holiday hike for kids at Kreher Preserve on Dec. 6 was canceled because of weather and mud.
Fun facts about Christmas in Auburn
The Opelika tree wears 4,232 ornaments. Auburn's Gingerbread Village is described as the largest in East Alabama. The Jingle Jog starts at Toomer's Corner, and its one-mile Santa Stroll begins at 6:30 AM, a half hour before the 5K. Opelika's Victorian Front Porch Christmas Tour visits 60 historic homes over five days in December. Kids who send a letter through the city's Letters to Santa program get a personalized answer back.
Traditions today
- Auburn University Holiday Lighting Ceremony: A tree and a menorah are lit on Samford Lawn with a choir and student performances.
- Hey Day Holiday: Ice skating and visits with Santa at Hey Day Market from late November through December.
- Snopelika Parade and Tree Lighting: More than 120 floats parade in Opelika, followed by the lighting of a 72-foot tree.
- Auburn Gingerbread Village: More than a dozen gingerbread houses at the Rane Culinary Science Center, the largest display in East Alabama.
- Letters to Santa: Children write to Santa through Auburn Parks and Recreation and get a personalized reply.
- Jingle Jog 5K and Santa Stroll: A holiday run from Toomer's Corner, with a one-mile stroll for families.
A fact for kids
Opelika's giant Christmas tree wears 4,232 ornaments and 106,200 tiny lights. That is a lot of sparkle for one tree.
Questions about Christmas in Auburn
What is the oldest Christmas tradition in Auburn, Alabama?
We could not confirm a single oldest tradition, so we will not guess. What we can verify is that Auburn University's Holiday Lighting Ceremony on Samford Lawn happens every year, with a tree and menorah lighting, a choir and student performances. It is a yearly kickoff to the season on campus.
Where does Auburn light its big Christmas tree?
The Auburn University Holiday Lighting Ceremony takes place on Samford Lawn. In 2025 it was held on Sunday, Nov. 30, from 4:30 to 6:00 PM, with family activities, a choir and student performances. A tree and a menorah are lit together, so it can suit families of different traditions. Check our Auburn Christmas events guide on this page for this year's details.
What happens at the Auburn University Holiday Lighting Ceremony?
It combines music, lights and family activities on Samford Lawn. A choir and student groups perform, and both a Christmas tree and a menorah are lit. The 2025 ceremony ran from 4:30 to 6:00 PM on Nov. 30. Because it is outdoors and in the early evening, bundle kids up in warm layers.
Does Auburn have a Christmas parade?
Auburn's best-known parade is next door in Opelika. The Snopelika Parade and Tree Lighting at Courthouse Square drew a parade with more than 120 floats on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. Auburn families often drive over for it, since the two cities share one tourism bureau. See our Auburn Christmas events guide on this page for current dates.
How big is the Opelika Christmas tree?
The tree at Opelika's Snopelika celebration stood 72 feet tall in 2025. It carried 4,232 ornaments and 106,200 LED lights. The lighting follows the parade at Courthouse Square. Kids usually love counting how many lights they can spot, and the size makes it a good photo spot for the whole family.
What is Hey Day Holiday in Auburn?
Hey Day Holiday is a seasonal downtown attraction at Hey Day Market with ice skating and visits with Santa. In 2025 it ran from Nov. 28 through Dec. 31, with opening night at 5 PM on Nov. 28. It is a handy spot for families who want a skating and Santa stop in one place.
Is there a gingerbread display in Auburn?
Yes. The Auburn Gingerbread Village at the Rane Culinary Science Center showed more than a dozen gingerbread houses in 2025, and it is described as the largest in East Alabama. It was on view from Dec. 7, 2025 to Jan. 1, 2026. Kids can spot candy details up close, so it suits a quiet indoor outing.
Can kids send a letter to Santa in Auburn?
Yes. Auburn Parks and Recreation runs a Letters to Santa program where children write to Santa at the North Pole and get a personalized reply. Include the child's name and a return address, and no postage is needed. The program is based at the Harris Center, 425 Perry St. Dates change each year, so check the city page.
How do I explain the Letters to Santa program to my toddler?
Tell your child that Santa's helpers read every letter and write back. Kids can draw a picture or have you write down their wishes. Remind them to put their name and your return address on it so the reply finds its way home. Auburn's program makes the reply personal, which turns waiting for the mail into part of the fun.
Is there a Christmas hike for kids near Auburn?
Auburn University's Kreher Preserve and Nature Center planned a Ho Ho Ho Hike and Holiday Celebration for Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, for children 12 and under with an adult. Tickets were $15 for ages 24 months and up. It was canceled due to weather and muddy conditions, which shows trails can close, so check before you go.
Do small children need tickets for the Kreher Preserve holiday hike?
In 2025, children 23 months and younger were free with an adult ticket purchase, and ages 24 months and older cost $15. An adult ticket had to be bought first, then child tickets could be added through the preserve's website. Details can change by year, so check the preserve's page for the current season.
What is the Victorian Front Porch Christmas Tour?
It is a tour of 60 historic and Victorian-era homes in Opelika's Northside Historic District. In 2025 it ran from Wednesday, Dec. 10 to Sunday, Dec. 14. It is more of a grown-up outing, but kids who like pretty houses and lights may enjoy the walk past the decorated porches.
Is there a Christmas run in Auburn?
Yes. The Jingle Jog 5K and Santa Stroll Fun Run starts at Toomer's Corner. In 2025 the one-mile Santa Stroll began at 6:30 AM and the 5K at 7:00 AM on Saturday, Dec. 6. The short stroll is the version made for families with little ones. It is described as an annual event.
Where is Toomer's Corner and why does it matter at Christmas?
Toomer's Corner is the downtown Auburn intersection where the Jingle Jog 5K and Santa Stroll Fun Run begins each December. In 2025 the one-mile Santa Stroll started at 6:30 AM, a half hour before the 5K. For young kids, the short stroll is a friendly way to see it in a festive mood.
How do the Auburn and Opelika holiday traditions fit together?
The two neighboring cities share a tourism bureau, Visit Auburn Opelika, which promotes both cities' holiday events together. Auburn offers the campus lighting ceremony, Hey Day Holiday, the gingerbread village and the Jingle Jog. Opelika adds Snopelika and the Victorian porch tour. Many families mix events from both across December.
What do I do with kids if it rains at an Auburn outdoor holiday event?
Plan a backup, since weather can change plans. The Kreher Preserve's Dec. 6, 2025 holiday hike was canceled due to weather and muddy conditions. Indoor options like the gingerbread village at the Rane Culinary Science Center are safer for rainy days. Always check the host's page the morning of an outdoor event.
When do Auburn's holiday attractions usually start?
In 2025 the season began right after Thanksgiving. Hey Day Holiday opened Nov. 28, the university lighting ceremony took place Nov. 30, and Opelika's parade followed on Dec. 5. Letters to Santa signups start earlier, with dates posted in the fall. Our Auburn Christmas events guide on this page lists this year's dates.
What Christmas events are free for families in Auburn?
Letters to Santa needs no postage, and the Auburn University Holiday Lighting Ceremony takes place outdoors on Samford Lawn. Paid options included Hey Day Holiday skating and the Kreher Preserve hike at $15. Prices change yearly, so check whether the ceremony has an admission cost, and see our Auburn Christmas events guide on this page and each host's page.
What should I know about the lights in Opelika's tree for toddlers?
The 72-foot Snopelika tree is lit after a long parade, so crowds can be big and evenings run late. The parade ran from 5:30 to 8:00 PM in 2025. Bring a stroller or carrier, warm layers and a snack, and pick a spot early so little ones can see the floats.
Where can I find this year's Auburn Christmas events?
Our Auburn Christmas events guide on this page lists kid-friendly holiday events we could confirm for the 2026 season. For the latest, check the City of Auburn Parks and Recreation pages and Visit Auburn Opelika. We list only events that a host has confirmed with 2026 dates, so the list grows as hosts post their calendars.
Sources
- 7 Auburn and Opelika holiday events, Visit Auburn Opelika via BHamNow
- Ho Ho Ho Hike and Holiday Celebration tickets available Nov. 3, City of Auburn, Alabama
- Letters to Santa, Auburn Parks and Recreation