Christmas in Opelika
HAPPENING DECEMBER 5TH | STARTING AT 5:30PM CT
SNOPELIKA IS A RAIN OR SHINE EVENT!
Christmas in Opelika is a truly special time of year. Our partners at the City of Opelika go all out to decorate our beautiful downtown, including the bridges, trees and light poles. It's a spectacular season that is sure to bring joy to your heart. Opelika's "Very Merry Christmas" encompasses events hosted by the City, Parks & Recreation, the Opelika Public Library & much more. We hope you'll visit us in December! At the Opelika Chamber, we do our part in helping make Opelika a Christmas destination by kicking off the Christmas season with the SNOPELIKA Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting! This year's SNOPELIKA is proudly presented by Opelika Ford. People enjoy a winter wonderland as artificial snow falls through Courthouse Square ending with a magical tree lighting ceremony of the tallest tree in town! Thousands of local citizens attend to celebrate every year, with visitors traveling around the area!
OPELIKA'S CHRISTMAS PARADE - "A WHO-VILLE HOLIDAY" THEME
Join us for one of our city’s most anticipated holiday traditions — the Opelika Christmas Parade! Each year, thousands of families line the streets to experience the lights, music, and magic that make this event truly special. Last year’s Night Parade featured more than 90 parade entries, from marching bands to festive floats — and this year promises to be even more spectacular.
This year’s theme is “A Who-ville Holiday!” Inspired by the cheerful world of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, you can expect bright colors, over-the-top decorations, and joyful characters that bring the spirit of Who-ville to life.
SNOPELIKA
When the parade ends, the magic begins! Join us in Courthouse Square for SNOPELIKA, Opelika’s most enchanting holiday celebration. Watch as snowflakes fall in the heart of downtown, turning the streets into a true winter wonderland!
Kids can play in the snow, families can take photos with Santa, and everyone can enjoy festive music, food trucks, and local vendors spreading Christmas cheer. From snowball fights with the Opelika Police Department to twinkling lights and joyful laughter — it’s a night you won’t want to miss!
SNOPELIKA is made possible thanks to the help of our incredible volunteers who bring the magic to life each year. All volunteers will receive a food and drink voucher to use during the event and will be entered into winning a $500 grand prize!
THE TALLEST CHRISTMAS TREE IN TOWN
Opelika is lighting up the season with something truly spectacular — a 72-foot-tall Christmas tree for the official SNOPELIKA Tree Lighting! Standing proudly in the heart of downtown, this magnificent tree is the second tallest is all of Alabama!
This breathtaking centerpiece will shine as the heart of our charming, Hallmark-like town, bringing families, friends, and neighbors together for a moment of pure Christmas magic. As the lights twinkle and the crowd gathers, Opelika — Your Christmas Destination — will come alive with the warmth and wonder of the holiday season.
AVAILABLE PUBLIC PARKING
Opelika Chamber Parking Lot – 200 S 6th St, Opelika
This lot is open to all event attendees. Please park only in marked parking spaces. Parking on the grass is not permitted.
Opelika City Hall & The Surcie House – 204 S 7th St, Opelika
The lot bordering Opelika City Hall and The Surcie House (the former location of the Opelika Chamber) is open for public parking throughout the event.
N Railroad Ave & 1st Ave – North Side of the Railroad Tracks
All public street parking along N Railroad Ave, 1st Ave, and N 8th St on the north side of the railroad tracks is available for attendees.
Handicap Parking – Lee County Courthouse
Handicap-accessible parking is available in the back parking lot of the Lee County Courthouse, accessible from S 10th St. This area is reserved exclusively for vehicles displaying valid handicap permits.
PARK & RIDE OUR SHUTTLES
Downtown Opelika streets will close at 2:00pm as the parade floats begin to line up. The downtown streets will reopen after the event at 9pm. Please arrive early and use the public parking areas OR our Park & Ride Shuttles shown on the event map.
Enjoy free SNOPELIKA shuttle rides running every 15–20 minutes throughout the event. Shuttles will pick up at Parking Lot D on the Southern Union State Community College campus and drop off near City Hall at S 7th Street and Avenue A. To reach Parking Lot D, turn right onto Lake Condy Road at Opelika High School, then take a right onto S. Union Drive when you see the official Southern Union sign. Park there and hop on the shuttle for an easy ride straight into the heart of SNOPELIKA.
