The Christmas season has finally arrived and you can celebrate this special time by visiting some of Alabama’s most festive towns that are filled with lots of holiday cheer. Listed below are Christmas towns & New Year ideas in Alabama that will put you in the holiday spirit this holiday season.

From November to early January, enjoy 2.5 miles of larger-than-life animated light displays at the Huntsville Botanical Garden’s Galaxy of Lights.  Galaxy of Lights is an annual holiday light experience at the Huntsville Botanical Garden in its 26th season. For the second year in a row, the event has been nominated in the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice travel awards for Best Botanical Garden Holiday Lights. 

From late November – 5th January, Bellingrath Gardens in South Alabama is set aglow with more than 3-million twinkling lights and 1,100 custom-designed set pieces in 16 scenes at Magic Christmas in Lights. It is one of the most popular holiday attractions in the Southeast. Santa will be on hand for photos every night until 23rd December.

If you like the holiday magic of trains – look no further than the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum in Calera and the North Alabama Railroad Museum in Huntsville. All aboard, it’s a polar express with Santa, tasty treats and carolling along during these special night-time rides. 

Have you heard of the Moon Pie Drop in Mobile? It's the traditional way of seeing in the New Year in this state.

Last but certainly not least - Andalusia, the county seat of Covington County, is often referred to as "Alabama's Christmas Town." According to Southern Living, this town's annual "Christmas in Candyland" event is one of the best Christmas events in the South.

For more information on any of the above email alabama@deep-south-usa.com.