Be sure to mark your calendars for these exciting events taking place in the Auburn – Opelika, AL community during the month of December 2015.
December 5th: 
All aboard the Polar Express! Children ages 5 and up are invited to hop aboard the Polar Express at the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center. The “train” will depart at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Activities include arts & crafts, sweets & treats, and much more. Children are encouraged to wear their favorite holiday pajamas while they participate in indoor and outdoor activities. Tickets for the event will be on sale Wednesday and Thursday, November 4 & 5, only from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center. The cost is $10/person. A limited number of tickets are available and last year’s event SOLD OUT. Be sure to purchase your tickets in advance. For more information, please visit www.auburnalabama.org/parks or contact the Arts Center at 501-2963.
December 5th: 
Opelika Chamber of Commerce Annual Christmas Parade beginning at 11 a.m. The time-honored Christmas Parade takes place in beautiful Historic Downtown Opelika, and includes seventy-five entries, including festive floats, marching bands, beauty queens, and – who else! – Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus! Afterwards, there are plenty of specialty shops to visit and food to eat in the downtown area – and there will be other special activities “in the works” for after the parade which haven’t been announced yet!
December 9th – 13th: 
Victorian Front Porch Christmas Tour – The tour began in 1993 with just a few homes participating, but has grown to include 60 homes on North 8th and 9th street. The homes are decorated with life size Santas, angels, toys, carousel horses and Christmas themed figures. The Victorian Front Porch Christmas Tour has been voted one of the southeast’s top rated tourism events and featured in Better Homes and Gardens and Southern Living. The event is a self directed driving tour. However, on Saturday night North 8th and 9th streets will be closed to traffic to encourage visitors, neighbors and friends to stroll through the neighborhood. This enables everyone to leisurely enjoy the homes up close, listen to the carolers, and talk with residents dressed in Victorian costumes. This tour begins on North 8th street and 2nd Avenue and includes over ten city blocks. Admission to this spectacular production is free. go to website . Opelika Historic District, 8th & 9th Streets – On the Friday night of the tour the City of Opelika sponsors Chirstmas in a Railroad town which includes wagon rides through the Victorian Front Porch Christmas tour which includes tour guides who take you back in time while enjoying the festively decorated homes. Lighted Driving Tour: Wednesday, Dec. 9 through Dec.13 5-10 p.m. CDT; Walking Tour: Saturday December 12 6-9 p.m. CDT
Tree lighting with Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller and his wife Laura at 6 p.m. at the corner of North 8th Street and 2nd Avenue. (weather permitting). For an entertainment list, please visit www.opelikavictorianfrontporchtour.com.
December 10th 
Auburn Christmas Parade – The entire community is invited to celebrate the season with the Auburn Chamber Christmas Parade on December 10 at 5 p.m. in downtown Auburn. The parade will include Aubie, Santa, Christmas characters, live music and lots of other Christmas favorites! Gingerbread Unveiling following the Auburn Christmas Parade. Enjoy complimentary cookies and hot chocolate while admiring the 2015 Gingerbread Village. The Hotel at Auburn University, 241 South College Street, Auburn, AL 36830.
December 11th – 
Christmas in a Railroad Town – 6 pm – 9 pm – Visit with friends and enjoy a variety of food vendors and restaurants. Bring the kids to write letters to Santa, enjoy pony rides, caroling, entertainment and other new activities! Guaranteed fun for adults includes Loft Tours, personalized gifts made on site and bundles of sweet treats for sale. Local retail shops will be open late for all your Christmas needs. Santa and Mrs. Claus will also be available for family photos! Be transported back in time and take a wagon ride through the Victorian Front Porch Christmas Tour. Leave straight from Christmas in a Railroad Town and be delivered back once you’re done. Enclosed trolley rides also available at the Museum of East Alabama. Website.
December 12th – 13th – 
Santa on the Corner – Santa will be on the Corner in Downtown Auburn! Times are to be announced! Donations will be accepted to The United Way. For more information, please visit www.downtownauburnonline.com.
December 12th – 13th: 
9th Annual Loveliest Village Christmas Tour of Homes and Buildings will be Saturday, Dec. 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 13th, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The tour will feature 8 homes and 4 buildings in the Auburn area, including the residences of the Arnall home on Sanders Street, the Hill home on East Thach, the Price home on Town Creek Drive, the Fukai home on Gay Street, the McMillan Home in Cary Woods, the Hayes home on Brookside Drive, the Williams home on East Thach, the home of Mary Ann Stiles at Creekside Castle, The Woman’s Club and the Cary Center. Ariccia and Blooming Colors are the featured buildings and ‘Cider Stops’ for this year’s tour. Tickets for the tour are on sale now for $20. The annual tour is a fundraiser for the Auburn Preservation League, whose purpose is to foster historic preservation and to promote cooperation in combining the resources of local government, organizations, associations, businesses and citizens in order to enhance the quality and beauty of the Auburn community. For more information about the tour or membership in the Auburn Preservation League, visit www.auburnpreservationleague.org.
December 12th – 9th Annual Holiday Art Sale –The Auburn Arts Association and Auburn Parks and Recreation Department will host the 9th annual Holiday Art Sale on Saturday, Dec. 12 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center and Harris Center. Get in the holiday spirit by attending this festive shopping experience! The Holiday Art Sale is a great place to get a head start on your Christmas shopping while meeting local artists selling their own unique handmade work. Admission is FREE and open to the public!
The event features local and regional artists selling handmade works, including pottery, paintings, stained glass, photography, handmade soap, jewelry, gourmet food items scarves, hats, candles and more! A portion of the proceeds from sales support the Auburn Arts Association and their many art education programs.
For more information on the Holiday Art Sale, please visitwww.auburnalabama.org/parks or contact Cari Philen Cleckler, Art Education Specialist, at (334) 501-2944 or ccleckler@auburnalabama.org.