Magic Christmas in Lights
November 29 – December 31 at Bellingrath Gardens and Home. Nighttime display features more than 1,100 set pieces, 3 million lights and 15 scenes, set out in a walking tour throughout the 65-acre Garden estate. Magic Christmas in Lights will be open nightly from 5 to 9 p.m. (closed on Christmas Day). The historic Bellingrath Home is open for nightly tours during the season, and hot meals are served in the Magnolia Café from 4 to 8 p.m. nightly. Tickets are available at the door or on bellingrath.org. For more information please call 251-973-2217.
Columbus Ships
Through December 2 at Gulfquest Museum. The ‘Pinta’ and the ‘Nina’, replicas of Columbus’ Ships will be in port for walk-aboard, self-guided tours. Admission charges are $8.50 for adults, $7.50 for seniors, and $6.50 for students 5 – 16. Children 4 and under are Free. The ships are open every day from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. No reservations necessary. For more information call 251.436.8901.
Arctic Express
Begins November 29 at Wales West. Friday-Sunday 4 – 9 p.m. Enjoy a steam train ride to the North Pole and visit Santa Claus with your whole family this holiday season at Wales West. Guests will travel by train through a snowy winter wonderland featuring more than 1 million twinkling lights. For tickets and more information visit www.waleswest.com.
Alabama day
Saturday, November 30, 10 a.m. Ben May Library. Join us as we journey through Alabama history, from the Native American period through wars and major changes in the lives of Alabamians. With the aid of resources from the Alabama Humanities Foundation, a tableau of chapter members and guests will provide informative commentary. Light refreshments provided. Admission is free. For more information, please call 340-1458.
Mums at Bellingrath Gardens
Now thru November 30, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The nation’s largest outdoor display of the signature blooms of the season. The Gardens and Home will be festooned with hundreds of colorful, four-foot-long cascades of chrysanthemums on bridges and balconies, as well as the traditional displays of mums in baskets and containers. Guests will also see columns of mums and bedded plants along the Great Lawn’s dramatic border, in the rich fall colors of red, yellow, bronze, lavender and white. The Southeast Tourism Society has named Bellingrath’s Chrysanthemums Show one of the STS Top 20 Events in the Southeast for November 2019. The display is set out in the last week of October. Check the “Mum Watch” page on bellingrath.org for daily updates.
“Living in the Future’s Past”
Tuesday, December 3, 6 p.m. at 5 Rivers – Tensaw Theater. The film upends our way of thinking and provides original insights into our subconscious motivations, the unintended consequences, what to do about our fossil fuel slaves, and how our fundamental animal nature influences our future as Humankind. Admission is free. For more information, please contact Carol Adams-Davis, 702-496-5050 or email: mcadamsdavis@earthlink.net
Bay Bash
Thursday, December 5, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at GulfQuest Maritime Museum. Feature signature dishes from local restaurants and caterers, cocktails, live entertainment and a silent auction. Guests will enjoy a performance by the Eastern Shore Repertory Theater and live music. To purchase tickets and learn more about the event, visit mobilebaykeeper.org/bay-bash.
Lighting Up Midtown
Thursday, December 5, 6:45 p.m. St Mary Catholic. Join us for our annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Family Celebration following the St. Mary Catholic School Christmas Program beginning at 6 p.m. The Tree Lighting begins at approximately 6:45 on the St. Mary Campus. Santa will arrive on the Lafayette Street Fire Truck and food will be available. For more information, contact Laurel Wallace at lwallace@stmarymobile.org or call the parish office at (251) 432-8678, ext. 4.
5th Annual Snowball Drop
Friday, December 6, Sims Park, Gulf Shore (immediately following Christmas parade). Camel rides, photos with Santa, outdoor movie and crafts. For more information visit www.gulfshoreal.gov.
Children’s Nutcracker Tea
Friday, December 6, 3:30-5 p.m. at Bragg Mitchell Mansion. Seating is limited. Tickets are $12. Please contact Brown Paper Tickets or call (251) 471-6364 for more information.
Lighted Christmas Parade and Holiday Celebration
Friday, December 6, 6:30 p.m. from Gulf Shores Public Beach to Sims Park. The evening parade will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will feature lighted floats, as well as appearances from holiday characters and marching bands. For more information call 251-968-1174 or visit www.gulfshoresal.gov/specialevents.
Holiday Market in the Gardens
Friday, December 6, (9am-4pm) and Saturday, December 7, (9am-1pm). Mobile Botanical Gardens. For more information call 251-342-0555.
Christmas bazaar
Saturday, December 7th 8 a.m. – 3p.m. at St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church (Hwy 98 and Schumacher Lane, Foley). Numerous vendors, a silent auction, spaghetti dinner as well as musical entertainment. For more information please call Linda Eschler 251-600-9694.
Christmas Nights of Lights
Now through January 1, 5:30-10 p.m. at Hank Aaron Stadium. Over 1 million LED lights, driven by over 50,000 computer channels, are synchronized to a variety of rocking Christmas music and some traditional classic playing through your car radio. Admission is $6 per person (3 and under free). For more information visit https://www.christmasnightsoflights.com/.
Open Enrollment for the Affordable Care Act (for 2020)
Now through December 15, 2019. If you need assistance enrolling or re-enrolling in the A.C.A. (healthcare), volunteer navigators are available at the Fairhope Public Library each Tuesday evening from 5:15 -7:30 and each Friday morning from 9:15 – 11:30. These services are free. Just bring your cell phone, your social security number, and an estimate of the income you and other family members project for the year 2020.
Compassionate Friends of Mobile
Every second Tuesday of the month, 7 p.m. in Room 207 of Dauphin Way United Methodist Church, corner of Dauphin and Catherine streets (Mobile). CFM is a support group for bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents. Call 251-721-2209 or visit compassionatefriendsmobile.org.
Lupus Support Group Meeting
Every third Saturday of the month, 2-4 p.m., Providence Hospital in Moorer Conference Room #1. Sponsored by Hats & Heels Inc. Visit hatsandhealsinc.org.
Heart & Soul Book Club Meeting
Every fourth Saturday, 4-5:30 p.m., Mobile West Regional Library. Contact Cassandra at heartandsoulbookclub@gmail.com.
FUNDRAISERS
Marine Corps Toys for Tots
Now through December 2, EXIT at East Bay Realty. Drop off toys at 22051 Broad Street. Silverhill, Alabama 36576. For more information, please call 251-947-1170 or visit our website exitateastbay.com.
Satsuma Toss
Wednesday, November 27, 12-10 p.m. at Fairhope Brewing. Live music and food truck. Proceeds from the toss will benefit Feeding the Gulf Coast.
ARTS
Studio open house
Saturday, November 30, 10 a.m. at Rene Culler Glass LLC/Bordeaux Woodworks (2462 & 2468 Commercial Park Dr.) Get a head start on holiday shopping and enjoy live demos throughout the day. For information find us on Facebook @ReneCullerGlass.
“It’s Christmas Time!”
Sunday, December 1, 4 p.m. at St. Joseph Chapel on the campus of Spring Hill College. Mobile Vocal Arts (MVA) will present their annual Holiday Concert entitled “It’s Christmas Time!.” This annual seasonal offering will feature both secular and sacred favorites with a focus on a diversity of both standard and French Christmas Carols. The concert is free and open to the public. No tickets or reservations are required. Donations accepted at the door. For further information, contact Terry D. Maddox, M.M. – Artistic Director – 251 406-1454 or terrydalemaddox@gmail.com
The Nutcracker
Sunday, December 8, 2 p.m. at Erie H. Meyer Civic Center (1930 West 2nd Street, Gulf Shores). Under the direction of Madame Rio Cordy Barlow, the ballet academy will bring this classic holiday ballet to life. Tickets are $15 and will be available at the City Store box office or online. Space is limited. The box office is located at 1821 Gulf Shores Parkway.
MUSEUMS
Diamond exhibit
Now through December 1st at the History Museum of Mobile. Mine the mysteries of diamond formation, and explore the unique environments that create these precious stones. For more information visit historymuseumofmobile.com.
“Married in Mobile”
Now through December 31st at the History Museum of Mobile. Features wedding gowns from 1852 to present and wedding accessories dating back to 1766. For more information visit historymuseumofmobile.com.
Thursdays at MMoA
Every Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., the Mobile Museum of Art offers free admission to all Mobile County residents. No reservations necessary. 4850 Museum Drive, Mobile. Call 251-208-5200.
SPORTS EVENTS/ACTIVITIES
Turkey Trot for Hope
Thursday, November 28, 8 a.m. (5K) and 9 a.m. (1-mile) at Mardi Gras Park. Gather with family on Thanksgiving Day to run or walk in support of Camp Rap-A-Hope. For more information and to register visit https://www.camprapahope.org/.
Azalea ballroom dance
Live music and dance 2nd and 4th Wednesdays at Dreamland skate center (5672 Three Notch Rd. • 251-751-2596) Dance lessons 6-7 p.m .$10 each. Dance $10 7-9:30 music by Platinum Premiere. Next dance December11th.
Gobble then wobble
Saturday, November 30th, Gulf Shore, AL. Half marathon, 5k or 1-mile beach fun run. Register at Team-Magic.com. For more information visit GulfShores.com/Sports or call 1-800-745-SAND.
Free Ukulele lessons
Saturday, November 30, 1 p.m. at Blues Angel Music (Eastern Shore Center). Call 251-263-0486 for more information.
Bingo at Via
Bingo every Tuesday and Thursday, 1-3 p.m. Join us for lunch at Via Cafe $7 each. Bingo $4 per packet. Via Health, Fitness, Enrichment Center, 1717 Dauphin St. (Mobile), 251-470-5222. Open to public.
WORKSHOPS
“Barking in the Wrong Tree”
Saturday, December 7, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Ben May Main Library. MPL is hosting another session with professional genealogist, Mary Jones-Fitts. The free genealogy workshop will focus on evaluating genealogical sources and avoiding common pitfalls. In addition to the morning workshop, there will be a special afternoon session honoring Clotilda descendant, Lorna Woods. A light lunch will be provided. Registration is required. For more information or to register, please call 251-494-2172 or email mainlhg@mplonline.org.
Watercolors in the Gardens
Fridays, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. now through December 13 at Mobile Botanical Gardens. The class will utilize the varying iconic landscape of the Garden. For complete information visit mobilebotanicalgardens.com.
PUBLIC MEETINGS
Baldwin County Commission: First and third Tuesday at 8:30 a.m., 322 Courthouse Square, Bay Minette. Work sessions are second and fourth Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. rotating between Bay Minette, the Foley Satellite Courthouse, the Fairhope Satellite Courthouse and the Baldwin County Central Annex Building in Robertsdale, baldwincountyal.gov.
Baldwin County Planning Commission: First Thursday at 6 p.m., 22251 Palmer St., Robertsdale, baldwincountyal.gov.
Bayou La Batre City Council: Second and fourth Thursday at 5:30 p.m., 13785 S. Wintzell Ave., cityofbayoulabatre.com.
Chickasaw City Council: Second and fourth Tuesday at 7 p.m., 224 N. Craft Highway, 251-452-6450.
Citronelle City Council: Second and fourth Thursday at 6:30 p.m., 19135 Main St., 251-866-7973.
Creola City Council: Second and fourth Thursday at 6 p.m., 190 Dead Lake Road, #A, 251-675-8142.
Daphne City Council: First and third Monday at 6:30 p.m., 1705 Main St. Work sessions second Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m., daphneal.com.
Dauphin Island Town Council: First and third Tuesdays at 7 p.m., 1011 Bienville Blvd., townofdauphinisland.org.
Elberta Town Council: Third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. in the town hall. Workshop meeting on the second Tuesday, townofelberta.com.
Fairhope City Council: Second and fourth Monday at 6 p.m., 161 N. Section St. Work sessions held before each council meeting at 4:30 p.m., cofairhope.com.
Fairhope Planning Commission: First Monday at 5 p.m., 161 N. Section St. Visit cofairhope.com.
Foley City Council: First and third Monday at 5:30 p.m., 407 E. Laurel Ave. Work sessions begin at 4 p.m.; cityoffoley.org.
Gulf Shores City Council: Second and fourth Mondays at 4 p.m., 1905 W. First St., gulfshoresal.gov.
Mobile City Council: Tuesdays at Government Plaza, 205 Government St. Pre-council meeting at 9 a.m.; council meeting at 10:30 a.m., cityofmobile.org.
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