Why You Should See the Bellingrath Gardens Christmas Lights This Year

It will soon be the most wonderful time of the year in Gulf Shores! As you make your holiday beach plans, you’ll definitely want to visit the Bellingrath Gardens Christmas lights this year! Ranked as one of the “10 Best Public Light Displays in America” by USA Today and one of the “Top 100 Events of 2016” by the American Bus Association, the Christmas lights here are some of the best in the country. So, whether you’re big on holiday decorations or not, it’s worth a visit to the Bellingrath Gardens Christmas Lights in nearby Theodore, Alabama when you come to the beach for Christmas!

Looking for wonderful things to do for the most wonderful time of the year? Then, download our free Vacation Guide! It’s full of great ideas for your time along Alabama’s Gulf Coast! You’ll love the attractions, restaurants, and more that we recommend so much that you won’t want to leave. At Sunset Properties, we want you to have the very best holiday vacation.

Why Visit the Bellingrath Gardens Christmas Lights?

From November 24 through December 31, you can visit one of the most popular and highest-rated Christmas light displays in the country. Bellingrath Gardens is celebrating their 22nd year of their Magic Christmas in Lights display in 2017, so come out and explore the grounds! For, the Bellingrath Gardens Christmas lights have been touted by both USA Today and the American Bus Association as one of the best Christmas light displays in the country. If you’re on Alabama’s Gulf Coast for the holidays, this is a fantastic way to find some holiday cheer!

What Will You See There?

As you tour the Bellingrath Gardens Christmas lights, you’ll encounter more than 1,100 set pieces, 15 magnificent scenes, and over 3 million lights within the 65-acre Bellingrath Gardens estate. Part of what makes the experience even more festive is the presence of choirs singing Christmas carols, as well as hot chocolate on the Live Oak Plaza. Do you plan to bring the kids with you? Be sure to visit Santa Claus after the light show. Then, find a great Christmas gift or memento in the Bellingrath gift shop.

Other Important Information to Know Before You Go

Where is it?

Bellingrath Gardens is located in Theodore, AL, just across the Mobile Bay from the Gulf Shores area.

When is it?

The Bellingrath Gardens Christmas lights begin on November 24, 2017, and go to December 31, 2017. The lights do not show on Christmas Day.

How much does it cost?

Gardens Only

Adults | $15

Children (5-12) | $7.50

Children (<4) | Free

Gardens and Museum Home

Adults | $24

Children (5-12) | $13

Children (<4) | Free

Spend the Holidays On Alabama’s Gulf Coast

What better way to ring in the holidays than by relaxing on the beach? Come celebrate the holidays in Gulf Shores with Sunset Properties! Our beautiful condos and beach houses are the perfect settings for your family holiday getaway. There’s plenty of space to spread out and enjoy the temperate winters here! So, browse our available properties and see what we mean. You and yours are in for a fantastic holiday time when you book your holiday beach house! Contact us today to get your plans in place!

Christmas To Mardi Gras At The Beach!

Each year we decorate our office and Christmas tree in a very beautiful and frankly elaborate way not only for us but our neighbors, friends and guests.  To me it is fun to have the lights up and all of the decorations.  I get to really enjoy Christmas even though I am rarely at home to see my own tree.  After the New Year rings in our tree converts to a Mardi Gras tree.  I didn’t realize many people do not know anything about Mardi Gras.

So for a very brief explanation Mardi Gras!  It was brought to the U.S. By the French.  This is a celebration of, well, excess!  This is a holiday that grew from a Catholic celebration of having rich food and celebrations prior to giving up those things for lent. The Mardi Gras tradition actually started just across the Bay in Mobile.   It has changed greatly over the years and morphed into months of balls given by societies or Krews and Parades. Locally, we typically have a Mardi Gras Parade in each city until you get to Mobile where they have days of parades and the kids get out of school to enjoy the festivities. Mardi Gras Activities are Family Friendly at the beach.  So if you have a weekend to getaway come down and enjoy the parades around town.  At the Sunset Properties office we are much more relaxed we have our pretty tree and we never turn down sweets around here!  We hope to see you soon.  Below is the parade schedule for the area!

LuLu’s Krewe De Lu Roux Mardi Gras Ball
Feb 6, 2013 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
LuLu’s at Homeport Marina

Mystical Order of Mirams Parade
Feb 8, 2013 6:30 PM
Begins at Wintzell’s

Mystics of Pleasure Mardi Gras Parade
Feb 9, 2013 5:30 PM
Begins at Wintzell’s and ends at Zeke’s Marina

Gulf Shores Mardi Gras Parade
Feb 12, 2013 10:00 AM
Begins at Hwy 59 from bottom of Intracoastal Canal Bridge and ends at Main.

Orange Beach Mardi Gras Parade
Feb 12, 2013 2:00 PM
Begins at Wintzell’s and ends at Hwy 161, Orange Beach

LuLu’s 9th Anniversary Celebration and Mardi Gras Boat Parade
Feb 12, 2013 3:00 PM
Intracoastal Canal-Begins at The Wharf and ends at Lulu’s.

Christmas At The Beach!

I am crazy about Christmas.  My tree is already up at home and I am really enjoying decorating our office slowly.  Our very beachy area has one fun event after another for locals and visitors to the Gulf!   A list of some of my favorites is below.

 COASTAL CHRISTMAS EVENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 5, 2012

To get the whole scoop on Coastal Christmas, please visit www.alabamacoastalchristmas.com
Nov 12 – Dec 12  Santa’s Helper | Toy Drive
Nov 27 2012 Christmas Tree Lighting at The Wharf
Nov 29 Christmas Market by Delta Kappa Gamma @ Lester’s in Orange Beach
Nov 29 Gulf Shores Christmas Open House
Nov 30 – Dec 2 Junior USTA Tournament
Nov 30 Holiday Open House
Nov 30 Taste of the Islands
Dec 1 Sail with Santa on Wild Hearts
Dec 1 Christmas Angel Breakfast
Dec 1 Pics With Santa
Dec 1 Dinner Party
Dec 1 Gulf Shores Christmas Parade & Beach Celebration
Dec 2 – Dec 10 Nativity Open House
Dec 2 Chris-myth Busters
Dec 2 Children’s Christmas Musical- GSUMC
Dec 2 Handel’s Messiah
Dec 7 Sail with Santa on Wild Hearts
Dec 7 Edward Jones Holiday Open House
Dec 7 “Light Up the Arts” on the Coast
Dec 8 Santa Drop at the Flora-Bama
Dec 8 Sail with Santa on Wild Hearts
Dec 8 5K Jingle Bell Run
Dec 8 Cookie Extravaganza
Dec 8 Merry Market at The Wharf
Dec 8 Billy Claus Arrival at LuLu’s
Dec 8 Wharf Christmas Open House
Dec 8 Annual Christmas Lighted Boat Parade
Dec 9 Christmas Concert at GSUMC
Dec 11 Santa Claus at the Orange Beach Public Library
Dec 12 Friends of the Library Christmas Open House
Dec 13 Chamber Holiday Open House
Dec 14 Sail with Santa on Wild Hearts
Dec 15 Sail with Santa on Wild Hearts
Dec 15 Breakfast with Santa
Dec 15 Santa’s Sleigh Pet Portraits BARC! Fundraiser
Dec 16 CLC Kids Program
Dec 21 Sail with Santa on Wild Hearts
Dec 22 Sail with Santa on Wild Hearts
Dec 25 Christmas Potluck
Dec 29 Flora-Bama Make it to the Line Run/Walk
Dec 31 – Jan 1 Flora-Bama New Years Eve Bash
Dec 31 Noon Year’s Eve
Jan 1 Flora-Bama Polar Bear Dip
Jan 1 Hangout/Kiwanis/Gulf Shores Polar Bear Dip