Christmas is coming to Cullman in the weeks ahead, with a loaded schedule of parades and charitable events to get you into the yuletide spirit. 

The big event will be Friday, Dec. 2 when the annual Cullman City Christmas Parade brings out thousands to downtown Cullman. The parade will begin at 6 p.m. at the Busy Bee Cafe and head to Depot Park up First Avenue.

After the parade, attendees can hang around to enjoy games and activities, live music, a live nativity scene, petting zoo, pictures with Santa Claus and a movie in the park. Businesses will also stay open late Friday night with special offers and sales for those seeking that perfect Christmas present. 

Then from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, all things Christmas will take over downtown, from a car show, live Christmas music, games and activities, pictures with Santa and carriage rides. 

Shops will again offer sales and discounts for Christmas shoppers. Activities will take place at the Festhalle, the parking lot across from Moe’s Original BBQ and throughout downtown. For more information, go online to www.christmasincullman.org

Here some other upcoming events:

Lights of Love

The Cullman Regional Medical Center Foundation hosts the Annual Dr. Herman C. Ensor Lights of Love Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, in the Col. Cullmann Room.

Giving a gift of love for $20, $40, $60 or more places a light on the Christmas tree as a tribute to someone special to you. Your tax-deductible gift will help support the Foundation’s mission of advancing healthcare services at CRMC.

Special acknowledgement cards are sent to those who have been honored and to the families of those being remembered. All community members and contributors are invited to the tree lighting ceremony to view a presentation of the names of those being honored.

This year special recognition will be provided for past presidents of the Foundation for their years of service. The ceremony will be dedicated in memory of Clark Branch and in honor of Dr. Jim Davis.

A special music program will be performed, concluding with the lighting of the Christmas tree. Light refreshments will be offered during and after the ceremony.

Donations may be contributed throughout the entire holiday season and gifts received by Tuesday, Nov. 29 will be included in the special ceremony. Contributions may be made in memory or in honor of someone special in your life.

Donate today online at www.crmchospital.com/foundation/events or call the Foundation at 256-737-2565 for more information.

Parade of Trees 

The Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce and Brooks’ Place will partner to bring to Cullman the annual Parade of Trees. 

Monies raised will support the program of work at Brooks’ Place. Trees will be on display now through Dec. 1 and can be viewed during Chamber business hours (M-F, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Trees may also be viewed Dec. 1 at the Chamber’s Business After Hours silent auction. Winners will be announced Dec. 1 at 7 p.m the Chamber’s Business After Hours. Music and food provided, and the cost is $15 for Chamber members and $20 for future members to attend.

Winter Wonderland 

Also kicking off Friday, Dec. 2 is the 14th Annual Winter Wonderland Christmas Light Display at Sportsman Lake Park. 

The animated Christmas light drive-thru display will be open 5-9 p.m. on weekdays and 5-10 p.m. on weekends, weather permitting, through Dec. 23. The attraction will be closed December 5-6 and Dec. 12-13.

Admission is $5 per vehicle. Victorian horse carriage rides are $4 per person. Santa Claus will be also stop by to serve hot cocoa and candy canes.

For more information, call 256-734-3052, go online to www.cullmancountyparks.com or e-mail sportsman@co.cullman.al.us. 

Cullman County Christmas Parade

The annual Civitan/Cullman County Christmas Parade will be at noon Saturday, Dec. 3. No entry fee charged. Theme this year is “Honoring God, country and hometown heroes.” Entry forms are available by contacting Rick Cason at 256-201-7040 or call Hanceville City Hall, 256-352-9830, ext. 10.

Holly Market at Cullman Civic Center

Cullman City Parks and Recreation will present the annual holiday-themed Holly Market, Dec. 2-3, at the Cullman Civic Center, 510 5th St. SW, Cullman. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. 

Many vendors with various items, baked goods, etc.; also, kids’ activities on both days. Santa will make a special appearance from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, with free kids’ crafts and other festive activities. The Wallace State Singers will perform at 10:30 a.m.

For more information on this event or its vendors, contact the civic center office at 256-734-9157.

Breakfast with Santa

The Jolly Ol’ Elf will visit Cullman First United Methodist Church Saturday, Dec. 3 from 8-10:30 am.

Tickets are $5 each and includes breakfast. Please make reservations by calling 256-734-6690.

Christmas Market and Festival

Cullman Christian School will host the Christmas Market and Festival from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10.

The event will be at Cullman Christian School (708 Seventh St. S.W.) where there will be something for everyone from bounce houses for children, 50-plus local vendors for holiday shoppers and food and live entertainment, including the Cullman High Jazz Band.

Santa Claus will stop by for the pancake breakfast from 9-11 a.m. Tickets to the breakfast are $10, and photos sessions with Santa and Mrs. Claus will be $5. Deadline to purchase breakfast tickets will be Sunday, Dec. 4.

Christmas bazaar

Addington Chapel  will hold a Christmas bazaar from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, with arts and crafts booths and antiques for sale. 

The church is located at 185 County Road 59, Bremen. Soups, bread, dessert and baked goods will be sold, and proceeds will go to the church’s building fund.

Christmas Tour of Homes

The Share Club of Cullman will present their annual Christmas Tour of Homes (six houses), from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4. Tickets are a $15 donation and are available Dec. 1 at From the Heart, Hagan Realty, White Willow, Three Pears, The Added Touch, The Added Touch Too, Bill Smith Buick GMC, and any Share Club member. Proceeds to benefit Hospice of Cullman County and the Good Samaritan Health Clinic.

Pancake breakfast

Relay For Life of Cullman County will hold a pancake breakfast from 7 to 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at Applebee’s, 2106 Cherokee Ave., Cullman. 

The $5 plates include two pancakes, sausage and drink (coffee, tea, water, Coke products, hot chocolate). Dine in or carry out. Visits and photos with Mr. and Mrs. Santa will also be available. The suggested donation for photos is $5. Proceeds will go to Relay For Life of Cullman County.

For more information, contact Helen Allen at 256-709-4019.

Good Hope Christmas Parade

The City of Good Hope will hold their annual Christmas parade at 2 p.m. Dec. 10. 

Spectators should set up near city hall at the Jet Pep through to the churchyard near Good Hope schools. A Santa House, bouncy house and cookie house will be at city hall park with hayrides for all and a train ride for children. Hotdogs and soda will be served at the park for free.

Holly Pond Christmas Parade

The Holly Pond Civilian Club will host its annual Christmas parade at 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10. 

It will begin at the Lion’s Club Park and continue by the school and on to Governor’s Park. Following the procession, the Town of Holly Pond and the Civilian Club will sponsor Christmas Cards in the Park at 5 p.m. at Governor’s Park.

Refreshments will be provided along with entertainment throughout the event. Luminaries will also be set up. Bring your camera because Santa may make an appearance.

Contact Councilwoman Gladys Wisener at 256-796-6782 for more information. 

Shop with a Cop

The Cullman Police Department is currently collecting donations for its annual Shop with a Cop event.

All donations go toward providing Christmas for underprivileged Cullman citizens and assist individuals in need throughout the year.

Needy Cullman City Schools students, Margaret Jean Jones Center (CCCD) clients, Woodland Village Nursing Home patients and numerous other individuals and families in the community received presents from last year’s event.

On Dec. 17, Cullman police officers and volunteers will ride with children to Wal-Mart to shop and then return to the police department for lunch with Santa Claus.

For more information, contact officers Adam Clark and Todd Craig or Candy Moore with the Cullman Police Department at 256-734-1434.