Holiday Events Start Soon

It's almost time! The day after Thanksgiving, Orange Beach hosts its “Lighting of the Island Christmas Tree” ceremony. It's at 6 p.m. At 4550 Main St. After the tree lighting, festivities move to the Wharf, where wee ones can have a free photo made with Santa himself!

( Wharf also will be host to the Pleasure Island Christmas Parade at noon Dec. 13.)

If holiday lights make your season a bit brighter, plan a trip to Bellingrath Gardens while you're here.

“Bellingrath's Magic Christmas in Lights” starts the day after Thanksgiving and runs through New Year's Eve. There are more than 3 MILLION twinkling lights and 835 set pieces in 12 major scenes. Here's the best part: This year, there's a brand new set dedicated to the Gulf of Mexico! It's called “The Under Water Garden,” and it shows jellyfish, squid, fish, crab, seahorses, starfish, stingrays and sea lettuce. Doesn't that sound amazing? Details are at www.bellingrath.org. I can't wait!