Arab Historic Village Christmas Wonderland: Arab’s Historic Village is undergoing its annual holiday transformation, turning into a festive winter wonderland until December 23. The usual portrayal of a royal community from the 1880s to the 1940s takes a Christmas turn, becoming a magical Christmas Village complete with visits from Santa Claus.
The Santa in the Village event in Arab runs on Fridays and Saturdays leading up to Christmas, weather permitting. Tabitha Dailey, the Arab Historic Village Coordinator, highlighted the array of activities available throughout the village, ensuring a delightful experience for visitors.
“Santa is located in our school. We have train rides, letters to Santa, ornament decorating. We provide little bags of corn for the children to spread out on Christmas Eve,” Dailey shared. “We have a blacksmith making reindeer shoes, music, hot chocolate, baked goods, and plenty of spots for families to take pictures.”
This marks the 13th year of Arab’s Santa in the Village, with ongoing improvements while keeping the core theme consistent. Dailey emphasized the event’s aim to provide an enjoyable experience for the entire community and beyond, capturing the essence of the season and offering a brief escape from stress.
The event draws visitors from across North Alabama and even out-of-state families who make it a part of their holiday traditions. Dailey expressed the desire to create a fun family atmosphere in a unique historic village setting, making it accessible and welcoming for all ages.
ALSO READ: 51st Annual Christmas on the River Celebration: with Demopolis Shines Bright
“All buildings at the Santa in the Village event are handicap accessible, and we have workers throughout the village ready to help anyone who needs assistance or accommodations,” Dailey added. “We want our visitors to enjoy it so much that they choose to come back every year to see what changes we’ve made and how we’ve decorated for the year.”
Besides spreading holiday cheer, the event contributes to the local economy, with visitors exploring Arab’s unique shops and dining options. Dailey highlighted the economic boost as people shop, dine, and explore the town.