There’s No Place Like My Hometown of Decatur for the Holidays

People often say, "there's no place like home for the holidays," and that's proven true for me over the years. The reasons why I feel that way about Christmas in Decatur, Alabama, are as dynamic as the River City itself.

While born and raised in the city, I spent almost half of my life away from it until moving back in late 2020. I've recently talked with several friends about the distinct differences between coming home for the holidays to visit family and friends versus living here. From both perspectives, Christmastime shines as the best time of all. Here are a few enduring traditions I believe make it so.

It's always comforting to see our 1830 Old State Bank decked out in holiday finery. Across the street, dozens of decorated trees line the walkway at Founder's Park during the Enchanted Forest of Decatur event, which typically begins the first week of December. A couple of weeks before that, the community gathers around a massive tree to see it light up in front of the Alabama Center for the Arts. The latter two are newer traditions in town that I've enjoyed the past several years.

A more enduring tradition of Christmas in Decatur has long been a favorite, which is walking around our two residential historic districts—Old Decatur and Albany—to see the many beautifully decorated Victorian and Craftsman homes. Homes dripping in twinkling lights, ornate wreaths, festive garlands, and oversized baubles fill these neighborhoods.

If you only have one day in Decatur this holiday season, I recommend an afternoon of shopping downtown, an early dinner at one of our local restaurants, then walking these districts with a cup of hot cocoa or coffee at dusk. After that, hop back over to Second Avenue to catch a Christmas movie at our historic Princess Theatre. The venue screens a series of nine different holiday films throughout December, with most starting at 7 p.m.

And finally, no holiday season is complete in Decatur without paying a visit to Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge to see the visiting sandhill cranes and whooping cranes who make our town home throughout the winter. While the annual Festival of the Cranes doesn't occur until mid-January, you'll still see peak numbers when you visit in December.

While the enclosed observation building has spaces that give you a front seat to see the cranes, bring your own binoculars so you don't have to wait for one of the building's viewfinders.

Plan a stay to take in the wonder of Christmas in Decatur, and consider booking a historic district home like this circa-1888 Victorian for an authentic experience in the most historic part of town.