Downtown Fairhope transformed into a holiday wonderland this week as the city held its annual Christmas Lighting Ceremony, drawing thousands of residents and visitors to officially usher in the holiday season along the Eastern Shore.
The event, a longstanding Fairhope tradition, filled the streets with families eager to soak in the sights and sounds of the season. More than a million lights were switched on at once during the ceremony, transforming downtown into a glowing display that has become a hallmark of the city’s holiday identity. Fake snow fell over the crowd as the countdown reached zero, adding to the festive atmosphere.
Fairhope Mayor Sherry Sullivan welcomed attendees and invited members of the City Council to help flip the switch that brought the display to life. Sullivan said the turnout appeared to set a new high mark for the event. “I think the turnout is fantastic! I think it’s probably a record crowd. I know our community has grown so much — but to see all these people out here enjoying this holiday season and everything is fantastic,” she said.
The scale of the crowd reflects Fairhope’s rapid growth in recent years, as the Baldwin County city has become one of the fastest-growing communities on the Alabama Gulf Coast. Events like the Christmas Lighting Ceremony have grown alongside the population, with organizers and city leaders leaning into the tradition as a way to bring longtime residents and newcomers together each winter.
Costumed characters, including performers on stilts, mingled with the crowd throughout the evening, while children lined up for a chance to see Santa. “Oh wow — there are so many people… It’s literally everywhere you look — it’s never ending the amount of people,” said Emily Ricks, one of the costumed performers working the event.
For many families, the ceremony has become an annual homecoming of sorts, marking the unofficial start of the holidays in downtown Fairhope. Attendees Zack Cox, Sidney Boteler and Kristin Creel described the scene as something out of a holiday film. “For South Alabama — absolutely not — it’s the best for sure. Honestly it’s kind of like a Hallmark movie… it’s magical,” they said of Fairhope’s Christmas display.
The lighting ceremony kicks off a season of holiday events across Fairhope and the wider Baldwin County area, as downtown storefronts, restaurants and public spaces embrace the seasonal decor through the end of the year. For a city known for its charming downtown and bay-side setting, the annual display has become one more reason Fairhope draws visitors from across the region during the holidays.