Every holiday season, Foley transforms from a quiet Gulf Coast town into what many describe as a storybook setting, with twinkling lights downtown and an illuminated forest trail at Graham Creek Nature Preserve drawing families, couples and holiday visitors from across the region.
Downtown Foley: Warm Lights and Small-Town Charm
According to local leaders, preparations for the holiday season downtown begin well before Thanksgiving, with the city and volunteers working to hang lights, decorations and trees along main roads and historic buildings throughout the district.
Each season, the heart of downtown Foley lights up with wreaths, garlands and strings of lights draped across shopfronts and lamp posts along Laurel Avenue and the surrounding streets. The result is a festive, cozy atmosphere well suited to an evening stroll through the historic district.
The look has earned Foley some outside recognition in recent years. In 2023, the town was highlighted as one of the small towns that belong in a Hallmark Christmas movie, a nod to the nostalgic, small-town glow that has become a signature of Foley’s holiday season.
A Different Kind of Holiday Glow: The Graham Creek Christmas Trail
For visitors looking for a more nature-immersed holiday experience, the Graham Creek Christmas Trail at Graham Creek Nature Preserve offers an alternative to the downtown lights. Visitors walk along a decorated boardwalk and trail through the preserve, surrounded by forest scenery illuminated with holiday lights and themed displays.
Younger visitors, and the young at heart, can meet “Snow Princesses” earlier in the evening, with a visit from Santa himself later on. Admission is typically around $5 per person, with children under 2 often admitted free, making it an affordable outing for families.
Where the downtown lights offer a classic small-town holiday atmosphere, the Christmas Trail provides a slower-paced, nature-filled alternative that still carries the same sparkle and warmth associated with the season, just set against the backdrop of the preserve’s forest rather than storefronts and lamp posts.
Planning a Visit
For those hoping to experience downtown Foley at its best, organizers suggest planning a visit for an evening between late November and early December, when shops are open, the lights are freshly installed, and seasonal events such as a tree-lighting or the Holiday Night Market are typically taking place.
Visitors planning to walk the Graham Creek Christmas Trail should check the official schedule ahead of time, as the trail runs only on select weekends in December rather than throughout the entire season.
Those planning to take in both the downtown lights and the nature trail in a single evening are encouraged to bundle up and wear comfortable walking shoes, since the outing can involve a fair amount of walking between the two settings. A camera or smartphone is also recommended, as both the historic downtown district and the nature preserve trail offer plenty of opportunities for holiday photos.