More than 450 live Christmas trees decorated by local businesses and families fill Big Spring Park every holiday season. It's free and open around the clock. Here's what to know.
Every holiday season, Big Spring Park in downtown Huntsville fills with hundreds of live Christmas trees, each one decorated by a local business, group or family. That's Tinsel Trail, one of the city's favorite holiday traditions, and it's free and open around the clock. Wander through on a cold night and see what your neighbors came up with.
What It Is and Who Runs It
Tinsel Trail is a display of more than 450 live Christmas trees in Big Spring Park, meant to promote holiday cheer and community spirit. Each tree is reserved and decorated by a local business, nonprofit, group or family. The event was originally founded as a project of The Downtown47 and is now run by Downtown Huntsville, Inc., the organization that works to keep downtown vibrant through development and events.
When It Happens
The trail opens in late November and stays up through December 31. In 2026 it opens on Black Friday, November 27, and the last day to see the trees is December 31. The dates box at the top of this page shows the current or next season.
Opening Night
The season kicks off on Black Friday with the lighting of Downtown Huntsville's Rocket City Tree. In 2026 the tree lighting is at 6 p.m. on Friday, November 27, with a Black Friday Market from 3 to 9 p.m. featuring local vendors and food trucks, performances by the Alabama Youth Ballet Theatre and other local talent, and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus from 6 to 8 p.m.
Through the rest of the season, the trail hosts extra events like coffee pop-ups, live music and the Tinsel Trail Trot. The event calendar is posted on the Tinsel Trail website closer to the season.
Admission and Hours
Tinsel Trail is free, and the trees are open to the public 24 hours a day, every day of the season. The trees may not be lit during severe weather.
Decorate Your Own Tree
Want your business, club or family on the trail? Tree reservations open each summer, and new participants can sign up on August 1. They go fast: the 2026 trees sold out, and reservations for 2027 open August 1, 2027. After you reserve, you'll get payment instructions by email, and the website posts decoration guidelines to help you plan.
Getting There
Big Spring Park is in the heart of downtown Huntsville, so the trail is easy to pair with dinner or holiday shopping nearby. The Tinsel Trail website lists the address as 200 Church Street NW.
Tips
- Go after dark. The trees are at their best lit up at night.
- Go on opening night for the tree lighting, market and Santa, or pick a weeknight later in December for a quieter walk.
- Bring the kids. Spotting favorite trees turns the walk into a game.
- Get inspired for next year. If you love the trees, mark August 1 on your calendar to reserve one.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Tinsel Trail?
From late November (Black Friday in 2026) through December 31. Check the dates box at the top of this page for the next season.
Does it cost anything?
No. Tinsel Trail is a free community event.
What are the hours?
The trail is open 24/7 during the season. Trees may not be lit in severe weather.
How many trees are there?
More than 450 live Christmas trees.
How do I decorate a tree?
Reserve one on the Tinsel Trail website when sales open on August 1. Spots sell out.
For more holiday plans, see our winter in Huntsville guide.
Details about businesses mentioned in this article (hours, offerings, atmosphere, and more) may change or may not be fully accurate. Spot something that needs a correction? Let us know and we'll fix it right away.
