Rocket City Mom

11/21/2025

Friends, it's HERE! The 2025 Holiday Guide has landed, and we are thrilled to be launching this massive resource thanks to the support of our incredible friends, Galaxy of Lights! 💡🎁⛄🎅🎄🔔🎁❄️💡

Just like the brilliant displays at the Huntsville Botanical Garden, this guide is packed with every dazzling experience North Alabama has to offer!

Everything You Need to Know:

We have a list of all kinds of Christmas activities!
⛄Tree Lightings and Festive Parades
🎅Santa Sightings
📍Christmas Decorations Map
🎁Guide Gift & Markets
🎄Christmas Tree Farms
🔔 Concerts, Plays & Performances

and SO MUCH MORE

📈 Heads up! This is the smallest the lists will ever be. We are still getting events sent to us! We update the list every MONDAY, so be sure and check back often!

Click the Campsite link in our bio to dive into the guide and start planning your most sparkling holiday season yet!

What holiday activity is your family going to check out first?

11/21/2025

Get your scarves ready! The holidays aren't official until the ice rink opens, and Skating in the Park is ready to kick off its 14th season of festive fun in downtown Huntsville! 🥳

The beautiful outdoor rink opens TOMORROW (Friday, November 21st) in Big Spring Park, right behind the Huntsville Museum of Art.

Why You Need to Go TOMORROW:

Sweet Deal Alert! Each skater on opening day will receive a free donut from Dunkin' Donuts! 🍩 Get ready for fun and donuts to start the season right!

Why We Love This RCM Tradition:

🗓 Long Season: It's open seven days a week, including holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day!
💲Affordable Family Fun: Admission is just $5 for kids 9 and under.

Pro Tip: After you skate, your wristband gets you 10% off at the Museum Store!

📍 Big Spring Park (behind Huntsville Museum of Art) 🗓️ Opens TOMORROW, November 21st!

Who are you taking for a spin on the ice this weekend?

11/21/2025

We got a serious dose of holiday spirit this week at Galaxy of Lights during one of their Dog Walking Nights, and trust us: the 30th anniversary display is showing OUT! ✨

We loved taking our dog with us! This event is truly fun for the whole family (furry members included!).

They truly went all out this year with over 182 custom-designed wireframe scenes, some towering over 30 feet tall! But the real magic for families is the new interactive fun:

Interactive Lights! We loved all the new spots where the kids can actually play with the light displays.

Classic Favorites: We were so glad to see the snow machine and bubbles were still part of the experience. It’s our kiddos' absolute favorite part!

Enchanted Areas: Don't miss the beautiful new sections like exhibit in the Butterfly House and the Exchanted Forest!

This display is seriously wired for wonder (we're talking 17 miles of Ethernet!). Whether you go for a walking night or drive through, this is a must-do tradition!

Have you visited Galaxy of Lights yet this year? Tell us your favorite part of the 30th-anniversary show! 💡

11/20/2025

WE ARE DONE.

Done with stressing about the holidays. Are you done too? 🤯

Don't you think you deserve to have a Field Day this holiday season?

You have to see this! Field Day has created a stunning Whoville wonderland, and it’s a seriously fun escape from the holiday hustle. They went full Grinch-tastic with TONS of decor and an amazing event lineup.

Why This Is a Perfect Escape (GRINCHMAS Events!):

🤯 Whoville Wonderland: Immersive decor that provides a much-needed distraction.
🍫 Tasty Treats: S'mores & Hot Cocoa plus special Whoville creations
🎅 Meet & Greets: Come meet the Grinch AND Santa!
💸 $100 CASH PRIZE: Jump into Buddy’s Spaghetti Eating Contest for a chance to win!
🎬 Movie Screenings, FREE Ornament Craft, and of course, lots of Field Day fun like duck pin bowling, mini golf, ax-throwing, and more!

This is a fun, whimsical way to enjoy the holiday season in North Alabama. You need to plan a visit!

Share, tag, and gather up your Whoville crew!

11/20/2025

It's officially time to plan the weekend, and we know your brain cells are busy this time of the year. (...and the every other time of the year too. 😂🫠)

Forget the endless searching! Our Weekend Roundup Article is live, and it’s your complete, trustworthy guide to all the local fun.

Inside: The full list of family-friendly events and activities you need to see.

Ready for a plan that works? Click the Campsite link in our bio to unlock the full list and enjoy your weekend! 🙌

11/20/2025

The holidays are magical, but they can also be incredibly challenging when your family is navigating the loss of a loved one. ❤️

In honor of National Childhood Grief Awareness day, we teamed up with the amazing experts at The Caring House to put together this quick guide on How To Support Grieving Kids This Christmas.

Inside the carousel, you'll find simple, powerful tips on:
-Recognizing how grief manifests differently in children.
-Creating meaningful traditions to honor loved ones.
-Finding creative outlets to express big feelings.

Bonus: Paxton, The Caring House's facility dog, has a special message for children dealing with loss this holiday season. 🐶

If your family is moving through loss, please know you are not alone. Save this post, share it with someone who needs it, and remember that resources like The Caring House are here to help.

11/20/2025

Stop the presses! The Rocket City Trash Pandas are debuting a brand-new holiday spectacular inside Toyota Field for the first time ever! 🚀💡

The Trash Pandas Christmas Light Show is a spectacular, walk-through experience that transforms the field into a dazzling wonderland, complete with festive food, drinks 🍹, and special theme nights. It all kicks off THIS FRIDAY for Opening Weekend!

Why You Need to Go:

🌟 It’s NEW! This is the first time the field has hosted a walk-through holiday light event.
🎁 Kids are FREE! That’s right. Children 12 and under get in free of charge (general admission tickets start at $16 for adults).
🗓️ Full Schedule of Fun! Check out the schedule graphic for fun themed nights and special guests!

🗓️ Opens THIS FRIDAY, November 21st! 📍 Toyota Field, Madison

Are you ready to see the ballpark shine? Tag your light-loving family! 🥳

Head to the Campsite link in our bio to get started!

11/19/2025

Need a brilliant way to keep the kids active, engaged, and learning during those long holiday weeks? Look no further!

Need a brilliant way to keep the kids active, engaged, and learning during those long holiday weeks? Look no further! 👀

High Point Climbing is hosting their amazing 2-Day Winter Rock Camps, and they are the perfect mix of fun, fitness, and STEM learning for your trainees (ages 5–14)! 🧠💪

Why Kids (and Parents!) Love These Camps:

🧗 Climbing & Confidence: Staff teaches the basics of rock climbing, equipment usage, and important team-building skills.
🔬 STEM Fun: Kids approach climbing through age-appropriate group instruction, trust games, and hands-on climbing STEM activities!
🍎 All-Inclusive: Each session includes rental gear, six full hours of instruction and climbing each day, plus a healthy snack!

These half-day camps run from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM on two convenient options:

🗓️ Option 1: December 22 & 23
🗓️ Option 2: December 29 & 30

Space is limited and these camps fill up fast so book your spot today! 🏃‍♀️

Cost: Member: $139 for the first child and $132 for each additional sibling. Non-Member: $164 for the first child and $156 for each additional sibling.

Head to the Campsite link in our bio to get started!

11/18/2025

Ready to start Thanksgiving morning with a beautiful tradition? 🍁

Join the Land Trust of North Alabama for their annual Monte Sano Pre-Feast Hike! It's the perfect way to gather the family, enjoy the crisp air, and take in the beautiful Monte Sano Nature Preserve before the cooking and feast begin.

Important Note: New Starting Location!

Since the Bankhead Trailhead is closed, this year's hike starts at the Three Caves Trailhead.

You have two great options led by Land Trust staff:

🚶‍♀ The Shorter Route (2.05 miles): A moderately difficult loop led by David Young, perfect for shaking off the morning chill.
🚶‍♂️ The Longer Route (3.25 miles): A moderately difficult route with a nice climb led by Bruce Martin, giving you a serious head start on that holiday caloric intake!

Grab the kids, the cousins, and your hiking shoes!

🗓️ When: Thanksgiving Morning
📍 Trailhead: Monte Sano Nature Preserve (Three Caves Trailhead) – 901 Kennamer Dr SE

Advance sign-up is required on the Land Trust's website! Head to the Campsite link in our bio to get started!

11/18/2025

Get ready for some serious holiday magic! ✨

Winterville is coming to the Redstone Arsenal Activity Field, and the best part? It's FREE and open to the PUBLIC! 🎉 (Just remember to enter via Gate 10 on Patton Road.)

Mark your calendars for a jam-packed weekend of cheer, shopping, and fun!

What to Expect at Winterville:

🎁 Kidpreneur & Vendor Market: Shop local and support young entrepreneurs!
📸 Photos with Mr. & Mrs. Claus: Smile for the camera (brought to you by Redstone Federal Credit Union!).
🤸 Kids Zone: Bounce, play, and burn off energy (brought to you by Saturn Sports!).
⛸️ Winter Sports Pavilion
🍔 Food + festive drinks to keep you fueled.
🍹 Signature Holiday Cocktail with a souvenir cup (for the grown-ups!).

Don't Miss the Tree Lighting!

The most magical moment of the weekend is the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Saturday at 5:30 PM! 🎄 Grab your festive drinks and watch the whole field light up.

🗓️ When: December 6–7 (Mark your calendars now!) 📍 Where: Redstone Arsenal Activity Field (Enter Gate 10 / Patton Road)

Who is ready to kick off the holiday season at Winterville?

11/15/2025

11/15/2025

Parents, if you're looking for a beautiful way to teach your children the true meaning of Christmas, this is it! ✨

Every year, Kids to Love works tirelessly to ensure that children who enter foster care with very little receive a Merry Christmas by fulfilling their wish lists (they helped nearly 1,900 children last year!).

You can help make Christmas morning special for a child right here in the Tennessee Valley, and they make it incredibly easy!

Easy Ways to Help Fulfill a Wish List:

-Get an Ornament: Trees with single-gift ornaments are out now all over the Tennessee Valley! Just grab an ornament, buy the gift written on it, and return both to the location. It's that simple!
-Shop Online: Use the Click, Ship, & Give program on Amazon, and your gift ships directly to the Kids to Love warehouse.
-Sponsor a Child: Want to do more? Fill out a form on their website to shop a child’s entire wish list!

You can also host a drive or volunteer your time at the Curtis Cares Center! Head to the Kids to Love website for all the details.

Who is ready to grab an ornament this weekend? Tag a friend who loves to shop for a cause!

Head to the Campsite link in our bio to get started!