Get Ready to Rock Around the Rocket City

By Abigail Harrison, DHI Communications Coordinator

Downtown Huntsville, Inc. is excited to partner with the Huntsville Museum of Art for the first annual “Rockin’ Around the Rocket City,” which features three holiday attractions in Big Spring Park: Tinsel Trail, Skating in the Park, and the Rocket City Tree.

Tinsel Trail, presented by Meta, is a free event that showcases over 400 live Christmas trees decorated by local businesses, families, and organizations. This year, the trail also includes Mayor Battle’s new 25-foot Christmas tree, the Rocket City Tree, presented by Huntsville Coca-Cola.

The 2023 Tinsel Trail season kicks off in Big Spring Park on November 24 with a Tinsel Trail Market, featuring over 40 local artisan vendors, from 2-8 p.m. and a tree lighting ceremony for the Rocket City Tree at 6 p.m. The tree lighting ceremony will feature food trucks, free entertainment, photo opportunities, and Mayor Battle will be speaking at the event.

“Tinsel Trail creates holiday magic in Big Spring Park and downtown Huntsville,” Mayor Battle said. “It brings community together by the hundreds to decorate the trees and by the thousands to experience the lights and joys of the season. Downtown sparkles in December, making it one of the best times of the year to stroll through Tinsel Trail and visit our many bars and restaurants, shops, music venues and museums.”

Tinsel Trail will be open every day, rain or shine, until December 31, and will feature several activities throughout the holiday season. More information can be found at TinselTrail.com.

“DHI is proud to bring another year of Tinsel Trail to Big Spring Park, and we are excited to partner with the Huntsville Museum of Art to enhance the holiday experience in downtown with Skating in the Park and the debut of the Rocket City Tree,” said Rob Buddo, President and CEO of Downtown Huntsville, Inc. “We want to thank our sponsor, Meta, for making this event possible. We also want to give special recognition to the City of Huntsville’s Parks & Recreation Team and to Drake State for helping us prepare for this year’s trail.”

Rockin’ Around the Rocket City also features Skating in the Park, which officially opens on November 17 at 4 p.m. A ribbon cutting will take place at 3:30 p.m. with opening remarks from Brenda Martin, Host of Inside Huntsville, a program within Mayor Tommy Battle’s office, who will be speaking at the event on behalf of Mayor Battle. The public can meet and take pictures with

Santa Claus from 5-6 p.m. Located directly behind the Huntsville Museum of Art in Big Spring Park, the rink will be open seven days a week until January 7. More information can be found on the museum’s social media- @SkatingInThePark.

“Skating in the Park is a holiday tradition for North Alabama and surrounding communities, drawing crowds in to celebrate the holiday season leading into the new year,” said Museum Foundation Board President Hank Isenberg. “This year marks the 11th anniversary of Skating in the Park, and each year proves to be more vibrant and distinctive than the last. It's exciting to celebrate alongside other Downtown Holiday Traditions including the Tinsel Trail and the Rocket City Tree. This annual event wouldn’t be possible without generous sponsors, the HMA Foundation Board and Staff, and the City of Huntsville.