FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Karen Beasley, Vice President of Marketing & Communications
Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association
PHONE: 256.350.3500 / 800.648.5381
EMAIL: karen@northalabama.org
A Holiday Tradition: Historic Decatur Christmas Tour of Homes Set for Dec. 12
Decatur, Ala. (November 10, 2026) – The Albany and Old Decatur Historic Districts will present their annual Historic Decatur Christmas Tour on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026, inviting the public to a unique opportunity to step back in time and experience the enchanting beauty of beautifully decorated historic homes, each adorned with festive lights, ornaments and seasonal decorations. Eleven tour sites consisting of homes, churches and historic places will be open for viewing as part of the self-guided tour from 3 to 7 p.m.
This year’s tour features six stately historic homes, four churches and the Girl Scout Little House each beautifully decorated with luminaries, fruit, greenery and thousands of lights and three historic churches along with festive holiday activities for the entire family to enjoy. Residences in the Albany and Old Decatur Historic Districts are not normally open for public viewing except when a select number of homes open their doors during the annual holiday tour.
Participating sites include:
• The McEntire Home, 503 Canal Street N.E.
• The Summers Home, 307 Canal Street N.E.
• The Smith-Mitchell Home, 521 Oak Street N.E.
• Decatur Methodist Church, 701 Oak Street, N.E. (Nativity and Children’s choir)
• The Gibson-Henson Home, 305 Lafayette Street N.E.
• The Faulkenburg-Arnold/Bark Home, 216 Lafayette Street N.E.
• Vintage Faith Church, 411 Sherman Street S.E. (Sanctuary Tour)
• The Springer Home, 417 Sherman Street S.E.
• The Girl Scout Little House, Delano Park, 600 6th Avenue S.E. (Selfies with Santa)
• Westminster Presbyterian Church, 801 Jackson Street S.E. (Sanctuary Tour and Holiday Market)
Headquarters: First United Methodist Church, 805 Canal Street N.E.
• Ticket sales day of tour, 12-6 p.m.
• Light refreshments for ticketholders, 3-5 p.m.
• Holiday floral arranging demonstration for ticketholders presented by The Vintage Rose, 3:15-4:15 p.m.
• Sanctuary Tour
• Carriage Rides (weather permitting), free for ticketholders, time TBD
Along with the self-guided tour, merchants and restaurants in Decatur’s two downtown shopping districts will be open for dining and holiday shopping before and during the tour.
Tickets for the Historic Decatur Christmas Tour are $35 each and can be purchased in advance online (+ fee) at https://decaturchristmastour.com/ or at Tammy Eddy Antiques & Interiors, Bank Street Antiques and Good Fortune beginning November 16, 2026. Tickets will also be available for purchase on the day of the event at the tour headquarters from 12 to 6 p.m. The tour has been held annually for over 40 years and proceeds are used to preserve, protect and enhance the character and legacy of the historic neighborhoods.
For more information, contact HDA Board Member Brenda Henson at 251-233-7003 or n2vintage@icloud.com. For a schedule of events and more information on each property, visit www.decaturchristmastour.com.
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About Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association (AMLA)
The official destination marketing organization for Visit North Alabama, AMLA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion and development of the $4.9 billion North Alabama travel industry within the 16 northernmost counties of the state. It is supported by 500-plus members consisting of chambers of commerce, convention & visitors bureaus, attractions, campgrounds, festivals, communities, golf courses, restaurants, accommodations and vendors. Counties included within the AMLA region are Blount, Cherokee, Colbert, Cullman, DeKalb, Etowah, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Morgan and Winston. Additional information on North Alabama destinations, accommodations and special events is available by calling 800.648.5381, by visiting www.NorthAlabama.org and by following us on social media @VisitNorthAL.
