St. Mary's Parish invites you to
Lighting up Midtown
Mary & bright
December 5 · 2–9 PMOllis Pavilion
- When
Dec 5
Saturday, 2–9 PM
- Where
Ollis Pavilion
1453 Old Shell Road, Midtown Mobile
- Admission
From $5
Tree lighting entry is free; children 2 & under are free
- Parking
Free on site
Plus street parking along Old Shell
Choose festival and Kids Play Day passes below, or join us for the free tree lighting celebration.
Don't miss the brightest event of the year
A market to wander, a play day for the kids, and a tree lighting to bring everyone together. Pick the pass that fits your day.
Choose your festival pass
$5
General Admission
Entry from 2–6 PM to the market, craft fair, food trucks, and adult entry to Kids Play Day. Children’s play passes sold separately.
$10
Kids Play Day
Cookie decorating, ornaments, crafts, and the free play area.
$15
Ultimate Kids Play Day
All Kids Play Day activities, plus Polar Express, face painting, Nerf War, and inflatables.
$50
VIP Admission
General Admission plus the child-free VIP area, with spirits and snacks from 2–4 PM.
Cookies, ornaments & crafts
Decorate a cookie, make an ornament and bring a little Christmas creativity home.
Face painting
A little color, a big smile. Included with the Ultimate play pass.
Nerf War & Polar Express
Make room for adventure: Nerf War and Polar Express are part of the Ultimate play day.
Inflatables & free play
Bounce, slide and play. Both kids passes include the free play area; Ultimate adds the inflatables.
The Christmas market
Browse local vendors and the craft fair, then stop at the food trucks for something good.
Santa, music & tree lighting
Say hello to Santa, enjoy live music and gather with your neighbors to light up historic Midtown.
Ticket details and checkout are on Zeffy. Tips and donations at checkout are optional. Food purchases are separate.
Run of show
How the day goes
- 2 PM
- The festival opens
Vendors market, craft fair, food trucks and Kids Play Day. Choose your admission and play passes on Zeffy.
- 2–4 PM
- The VIP gathering
Exclusive spirits and snacks in the child-free VIP area, included with VIP Admission.
- 2–6 PM
- The daytime festival
General Admission covers entry during these hours. Children’s play tickets are sold separately.
- Evening
- Lighting up Midtown (main moment)
Gather for the free tree lighting celebration, pictures with Santa and live music.
- 9 PM
- Goodnight
The festival wraps up. Thank you for celebrating with us.
Festival hours are listed on Zeffy. Check back for the exact tree lighting and performance times.
Getting here
We're in the middle of Midtown, on Old Shell Road. If you know the bell tower, you know where you're going.
- Parking
- Free parking on the parish and school lots, plus street parking along Old Shell Road and Providence Street. The lots fill up around the tree lighting, so arriving a little early helps.
- Accessibility
- The pavilion and the market route are flat and paved throughout. Accessible parking is nearest the Old Shell Road entrance.
- Strollers & wagons
- Very welcome — most families bring one. Dogs are better off at home; it gets crowded around the tree.
- Paying for things
- Booths have historically been cash only. Small bills are your friend. We're working on this.
A celebration that gives back
Festival proceeds support St. Mary’s parish and school. Every ticket, donation, and sponsorship helps support the community that brings this day together.
Come for the Christmas memories. Leave knowing you’ve helped the parish and school right here in Midtown.
Learning together at St. Mary’s Catholic School.
Questions people actually ask
- Do I have to be Catholic, or a parishioner?
- No. Genuinely, no. This is a neighbourhood Christmas event that happens to be hosted by a church. Bring whoever you like.
- Which parts are free?
- Entry to the tree lighting celebration is free, and children 2 & under are free. General Admission to the daytime festival is $5. Kids Play Day passes are $10 or $15, and VIP Admission is $50. Food purchases are separate.
- Is there parking?
- Yes — the parish and school lots are open, plus street parking along Old Shell Road and Providence Street. It fills up around the tree lighting, so arriving a little early helps.
- What if it rains?
- The pavilion is covered, and the tree gets lit regardless. A washout year has happened before and we got through it.
- Can I bring a stroller or a wagon?
- Please do — most families bring one. The whole route is flat and paved. Dogs are better off at home.
- How do I sell something at the market?
- Head to the market page. Applications go through a form, and we take makers from all over Mobile and Baldwin County — you don't need any connection to the parish.
Made possible by
This year's sponsors
Star
Presenting sponsor
Bell Tower
Major supporters
Cardinal
Supporting sponsors
Evergreen
Friends of the event
Sample logos shown until this year’s sponsors are confirmed.