🎉 Ring in the New Year

Happy Tuesday!

I hope all 21,830 of you are having a great day so far!

NYE is this Wednesday and there’s tons of events happening. Be sure to scroll to the event calendar section at the end of the newsletter for a full rundown.

Also, if you missed our January event calendar, you can find it here.

Let’s get to it!

🚀 Taking Flight

🎉 Ring in the New Year… at Noon!

The Orion Amphitheater is hosting a New Year’s at Noon celebration designed for families who don’t want to stay up late!

This free, family-friendly event kicks off at 10 AM and leads up to a noon countdown, letting kids enjoy the excitement of a New Year celebration earlier in the day.

Cartoon characters and local mascots, including Bluey, will be making appearances, making it especially fun for younger kids. Oh, and the best part is that it’s completely FREE!

🎄 Operation Christmas Cleanup

Operation Christmas Cleanup is back, offering an easy way to dispose of holiday waste. The annual event allows residents to recycle live Christmas trees, cardboard boxes, batteries, and old electronics in one stop.

Trees are recycled into mulch or compost, keeping waste out of landfills and benefiting the local community. Drop-off takes place Friday, January 18, from 8 AM to 1 PM at John Hunt Park or Madison City Schools Stadium on Celtic Drive.

Trees must be free of lights and decorations. Artificial trees, wrapping paper, and packaging materials are not accepted, but everything else you’ve been holding onto can finally be cleared out!

❤️ Manna House Lifts Up Huntsville Over the Holidays

During the holidays, Manna House served Huntsville families at full speed, with volunteers distributing food, essentials, and Christmas gifts throughout the season.

On busy days, families lined up for groceries while parents were able to choose meaningful gifts for their children through the Christmas Blessing program, including books, games, and toys.

Despite how busy it is, Director Fran Fluhler can often be found stopping to pray for families. Many of the volunteers were once recipients themselves and now return to serve others. Huntsville is better because of Manna House and if you'd like to serve or donate you can find more info here.

TOGETHER WITH THE BROADWAY THEATRE LEAGUE

🔥 Tony-Winning Hadestown Coming to Huntsville

What if one song could change everything? That’s the question at the heart of Hadestown, the unforgettable musical coming to town in January courtesy of Broadway Theatre League.

This Tony Award-winning show reimagines two powerful Greek myths into a haunting, hopeful love story, blending folk, jazz, and soul music with stunning visuals.

It follows Orpheus and Eurydice on a journey to the underworld, while also telling the story of Hades and Persephone. It’s emotional, beautifully staged, and the kind of show that stays with you long after the curtain falls.

There will be five showings at the VBC January 9–11. Tickets tend to go fast, so this is one you’ll want to plan ahead for and grab your seats soon.

P.S. Want to partner with Huntsville Explorer and reach 21,000+ locals? Fill out this form.

👨‍🚀 Blast Off

📆 7 Things To Do This Weekend

⛸ Skating in the Park

Open Through January 4 | Big Spring Park | $5+ | More Info

This is your final chance to hit the ice downtown this season. Bundle up, lace up, and enjoy one last spin before the rink closes for the year!

🌌 Cocktails & Cosmos

January 2 | 7 PM | U.S. Space & Rocket Center | $20 | More Info

Learn how to spot stars, planets, and galaxies during this guided planetarium experience that proves science can be fun!

🎉 Battle for Bama: Havoc vs. Bulls

January 2 | 7 PM | VBC | $20+ | More Info

Cheer on the Huntsville Havoc as they take on the Birmingham Bulls. You might even score a rivalry T-shirt while you’re there!

🏃Hays Farm Park Run

January 3 | 7:30 AM | Hays Farm | Free | More Info

Start your weekend on a healthy note with this free, welcoming community run. You can walk, jog, or sprint!

🍝 Hands-On Pasta Class

January 3 | 11 AM | The Boot Pizzeria | $90 | More Info

Roll up your sleeves and learn how to make fresh pasta from scratch. You’ll get expert instruction, a delicious experience, and can bring a guest along for free!

🎸 Ultimate Elvis Birthday Experience

January 3 | 7 PM | Mark C. Smith Concert Hall | $60+ | More Info

Four world-renowned Elvis tribute artists take the stage to celebrate the King’s birthday, joined by a special guest straight from Elvis’ own backing group!

🎶 Sweet Baby James: James Taylor Tribute

January 3 | 7:30 PM | Von Braun Center | More Info

If you’re craving a laid-back night of timeless music, this James Taylor tribute hits all the right notes!

🧩 Big Spring Park Puzzles Have Arrived

Our Big Spring Park puzzles have arrived and the look AMAZING! My garage is full of boxes and I’m ready to send them out!

The puzzle is 500 pieces and is made out of a high quality blue board material. So the pieces are super thick and durable.

I sent one off to my 89-year-old grandma to work (she’s a puzzle master) and she gave it five out of five stars!

Grab yours here and help me clear out my garage!

🎵 Live Music Lowdown

Thank you to our friends at Stovehouse for making this section possible! Click here to see all of their upcoming events!

📆 Explore the Rocket City

Wednesday, December 31

• New Years at Noon at The Orion Amphitheater: Family-friendly noon countdown with local mascots, music, dancing, and a sparkling cider toast!

• HSO Presents A Symphonic Toast at Mark C. Smith Concert Hall: Ring in the New Year with orchestral pops and cinematic favorites!

• Midnight Luxe NYE 2026 at Huntsville Marriott: Sophisticated NYE party with DJs, dancing, champagne, hors d’oeuvres, and more!

• Lights, Glamour, Garden at Botanical Garden: Old Hollywood-themed NYE with live jazz, hors d’oeuvres, illuminated strolls, and a champagne toast!

• Meridian Street NYE Party at Furniture Factory Downtown: Rocket City Honky Tonk and Furniture Factory are teaming up for the ultimate NYE party!

• NYE Salsa Party at Campus 805: A spectacular night that includes the classic New Year's Eve glamour plus favorite Baila Huntsville traditions!

• Astro Nights: COUNTDOWN at VBC Mars Music Hall: High-energy New Year's Eve countdown party with music, dancing, and visuals!

• NYE Countdown at The Camp: Ring in 2026 with a $1,000 balloon drop, live music, drinks, and more!

• 2026 POP! NYE Party at The Electric Belle: Every hour of the night brings a new POP, including cash-filled balloons!

• New Year's Eve Mix Night at Campus 805: Dance through decades with lasers, music, and immersive visuals!

• After Hours at the North Pole at Nitro Tales: A NYE party filled with music, magic, and midnight sparkle!

• Après-Ski New Year’s Eve at Providence Bar: The space is transforming into a vintage ski lodge for NYE!

• New Year’s Party at Field Day: Free karaoke, champagne toast, giveaways, music, and a midnight ball drop!

• Casino Royale: Après-Midnight at The Blind Tiger: Bond-themed NYE with casino games, DJ, champagne, and prizes!

• NYE Godzilla Marathon at Lowe Mill: Catch four Godzilla films back-to-back for epic New Year’s celebration!

• Stranger Dance Party at Lowe Mill: Go deep into the Upside Down with strange monsters, eerie sights, and mind-flaying 80s nostalgia!

• Katherine Blanford at Huntsville Levity Live: Enjoy southern comedy and laugh along to family secrets, awkward teen stories, and hilarious observations!

Thursday, January 1

• First Day of 2026 Hike at Monte Sano State Park: Join the Land Trust of North AL for a 1.9-mile beginner-friendly hike to kick off the New Year!

• New Year’s Day Pop-Up at Campus 805: Kick off 2026 with a free class from Burn Boot Camp!

Friday, January 2

• Huntsville Havoc vs. Birmingham Bulls at VBC Propst Arena: Cheer on the Havoc as they take on the Birmingham Bulls during Battle for Bama night!

• Get a Tape at Shenanigans Comedy Theatre: Comics deliver polished, no-fluff sets recorded for festivals and television submissions!

• Happy Hour Painting at Pinot's Palette Huntsville: Guided painting class with drinks, fun, and creativity!

• Clayton English at Huntsville Levity Live: Stand-up comedy from NBC’s Last Comic Standing winner, TV, and festival veteran.

Want to see more upcoming events or add an event to the calendar? Click here.

Thanks for making it to the end!

I’ll be back in your inbox on Friday!