Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) —  The Wharf in Orange Beach is preparing for a winter filled with seasonal entertainment, outdoor activities, and holiday shopping. Guests can look forward to a real ice skating rink, photo sessions with Santa Claus, and community gatherings throughout the property. The lineup offers family-friendly entertainment on weekdays and weekends for visitors of all ages. Several community activities are free to attend, while select attractions offer individual ticket packages.

Santa Claus will visit The Wharf from Nov. 13 through Dec. 24, appearing on weekends inside the Ice Skating Rink Tent. Regular hours are Fridays from 3 to 6 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m. Children can share their Christmas wishes and hand Santa letters directly in his cozy village. Special holiday hours run Dec. 21–23 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Christmas Eve from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Photo packages are available for purchase, along with advance-reservation VIP Santa Experiences.

The Ice Skating Rink presented by Pepsi opens Nov. 13 and runs through Jan. 18. Located across from Portside at the corner of Main Street and Wharf Lane, the rink accepts all major credit cards. General admission is $15 and includes skate rental. A Combo Pass covering the ice rink and Ferris wheel is $20. A Frequent Skater Pass with 10 admissions is $100, and socks can be purchased for $3 per pair.

From Nov. 13–22, standard skating hours are Monday through Friday, 4 to 10 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sundays, noon to 8 p.m. During Thanksgiving Break (Nov. 23–25 and Nov. 27–28), hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The rink will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26.

Regular operating hours resume Nov. 29 through Dec. 20 (Monday through Friday, 4 to 10 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sundays, noon to 8 p.m.). The holiday schedule continues Dec. 21–23, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Christmas Eve, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. After closing on Christmas Day, the rink reopens Dec. 26, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Dec. 27, noon to 8 p.m.; and Dec. 28–30, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. New Year’s Eve skating runs Dec. 31, 10 a.m. to midnight.

Post-holiday hours run Jan. 1–2 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Jan. 3 from noon to 8 p.m. Regular weekday and weekend schedules return Jan. 4–17 (Monday through Friday, 4–10 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m.–10 p.m.; and Sundays, noon–8 p.m.). The season concludes on Jan. 18 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. A live DJ will perform from 7 to 10 p.m. on select Friday and Saturday nights: Nov. 13, Nov. 20–21, Dec. 4–5, Dec. 11–12, and Dec. 18–19. Special theme nights include Glow Night on Dec. 4, 90's Night on Dec. 11, and Tacky Christmas on Dec. 18.

Black Friday shopping takes place on Nov. 27 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with exclusive promotions at Main Street and Portside boutiques and dining venues. Small Business Saturday follows on Nov. 28 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., offering local gifts and gift cards.

The City of Orange Beach Christmas Tree Lighting takes place on Dec. 1 at 5:30 p.m. on Main Street, with free admission and parking. The event features live musical performances, hot chocolate, the SPECTRA Laser Light Experience, a drone show following the tree lighting, and Santa photos at the Ice Skating Rink until 9:30 p.m.

On Saturday, Dec. 12, the Pepsi-presented Jingle Bell Movie Bash begins at 11 a.m. at Portside on Main. Admission and parking are free. Screenings include:

• Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas
• The Grinch
• National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

The movie celebration features complimentary popcorn and Pepsi products, face painting, snow machines, the Wharf Prize Wheel, and holiday photo stations. Guests are invited to attend in festive pajamas.

Christmas Eve shoppers can take advantage of last-minute retail hours on Dec. 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at participating merchants along Main Street and Portside.