2026 Holiday Open House
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Historic Tuscaloosa invites the community to celebrate the holiday season at its annual Holiday Open House on Sunday, December 6, 2026, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. The free event will open five of Historic Tuscaloosa’s historic properties to the public for an afternoon of holiday activities, music and historic exploration.
The Holiday Open House will feature the Old Tavern at 500 Nick’s Kids Avenue; Battle-Friedman House at 1010 Greensboro Avenue; Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion at 1305 Greensboro Avenue; Murphy Collins Museum at 2601 Paul W. Bryant Drive; and McGuire-Strickland House at 2828 6th Street.
Visitors can tour the properties and enjoy festive decorations, children’s activities, live holiday music, free museum access, photos with Santa and more. The event is designed to offer something for visitors of all ages while providing an opportunity for the community to experience some of Tuscaloosa’s most treasured historic landmarks during the holiday season.
Admission is free, and donations are welcome. Contributions help Historic Tuscaloosa continue its mission of preserving and maintaining the city’s historic properties for future generations.
This year’s Holiday Open House also comes as Historic Tuscaloosa prepares for the bicentennial celebration of the Old Tavern in 2027. Built nearly 200 years ago, the Old Tavern is one of Tuscaloosa’s oldest surviving structures and remains an important part of the city’s architectural and cultural heritage.
The Holiday Open House is free and open to the public. Guests are welcome to visit one or all five properties during the event.
Recommended Route for the Historic Tuscaloosa Holiday Open House
Sunday, December 6, 2026 | 2:00–4:00 p.m.
Make the most of your Holiday Open House experience by visiting all five of Historic Tuscaloosa’s historic properties in the recommended order below. This route is designed to help visitors explore the landmarks throughout downtown Tuscaloosa while reducing unnecessary backtracking.
1. Start at the Old Tavern
500 Nick’s Kids Avenue, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Begin your afternoon at the Old Tavern, one of Tuscaloosa’s oldest surviving historic structures. Built in the 1820s, this landmark offers a glimpse into the city’s early days and provides a fitting starting point for your holiday history tour.
2. Continue to the McGuire-Strickland House
2828 6th Street, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Next, visit the McGuire-Strickland House, a historic residence that reflects another chapter of Tuscaloosa’s architectural heritage. Now associated with The Capitol School, this property offers a special opportunity to explore one of the city’s treasured historic homes during the annual Open House.
3. Head to the Murphy Collins Museum
2601 Paul W. Bryant Drive, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
From there, continue to the Murphy Collins Museum, the former home of Will J. Murphy and a landmark dedicated to preserving and sharing African American history. Visitors can learn about the lives, contributions and experiences of African Americans in Tuscaloosa and enjoy a meaningful look at the community’s cultural heritage.
4. Visit the Battle-Friedman House
1010 Greensboro Avenue, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Next, make your way to the Battle-Friedman House, a historic antebellum home known for its period interiors and beautiful gardens. Take time to enjoy the holiday decorations and discover the stories behind this important piece of Tuscaloosa history.
5. Finish at the Jemison–Van de Graaff Mansion
1305 Greensboro Avenue, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Conclude your afternoon at the Jemison–Van de Graaff Mansion, one of Tuscaloosa’s most recognizable historic landmarks. Admire the mansion’s distinctive architecture, explore its festive holiday atmosphere and end your tour surrounded by the history and elegance of this remarkable property.
Make an Afternoon of It!
Admission to the Holiday Open House is free, and visitors are welcome to explore the properties at their own pace during the event. Children’s activities, live holiday music, photos with Santa and other seasonal experiences will add to the festivities. Donations are welcome and support Historic Tuscaloosa’s ongoing preservation efforts.
Planning tip: Five properties are open for just two hours, so plan your stops accordingly and allow time to travel between locations. Because the properties are spread throughout downtown, driving between some stops may be more practical than walking. Check parking availability and allow extra time for holiday traffic. If you want to visit every property, consider keeping each stop relatively brief so you can experience all five before the event ends.
We look forward to welcoming you and your family for an afternoon of history, holiday cheer and community!
For additional information, visit historictuscaloosa.org or contact Historic Tuscaloosa at (205) 758-2238.
The Holiday Open House will feature the Old Tavern at 500 Nick’s Kids Avenue; Battle-Friedman House at 1010 Greensboro Avenue; Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion at 1305 Greensboro Avenue; Murphy Collins Museum at 2601 Paul W. Bryant Drive; and McGuire-Strickland House at 2828 6th Street.
Visitors can tour the properties and enjoy festive decorations, children’s activities, live holiday music, free museum access, photos with Santa and more. The event is designed to offer something for visitors of all ages while providing an opportunity for the community to experience some of Tuscaloosa’s most treasured historic landmarks during the holiday season.
Admission is free, and donations are welcome. Contributions help Historic Tuscaloosa continue its mission of preserving and maintaining the city’s historic properties for future generations.
This year’s Holiday Open House also comes as Historic Tuscaloosa prepares for the bicentennial celebration of the Old Tavern in 2027. Built nearly 200 years ago, the Old Tavern is one of Tuscaloosa’s oldest surviving structures and remains an important part of the city’s architectural and cultural heritage.
The Holiday Open House is free and open to the public. Guests are welcome to visit one or all five properties during the event.
Recommended Route for the Historic Tuscaloosa Holiday Open House
Sunday, December 6, 2026 | 2:00–4:00 p.m.
Make the most of your Holiday Open House experience by visiting all five of Historic Tuscaloosa’s historic properties in the recommended order below. This route is designed to help visitors explore the landmarks throughout downtown Tuscaloosa while reducing unnecessary backtracking.
1. Start at the Old Tavern
500 Nick’s Kids Avenue, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Begin your afternoon at the Old Tavern, one of Tuscaloosa’s oldest surviving historic structures. Built in the 1820s, this landmark offers a glimpse into the city’s early days and provides a fitting starting point for your holiday history tour.
2. Continue to the McGuire-Strickland House
2828 6th Street, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Next, visit the McGuire-Strickland House, a historic residence that reflects another chapter of Tuscaloosa’s architectural heritage. Now associated with The Capitol School, this property offers a special opportunity to explore one of the city’s treasured historic homes during the annual Open House.
3. Head to the Murphy Collins Museum
2601 Paul W. Bryant Drive, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
From there, continue to the Murphy Collins Museum, the former home of Will J. Murphy and a landmark dedicated to preserving and sharing African American history. Visitors can learn about the lives, contributions and experiences of African Americans in Tuscaloosa and enjoy a meaningful look at the community’s cultural heritage.
4. Visit the Battle-Friedman House
1010 Greensboro Avenue, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Next, make your way to the Battle-Friedman House, a historic antebellum home known for its period interiors and beautiful gardens. Take time to enjoy the holiday decorations and discover the stories behind this important piece of Tuscaloosa history.
5. Finish at the Jemison–Van de Graaff Mansion
1305 Greensboro Avenue, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Conclude your afternoon at the Jemison–Van de Graaff Mansion, one of Tuscaloosa’s most recognizable historic landmarks. Admire the mansion’s distinctive architecture, explore its festive holiday atmosphere and end your tour surrounded by the history and elegance of this remarkable property.
Make an Afternoon of It!
Admission to the Holiday Open House is free, and visitors are welcome to explore the properties at their own pace during the event. Children’s activities, live holiday music, photos with Santa and other seasonal experiences will add to the festivities. Donations are welcome and support Historic Tuscaloosa’s ongoing preservation efforts.
Planning tip: Five properties are open for just two hours, so plan your stops accordingly and allow time to travel between locations. Because the properties are spread throughout downtown, driving between some stops may be more practical than walking. Check parking availability and allow extra time for holiday traffic. If you want to visit every property, consider keeping each stop relatively brief so you can experience all five before the event ends.
We look forward to welcoming you and your family for an afternoon of history, holiday cheer and community!
For additional information, visit historictuscaloosa.org or contact Historic Tuscaloosa at (205) 758-2238.
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Where is it happening?
1305 Greensboro Ave, Tuscaloosa, AL, United States, Alabama 35403
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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Host or PublisherHistoric Tuscaloosa
