It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas all over Gulf Shores.

The concept of a Christmas on the Beach parade and event at Gulf Place in Gulf Shores moved one step closer to becoming a reality with the city council granting an assembly permit to the Special Events Department for a Dec. 4 date.

The event, which would begin with a Christmas parade starting at the intersection of West 18th Street and Alabama 59 going to East Gulf Place on East First Street, would also include special holiday performances by the high school chorus, inflatables on the beach, opportunities for children to mail letters to Santa, refreshments, a live nativity scene and petting zoo, a team of Clydesdales and, of course, Jolly Ol’ Saint Nicholas.

Pictures with Santa will also be part of the festivities.

“This will be in addition to the Thursday night event which is our normal open house which takes place at our civic center, museum and library,” said Grant Brown, Director of Recreation and Cultural Arts. “We will proceed with that function as planned with the only difference being that the main tree lighting would be moved from that event to the beach.”

According to Brown, the parade will begin at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 4, and is expected to be supported well by those in the community.

“We have put feelers out in the community and have had a great response so far from the schools and others in the city who have expressed interest in being part of the parade,” Brown said.

“When we get to the beach we will have some fun things such as a snow machine, a 30-foot tall Christmas tree which we will light, and craft events for the children. It will be just a fun time at the beach.”

Brown said that, as far as expenses go, the money needed to make this event happen could be absorbed by this years operating budget.

“We have been able to save some money, particularly the $12,000 that we did not have to spend on the barge for the July Fourth fireworks, and within our recreation department we still have some funding available as well. We feel that we have enough money to do a good, first-year, Christmas event.”

Council members seemed excited that the event would be a great addition to the city’s holiday festivities.

“This has been very well thought out and very well planned. I think this will be a huge event,” said Councilman Steve Jones.