New Life Baptist Church in Odenville is once again turning its parking lot into a live-action walk through the Christmas story, with Drive Thru Christmas set to run Dec. 11-13 from 6 to 9 p.m. each night, completely free to attend.
The event, confirmed by WBMA, will feature nine scenes depicting the Christmas story and the life of Christ, performed live for drivers as they make their way through the church grounds. New Life Baptist Church sits at 1405 Simpson Road in Odenville, and organizers have built the production into a sizable community production rather than a simple drive-by display.
The church’s roots predate its Odenville address: New Life’s history says it began as Sanie Baptist Church in 1972 with five families, bought the Simpson Road property in 1983 and moved into its Odenville building in 1985. The congregation’s senior pastor is Denny LeCroy, who took the role in 2015 after his father, Norman LeCroy, retired. The event is part of a church with a longstanding local presence.
This year's cast and crew include more than 70 actors, over 20 animals and more than 100 volunteers working together across the three nights, according to the station's report. That kind of scale has made the event a fixture for area families looking for a free, low-key way to take in the holiday season from the comfort of their own vehicle.
The church describes Drive-Thru Christmas as an annual ministry, and its scenes extend beyond the Nativity: actors portray moments from Jesus’ birth, life, trial and resurrection, with a narrator guiding visitors between scenes. That gives the route a broader arc than a conventional seasonal light display, while keeping the presentation accessible to visitors who remain in their vehicles. The church lists the production among its community and faith ministries.
Cocoa and Cookies While You Wait
Guests won't go thirsty or hungry in line. Free coffee, cookies and hot chocolate will be available while visitors wait their turn to drive through the scenes, per the same account.
Organizers say more than 1,000 people attended Drive Thru Christmas in each of the previous two years, according to ABC 33/40, a sign that the event has built a loyal following since it began drawing crowds to the Odenville church. That track record suggests this year's three-night run could see similarly strong turnout, though attendance for the 2026 event has not yet been reported.
What to Expect on Site
The production unfolds entirely from drivers' seats, with the nine scenes staged along a route through the church property each evening between 6 and 9 p.m. The free admission and nightly run spanning Dec. 11-13 make it an easy addition to a busy holiday calendar for families in the St. Clair County area.
The Odenville production is part of a wider holiday calendar in St. Clair County that includes both live performances and drive-through displays. In Pell City, the annual Lights in the Park features Christmas displays created by businesses, churches and individuals for visitors to view by car. The county’s seasonal lineup also includes parades and public gatherings, placing the church’s Bible-story route alongside other holiday attractions across the county.
