Monday, Nov. 30
Columbus Tree Lighting — Gather at the east end of the Riverwalk’s Old 82 pedestrian bridge for the official lighting of the community Christmas tree. Festivities are 5:30-7 p.m.; lighting takes place about 6:15 p.m. For more information, contact Main Street Columbus, 662-328-6305.
Starkville Christmas Parade — “A Star Spangled Christmas” is the theme of Starkville’s Christmas parade that begins at 6 p.m. and makes its way through downtown. For more information, contact Main Street Starkville, 662-323-3322.
Tuesday, Dec. 1
Criss Christmas concert — The Starkville-Mississippi State University Symphony Orchestra presents its annual Christmas concert at 7:30 p.m. in Lee Hall’s Bettersworth Auditorium on campus. Free. For more information, email Dr. Michael Brown, [email protected] or call 662-325-3070.
Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 2-3
Holiday Bazaar — This 43rd annual Holiday Bazaar in Starkville is 10 a.m.-7 p.m. at the Starkville Sportsplex, 405 Lynn Lane. More than 90 vendors’ hand-crafted items are featured. For more information, call 662-323-3322 or email [email protected].
Thursday, Dec. 3
Exhibit reception — The Starkville Area Arts Council hosts a reception for its annual Holiday Showcase, 5:30-7 p.m. at the Greater Starkville Development Partnership, 200 Main St., Starkville. Work by 15 area artists is featured. For more information, contact the SAAC, 662-324-3080.
Friday, Dec. 4
Wassail Fest — Downtown Columbus is filled with holiday festivities as merchants court your vote for best wassail from 5-8 p.m. Music, in-store demos, promotions and more. For more information, contact Main Street Columbus, 662-328-6305.
Wassail at The W — Wassailing continues at Mississippi University for Women’s Pohl Gymnasium from 8-10 p.m. Highlights include carriage rides, indoor ice skating area, a Snow Queen, crafts, refreshments and more.
Sunday, Dec. 6
Christmas floral design show — The Columbus Arts Council presents “Christmas All Through the House,” a floral design event with internationally-known designer Ralph Null. Tickets to the 1:30 p.m. program at the Rosenzweig Arts Center are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Arrangements will be auctioned at the end of the presentation. For tickets or information, contact the CAC, 662-328-2787.
Columbus Girlchoir — The Columbus Girlchoir presents a Christmas concert at 3 p.m. in Mississippi University for Women’s Poindexter Hall. Free to the public. Donations are appreciated.
Gospel Harmony Choir — The Mississippi University for Women United Harmony Gospel Choir presents “Singing to Give Back,” a Christmas concert at 5 p.m. in Rent Auditorium on campus. Bring a canned good or other non-perishable food item, socks, blankets, scarves or gloves for CONTACT Helpline to distribute. Call 662-327-2968 for more information.
Holiday Tour of Homes — The Starkville Civic League’s Tour of Homes from 1-5 p.m. features five homes. Refreshments served 1-4:30 p.m. at the Starkville Public Library, 326 University Drive. Get tickets ($20) at the library on tour day, or in advance at the GSDP, 200 E. Main St. For more information, contact Chris Emplaincourt at [email protected], or call 662-323-0711.
Christmas Carol Karaoke — The West Point/Clay County Arts Council hosts this Sundays at The Center program at 2 p.m. at the Louise Campbell Center for the Arts, 235 Commerce St., downtown West Point. Call 662-494-5678 for information.
Monday, Dec. 7
West Point Christmas Parade — West Point’s Christmas Parade, with its “Cajun Christmas” theme, begins at 6:30 p.m. and makes its way through downtown. The city tree lighting is at 6 p.m. For more information, contact the Growth Alliance, 662-494-5121.
Monday, Dec. 7 and Thursday, Dec. 10
CCT auditions — Columbus Community Theatre holds auditions for “The Left Hand Singing” at 6 p.m. at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St. Find play details at columbus-arts.org. Production dates are March 10-12. For more information, call 662-328-2787.
Tuesday, Dec. 8
“Columbus Sings Messiah” — An area mass choir plus orchestra presents “Messiah” at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. at Annunciation Catholic Church, 823 College St., Columbus. Free, but tickets to ensure seating are available at the Columbus-Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau, Tennessee Williams Welcome Center or Party & Paper. For more information, contact First United Methodist Church, 662-328-5252.
Wednesday, Dec. 9
Peking Dreams — Mississippi State’s Lyceum Series presents one of China’s most distinguished circus troupes at 7 p.m. in Lee Hall’s Bettersworth Auditorium on campus. For ticket information, visit lyceum.msstate.edu or call the Center for Student Activities, 662-325-2930.
Thursday, Dec. 10
Festival of Trees — The Columbus-Lowndes Public Library hosts an open house and Festival of Trees from 4-6 p.m., with live music, refreshments and almost two dozen trees decorated by area groups and businesses. For more information, contact the library, 662-329-5300.
Friday through Sunday,
Dec. 11-13
First Christmas — First Baptist Church in Columbus and the Shops at Brickerton present this reenactment of Bethlehem from 6-8 p.m. each evening at the Shops at Brickerton on Military Road, Columbus. The interactive event is for all ages. For more information, contact FBC, 662-328-3915.
Saturday, Dec. 12
Columbus Christmas Parade — The Columbus Christmas Parade begins at 7 p.m. and will travel through downtown Columbus. For more information, contact Main Street Columbus, 662-328-6305.
Sunday, Dec. 13
Christmas Tour of Homes — Five homes – the First United Methodist Parsonage, Highland House, Ole Magnolia, Rosewood Manor and Snowdoun – are open for tour from 5-8 p.m. Tickets $20 ($15 students; $10 ages 5-10) in advance at the First United Methodist Church office or The Fitness Factor, or $25 at the door ($20 students; $15 ages 5-10) at the door. Proceeds benefit the 2016 FUMC Jamaican Missions Trip. For information, call 662-328-5252 or 662-327-6348.
Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 17-19
“Jamz’ Christmas Carol” — Columbus Community Theatre Youth presents this “urban take on the Dickens classic” written and directed by Chelsea Petty, at 7 p.m. nightly, plus a 2 p.m. Saturday matinee at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St. Tickets are $5, available at the center; 662-328-2787, or purchase at columbus-arts.org.
Saturday, Dec. 19
David Phelps in concert — Christian recording artist and Grammy winner David Phelps is featured in “Christmas for Columbus” at Mississippi University for Women’s Rent Auditorium at 7 p.m., presented by First United Methodist Church. An area mass choir performs with Phelps. Tickets are $25 (Artist’s Circle $35) at First United Methodist Church, 602 Main St. and iTickets.com. Concert benefits Good Samaritan Medical Clinic, Helping Hands and Father’s Child Ministry. For information, contact FUMC, 662-328-5252.
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