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, mbrown@colled.msstate.edu 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 jprather@starkville.org.
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 emplaincourt1882@gmail.com, 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.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
