Today
Author’s visit — A book signing with Jill Pascoe for her new book, “Mississippi’s Haunted Mansions,” will be from 3-6 p.m. at the Lincoln Home, 714 Third Ave. S. Several of Columbus’ historic homes are featured in the book. Enjoy refreshments and tour the Lincoln Home and Amzi Love gardens. For more information, contact Brenda Caradine, 662-328-5413.
Monday, Dec. 3
Columbus Christmas Parade — This holiday hallmark through downtown Columbus begins at 7 p.m. and incorporates the theme “Going Green: Recycle, Reuse, Renew.” For more information, contact Main Street Columbus, 662-328-6305.
West Point Christmas Parade — West Point’s parade begins at 6:30 p.m., with the theme “A Christmas Story.” For more information, contact the Growth Alliance, 662-494-5121.
Tuesday, Dec. 4
Swamp Cabbage — The Columbus Arts Council welcomes Walter Parks, Richie Havens’ longtime lead guitarist, back to Columbus, this time with his Swamp Cabbage bandmates and their “swamp boogie blues.” Show time is 7 p.m. in the Rosenzweig Arts Center Omnova Theater, 501 Main St. Tickets are $10 in advance; $12 at the door. For tickets or information, contact the CAC, 662-328-2787.
Criss Christmas concert — The Starkville/MSU Symphony Orchestra Association presents this free Christmas concert at Starkville’s First Baptist Church at 7:30 p.m. Dr. Michael Brown conducts. For more information, visit starkvillemsusymphony.org.
Thursday, Dec. 6
Festival of Trees Open House — The Columbus-Lowndes Public Library, 314 Seventh St. N., hosts an open house from 4-6 p.m. for its Victorian Christmas Festival of Trees. For more information, contact the library at 662-329-5300.
Friday, Dec. 7
Wassail Fest — Catch the holiday spirit at the ninth annual Wassail Fest in downtown Columbus from 5-9 p.m. Numerous businesses will vie your vote as best wassail. Enjoy musical entertainment, special store presentations and the lighting of the city Christmas tree at 6 p.m., next to the Tennessee Williams Welcome Center. For more information, contact Main Street Columbus, 662-328-6305.
Rufus Ward book signing — Historian and author Rufus Ward will attend a book signing at The Commercial Dispatch, 516 Main St., from 5-7 p.m. during Wassail Fest, for his just-released book, “Columbus Chronicles.”
ARTfordable — During Wassail Fest, the Columbus Arts Council’s ARTfordable exhibit and new Gallery 2 sales space opens at the Rosenzweig Arts Center. The CAC Guild and Link’d Young Professionals also present their wreath auction. The drawing for the New York trip being raffled takes place at 6:30 p.m. And bring your cameras for photos with Santa and Miz Claus. For information, call 662-328-2787.
Friday and Sunday,
Dec. 7 and 9
“Home for Christmas” — First Baptist Church in Columbus presents “Home for Christmas: A Story of Lost and Found” Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 9 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. This musical drama features adult and youth choirs, as well as instrumental teams. Free to the public. To make group reservations, contact the church at 662-328-3915.
Saturday, Dec. 8
Farm to Table Bites & Brews — This fundraiser for the Gaining Ground Institute of Mississippi features Chef Ty Thames’ locally-sourced tapas paired with area craft beers, liquors and coffees. The event begins at 6 p.m. in Zorba’s Greek Tavern, above Restaurant Tyler, 100 E. Main St., Starkville. Tickets are $35 in advance, $45 at the door. For tickets or information, contact Mandi Sanders at [email protected].
Saturday and Sunday,
Dec. 8-9
Musical and drama — East End Baptist Church in Columbus presents “Come See the Lamb,” a Christmas musical and drama Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. and Dec. 9 at 4 p.m. at the church located at 380 Highway 50 W. The community is also invited to see the church’s life nativity Dec. 15-16, from 6- 8 p.m. For information, call 662-328-5915.
Sunday, Dec. 9
Christmas Tour of Homes — Six homes at Old Waverly Golf Club in West Point are open for tours from 2-5 p.m., with refreshments at the Old Waverly Clubhouse from 4-6 p.m. Tickets are $30 in advance; $35 on Dec. 9. Get advance tickets at the Growth Alliance, 510 E. Broad St., West Point, or at the Old Waverly Clubhouse and Fore Seasons Shop, Culin-Arts, Petal Pushers and Bits ‘n Pieces in downtown West Point. For more information, contact the Growth Alliance, 662-494-5121.
Tuesday, Dec. 11
Columbus Sings “Messiah” — Singers and orchestra from Columbus and surrounding communities present this treasured Christmas tradition at Annunciation Catholic Church in Columbus, at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. The program is free to the public, but tickets to ensure seating are available in Columbus at First United Methodist Church, Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau and Party & Paper. For those wishing to sing in the production, rehearsal is Monday, Dec. 10, at 7 p.m. at Annunciation. For information, contact First United Methodist Church, 662-328-5252.
Wednesday, Dec. 12
Town and Tower — The Town and Tower Club’s annual Christmas luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m. in Mississippi University for Women’s Hogarth Dining Center. Campus and community service awards will be presented; Christmas music will be by Dr. Judie Granderson Holmes. Call or email Andrea Stevens at 662-329-7148 or [email protected] to make reservations before Dec. 12.
Friday, Dec. 14
Girlchoir concert — The Columbus Girlchoir Christmas Concert begins at 7:30 p.m. in Poindexter Hall on the campus of Mississippi University for Women. The program is free to the public. For more information, contact director Dr. Cherry Dunn, [email protected].
Saturday, Dec. 15
Mistletales — The Columbus Arts Council’s Mistletales from 9 a.m.-noon at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St., includes storytelling, crafts and entertainment for ages 6-12, while parents go shopping. For information, contact the CAC, 662-328-2787.
Miss Farmstead – open house Homestaed Center. S’ville homemade holiday bazaar and open house. msmodernhomestead.com.
Tuesday, Dec. 18
String trio — Take a noon-time break with Tuesday Tunes in the Columbus Arts Council’s Rosenzweig Arts Center gallery. Live music will be by the Sumic String Trio of Lucy and Laura Sandifer on violin and Scott Sandifer on cello. Lunch by Zachary’s will be available ($7). Lunch reservations by Dec. 17 are appreciated. For more information, contact the Columbus Arts Council, 662-328-2787.
Monday, Dec. 31
New Year’s Eve ball drop — Geno and the Mississippi Blues Boys entertain at Columbus’ downtown block party and New Year’s Eve ball drop at Leadership Plaza, at College Street and Fifth Street South. The party from 9 p.m.-12:30 a.m. includes a $500 cash giveaway after the ball drop at midnight. Admission is $5. For more information, contact Main Street Columbus, 662-328-6305.
Ongoing
Historic home tours — Daily tour schedules of some of Columbus’ most historic homes are available from the Tennessee Williams Welcome Center at 300 Main St., or by calling 662-328-0222. Tour fees may apply. Homes open for tours year-round include: Amzi Love Home (c. 1848), Lee Home/Museum (c. 1847), Rosedale (c. 1856), Rosewood Manor (c. 1835), Temple Heights (c. 1837), Tennessee Williams Home (c. 1875), Waverley Mansion (c. 1852) and Whitehall (c. 1843).
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