Sunday, Dec. 1
Sparkle and Glow — This Columbus Arts Council event on “Holiday Entertaining at its Best” with Amber Card is 2-4 p.m. at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St. Tickets are $35 at columbus-arts.org, at the arts center, or by calling 662-328-2787.
Holiday Market — A family-friendly holiday market from 1-6 p.m. at Rick’s Cafe in Starkville features local art vendors and live music.
Monday, Dec. 2
Columbus Christmas Parade — “Christmas Movie Magic” is the theme of the Columbus Christmas Parade that begins at 7 p.m. and makes its way through downtown Columbus. To sign up or for more information, contact Main Street Columbus, 662-328-6305.
Starkville Christmas Parade — The 6 p.m. Starkville parade celebrates “A Town & Gown Christmas.” For guidelines and more information, visit starkville.org or call 662-323-3322.
Wednesday, Dec. 4
Holiday Decor seminar — Lowndes County Master Gardeners hosts a free Christmas Decor Demonstration seminar from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the Lowndes County Extension Office, 485 Tom Rose Road, Columbus. Topics include centerpieces, door decor, wreaths and tabletop displays. To reserve a seat, contact the Extension Office, 662-328-2111, by Dec. 3.
Thursday, Dec. 5
Town & Tower — The annual Town & Tower holiday luncheon at 11:30 a.m. in The W’s Pope Banquet Room includes presentation of the annual Community Service and Campus Service Awards. Lunch is $15 at the door. RSVP by Dec. 2 to muw.edu/towntower.
Columbus Tree Lighting — Gather at the east end of the Old Highway 182 pedestrian bridge at the Columbus Riverwalk for the lighting of the city Christmas tree. Festivities including music, photo ops and more are 5:30-7 p.m. Free to the public.
MUW choral concert — Mississippi University for Women presents a free concert at 7:30 p.m. in Poindexter Hall on The W campus.
Artesia Christmas Parade — The Artesia Christmas Parade begins at 6 p.m. downtown. Floats, vehicles, band and more are welcome. Cash door prizes will be given away. For information, call 662-272-5104.
Friday, Dec. 6
Wassail Fest — Downtown Columbus is decked out for Christmas with carolers, in-store demos and specials, and samplings of wassail from 5-8 p.m. Vote for your favorite. For more information, contact Main Street Columbus, 662-328-6305.
Friday and Saturday, Dec. 6-7
Holiday Extravaganza — The second annual Holiday Extravaganza, a collaboration between The W’s Departments of Music and Theatre, begins at 7:30 p.m. in Cromwell Theatre on campus, at the corner of 10th Street and Sixth Avenue South. Free tickets are required for admittance and may be requested in advance by emailing [email protected] or calling 662-329-7353, or at the door, if still available.
Friday through Sunday, Dec. 6-8
First Christmas — Bring the whole family to visit this recreation of an interactive Bethlehem village between 6-8 p.m. at Brickerton, on Military Road, Columbus. See village merchants and craftsmen, soldiers and a live nativity at this annual event presented by First Baptist Church. For more information, contact FBC, 662-328-3915.
Saturday, Dec. 7
Caledonia Christmas Parade — “What Christmas Means to Me” is the theme of this 6 p.m. parade in Caledonia. For more information or to request an entry form for floats, organizations, cars and more, contact Duane Perkins, 662-436-1385, or Caledonia Town Hall, 662-356-4117.
Cocktails-n-Culture — The Preservation Society of Columbus hosts a founding members gala at 7 p.m. at historic Riverview, 514 Second St. S., Columbus. Founding membership is $100 per person. For more information, email [email protected] or call 662-889-1145.
Christmas Fest Mission Market — Visit vendors selling crafts, flea market items and food at this benefit for The Mission on the Hill in West Point. Gates open at 2 p.m. at 2494 E. Church Hill Road, West Point. Enjoy kids activities including jumpers, train rides and games. For more information, contact Cole Bryan, 662-701-9852. Visit missiongtr.com.
Sunday, Dec. 8
Book signing — Retired Air Force Colonel and former Vietnam War POW Smitty Harris of Tupelo will sign copies of his book, “Tap Code,” from 2-4 p.m. at the Tennessee Williams Home and Welcome Center, 300 Main St., Columbus. Copies of “Tap Code” will be available for purchase.
Starkville Holiday Tour of Homes — The Starkville Civic League presents this tour of four homes from 1-5 p.m. Tickets are $25 at the Greater Starkville Development Partnership, 200 E. Main St., Starkville, from Civic League members or, on the afternoon of Dec. 8, at Starkville Public Library. The library hosts a reception from 1-4 p.m. on tour day.
Merry Christmas Columbus — This 5:30 p.m. presentation titled “A Night at Aunt Tilly’s Country Kitchen” combines music and drama at Fairview Baptist Church, 127 Airline Road, Columbus. Free. All are welcome.
Monday, Dec. 9
West Point Christmas Parade — “Christmas in Paradise” is the theme for this parade that begins at 6:30 p.m. and will go down Commerce Street and Main Street in West Point. The city Christmas tree lighting will be at 6 p.m. For more information, contact the Growth Alliance, 662-494-5121.
Tuesday, Dec. 10
Columbus Sings “Messiah” — This annual presentation of portions of Handel’s “Messiah” by a regional choir and orchestra is 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. at Annunciation Catholic Church, 823 College St., Columbus. Free tickets to ensure seating are available at Visit Columbus, the Columbus Arts Council, Impressions by Susan and the Tennessee Williams Home and Welcome Center.
Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 11-12
Holiday Bazaar — Sixty-five vendors from throughout the Southeast will set up at this annual bazaar from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. at The Mill, 600 Russell St., Starkville. For more information, contact Paige Watson at The Partnership, 662-323-3322.
Thursday, Dec. 12
Festival of Trees — The Columbus-Lowndes Public Library hosts an open house from 4-6 p.m. at 314 Seventh St. N. Enjoy refreshments, music and crafts while viewing trees decorated by local organizations and businesses, on display now. Vote for your favorite through noon Dec. 11. For more information, contact the library, 662-329-5300.
Sunday, Dec. 15
White Christmas Pageant — Columbus’ First United Methodist Church, 602 Main St., hosts its 103rd White Christmas pageant at 5 p.m., featuring drama, choral music and orchestra. The service with a mission emphasis encourages all attending to bring gifts of canned foods (or monetary gifts) wrapped in white, to bring to the altar area during the service. After the pageant, help assemble food baskets in the Family Life Center.
Friday, Dec. 20
Celtic Christmas — The Columbus Arts Council presents a Celtic Christmas concert with Jil Chambless, Ed Miller and Scooter Muse at 7 p.m. at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St. Advance tickets are $15 for CAC members, $17 non-members. Day-of-show tickets are $17, if available. Limited seating. Get tickets at columbus-arts.org, or by calling 662-328-2787 (closed Mondays).
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