There’s no better way to get into the holiday spirit than with a little festive fun. And while Christmas parades and light displays may be your go-to options, they’re not your only options. Places all across the state, from farms to museums, have holiday-themed events scheduled throughout December that are guaranteed to help you enjoy the most wonderful time of the year; here are 10 of our favorites.
- Mississippi Industrial Heritage Museum, Meridian
Visit Meridian/Facebook As the last intact steam engine factory in the entire country, a visit to this Meridian museum is a great experience year-round; however, if you visit during the holidays, you’ll be in for a real treat. Each December, the museum transforms into Santa’s Christmas Factory, complete with holiday decorations and lights, festive music, a train ride for kids, and snow-covered play area. For more information, click here.
- Hattiesburg Zoo, Hattiesburg
Hattiesburg Zoo/Facebook See the zoo in a whole new light…literally! On select nights in December, the Hattiesburg Zoo will host its Zoo Lights and Holiday Market. During the annual event, the zoo is adorned in plenty of sparkling lights and festive decorations, creating the perfect scene for all sorts of Christmas fun, including a vendor market, train and carousel rides, hot cocoa, mulled wine, and appearances by Mr. and Mrs. Claus. For more information, click here.
- Lynn Meadows Discovery Center, Gulfport
Lynn Meadows Discovery Center/Facebook This Gulfport gem holds amazing events all year long, and December is no different. Holiday-themed activities are planned throughout the month and include everything from Christmas Storytime to the Gingerbread House Family Decorating Workshop. For more information, click here.
- Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, Jackson
Mississippi Museum of Natural Science/Facebook On December 9th, from 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm, this Jackson museum will be hosting Cajun Christmas. The holiday fun includes an interactive storytelling of “Cajun Night Before Christmas,” up-close encounters with swamp animals and the Christmas Gator, crafts, live holiday music, and photo-ops with Santa. As an added bonus, Santa plans to dive into the aquarium! For more information, click here.
- Cedar Hill Farm, Hernando
Cedar Hill Farm/Facebook Head to Cedar Hill Farm between now and December 18th for the chance to enjoy a meal with Santa Claus himself. Choose between a southern-style breakfast or catfish dinner – either way, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to take photos with Santa. For more information, click here.
- Landrum’s Homestead and Village, Laurel
Landrum’s Homestead and Village/Facebook A replica of a late-1800s settlement, a visit to Landrum’s Homestead and Village is truly a unique experience. Turn that experience into a magical one by visiting the Laurel gem during the Christmas Candlelight Tour, which is scheduled for December 17th from 4:30 pm to 8:00 pm. The old-fashioned Christmas celebration includes plenty of activities, including tours of the village, Christmas music, food, photos with Santa, wagon rides, gem mining, marshmallow roasting, a bonfire, funnel cakes, and hot chocolate. For more information, click here.
- McRaven, Vicksburg
mcraventourhome.com The last place you’d expect to find some holiday cheer is at the most haunted home in the state, but that’s exactly the case with McRaven. Visit the infamous home between now and January 1st (except for Christmas day) and you can take part in the Walking Holiday Spectacular. The family-friendly event begins at McRaven and includes an hour-long tour of the historic home, along with plenty of heartwarming Christmas stories. A perfect tradition to add to your holiday bucket list, tours take place nightly from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm. For more information, click here.
- Grand Bay Nation Estuarine Research Reserve, Moss Point
Grand Bay Nation Estuarine Research Reserve/Facebook If it’s fun and free you’re after, you’ll want to check out the Annual Star Party at the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Scheduled for December 17th from 5:00 pm to 9:15 pm, the annual event features a hay ride, telescopes for viewing a meteor shower, crafts for kids of all ages, a cookie decorating station, and hot chocolate. For more information, click here.
- The University of Mississippi, Oxford
fordcenter.org Soak up the true meaning of the season with a visit to the University of Mississippi’s Gingerbread Village, which supports area food banks. Each Christmas season, visitors are invited to the university’s Ford Center to tour a magical village made of gingerbread. Touring the village is free; however, visitors are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item. Explore the magical village on weekdays, from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm between December 1st and 16th. For more information, click here.
- Lazy Acres, Chunky
Lazy Acres Plantation LLC/Facebook Head to this farm during the holiday season and you can take a magical hayride through thousands of twinkling lights and a variety of festive scenes. Make the experience extra special by visiting the farm on December 10th, for Breakfast with Santa. For more information, click here.
Have you ever visited any of the places above? What would you add to this list? Tell us in the comments section!
Visit Meridian/Facebook
As the last intact steam engine factory in the entire country, a visit to this Meridian museum is a great experience year-round; however, if you visit during the holidays, you’ll be in for a real treat. Each December, the museum transforms into Santa’s Christmas Factory, complete with holiday decorations and lights, festive music, a train ride for kids, and snow-covered play area. For more information, click here.
Hattiesburg Zoo/Facebook
See the zoo in a whole new light…literally! On select nights in December, the Hattiesburg Zoo will host its Zoo Lights and Holiday Market. During the annual event, the zoo is adorned in plenty of sparkling lights and festive decorations, creating the perfect scene for all sorts of Christmas fun, including a vendor market, train and carousel rides, hot cocoa, mulled wine, and appearances by Mr. and Mrs. Claus. For more information, click here.
Lynn Meadows Discovery Center/Facebook
This Gulfport gem holds amazing events all year long, and December is no different. Holiday-themed activities are planned throughout the month and include everything from Christmas Storytime to the Gingerbread House Family Decorating Workshop. For more information, click here.
Mississippi Museum of Natural Science/Facebook
On December 9th, from 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm, this Jackson museum will be hosting Cajun Christmas. The holiday fun includes an interactive storytelling of “Cajun Night Before Christmas,” up-close encounters with swamp animals and the Christmas Gator, crafts, live holiday music, and photo-ops with Santa. As an added bonus, Santa plans to dive into the aquarium! For more information, click here.
Cedar Hill Farm/Facebook
Head to Cedar Hill Farm between now and December 18th for the chance to enjoy a meal with Santa Claus himself. Choose between a southern-style breakfast or catfish dinner – either way, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to take photos with Santa. For more information, click here.
Landrum’s Homestead and Village/Facebook
A replica of a late-1800s settlement, a visit to Landrum’s Homestead and Village is truly a unique experience. Turn that experience into a magical one by visiting the Laurel gem during the Christmas Candlelight Tour, which is scheduled for December 17th from 4:30 pm to 8:00 pm. The old-fashioned Christmas celebration includes plenty of activities, including tours of the village, Christmas music, food, photos with Santa, wagon rides, gem mining, marshmallow roasting, a bonfire, funnel cakes, and hot chocolate. For more information, click here.
mcraventourhome.com
The last place you’d expect to find some holiday cheer is at the most haunted home in the state, but that’s exactly the case with McRaven. Visit the infamous home between now and January 1st (except for Christmas day) and you can take part in the Walking Holiday Spectacular. The family-friendly event begins at McRaven and includes an hour-long tour of the historic home, along with plenty of heartwarming Christmas stories. A perfect tradition to add to your holiday bucket list, tours take place nightly from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm. For more information, click here.
Grand Bay Nation Estuarine Research Reserve/Facebook
If it’s fun and free you’re after, you’ll want to check out the Annual Star Party at the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Scheduled for December 17th from 5:00 pm to 9:15 pm, the annual event features a hay ride, telescopes for viewing a meteor shower, crafts for kids of all ages, a cookie decorating station, and hot chocolate. For more information, click here.
fordcenter.org
Soak up the true meaning of the season with a visit to the University of Mississippi’s Gingerbread Village, which supports area food banks. Each Christmas season, visitors are invited to the university’s Ford Center to tour a magical village made of gingerbread. Touring the village is free; however, visitors are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item. Explore the magical village on weekdays, from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm between December 1st and 16th. For more information, click here.
Lazy Acres Plantation LLC/Facebook
Head to this farm during the holiday season and you can take a magical hayride through thousands of twinkling lights and a variety of festive scenes. Make the experience extra special by visiting the farm on December 10th, for Breakfast with Santa. For more information, click here.
Looking for more festive fun? Check out “The Magical Polar Express Train Ride In Mississippi Everyone Should Experience At Least Once.”
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