There’s much to do in and around downtown Hattiesburg this holiday season! We’ve rounded up all the holiday events for you to make planning your holiday fun a little easier.
UPCOMING HOLIDAY EVENTS:
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Shop Small Saturday (Nov. 26) Lucky Rabbit – Open 9AM – 6PM
Blooms Company – Open 10AM – 6PM – Santa sessions in the garden with Shea Gibson Photography
Walnut Gifts & Stationery – Open 10AM – 2PM – Restocked on all holiday shirts
Sage Den – Open 12PM – 8PM – 10% off entire store; select items 50% off
fivetwentyfive – Open 10AM – 6PM
Go Young Fashions – Open 9AM – 5PM
Sacks Outdoors – Open 10AM – 6PM
Twin Forks Wine & Provisions – Open 10AM – 6:30PM
Author Shoppe – Open 8:30AM – 8:00PM – T.K. Lee book signing at 10AM
Main Street Books – Open 10AM – 4PM – Creative Christmas Keepsakes Workshop 2:00 PM – 3:30PM
Hattiesburg Community Arts Center – Arts Market – 10:00AM – 4PM
Oddfellows Gallery – Open 11AM – 5PM
McKenzie’s on Main – Open 10AM – 4PM
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HCAC Holiday Art Market (Nov. 26) This event engages locals and visitors to take part in Hattiesburg’s creative economy, while celebrating local artists! The HCAC Holiday Art Market is the perfect place to explore local art and support small businesses! |
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Christmas Keepsakes Workshop (Nov. 26, Dec. 3, Dec. 10, Dec 13) Join Main Street Books in creating memorable holiday keepsakes including ornaments and Christmas platters. Tickets to this event are $50 and can be purchased at mainstreetbooksandpottery.com or through their Facebook Event. |
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USM Holiday Choral Spectacular (Nov. 29 & Dec. 1) The School of Music presents the Holiday Choral Spectacular featuring Choral Activities, the USM Symphony Orchestra and guest middle/high school singers. |
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72nd Annual Hattiesburg Jaycees Christmas Parade (Dec. 1) |
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Hattiesburg Tree Lighting (Dec. 1) The lighting will include live musical performances, followed by a countdown that will turn on all lights in Town Square Park, including the city’s tree. Additional activities include photo opportunities with Santa and Mrs. Clause in Santa’s Village and food and beverage vendors. Several downtown Hattiesburg businesses will also be open. The event theme this year is “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” Follow the City of Hattiesburg on Facebook for more information. |
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First Saturday (Dec. 3) |
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The Meistersingers “Messiah” (Dec. 3) The Meistersingers Chorus will be joined by soloists Stacey Trenteseaux (soprano), Myka Murphy (mezzo-soprano), Derek Meler (tenor), and Paul Houghtaling (baritone), as well as members of the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, and Jay Dean, conductor, for a special performance of Handel’s Messiah (Part 1, plus additional; excerpts.). Handel’s Messiah, one of the most-performed works in musical history, is a musical commentary on the Nativity, Passion, Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus Christ. It begins with God’s promises through the prophets and ends with Christ’s glorification in heaven. This performance will be the traditional Christmas portion (Part I) which is about the birth of Christ, plus “The Trumpet Shall Sound,” “Worthy Is the Lamb,” and, of course, the world famous “Hallelujah Chorus.” Messiah is the most often performed oratorio of all time!
Tickets are $25 and available now. Purchase through the ticket link or by visiting www.meistersingersofms.com. Facebook Event
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World Ballet Series: Nutcracker (Dec. 6) Step into the whimsical, magical world of one of the most beloved fairy tales, coming to the Hattiesburg Saenger Theater this Holiday Season! A part of the World Ballet Series, the Nutcracker is performed live by a multinational cast of 50 professional ballet dancers gathered to bring the most beloved holiday tradition to life. A family-friendly experience accompanied by Tchaikovsky’s timeless score, over 150 hand-sewn costumes, hand-crafted sets and classic Marius Petipa choreography. This fairytale will take you on a Christmas night adventure with Clara and the Nutcracker to the Land of Sweets. See the iconic Waltz of Flowers, and the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, meet Mother Ginger and the Drosselmeyer.
Snag your tickets early for this unforgettable experience! Facebook Event |
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A Tuna Christmas (Dec. 8-10) Following their series of acclaimed plays, Steel Magnolias and The Play That Goes Wrong, this holiday sensation is a send-up of small-town life as they prepare for the holidays. Returning to the stage are two of the stars of this summer’s FestivalSouth opener, Joe Van Zandt and Nolan Lee, who take on the tour de force roles of a lifetime playing ALL of the 20+ residents of this fictional town of Tuna, Texas.
The production is directed by Mike Lopinto with the Hub City Players team including Tammy Mansfield, costumes; Wes Hanson, set design; Samantha Clark, stage manager; Patricia Garner and Sara Hale.
Tickets and more information are available at hubcityplayers.com. |
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Downtown Candlelit Christmas (Dec. 10) Specials to be announced soon. |
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The Mice Before Christmas (Dec. 10) More to be announced soon. |
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HCAC Holiday Art Market (Dec. 10) This event engages locals and visitors to take part in Hattiesburg’s creative economy, while celebrating local artists! The HCAC Holiday Art Market is the perfect place to explore local art and support small businesses!
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Sixth Street Museum District Open House (Dec. 10) On Saturday, December 10th, the Sixth Street Museum District will celebrate the sights
 and sounds of Christmas. Our Christmas Open House will be held from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at both the African American Military History Museum (USO) and Smith Drug Co.African American Military History Museum:
305 E. Sixth Street
– Christmas Carolers
– Pictures with Santa Claus
– Special Christmas tour of the Museum
– Holiday Arts & Crafts Project Station
– Complimentary Gift Wrap Station
Smith Drug Co.:
606 Mobile Street
– Storytime with Mrs. Claus
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Victorian Candlelit Christmas (Dec. 10 – 11) The Annual Victorian Candlelit Christmas is a longtime, 2-day holiday favorite event that draws hundreds of visitors from across the region, to explore the spectacle of 15,000 white bags with flickering candles, lining the sidewalks of the Historic Neighborhood and the Downtown District. Experience the nostalgia of a simpler time as you walk along streets lined with luminaries and more than 300 homes and businesses decorated for the holidays with garlands, bows and twinkling lights. In the neighborhood, visitors can enjoy the popular horse-drawn carriage rides, the holiday tour of historic homes, refreshments at the Walthall, and carolers throughout the district. Additionally, throughout downtown visitors will enjoy shopping, eating and browsing through unique shops, galleries and holiday “pop-up” arts markets all with extended hours for this event. The center of activities in the Historic Neighborhood will be The Walthall Center at the Walthall Condominiums, one block west of Bay Street on Rebecca Avenue, between Court and Walnut streets. The carriage rides and parking shuttle will leave from this location. All entertainment, refreshments, and tickets for both the carriage rides and Tour of Homes will be available at Walthall Center from 5 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. each night. Candlelighting started in Hattiesburg Historic Neighborhood District in 1976 as a way to celebrate the nation’s bicentennial as well as to draw attention to the renovation going on in the district, characterized by homes built between 1884 and 1930. |
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A Carey Christmas (Dec. 11 & 12) This concert will put you in the Christmas spirit with collections of Christmas music. “Love Came Down at Christmas” featuring the Worship Choir and Orchestra of William Carey University and will highlight the Carey Ballet Department as well as the Laurel Ballet Academy. Sunday, Dec. 11: 3PM — 4:30PM
Sunday, Dec. 11: 7PM — 8PM
Monday, Dec. 12: 7PM — 8PM
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A Very SoPro Christmas (Dec. 16) Come celebrate with Southern Prohibition for their annual Holiday party. Dirty Santa (10$ and less), Karaoke, and Libations. |
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SMBT Nutcracker Ballet at USM (Dec. 16 – 17) South Mississippi Ballet Theatre, a pre-professional classical ballet company, brings a holiday classic to the MPAC stage. Come see this beloved story of a young German girl who dreams of a Nutcracker Prince and a fierce battle against a Mouse King with seven heads performed live! |
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Midnight on Front Street (Dec. 31) The event will include live music, food vendors and the dropping of the iconic Hub Sign at midnight followed by a fireworks show. DJ Kujho will also be back for his third appearance to serve as the event’s emcee/DJ, in addition to a lineup to be announced soon. Follow the City of Hattiesburg on Facebook for more information. |
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