Tuesday through Saturday, Nov. 18-22
“A Party to Murder” — Starkville Community Theatre presents this comedic play by Marcia Kash at 7:30 p.m. nightly at the Playhouse on Main, 108 E. Main St. in Starkville. Tickets are $15; $10 for students. Advance tickets recommended. For more information, call the box office, 662-323-6855.
Thursday, Nov. 20
Praise and Thanksgiving Service — This annual community observance is hosted by the Christian Community in Prayer committee from noon to 12:45 p.m. at the Frank P. Phillips Y, 602 Second Ave. N., in Columbus. Lt. Clint Sims of the Lowndes Sheriff’s Office will speak. All are welcome. For more information, contact Glenn Lautzenhiser, 662-327-6962.
Luncheon with Books — Friends of West Point’s Bryan Public Library present authors and twin sisters Katherine and Margaret King of Oxford at noon. Lunch is $6. Contact the library for more information, 662-494-4872.
Saturday, Nov. 22
Holiday Farmers’ Market — Find local art, jewelry, baked goodies, foods, crafts and more at the seventh annual Holiday Market from 9 a.m.-noon at the Hitching Lot Farmers’ Market at the corner of Second Avenue and Second Street North, Columbus. Visit columbusmainstreet.com or contact Main Street Columbus, 662-328-6305.
Sunday, Nov. 23
Holiday Floral Designs — Internationally-known floral designer Ralph Null presents a Floral Design Show at 2 p.m. at the Columbus Arts Council’s Rosenzweig Arts Center. Permanent and fresh Thanksgiving and Christmas arrangements will be available in a silent auction. Proceeds support the CAC’s youth and special needs art programs. Tickets $20 in advance at the arts center, 501 Main St.; $25 at the door. Call 662-328-2787.
MSU Libraries “Home for the Holidays” — This event from 2-5 p.m. includes live music, kids’ crafts and exhibits. Authors and craftsmen will be on hand. An 1868 oil painting of U.S.S. Grant will be unveiled at 3:30 p.m. The “Bulldog Hospitality” cookbook will be sold ($10). For more information, call 662-325-2559.
Monday, Dec. 1
Columbus Tree Lighting — Gather at the east end of the renovated Old Tombigbee Bridge at the Riverwalk for the official lighting of Columbus’ Christmas tree, visits with Santa and Miz Claus, carols, children’s crafts and refreshments. Activities are 5:30-7 p.m. For more information, contact Main Street Columbus, 662-328-6305.
Starkville Christmas Parade — “Miracle on Main Street” is the theme of this parade at 6 p.m. featuring the Famous Maroon Band, MSU cheerleaders and floats.
Tuesday, Dec. 2
Christmas train — The Kansas City Southern’s Holiday Express stops in West Point at the Sam Wilhite Museum, 201 Depot Drive, for stationary tours and visits with Santa, beginning at 4 p.m. Admission is free to this six-car train featuring Santa’s sleigh, elves’ workshop, reindeer stable and a miniature village. For information, contact the Growth Alliance, 662-494-5121.
Criss Christmas concert — The Starkville-MSU Symphony Association presents a holiday concert at 7:30 p.m. in Lee Hall’s Bettersworth Auditorium on the Mississippi State campus. Admission is free. visit starkvillesymphony.org.
Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 3-4
42nd annual Holiday Bazaar — Visit more than 90 vendors with hand-crafted items at the Starkville Sportsplex, 405 Lynn Lane, from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. For more information, contact the Starkville Main Street Association, 662-323-3322, or email [email protected].
Friday, Dec. 5
Wassail Fest — Don’t miss this annual wassail tasting and festive outing in downtown Columbus from 5-8 p.m. Vote for your favorite wassailmeister and enjoy music, holiday activities and seasonal shopping. Contact Main Street Columbus for more information, 662-328-6305.
Christmas at The W — After Wassail Fest, Mississippi University for Women continues festivities on campus from 8-10 p.m. with carolers, kids’ crafts and more in Pohl Gym, plus carriage rides on campus. For more information, call 662-329-7148 or email [email protected].
Partial to Home — Following Wassail Fest, the Columbus Arts Council presents an evening of music with Paul Brady, Alicia Harper, Bo Jeffares, Dale Robertson and Roger Truesdale at 8 p.m. in the Rosenzweig Arts Center Omnova Theater. Tickets are $10 in advance; $12 at the door. Contact the CAC, 662-328-2787.
West Point Tree Lighting — Attend the lighting of West Point’s Christmas Tree at 5:30 p.m. in Sally Kate Winters Park, followed by a movie in the park at 6 p.m. For more information, contact the Growth Alliance, 662-494-5121.
Monday, Dec. 8
West Point Christmas Parade — “Candyland” is the theme of West Point’s parade, which begins at 6:30 p.m. downtown. For more information, contact the Growth Alliance, 662-494-5121.
Tuesday, Dec. 9
Columbus Sings “Messiah” — A combined choir and orchestra present the Christmas portion of Handel’s “Messiah” at Annunciation Catholic Church, 823 College St., at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. (A single rehearsal will be held Dec. 8 at 7 p.m.) Admission is free, but tickets are needed to ensure seating. Get them at Party & Paper, the Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Tennessee Williams Welcome Center. For information, contact Elizabeth Swartz, 662-328-5252.
Wednesday, Dec. 10
Luncheon with Books — West Point’s Bryan Public Library hosts writer Annie Oeth at Luncheon with Books at noon. Lunch is $6. For more information, contact the library, 662-494-4872.
Thursday, Dec. 11
Exhibit reception — Mississippi University for Women hosts a reception at 5:30 p.m. at the Eugenia Summer Gallery on campus for the senior exhibition, “Collective Eight.”
Saturday, Dec. 13
Columbus Christmas Parade — Miss Mississippi Jasmine Murray serves as grand marshal of this 7 p.m. holiday parade that will follow a route through downtown Columbus. Go to columbusmainstreet.com for parade applications. For more information, contact Main Street Columbus, 662-328-6305.
Friday through Sunday,
Dec. 12-14
First Christmas — Visit an interactive Bethlehem village where you will encounter shopkeepers, Roman soldiers and a living nativity. First Baptist Church in Columbus presents “First Christmas” on the grounds of Brickerton, off Military Road, from 6-8 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, contact the FBC office, 662-328-3915.
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