The 7^th annual Biloxi Christmas in the City is taking place from 10am- 4pm on December 3, 2011 at Lameuse Street & Downtown Biloxi.  Enjoy this day with your family and participate in the events going on that welcome any age!

Start your morning off by watching or participating in the Children’s Christmas Walking Parade at 9am.  Bring an unwrapped, new toy or $5 donation and take a picture with Santa Clause from 9:30am- 4:30pm. The Biloxi-Ocean Springs Junior Auxiliary will host the event at the Vieux Marche and proceeds support their Santa’s Helpers program, which benefits Coast children.

Other activities include a performance by the Nativity Elementary School Choir at 10am and a children’s ornament-making booth.  There will be over 100 arts and crafts vendor that are sure to meet all of your gift giving needs this holiday season.  Don’t miss out on getting this year’s collectable ornament and afghan sponsored by the Biloxi Main Street Association.

Hotel accommodations are available downtown near the event for those traveling from out of town.  Admission is free.

Join the city of Canton and Santa as they present Christmas in Canton and the Victorian Christmas Festival from November 25- December 23.  The month-long festival takes place around the Historic Courthouse Square which is decorated with over 200,000 glittering lights, turning Canton into a “City of Lights.”  The square is a National Register Landmark and received an honorable mention in 2003 as “Best Small Town Christmas Spirit” from an Arts & Entertainment Network contest.

Take a ride around the square on the miniature train and fire truck or enjoy a ride in an old-fashioned horse and buggy.  No matter your age, there is something for everyone to do from antique shopping, carousel rides, and museums.  Enjoy the historical representations of what life in Canton was like in the 20^th century.

Reserve your hotel room in advance so you don’t miss a beat or any of the great Christmas festivities taking place in Canton!

See what events peak your interest this year!

Christmas Animation Museums- Located in the Canton Welcome Center
November 25 - 26: 10 AM - 9 PM
November 27: 1 PM - 9 PM
November 28 - December 1: 10 AM - 5 PM
December 2 - December 23: 10 AM - 9 PM, except Sundays
Sundays: 1 PM - 9 PM

Tickets are $3 and includes all animation museums

Children’s Carousel & Vintage Car Rides
November 25 - 26: 10 AM - 9 PM
November 27: 1 PM - 9 PM
November 28 - December 1: 3 PM - 8 PM
December 2 - December 23: 3 PM - 9 PM, except weekends
Saturdays: 10 AM - 9 PM; Sundays: 1 PM - 9 PM

$1 Per ride

Miniature Train & Fire Truck Around the Square
November 25 - 26: 10 AM - 9 PM
November 27: 1 PM - 9 PM
December 2 - December 23: 3 PM - 9 PM, except weekends
Saturdays: 10 AM - 9 PM; Sundays: 1 PM - 9 PM

$1 Per ride

Horse & Buggy Rides
November 25 - December 4: weekends only... Friday - Sunday: 5 PM - 9 PM
December 9 - December 23: 7 nights a week... 5 PM - 9 PM

Merchants Open House Weekend
Friday, November 25 - Sunday, November 27
Friday & Saturday: 10 AM - 8 PM; Sunday: 1 PM - 6 PM 

5^th Annual “Sip ‘n Cider”
Friday, December 9: 4 PM - 8 PM
Participating merchants offer their version of Christmas Hot Cider! 

Log Cabin Behind the Old Jail
Friday, November 25 - Sunday, November 27
Friday & Saturday: 9 AM - 4 PM; Sunday: 2 PM - 4 PM 

“The Railroad Comes to Canton”- located in the renovated depot
Come see the historical exhibits including a talking “O Scale” model
of the Illinois Central passenger trains that serviced the main line of
Mid-America, Chicago to New Orleans from the 1900’s to the 1970’s

If you are anxious to get started on your holiday shopping this year, head to Biloxi this weekend for the 28^th Annual Ron Meyers Christmas City Gift Show.  This weekend shopping event was voted a Top 20 Tourism Event in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society in 2010, so you definitely don’t want to miss it.  With over 300 gift booths, $2,000 in prizes, free holiday workshops, live entertainment by Lynn Meadows, face painting, and Santa, there is something for everyone to enjoy.  See a full list of vendors and a map of the booths here.

The Mississippi Coast Coliseum & Convention Center will host this shopping extravaganza on November 12- 13, 2011.  Saturday hours are 9 am- 5pm and Sunday from 10am- 5pm.  Tickets for adults are $8 or $10 for a 2-day pass and parking is free.  Admission for children 16 and under is free.  Each attendee with receive an event program that contains (8) eight $1 Christmas City Gift Show Dollar Bill Savers that are redeemable at participating booths.

Stay for the weekend and make a reservation at the Quality Inn or Motel 6 and you will be located just a short walk away from the convention center.  Don’t miss out on this opportunity for a first class weekend of holiday shopping!