Pack A Blanket For These 7 Free Mississippi Holiday Concerts And Outdoor Shows This December
December in Mississippi has a funny way of sneaking up on you, with a cool breeze one night and twinkling lights on every corner the next. Families looking for festive fun do not need to spend a dime, because towns across the state roll out free parades, live music, and tree lightings all month long.
Each event below gives kids something different to cheer for, from marching bands to Santa arriving on a fire truck. Grab a warm blanket, a thermos of cocoa, and get ready to plan some easy holiday memories.
1. Christmas by Candlelight Tour in Jackson
Candles glow in the windows, carolers sing on the steps, and history feels a little more magical after dark. Jackson’s Christmas by Candlelight Tour turns the Old Capitol Museum and the Two Mississippi Museums into a festive evening stroll with live music and holiday decorations.
Admission is free, and so are the shuttles that carry visitors between stops. That makes it much easier for parents juggling strollers or little legs that tire out quickly.
Traditional treats are often handed out along the way, which keeps young explorers happy between exhibits.
The 2026 tour is set for Saturday, December 5, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., with additional dates listed for December 7, 8, and 9 as part of the long-running annual tradition. Arriving early helps you catch the music before crowds build.
Kids who usually yawn at museums tend to perk up when the halls are lit with candlelight and filled with songs. It is a sneaky way to teach a bit of state history while everyone is in a cheerful mood.
Bundle up for the outdoor walks between buildings. Even mild Mississippi evenings can turn chilly once the sun drops, so a light blanket or extra jacket makes the night more comfortable.
2. Reed’s Tupelo Christmas Parade
Seventy-eight years is a long time to keep a party going. Reed’s Tupelo Christmas Parade has done exactly that, and it remains one of the most beloved ways to kick off the season in north Mississippi.
Picture downtown streets lined with families, marching bands drumming past, and floats shining against the night sky. Walking groups, commercial entries, and community floats all join the lineup, so there is always something new rolling by.
The whole show is free to watch.
Here is a detail parents appreciate: candy is handed out by walkers instead of being thrown from floats. Little ones can collect treats safely without anyone scrambling into the street.
It feels calmer and friendlier than many big parades.
The 2026 parade happens Friday, December 11, starting at 6 p.m. Downtown streets close at 5 p.m., so plan to park early and claim a curbside spot.
A folding chair or blanket turns the wait into a cozy picnic.
Fun fact for curious kids: Tupelo is the birthplace of Elvis Presley. After the parade, you can tell them the town has been making music history for decades, and the bands marching by are carrying on that tune.
3. Meridian’s A Smurfy Christmas Parade
Blue little characters and Christmas lights might sound like an odd mix, yet Meridian pulls it off with plenty of charm. The city’s downtown parade theme, A Smurfy Christmas, gives younger kids a playful reason to get excited.
Lighted floats glide through the streets alongside marching bands and dancers, filling downtown with color and rhythm. Everyone is welcome, and admission costs nothing.
Families can spread out along the route and soak in the glow.
Save some energy for the very end. Santa Claus makes a grand finale appearance, and that final float is usually what children talk about on the ride home.
Point him out early so smaller kids do not miss the big moment.
The 2026 parade is scheduled for Saturday, December 5. Since Jackson’s candlelight tour runs that same evening, families in central Mississippi will need to pick one, or plan a weekend that includes other dates on this list.
Theme parades like this one invite creativity, too. Some kids enjoy wearing blue hats or scarves to match the fun.
Pack mittens, a blanket for sitting on the curb, and maybe a small flashlight for walking back to the car after the lights fade.
4. Oxford Christmas Parade on the Square
Oxford’s Square already looks like a holiday card, with its historic courthouse and charming storefronts. Add floats, bands, and twinkling lights, and the whole town feels like a scene from a storybook.
The City of Oxford hosts its Christmas Parade right around the Square, and it is free and open to everyone. Local businesses, school groups, and community members build their own entries.
That neighborly feel is what makes this parade stand out from bigger city events.
Each year brings a fresh theme. For 2026, the theme is A Very Oxford Christmas, which promises a celebration of local pride and hometown spirit.
Kids often enjoy spotting floats from places they recognize around town.
Mark your calendar for Monday, December 7, at 6:30 p.m. A weeknight parade can be easier for families, since crowds may be a little lighter than on weekends.
Still, the Square fills up quickly, so aim to arrive with time to spare.
Bring a blanket for the courthouse lawn area or nearby sidewalks. Once the parade wraps up, take a slow walk around the decorated Square.
Window displays add a sparkling bonus that costs nothing to enjoy.
5. Hattiesburg Jaycees Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting
Few things beat the hush right before a giant tree bursts into light. Hattiesburg delivers that moment in Town Square Park, where a countdown brings the city’s Christmas tree and surrounding displays to life.
The celebration pairs two traditions. The Hattiesburg Jaycees Christmas Parade has used the theme Caroling through the Ages, a nod to songs that families have shared for generations.
The tree lighting adds live musical performances, making this one of the best picks on the list for music lovers.
In 2025, the tree lighting took place on December 4 and the parade on December 5. Exact 2026 dates had not been posted at the time of writing, so check with the city’s tourism office in late fall.
Both events are free and held downtown.
Children love shouting the countdown numbers along with the crowd. Let them stand close enough to see the stage, but keep a meeting spot in mind in case you get separated in the excitement.
A blanket comes in handy on the park grass while you wait for the music to begin. Warm drinks and a cozy layer make it easy to stay until the very last song.
6. Christmas on the Town Green in Diamondhead
Most kids expect Santa to show up on a sleigh. In Diamondhead, he rolls in on a fire truck, sirens and all, with Mrs. Claus right beside him.
Christmas on the Town Green starts with a parade at 4 p.m. that ends at City Hall. From there, the party keeps going with holiday music and plenty of hands-on fun for little ones.
The earlier start time is great for families with toddlers who need an early bedtime.
Children can hop aboard train rides and sit down to write letters to Santa. Photo opportunities with the Clauses are part of the evening, so bring a charged phone.
Admission is free, which makes the whole outing easy on the budget.
The event is listed for December 12. Confirm details with the city closer to the date, since small-town schedules can shift slightly from year to year.
Because Diamondhead sits near the Gulf Coast, evenings are usually mild. Still, a blanket gives everyone a comfy place to rest between activities.
Smaller festivals like this one tend to feel relaxed, so kids can run around without the pressure of huge crowds pushing in from every side.
7. Biloxi Christmas on the Water and Lighting of the Town Green
Here, children are the stars of the show. Biloxi’s Christmas on the Water celebration features a children’s parade that winds its way to the Biloxi Town Green, where the real magic begins.
Once the young marchers arrive, Santa oversees the decorating and lighting of the tree. Hot chocolate is typically served, giving everyone something warm to sip while the lights flicker on.
The event is free for all.
Biloxi’s season often opens with another treat: the Lighting of the Biloxi Lighthouse. That ceremony has featured a Nativity children’s choir, adding sweet voices to one of the Gulf Coast’s most famous landmarks.
Built in the 1840s, the lighthouse is one of the first cast-iron lighthouses in the South.
In 2025, the parade and lighting were held on December 15. Dates for 2026 had not been confirmed yet, so keep an eye on city announcements as the holidays approach.
For families whose kids love to participate, this event is a natural fit. Check whether local groups are accepting young walkers.
Even if your crew just watches, spreading a blanket near the green and sharing cocoa makes for a peaceful coastal evening.