The race is on. The clock is ticking. Santa Claus will be coming down the chimney is less than 28 days.

There is so little time and so much to do these next four weeks.

Yes, there is a lot to enjoy in the Miss-Lou this holiday season, and none of it involves fighting the crowds at the mall and reaching for your purse or wallet.

Throughout the year, I hear the common refrain, “There is nothing to do in Natchez.” The chorus of residents who lament about the lack of interesting and exciting events in the area grows louder during the holidays.

Before you offer your best impression of the Grinch, take a look at all of the free events in the Miss-Lou this holiday season.

The holiday kicks off this evening with the annual lighting of the Natchez Christmas Tree at the intersection of Main and Commerce streets. This year’s event will be extra special with a laser light show and pyrotechnics. The tree lighting begins at  6 p.m. Preceding it will be a 2 p.m. children’s Christmas fun fair and the annual Turkey Gumbo Cook-off at 4 p.m.

If that doesn’t get you in the mood, there are many other free holiday events to enjoy.

Towns large and small will host Christmas parades. Natchez and Ferriday will host their  parades at 6 p.m. Dec. 6. Vidalia’s parade will travel down Carter Street at 3 p.m. Dec. 7.

If you are looking for something a little more spiritual, listen to the sounds of the Alcorn State University Choir at  7 p.m. Dec. 7 at St. Mary Basilica. The annual event sponsored by the Natchez Festival of Music is always uplifting.

Other churches throughout the Miss-Lou will present everything from Lessons and Carols to Christmas Cantatas and other special holiday worship services.

If your Christmas is not complete without sitting on Santa’s lap, the Miss-Lou has you covered.

As usual, Santa will visit the Natchez Mall this holiday season. You might also catch a glimpse of Old St. Nick from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 14 at Stanton Hall. The event is open to the public, so bring your camera and take a photo of the family with the Jolly Old Elf. If you want to get your wish list in early, Santa Claus will be in town next week from 5:30 to 7 p.m Dec. 2 during the Co-Lin Christmas at the Nelson Multi-purpose Room on the Natchez campus of Copiah-Lincoln Community College.

For something a little on the creative side, you might try visiting the studios of some of the area’s talented artists. This year, a group of artists with the help of the Natchez Art Association are hosting free studio tours that will feature 25 artists and their work. The tour, which is Dec. 13, will offer a rare look into the creative environments of area artists who work with materials ranging from wood and pottery to bottle caps and glass. For more information, visit natchezartassociation.org.

You also don’t want to miss the delectable goodies and free tours during the annual Auburn Museum Open House from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 14.

Those are just a few of the free holiday offerings in the Miss-Lou. Of course, if you can’t make it to those events, you can always load up the car for a drive along the Natchez bluff or Vidalia Riverfront to see the holiday decorations any night between now and Christmas.

So don’t be a Scrooge, and enjoy all the season has to offer that is fun and free.

 

Ben Hillyer is the design editor of The Natchez Democrat. He can be reached at 601-445-3540 or by e-mail at ben.hillyer@natchezdemocrat.com.