NATCHEZ — Holiday celebrations continue this weekend in Natchez with an entertainment plate filled with music, shopping, theater, Santa Claus and a helping of history on the side.

The weather this weekend is expected to be cloudy on Friday and Saturday with a thunderstorm or two in the forecast on Sunday.

High temperatures are predicted to reach 78 degrees Friday, 80 degrees Saturday and 72 degrees Sunday. Lows are forecast to reach the high 60s Friday and Saturday, with a low of 48 degrees Sunday.

Nothing But the Hits

Nothing But the Hits is coming to Natchez this Friday, one of the stops in its 16-city Christmas tour.

The concert, sponsored by the Natchez Festival of Music, features Ronnie McDowell, whose hits include “You’re Gonna Ruin My Bad Reputation” and “The King is Gone.”

“It’s a show that really no one wants to miss,” said Mary Lessley, chairman of the board of the Natchez Festival of Music.

Other artists include Deborah Allen, Ken Mellons, Tommy Cash, Amber Hayes, Mandy Barnett, Teea Goans and Blend.

“It’s going to be incredible to have this many famous artists on one stage at one time, especially in Natchez,” Lessley said.

General admission tickets are $25 and VIP tickets are $50. VIP ticket holders receive reserved seating near the stage and are invited to a special reception with the artists from 6 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased at the door or at natchezfestivalofmusic.com. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. at the Natchez Performing Arts Center in Margaret Martin School.

For more information, call Lessley at 601-807-6196.

The Grand Village of the Natchez Indians Tioux Program

The Grand Village of the Natchez Indians is hosting a program on the Tioux Indians today.

The Tioux Indians were a tribe that, while originally recorded by colonists as being along the Yazoo River, also lived in the area controlled by the Natchez Indians in the 1700s. Local archaeological consultant Smokye Joe Frank will discuss the Tioux’s various settlements through the examination of historic documents.

The free program begins at 6 p.m. at the Grand Village. For more information, call 601-446-6502.

Zion Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church Christmas Concert

The public is invited to Zion Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church this Friday for its Christmas Concert.

The church choir, directed by Tony Fields, will perform songs of the season starting at 7 p.m.

The church is located at 228 N. Martin Luther King Jr. St.

A Natchez Christmas Carol

The Natchez Little Theatre invites audiences to journey back in time this weekend for “A Natchez Christmas Carol.”

It’s Charles Dickens’ classic tale set in Natchez, where merciless cotton broker Ebenezer Scrooge receives ghostly visitations warning him to change his ways.

The play runs every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday until Dec. 20. The curtain rises at 7:30 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Tuesdays.

Performances are at 2 p.m. on Sundays.

Tickets cost $15 and can be purchased by calling 601-442-2233 or visiting natchezlittletheatre.org.

Second Saturday

Natchez’s downtown will come alive this Saturday with a sidewalk sale, live music and other events starting at 10 a.m.

Shopkeepers and individuals will bring their wares out to Main and Franklin streets, as well as the streets in between, until 5 p.m. Some stores will also be open until 8 p.m.

Shoppers on Main Street can hear Gregory Robinson perform from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

At Natchez Coffee Company, the first 20 children to arrive can build gingerbread houses for free at 2 p.m. At 4 p.m., Brandon McCranie will start playing and continue until 6 p.m.

Light on the Landscape of Elms Court will be from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and the monthly ArtsNatchez featured artist exhibition will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., both showcasing artwork.

Vidalia Chamber Breakfast with Santa

Instead of having to cook breakfast Saturday morning, parents can take their children to the Comfort Suites Riverfront Hotel for breakfast with Santa Claus himself.

The child-focused event, put on by the Vidalia Chamber of Commerce, lasts from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Tickets cost $5 per child. Adults will be charged for breakfast if they eat.

For details, call 318-336-8223.

Auburn Antebellum Home Open House

Auburn is flinging open its doors this Sunday for free tours.

Visitors will be welcomed by hostesses in period costumes and can enjoy music and refreshments while they browse the house’s holiday decorations.

The open house lasts from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Santa at Stanton Hall

He’s making a list, checking it twice and stopping by Stanton Hall Sunday.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at Stanton Hall from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Families are welcome to visit the house and snap a photo with the first family of Christmas.

The house will be open to the public during this time.

Lessons and Carols at St. Mary Basilica

St. Mary Basilica is hosting a special service Sunday to celebrate the season of joy.

Attendees can come to the service for scripture readings, carols and some of the season’s hymns.

The service begins at 3 p.m.