NATCHEZ — Christmas events will continue throughout the Miss-Lou this weekend as the holiday season kicks into high gear.

Showers are forecast to begin today after noon and are expected to continue for a majority of the weekend.

Natchez Little Theatre

The Natchez Little Theatre will present “A Natchez Christmas Carol” at 7:30 p.m. today with a benefit performance and will continue at 7:30 p.m. each Friday, Saturday and Tuesday through Dec. 21, with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.

The production is peppered with popular Christmas tunes.

Proceeds from today’s performance will benefit the Dawn Taylor Memorial Youth Scholarship, with tickets for $10. All other performance tickets for non-members of NLT are $15.

The box office will open an hour prior to each performance, and reservations are recommended.

For more information, call NLT at 601-442-2233 or toll free at 1-877-440-2233 or go online at natcheztheatre.org.

Victorian Luncheon

The Natchez Garden Club will host its annual Victorian Luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at Magnolia Hall at 215 Pearl St.

The luncheon will feature an assortment of sandwiches, dips and desserts. The club’s annual soup and casserole sale will also be ongoing during the luncheon.

Casseroles will be sold at $20 for a large and $12 for a small, while soups are $5 per pint or $10 per quart container.

Tickets to the luncheon are $12 and can be purchased at the door.

For more information, call 601-443-9065.

Neighborhood Watch

The Natchez Police Department will host a community-wide Neighborhood Watch meeting at 6 p.m. today at St. Theresa Hall at St. Mary Basilica.

The meeting is aimed at bringing together residents from different neighborhoods to exchange ideas and strategies they are using to curb crime in their areas.

The event is open to the public, and refreshments will be served.

Natchez Festival of Music

The Natchez Festival of Music will host a Christmas Cabaret at 7 p.m. Friday at the Natchez Convention Center.

The stage production of Christmas songs performed by professionals is guaranteed to keep everyone spellbound and laughing with medleys and parodies.

Tickets are $35 each or $300 for a table of 10 and are available from Natchez Pilgrimage Tours at 601-446-6631.

Natchez Christmas parade

The annual Natchez Christmas parade will roll through downtown at 6 p.m. Saturday.

This year’s theme is, “Lights, Camera, Natchez” to honor the filming of “Get On Up,” a biographical film on the life of James Brown.

The 2013 Natchezians of the Year, Sarah Smith and James Biglane, will participate in the parade, along with other community members.

Santa will also make an appearance at the parade.

For applications to have a float in the parade, stop by First Natchez Radio Group at No. 2 O’Farrell St.

Humane Society

The Natchez-Adams County Humane Society is hosting a Christmas fundraiser from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the house of Jim and Charlotte Franklin at 31 Country Squire Road in Natchez.

The annual fundraiser is essential to keeping the doors open at the shelter.

Holiday attire is preferred, and a $25 donation is required of each person in attendance at the fundraiser and can be turned in the day of the event.

Monetary donations can also be sent to P.O. Box 549, Natchez, MS, 39121-0549.

The humane society will also host a kitten adoption day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Tractor Supply Co. on U.S. 61 North.

The price of adopting an animal — $35 for two kittens and $25 for one kitten — includes the spaying or neutering cost.

For more information, call the humane society at 601-442-4001.

Merry Marketplace

Black River Heritage Club, a non-profit group in Monterey, will host a “Merry Marketplace” from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Saturday at the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office substation in Monterey.

Games, activities, entertainment, pork plate lunches, concession-type foods and more will be offered.

A silent auction will also be offered with items donated by friends of the group and area businesses.

A minimal fee will be charged for the games and activities.

For more information, call 318-386-7204.

Monterey Christmas parade

Monterey will host a Christmas parade for the first time in nearly 20 years at 3 p.m. Saturday beginning at Monterey Church of Christ on Louisiana 129.

The parade will continue down the highway for two miles.

For more information, call 318-730-6824.

Winter Concert

Alcorn State University’s concert choir will present its annual winter concert at 7 p.m. Sunday at St. Mary Basilica at 107 S. Union St.

The concert features the concert choir with orchestra performing G.F. Händel’s, “Messiah” under the direction of Donna Schaffer with Tony Gordon as accompanist.

Also performing will be the women’s chorale, directed by Schaffer, and the men chorale, directed by Charles Wesley.

A love offering will be collected to help support the ASU choirs and the Natchez Festival of Music.

The event is free and open to the public.