Santa Claus and Christmas cheer are headed to Vicksburg. Beginning Sunday and continuing through the month, festivities, including a parade and a train with lights and elves, will leave no doubt that this is the most wonderful time of the year.

Wyatt Waters calendar-signing

Lorelei Books, 1103 Washington St.

601-634-8624, www.loreleibooks.com

This Clinton-based watercolor artist will sign his 2009 calendar from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, during downtown Vicksburg’s Old-Fashioned Christmas Open House.

Downtown Vicksburg’s Old Fashioned Christmas Open House

Sponsored by Vicksburg Main Street

601-634-4527, www.downtownvicksburg.org

Washington Street merchants will kick off the holiday shopping season from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Main Street will give away poinsettias to the first 100 customers with a receipt dated Sunday and who have spent more than $25. Also, register to win gifts at the downtown Christmas tree.

The downtown festivities will continue with extended shopping hours, beginning Monday and running through Christmas Eve. Businesses will be open until 6:30 p.m. or later Monday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays. Vicksburg police will patrol the area. 

Kansas City Southern’s Holiday Express

www.kcsouthern.com

Santa Claus and his elves will arrive at the Levee Street Depot by train at 4 p.m. Thursday. The Holiday Express was created in 2001 and features music and lights. Tours are free.

Christmas Parade of Lights

Sponsored by Vicksburg Main Street

601-634-4527, www.downtownvicksburg.org

Themed Christmas Around the World, the parade will begin at 5 p.m. Dec. 6 and will roll on Washington Street.

Festival of Trees

Vicksburg Convention Center

601-630-2929, www.vccmeet.com

The weekend-long event will kick off with a gala at 7 p.m. Friday. The ball will feature food from around the world and music by Hoosier Daddies. Tickets are $50 per person or $75 per couple.

Festivities will continue at 8 a.m. Dec. 6 with breakfast with Santa, sponsored by McDonald’s. Tickets are $7.

Rounding out the weekend will be the fourth annual V105.5 Christmas Caroling Contest finale. The event starts at 7:30 p.m., and tickets are $5.

Tickets for all events are available through the VCC’s Web site or box office. 

Crossroads Christmas Marketplace

601-437-8095, www.msculturalcrossroads.org

This event, sponsored by Mississippi Cultural Crossroads, will be Dec. 11-13 in Port Gibson and will feature a number of vendors.

Southern Cultural Heritage Center

601-631-2997, www.southernculture.org

* Holiday Centerpiece Workshop — Create a silk centerpiece of either antique magnolia or red poinsettia from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday. Tickets are $55 for SCHC members and $60 for nonmembers. Materials are provided, but participants are encouraged to bring a glue gun. The workshop will be led by Beau Lutz of Belvedere & Company.

* Holly Days Arts and Crafts Show — Set for 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 6, this event will feature at least 35 vendors. Admission is $1.

* Madrigal Dinner — The Vicksburg High School madrigal choir will present “Sleepless in the Castle” at 7 p.m. Dec. 9. Tickets are $25 and include a catered meal and can be purchased by phone, 601-831-1807, or at the door if they’re not sold out.

* St. Joseph Community Orchestra Christmas Concert — The show will be at 2:30 p.m. Dec. 14. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted.

‘A Christmas Carol’

Jane Reid-Petty Theatre Center

1100 Carlisle St., Jackson

601-948-3531, www.newstagetheatre.com

“A Christmas Carol,” produced by New Stage Theatre in Jackson, will open Thursday and performances will run through Dec. 21. Times are available online.

Tickets are $18 for general admission, $15 for students and seniors and $10 for children 12 and younger. Group discounts are available as well as a $50 family pack, which includes two adult and two children’s tickets. Patrons who bring a canned good to the Thursday through Dec. 7 performances will receive $3 off each tickets. Purchase tickets by phone or

online.

‘Elf’

Outlets at Vicksburg

A fundraiser for the What Up Wit Dat? teen coalition, the 2003, PG-rated movie starring comedian Will Ferrell will be shown, drive-in style, at the outlet mall at 7 p.m. Dec. 7. Cost is $10 per car, no matter how many people, and concessions will be available.

Toy Drive

River City Rescue Mission

3705 Washington St.

601-636-6602

The mission is seeking gently used toys and new ones, or cash donations, for needy children. Parents must register their children to receive toys by Dec. 13. Call or visit the mission.

V105.5 Christmas Caroling Contest

601-883-0848

This annual contest will span four nights. Preliminary performances will be at 6:30 Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at Vicksburg Auditorium. Finals will be at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6 at Vicksburg Convention Center. Tickets are $10 for a four-night pass or $5 per night and are available at the door or in advance at the UPS Store on Pemberton Square Boulevard. Children 12 and younger will be admitted free.

Vicksburg Art Association Christmas Party

601-638-9221

This year’s theme is I’m Dreaming of a Green Christmas. Wear what you want, or go with the theme. Festivities start at 8 Friday night at the Constitution Firehouse Gallery, Main and Openwood streets, and will feature a silent auction that ends at 10:30. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door and can be purchased at the Attic Gallery on Washington Street. Proceeds will help maintain the gallery.

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Contact Megan Holland at mholland@vicksburgpost.com.