There Is An Entire Christmas Village In Mississippi And It’s Absolutely Delightful

If you’re not yet sold on the whole "good things come in small packages" bit, you will be after getting a glimpse at Mississippi’s mini Christmas village! The tiny – yet detailed – display is as delightful as it sounds, making it a must-visit during the holiday season.

Once a small farming community, Madison is now a thriving town with lots to offer.

One of Madison’s best features, though, is its Christmas Village, which pops up every holiday season on Main Street, in front of the town’s trademark red caboose.

The Yuletide exhibit, which is modeled after a mid-19th century New England town, is comprised of roughly 20 buildings and includes houses, shops, and even a church.

Each and every building in the village is (fittingly) decorated for Christmas.

Most of the buildings feature mini figurines. For instance, there’s a choir and congregation in the church. (You won’t find any figurines in the shops, though – they’re closed for Christmas.)

So, where did Madison’s mini Christmas Village come from? The festive exhibit is the work of longtime resident and master woodworker Lester Alvis and his wife, Minnie.

The display made its debut in 1973, when the couple put it up in their Jackson home. By the late-1990s, the display was moved to the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum.

In 2009, the Christmas Village found its new home in Madison, and it’s been proudly displayed every holiday season since.

Today, the Christmas Village is touted as the Alvis’ “Christmas card to the city,” but it's not just the couple that’s fond of the festive exhibit.

Visiting the delightful village and admiring its glorious details is a tradition for many families, and it’s easy to see why!

To learn more about the Christmas Village as well as Madison’s other holiday events, check out the Madison the City website. And don’t forget to like the Madison the City Facebook page for updates on citywide events.

So, did you know about the mini Christmas Village in Mississippi? Have you ever seen it in person? If so, was it as charming as expected? Know of another festive holiday attraction? Tell us!

A charming holiday scene isn’t all that awaits in Madison. You’ll also find lots of happy, healthy people in Madison, and that’s because it’s been rated the happiest, healthiest town in Mississippi.