let us do the work

Effortlessly plan your next adventure with AI
Trips & RoutesSmall Towns

This Mississippi Christmas Town Is Straight Out Of A Norman Rockwell Painting

Hattiesburg, Mississippi, transforms into a festive wonderland during its annual Victorian Candlelit Christmas celebration, making it one of the best Christmas towns in the state.

Published Dec 2, 2022

Written by 

Daniella DiRienzo

Most everyone is familiar with Norman Rockwell and his wholesome works of art. However, what most don’t realize is that there’s a Mississippi town, which, thanks to its annual candlelit Christmas celebration, is like something straight from a Norman Rockwell painting!

It is official: Hattiesburg is one of the best Christmas towns in Mississippi!

A group of children and adults stand under a festive archway in a decorated alley, smiling and celebrating together.
visithburg.org

Each holiday season, the city hosts a slew of events, including the Victorian Candlelit Christmas.

A sidewalk lined with glowing lanterns, trees on either side, and festive decorations in the background.
Hattiesburg Historic Neighborhood/Facebook

Held the 2nd weekend of December each year, the two-day celebration is a decades-old favorite and a beloved tradition – and it’s not hard to see why.

A festive house decorated for Christmas, featuring lights, wreaths, and candy canes, with luminaries lining the path.
Hattiesburg Historic Neighborhood/Facebook

During the annual event, the city’s historic streets are decked to the nines with festive décor and nearly 20,000 twinkling candles!

A dimly lit pathway lined with glowing lanterns, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Hattiesburg Historic Neighborhood/Facebook

More than 300 homes and businesses join in on the Yuletide celebration, adorning the city with glowing lights, wreaths, garland, bows, and more.

Children and adults set up glowing lanterns along a sidewalk in a neighborhood during an evening event.
Hattiesburg Historic Neighborhood/Facebook

Event attendees can do more than admire Yuletide decor, though. There are lots of fun festivities to enjoy, including horse-drawn carriage rides. Pulled by beautiful Clydesdales, the carriage rides are a great way to take in the sights of the season.

Santa Claus in a red suit sits beside a horse, with a wooden cart in a forested area.
Honey Island Clydesdales/Facebook

There’s live music, too. During the Victorian Candlelit Christmas, several downtown churches, including Sacred Heart Church and Bay Street Presbyterian, put on musical performances.

A white church with a tall steeple surrounded by greenery and a railway track nearby under a cloudy sky.
Bay Street Presbyterian Church (PCA)/Facebook

Food vendors will also be on hand.

A colorful plate with chocolate brownies topped with caramel, arranged in festive cupcake liners.
Hattiesburg Historic Neighborhood/Facebook

Can’t make Hattiesburg’s Victorian Candlelit Christmas?

A lit elephant sculpture stands beside a railway track at dusk, with trees and a building in the background.
visithburg.org

No problem! The city hosts all sorts of fun seasonal events, including holiday markets, extravagant holiday displays, pop-up concerts, and Lights of the Wild, a Christmas light display.

A festive room with a Christmas tree, stockings, and a mannequin in a green dress by a decorated fireplace.
Downtown Hattiesburg/Facebook

Have any questions about the Victorian Candlelit Christmas? Visit the Historic Hattiesburg Neighborhoods website. Want to know more about Christmas in Hattiesburg, check out the Visit Hattiesburg website, where you’ll find a complete list of the city’s holiday activities.

Well, what do you think? Does Hattiesburg's candlelit Christmas celebration make it one of the most wholesome Christmas towns in Mississippi or what?! Ever visited the city during the Christmas season? If so, what did you think? Or, maybe you know of another great place to celebrate Christmas in Mississippi? Whatever it is, tell us!

The holiday season isn’t the only thing that merits a visit to Hattiesburg. Among the state’s largest cities, it has a lot going for it, including the fact that it’s home to some of the best burger joints in Mississippi.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates and news

All Stories

Experiences

The Hidden Attraction in Texas That People Still Seek Out to This Day

Head underground to this hidden attraction in Texas to discover local legends about bootleggers and ghostly sightings. It's worth the trip!

by Melanie Johnson
on Jun 5
Views of the rock formations inside Cave Without a Name, a hidden attraction in Texas.
Trips & Routes

Endless Outdoor Adventures Await in These 5 Small Towns in Illinois

From zip-lining to trekking with goats, these are five of the most outdoorsy towns in Illinois you need to add to your bucket list.

by Cait Kontalis
on Jun 5
A canyon in Starved Rock State Park in Illinois
Stays

This Campground Near Cuyahoga Valley National Park Is Perfect for an Ohio Escape

This secluded campground near Cuyahoga Valley National Park is one of Ohio’s best kept secrets. Here’s what to expect and how to visit.

by Beth Copenhaver
on Jun 5
White tents on platforms arranged in a semi-circle with green trees in the background and a picnic table visible.
Nature
National & State Parks

Visit the Hidden Gem Small Town Right Next Door to Hungry Mother State Park

With a walkable main street, beautiful architecture, and plenty of Appalachian charm, Marion is the perfect home base for all your state park adventures.

by Beth Copenhaver
on Jun 5
Historic brick bank building in downtown Marion, Virginia, on a street corner with mountains in the distance.
Stays
Camping

This Secluded Campground Near Pictured Rocks Is One of Michigan’s Best Kept Secrets

This secluded campground near Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is one of Michigan's best kept secrets. Here’s what to expect and how to visit.

by Trent Jonas
on Jun 5
Point-of-view shot from a red kayak gliding over smooth blue water toward a pine forest at Au Train Lake, Michigan.