Fall and Winter Fun in Laurel and Jones County

Friday, August 26th, 2022

When you’re looking for fall fun and Christmas celebrations, add the holiday events in Laurel and Jones County to your fall and winter plans!

Fall and Winter Fun in Laurel and Jones County | Loblolly Festival

Photo courtesy Laurel Main Street

Can you smell the funnel cakes?

Loblolly Festival is back again this year! On October 1st, the streets of Downtown Laurel will be filled with arts & crafts, vendors, demonstrations, kids’ activities, fair food, and more! Mark your calendars and make your plans for October 1st!

 

Show us a Show!

The famed Laurel Little Theatre will feature a production of Ripcord this October. This Southern comedy is full of heart, and it is sure to bring a night of laughs.

 

Boo! It’s a Scarecrow Invasion!

Is it even fall in Jones County without the Scarecrows Invasion? If you don’t know, Scarecrow Invasion is a time when downtown Laurel community comes alive with colorful and creative life-size scarecrows. Beginning September 30th, wander downtown and snap a pic with your favorites at local storefronts, city buildings, and restaurants.

Speaking of Boo!, Boo on the Avenues is a much-anticipated night of trick or treating. Thousands of children will gather on historic 6th Avenue for the Halloween fun!

 

It’s beginning to look a lot like the Jones County Christmas Open House!

Get ready to kick off your holiday shopping on November 6th at the annual Christmas Open House in Downtown Laurel. Join us in Downtown Laurel From home décor to trendy clothes and specialty gift items, you’re sure to find everything you need!

For even more holiday shopping, be sure to check out the Merry Marketplace on November 19th and Small Business Saturday on November 26th.

 

Holidays at Landrum’s Homestead and Village

Food, games, and family fun are on the itinerary on October 15th, during the Fall Festival at Landrum’s Homestead and Village.

The magic of the season comes alive at Landrum’s Homestead & Village‘s 39th Annual Christmas at the Village and Christmas Candlelight Tour. Experience Mississippi’s favorite old-fashioned Christmas celebrations! Get details at Landrums.com/events.

 

Magic in Lights and Parading Through the Streets

Laurel & Ellisville are known for having a holly jolly good time all December long. Start by watching the tree twinkle to life at the Christmas Tree Lighting in Downtown Laurel in December.

What’s more fun than pancakes and parades (we certainly can’t think of much)? The famed Kiwanis Pancake Day starts the morning of December 3rd and the Christmas parade in Laurel takes place on December 2nd. It’s sure to be a merry weekend in Mississippi!

 

More Fun on the Small Screen

Can’t get enough of the holiday season? Tune into Discovery+ starting Friday, November 11 for the Christmas movie featuring Ben and Erin!

Film follows Melissa Norwood (Katie Stevens), an ambitious Atlanta property stager who teams with her old high school crush, David Phelps (Victor Rasuk), to sell her mom’s home in their small Georgia home town. The two take on the project of renovating the house before potential buyers come to see it on Christmas Eve. Against David’s wishes, Melissa decides to spend a portion of her budget on custom projects created by a unique local couple, Henry and Sarah Wright, played by Laurel’s very own Ben and Erin Napier.

 

Want more information on fall events and things to do in Jones County, Mississippi? Be sure to check out the events calendar at VisitJones.com for fall and holiday small town fun.

 

Let the Show Begin: Theater, Festivals, & More are Back!

Tuesday, August 31st, 2021

This fall and winter, there’s plenty to do in Laurel and Jones County, Mississippi. Take in a show, shop at local boutiques, and explore our unique attractions. Get ready to breathe in the heart and soul of our little corner of Mississippi with events, performances, and a whole lot of Southern hospitality!

Loblolly Festival | Events in Laurel MS

 

Loblolly Festival

Arguably the most anticipated annual event in Jones County, the Loblolly Festival is back this year and sure to be better than ever! Loblolly, which celebrates Laurel’s heritage as a sawmill town, is held on the first Saturday of October. The arts and crafts festival features a variety of vendors, plus kid-friendly activities, craveable fair food, various demonstrations (including a chainsaw artist), and an appearance from Mr. Loblolly himself! We’ll see you on October 2, 2021.

Music & Theatre Take the Stage

Theatre is back in Laurel and Jones County, Mississippi! Located in the iconic Arabian Theatre building, Laurel Little Theatre is taking patrons back to the stage in 2021 and 2022! The 61st Season of shows includes Steel Magnolias (September 24-26 & October 1-3), The Last Night of Ballyhoo (February 11-12 & 18-20, 2022), and Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical (June 2-5, 2022). Get details and tickets.

From the stage to the streets, musical treats can be found at the Live in Laurel Fall Concert Series. These family-friendly performances feature shows by Grayson Capps, Molly Thomas & The Rare Birds, and Latisha & Friends! Grab a chair and head to Trustmark Art Park on September 11, October 23, and November 13, 2021.

One of our favorite events every month is Wine Down Downtown! Get ready to shop, sip, and savor the fun in Downtown Laurel. Hosted by Laurel Mercantile Co. and Laurel Main Street, Wine Down Downtown is the perfect way to experience our small-town charm, explore shops, and “wine” down! Wine Down Dates for the fall are on September 17, October 15, and November 12, 2021.

 

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Landrum’s Homestead & Village’s annual events are a magical way to celebrate the holidays! Plan to attend the Old Tyme Fall Holiday Events in Ellisville MS | Laurel and Jones County MSFestival (October 17), Christmas at the Homestead (November 28-29), or the Christmas Candlelight Tour (December 5, 12, & 19). Whether you come to see the mystery house in the fall or the thousands of twinkling lights at Christmas time, guests are guaranteed to find fun for the whole family.

Merry Marketplace is the one-stop shop you need to find a gift for everyone on your list (and maybe a little something for yourself too)! Make plans to attend this indoor market on Saturday, November 20, 2021, from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm.

 It’s never too early to start your holiday shopping – especially when shopping means time spent in Downtown Laurel! The Annual Downtown Christmas Open House takes place each holiday season in Laurel, MS. Make your list, check it twice, and kick off your holiday shopping with in-store specials, giveaways, music, & more!  Don’t miss out on even more ways to experience yuletide cheer with parades, tree lightings, and more!

 

  For even more events in Laurel & Jones County MS such as Bingo Night at the YWCO, Trivia Night at 320 Fifth Street, and more, check out our full events calendar.

 

Your Jones County Holiday Gift Guide

Tuesday, November 10th, 2020

‘Tis the season for the joy of gift-giving, and when you’re shopping in Laurel and Jones County, Mississippi, finding the perfect present is easy! Make your list, check it twice, then get ready to spread some yuletide cheer with these gifts from the Jones County Holiday Gift Guide that are sure to bring a smile to the faces of your friends and family!

Holiday Gift Guide | Laurel MS

 

For the Hostess with the Mostess

If you’ve been to Laurel and Jones County, Mississippi, then you know The Knight Butcher for both their delicious jerky as well as their mouth-watering fudge. Either treat makes for the perfect hostess gift! Don’t forget about Shug’s Cookie Dough and Candy Bar for holiday-decorated sweet treats!

Laurel Nursery & Garden has beautiful plants and flowers perfect for any hostess, plus their fresh, Mississippi-grown pecans are always a welcome gift. Bonus points if you turn them into a homemade pie or pecan divinity for your family, friends, or neighbors!

For the Coffee Drinker

For the cold coffee drinker, a gallon of Iced Lattes with your choice of syrup can be found at Lee’s Coffee and Tea and is sure to make for a very merry caffeine lover! Go ahead, grab yourself a sweet goodie or some pimento cheese while you’re there – your gift-giving heart deserves a treat!

Both men and women will be happy to receive a Laurel tumbler from Guild & Gentry, which features a map of our area. Prefer to drink from a glass? Guild and Gentry also has beautiful Laurel glass coffee mugs. Should you round out your gift with Mississippi coasters to keep tabletops safe in Mississippi style? Well, of course you should!

For the Tiny HGTV Fan

It’s sure to be a holly jolly Christmas with a beautiful coloring book for all of the littlest HGTV fans on your list. Grab Erin’s Sketchbook Coloring Book at Laurel Mercantile Co.

Gifts for the little ones can be found throughout Jones County, but definitely make sure to check out the offerings at Bookstore in the Window! Santa’s elves will be thrilled to find a variety of puzzles, books, and unique stocking stuffers.

For the Lover of Laurel

Laurel and Mississippi sweatshirts are a perfectly cozy gift for so many on your list! Grab a snuggle-worthy sweatshirt from Allie’s on Magnolia Boutique or head upstairs to the bookstore in Lott Furniture for seriously soft sweatshirts!

Be sure to swing by The Coffeehouse at Brookside in Ellisville for delightfully-scented bath and body gifts, seasonal mugs, comfy sweatshirts, and more! Plus, grab yourself a coffee for a mid-shopping pick-me-up!

Even if your giftee can’t whip up a classic and mouth-watering Southern meal like Ms. Pearl, she can still dress the part in an apron from Pearl’s Diner!

Rubie’s Home Furnishings and Hand+Made both feature a variety of beautiful Laurel and Jones County home décor items, plus dozens of Mississippi-made products. Whether purchasing a beautifully painted dough bowl, a Laurel frame, or creating a work of art of your own, you are sure to find a beautiful gift for everyone from your boss to your bestie!

For…well, everyone

When you don’t know what to get someone, a candle is always a well-received gift! The Stockbridge from Laurel Mercantile Co. is one of the most popular “holiday” scents! Meanwhile few things are more southern than a glass of sweet tea, and a Tea candle from Lott Furniture will bring the front porch sipping fun indoors. Many other shops have wonderfully scented candles available including The Cotton Boll, the gift shop at Landrum’s Homestead and Village, and Bella Bella.

 

Looking for even more gift ideas? Don’t miss our full holiday shopping guide! Find out more about how to Visit Mississippi responsibly, and be sure to visit our FAQ page for the most current community and safety information.

Things to Do in Laurel: Spring Edition

Tuesday, February 25th, 2020

With so many things to do in Laurel and Jones County, Mississippi, visitors want to come back time and time again. With events, races, cooking competitions, and so much more, spring is the perfect time for both new and repeat visitors to come get to know Laurel, MS.

 

Magnolia State Bank Chili Cook OffChili Cookoff | Things to Do in Laurel MS This Spring

When: Saturday, February 8, 2020

Laurel Main Street kicks off each new year with the annual Magnolia State Bank Chili Cook Off. The event takes place the second Saturday in February and is held in downtown Laurel with music, beverages, and teams vying for their chili to be named the best.

Mardi Gras Celebrations

When: Saturday, February 8, 2020 (Ellisville) & Saturday, February 15, 2020 (Laurel)

Family friendly Mardi Gras parades take to the streets in both Ellisville and Laurel during the Mardi Gras season each spring. The whole family is sure to enjoy the festivities.

 

First State Bank Laurel Leap Day 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament

When: Saturday, February 29, 2020

 

In its inaugural year, the First State Bank Laurel Leap Day 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament is set to be a slam dunk. Courts will be set up in the Front Street parking lot in Laurel, MS, along with a DJ, food vendors, and beverages. Participants and fans are welcome to attend!

 

Carl Touchstone Memorial Mississippi Trail 50

When: Saturday, March 7, 2020

Both seasoned ultra-runners and first time long distance racers love the The Carl Touchstone Memorial Mississippi Trail 50 which is held in early March each year on the Longleaf Horse Trail in the De Soto National Forest just south of Laurel, MS. Participants take in the beautiful natural scenery during the 20K, 50K, or 50 Mile run.

 

Laurel Main Street Touch-A-TruckTouch a Truck | Chili Cookoff | Things to Do in Laurel MS This Spring

When: Saturday, March 7, 2020

Touch a Truck provides a unique opportunity for children to explore vehicles of all types in one place – from emergency vehicles to delivery trucks. Personnel will teach the children about the equipment displayed and how these machines help us and serve their communities.

 

Landrum’s Homestead & Village Second Saturday Family Day

When: Saturday, March 14, April 22, May 9, June 13

Family Day is the perfect spring event for all ages! Families can enjoy time together touring the Homestead, taking wagon rides, watching wood carving demonstrations, sampling biscuits cooked on a wood stove, gem mining, and more! Food and snacks will be available for purchase from the smokehouse, and homemade ice cream is the perfect sweet treat for a spring (or summer) day. Admission is $10, Children 3 and under are free.

 

Wine Down Downtown

When: Friday, March 20, April 20, May 20, July 17, Wine Down Downtown | Things to Do in Laurel this SpringAugust 21, September 18

Presented by Laurel Main Street, Wine Down Downtown features extended shopping hours in downtown Laurel as well as wine tasting! Attendees start by purchasing a $15 re-usable, collector-style wine cup, which allows for unlimited wine tastings at all participating merchants. Non-wine drinking participants are welcome to join the fun for free. More than 30 downtown merchants and restaurants will be open and ready for a fun night downtown!

 

Catch a Show at Laurel Little Theatre

When: March 27-29 & April 3-5, 2020

Each season, the shows at Laurel Little Theatre are a joy to experience. In Spring 2020, Director Frankie Bennett will bring the comedy, “Doublewide, Texas” to the Arabian stage for two straight weekends.

 

Community Bank’s Downtown Crawfest

When: Saturday, April 18, 2020

One of the most anticipated events of the year, Crawfest takes place each April in Downtown Laurel. This culinary competition features live music, beverages, and, of course, teams cooking up crawfish hoping to be named the winner. Teams offer tasting trays to serve their crawfish creations, and attendees get to cast their vote for People’s Choice of best overall boil.

 

Annual Day in The Park

When: Saturday, May 2, 2020

The Laurel Arts League’s largest annual event, the Day in the Park, offers a one-mile fun run and 5K run and a day of entertainment! Attendees can enjoy live music, student and juried art competitions, delicious festival cuisine, children’s activities, and the works of skilled craftsmen from across the region.

 

Mother’s Day Blues Festival

When: Sunday, May 10, 2020

What better way to celebrate Mother’s Day than with the annual Mother’s Day Blues Festival? Gather your family and enjoy the day with blues entertainment and great food at the South MS Fairgrounds in Laurel, MS.

 

Still looking for more ideas of things to do in Laurel, Mississippi? Check out our bucket list-worthy round up of things to do during a stay in Laurel.

Winter Events: How to Holiday in Laurel & Jones County

Friday, November 15th, 2019

 If there’s one thing we know how to do, it’s celebrate the holidays! From pancakes to parades and everything in between, we’re bringing yuletide cheer all season long with these holiday events in Laurel and Jones County, MS.

Holiday Events in Laurel MS

Twinkling Lights & Celebratory Delights

It’s simply not the holidays until the tree is trimmed and drummers are drumming! ‘Tis officially the season when the annual tradition of lighting Christmas trees take place, followed closely by the annual Christmas parades in each city. City of Laurel Christmas Tree Lighting, Ellisville Christmas Tree Lighting, Ellisville Christmas Parade, and Sertoma of Laurel’s Christmas Parade are all wonderful ways to get in holiday spirit! Find the details for each event on our events calendar.

 

Annual Christmas at Landrum’s

For more than 36 years, Christmas at Landrum’s has given guests the opportunity to step back in time to experience Christmas past. The Candlelight Tours at Landrum’s Homestead & Village are Hallmark Christmas movie-worthy in their charm and full-on Christmas spirit, but guests will also find walking tours, a candlelight tour, demonstrations, kids’ events (including Santa himself, of course), Confederate soldiers reenactments, Southern Strings Dulcimers, and more.

Get details for all of Landrum’s holiday events at Landrums.com.

Laurel Kiwanis Club Pancake Day

Arguably the best day of the year, Pancake Day takes the holiday celebration to a whole new (delicious) level. All-You-Can-Eat pancakes with butter & syrup, sausage, white & chocolate milk, and Coca Cola products are served at two locations in Laurel. Proceeds help fund scholarships for deserving high school seniors at the five high schools in Laurel and Jones County, plus provide multiplication and division flash cards for hundreds of third grades students at local elementary schools.

 

Downtown Countdown: New Year’s Eve

10…9…8… the countdown to the new year is on! Join us for the free Downtown Countdown this New Year’s Eve in the heart of Downtown Laurel.

Ring in the new year with beer and champagne service, food trucks, and special events from our Downtown Merchants, as well as live entertainment and special guest appearances. Children’s areas plus VIP options are available. Start the new year in style in Laurel, MS!

 

For more information about holiday events or events for any season, check out our events page.

7 Reasons to Be in Jones County this Fall | Can’t Miss Events

Wednesday, October 23rd, 2019

As the weather begins to cool, Jones County comes alive. Outdoor events, plenty of shopping, a fair 100 years in the making, and so much more take place in beautiful Laurel & Ellisville, Mississippi. Simply put, fall and winter in Jones County are magical times, and we’re sharing seven reasons you need to be here!

#1 All of the Arts

It’s easy to find beautiful art on display in Jones County all year long, but this fall, the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art & the Jones College Eula Bass Lewis Art Gallery seem to have outdone themselves. From Masonite on display (spoiler alert: this popular material from the 20th Century was invented right here in Laurel) to an Arts Festival that is out of this world, it’s easy to immerse yourself in the arts during your visit to Jones County!

Fall Events in Jones County Mississippi at the Lauren Rogers Museum of Arts

 

Lauren Rogers Museum of Art’s Upcoming Exhibits & Events

What Lies Beneath: Masonite and American Art of the 20th Century

Music of the Middle Ages Concert

Very Special Arts Festival

 

Jones College Eula Bass Lewis Art Gallery’s Upcoming Exhibits

Allen Chen Sculpture Exhibit – Allen Chen, associate professor of art at the University of Southern Mississippi, uses his artform to, “…explore the possible experiences shared in an object when it’s interpreted as sculpture.” Don’t miss this unique exhibit at Jones College Eula Bass Lewis Art Gallery through October 25, 2019.

 

#2 Halloween Hijinx!

Ghosts, goblins and spooky fun can be found in Jones County in the days leading up to Halloween. Decorated houses and special events offer lots of options. Treats in the Streets at Jones College is a free family event with booths, games, costume contests and plenty of treats for the under 12 crowd. Trick or Treating in the Avenues on Halloween in downtown Laurel has quickly turned into a “must do” for locals. The neighborhoods deck out in their ghoulish finery to make this one of those true memory making evenings.

 

#3 Football

In the South, claiming loyalty to a football team is akin to breathing, but when you’re in Jones County, the choice is easy! The Jones College football team playing at their home stadium in Ellisville is an event you don’t want to miss. Check out the full schedule to see the Bobcats dominate on game day!

 

#4 Cotton Gin Market at Rasberry Greene

Fall Events in Jones County Mississippi at Cotton Gin Market

At The Cotton Gin Market, vendors from all over Mississippi and the South come together deep in the Piney Woods for a showcase of curated craftsmen, artisans, makers, purveyors of vintage and antique goods, delicious southern food and the sounds of South Mississippi.

Rasberry Greene is an event venue located a few miles outside Soso. Market takes place on October 26, 2019, and the hours are 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

 

#5 Wine Down

Wine Down Downtown is a wine tasting and shopping event which takes place on select Fridays from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with downtown merchants and restaurants staying open late.  Purchase a wine tumbler and receive 2-ounce pours from participating restaurants and vendors. Sip and shop your way through Downtown Laurel. Did we just describe the perfect Friday night?

Remaining 2019 dates include November 22, and December 20.

 

#6 100th South Mississippi Fair

One of the largest fairs in the state, the South Mississippi Fair is nine fun-filled days of rides, concerts, exhibits and shows. In its 100th year in 2019, there’s more fun happening than ever! Enjoy concerts in the Magnolia Center which include acts such as Mark Farner’s American Band, Champaign Jam, Sawyer Brown, and more! See fair favorites including Pirate Man Dan, Robocars, Disc Connected K-9s, plus the Art Show, Livestock Show, Pie Baking Contests, and Arts & Crafts.

General admission is $5. Children under 48” tall are free. Parking is free.

 

#7 Get Happy & Merry

Landrum’s 36th annual Christmas at the Homestead is an old-fashioned Christmas celebration and a merry step back in time. Grab the family to see hand-made craft vendors, Civil War re-enactments, farm animals, gem mining, and live entertainment. Stop by the General Store to listen to Bobby Hathorn pickin’ his banjo, grab some kettle corn, and take a wagon ride through the beautiful nature trails. The thousands of twinkling Christmas lights are sure to bring you holiday cheer!

But Christmas fun doesn’t stop there. Laurel & Ellisville are known for having a holly jolly good time all December long. Start by watching the tree twinkle to life at the Christmas Tree Lighting in Downtown Laurel on December 5th.

Fun events this fall in Jones County at the Christmas Parade and more!Get into the holiday spirit when you experience A Jingle Jazz Christmas Concert (December 6) and the Concert Choir Christmas Concert (December 5 & 6) both hosted by the Jones College of Fine Art.

 

What’s more fun than pancakes and parades (we certainly can’t think of much)? The famed Kiwanis Pancake Day starts the morning of December 7th and the Christmas Parades in Laurel & Ellisville take place later the same day. It’s sure to be a merry day in Mississippi!

 

Want more information on fall events and things to do in Jones County, Mississippi? Be sure to check out the events calendar at VisitJones.com for fall and holiday small town fun.