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 1^st, 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 1^st!

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 6^th 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 6^th 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 19^th and Small Business Saturday on November 26^th.

Holidays at Landrum’s Homestead and Village

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

The magic of the season comes alive at Landrum’s Homestead & Village‘s 39^th 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 3^rd and the Christmas parade in Laurel takes place on December 2^nd. 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

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 Festival (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!

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.

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.

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.

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