Headed into the first week of December with more and more holiday fun on our list. There’s music, too, and a benefit dinner and show to round out our picks.

Holiday Open Houses – MDAH Sites – Friday, Saturday
The Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH) is canceling this year’s Christmas by Candlelight Tour due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but offering opportunities to enjoy the holiday decorations at several JXN sites. The Mississippi Governor’s Mansion, the Old Capitol Museum, the Two Mississippi Museums, and the Eudora Welty House and Garden will be decorated and open for socially-distanced/masked visits. Activities and times vary.

Deck the District – The District at Eastover – Friday 5-8 p.m. and Saturday 1-8 p.m.
Come help light The District’s Christmas tree to kick-off Friends of Children’s Hospital’s annual holiday fundraiser, Light-A-Light presented by BankPlus during this two-day event. Visit with Santa, hear live music and celebrate with holiday-themed performances, shopping and food and drink. The event is free.

Photos With Santa – Highland Village – Dec. 5 & 6, 12 & 13 and 19 & 20
Santa is returning to Highland Village for family photos by reservation only. Each session includes holiday-themed treats and an SD card of photos for you to print or share at will. Capacity is limited and screening and sanitizing protocols will be followed.

Charlie Mars – Duling Hall – Friday
Mississippi-born singer/songwriter Charlie Mars is a country-and folk-inflected pop artist “blessed with a warm vocal croon and a knack for crafting poignant, earthy songs.” Hear this native son in one of two shows this week (Friday at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.) in a safe, socially-distanced setup at Duling Hall. Refer to venue requirements (including facial-coverings and seating arrangements) and purchase early show tickets here.

World AIDS Day Dinner – Hal & Mal’s – Saturday 6 p.m.
Mississippi Capital Pride recognizes World AIDS Day, raising money and awareness to help fight HIV, with a drag show and dinner. Tickets, available here, include a prime rib or chicken dinner and a cast of nine performing to benefit Grace House.

Events are noted by location or, in the case of an online-only presentation, we’ll use “Virtual” as the venue.

We strongly encourage you to follow COVID-19 restrictions set forth by the City of Jackson (despite the lapse of a statewide mask mandate, facial coverings ARE still required in the city of Jackson along with social distancing and crowd size limits). Stay informed of additional public health guidance on the state level and in Jackson to minimize risk to themselves and others.

We cover a curated selection of events in this weekly post and don’t claim this is all that is going on in town, far from it. We welcome your suggestions for additional future events. Events are linked to Facebook events, organizer websites or ticket links. All events are presented by their respective organizers and not My City or our parent company, Visit Jackson, unless otherwise noted.