November 25, 2025
There is nothing like the holidays in the Mid-South. The moment November arrives, small towns start stringing lights across historic squares, families gather around courthouse lawns with cocoa in hand, and streets fill with parades, carols, and the glow of community.
Out here on the Blues Backroads, the season is not just celebrated. It is shared. It is handed from neighbor to neighbor, from generations who know that the real magic of winter lives in places where everyone shows up. Whether it is the first tree lighting of the year or a parade rolling down a tiny downtown street, every event tells its own story of pride, tradition, and togetherness.
To help you explore the season your way, we gathered all of the tree lightings, parades, Victorian festivals, art markets, and family events happening across Shelby County TN, Tipton County TN, Fayette County TN, Lauderdale County TN, Crittenden County AR, and DeSoto County MS. It is a full holiday roadmap across the Mid-South, ready for your next adventure.
There is nothing like the holidays in the Mid-South. The moment November arrives, small towns start stringing lights across historic squares, families gather around courthouse lawns with cocoa in hand, and streets fill with parades, carols, and the glow of community.
Out here on the Blues Backroads, the season is not just celebrated. It is shared. It is handed from neighbor to neighbor, from generations who know that the real magic of winter lives in places where everyone shows up. Whether it is the first tree lighting of the year or a parade rolling down a tiny downtown street, every event tells its own story of pride, tradition, and togetherness.
To help you explore the season your way, we gathered all of the tree lightings, parades, Victorian festivals, art markets, and family events happening across Shelby County TN, Tipton County TN, Fayette County TN, Lauderdale County TN, Crittenden County AR, and DeSoto County MS. It is a full holiday roadmap across the Mid-South, ready for your next adventure.
Location: Covington, TN
Time: November 25, 2025 through January 3, 2026
The Tipton County Museum celebrates the season with a free community exhibit of decorated trees created by local organizations and groups. Guests can even cast dollar-a-vote ballots for their favorite tree, with the winner’s name added to the Festival of Trees trophy for the year.
Location: Somerville, TN
Time: November–December 2025
A beautifully curated winter exhibit reflecting the quietness and creativity of the season.
Location: Central Park, Southaven, MS
Time: Nightly from November 28 to December 31, 2025
Southern Lights is a drive-through holiday attraction featuring more than 500,000 lights across a one-mile route in Central Park. The city promotes it as one of the most popular holiday light experiences in Mississippi.
Location: Historic Hernando Square
Time: Friday and Saturday, November 21 and 22, 2025
Hernando’s Dickens of a Christmas invites guests to “step back in time” into a Victorian-era holiday scene with characters in period dress, carriage and trolley rides, a Christmas market, live performances, Santa photos, ice skating, and special activities tied to Hernando’s history. The weekend opens with the Chamber of Commerce Christmas tree lighting, story time with the mayor, and a holiday movie on the courthouse lawn.
Location: N. Main and Peabody Place, Memphis TN
Kick off the season in the heart of downtown with the official tree lighting, a holiday market of local vendors, free photos with Santa, live music, complimentary cookies and hot cocoa, kids crafts, face painting, a photo booth, and more. It is designed as a one-stop holiday evening for families, couples, and downtown workers alike.
Location: Collierville Town Square
Time: Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Collierville’s historic square becomes a glowing postcard scene with carols, cocoa, and the town tree shining against the backdrop of twinkling shops.
Location: Founders Park, Marion AR
Time: Tuesday, November 25, 2025
The community gathers in Founders Park for the official lighting of the town tree, complete with holiday music and family-friendly activities.
Location: Worthington Park, West Memphis AR
Time: Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at 6 PM
The West Memphis Christmas Parade is a vibrant nighttime procession with bands, floats, performers, and families filling the sidewalks to welcome the season.
Location: Soulsville, Memphis TN
Time: Typically held the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. 2025 date TBD.
A spirited celebration blending neighborhood pride, holiday music, and community connection.
Location: Germantown Municipal Park
Time: Friday, November 28, 2025
This annual gathering includes singing holiday songs, roasting marshmallows, children’s activities, Santa visits and the lighting of the official tree on the municipal green. The city highlights it as a favorite kickoff to the season for families.
Location: I H Park, Lakeland TN
Time: Saturday, November 29, 2025
Lakeland combines its classic holiday parade—complete with Santa and festive floats—with West Tennessee’s first-ever Christmas drone light show, following the tree lighting with food trucks, music and family-friendly fun.
Location: Mason, TN
Time: Saturday, November 29, 2025
This Tipton County celebration brings festive floats, music, and hometown joy.
Location: Covington Courthouse Square
Time: Typically held the week after Thanksgiving. 2025 date TBD.
Covington’s Tree Lighting ceremony brings neighbors to the historic square for music, refreshments, and the moment the tree ignites the heart of downtown with holiday glow.
Location: Brighton, TN
Time: Monday, December 1, 2025
Join the annual Brighton Christmas Parade, kicking off at Brighton Elementary School, where floats, vehicles and holiday cheer light up the evening and the community lines the streets to celebrate together.
Location: Ripley, TN
Time: Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Ripley’s parade rolls through the heart of downtown with bands, floats, community groups, and Santa. Lauderdale County highlights it as one of the area’s longest-running holiday traditions.
Location: Halls, TN
Time: Tuesday, December 2, 2025
The Halls Parade brings out families, school groups, and local businesses for a festive evening along the town’s main stretch. It’s a simple, joyful celebration rooted in community pride.
Location: Broadway, West Memphis, AR
Time: Tuesday, December 2, 2025 at 7 PM
The West Memphis parade lights up Broadway with illuminated floats, community performers, marching bands, and families lining the sidewalks in holiday excitement.
Location: Piperton Municipal Center
Time: Typically early December. 2025 date TBD.
Piperton’s holiday open house includes crafts, treats, and a meet-and-greet with Santa. The city shares that it’s designed as a relaxed, welcoming event where kids can visit at their own pace.
Location: Hickory Hill Community Center, Memphis, TN
Time: Typically early December. 2025 date TBD.
Hickory Hill’s tree lighting invites local families for an evening of holiday music, youth performances, cookies, cocoa, and a visit from Santa. The city promotes it as a cheerful neighborhood tradition celebrating unity and joy.
Location: Whitehaven Plaza or Whitehaven Community Center
Time: Traditionally held first week of December. 2025 date TBD.
Whitehaven’s annual holiday celebration includes live entertainment, youth choirs, treats, Santa visits, and the official lighting of the community tree. It is a signature neighborhood event that brings residents together to kick off the season.
Location: Olive Branch City Hall
Time: Thursday, December 4, 2025
Olive Branch marks the start of its holiday season with a large outdoor gathering, festive performances, visits with Santa and the lighting of the tree on the lawn of City Hall. The event is promoted as a family tradition across the community.
Location: Millington, TN
Time: Thursday, December 4, 2025
Millington’s holiday celebration begins with the tree lighting at the fire station, immediately followed by the city’s Christmas parade with floats, bands and festive lights rolling through Main Street. The city encourages early arrival for prime viewing spots.
Location: Walls, MS
Time: Typically held the first Thursday of December. 2025 date TBD.
The Walls Christmas Parade features small-town Southern charm with decorated floats, local performers, and families gathered along the parade route.
Location: Bartlett, TN (Route announced by city)
Time: Typically held the first Saturday of December. 2025 date TBD.
The parade features community groups, floats, dance troupes and holiday music as it travels through Bartlett’s center. The city describes it as a long-running tradition that brings families together to celebrate the season.
Location: Depot Square, Arlington TN
Time: Friday, December 5, 2025
Arlington’s historic Depot Square comes alive with local vendors, Christmas characters, performances, kids activities, and treats. The town promotes it as a family tradition where neighbors gather for a festive night of music, shopping and holiday spirit.
Location: Collierville TN
Time: Friday, December 5, 2025
Collierville’s parade features marching bands, decorated floats, dance teams, Santa and thousands of spectators lining the streets. The town highlights it as one of the largest holiday celebrations in the region, wrapping through the historic district.
Location: Gale Community Center, Hernando MS
Time: Friday, December 5, 2025 from 5 PM to 8 PM
Hosted by Hernando Parks & Recreation, Cookies with Santa invites families to take their own photos, enjoy free cookies and refreshments, and participate in holiday crafts.
Location: Mason, TN
Time: Friday, December 5, 2025
A small, joyful gathering to light the Mason community tree.
Location: Collierville Town Square
Time: Saturday, December 6, 2025
The Christmas in Collierville series includes horse-drawn carriage rides, visits with Santa, shopping, music, and magical photo opportunities around the historic square. The town markets the event as an all-season destination for holiday cheer.
Location: Downtown Marion AR
Time: Saturday, December 6, 2025
Mingle & Jingle fills Marion’s square with music, vendors, treats, and festive activities leading up to Christmas. It’s one of the city’s most anticipated community events.
Location: Southaven, MS
Time: Saturday, December 6, 2025
Southaven’s Christmas Parade features beautifully lit floats, marching bands, and holiday characters as it travels through the heart of the city. It’s one of DeSoto County’s most attended holiday events.
Location: Somerville, TN
Time: Saturday, December 6, 2025
Somerville’s Christmas Parade features local schools, churches, first responders, and holiday floats traveling around the historic courthouse square. The town promotes it as a family tradition that brings together the entire community.
Location: Ripley, TN
Time: December 6–8, 2025
A magical weekend featuring ice skating, a live Nativity, snow, train rides, Santa photos, and s’mores by open fire pits.
Location: Munford, TN
Time: Saturday, December 6, 2025
The annual Munford parade brings together bands, floats, and local spirit, then transitions directly into the tree lighting ceremony—making it a full evening of holiday community.
Location: Horn Lake, MS
Time: Typically held the first Saturday of December. 2025 date TBD.
Horn Lake’s annual parade winds through the center of town with floats, community groups and festive music. Residents look forward to it as a cheerful way to ring in the holiday season.
Location: Oakland, TN
Time: Typically held the first Saturday of December. 2025 date TBD.
Oakland’s Christmas Parade fills the town center with lights, decorated floats, classic cars, and cheering families. It’s one of Fayette County’s most beloved holiday gatherings, with residents lining the streets year after year.
Location: Downtown Covington TN
Time: Saturday and Sunday, December 6–7, 2025
A Victorian festival complete with carriage rides, costumes, and holiday performances.
Location: Horseshoe Lake AR
Time: Typically held the first Sunday of December. 2025 date TBD.
A uniquely Arkansas experience, the Horseshoe Lake Boat Parade features festively decorated boats cruising the shoreline at dusk, creating a magical scene on the water.
Location: Covington TN
Time: Monday, December 8, 2025
A proud Tipton County tradition marching through the historic square.
Location: Downtown Square, Ripley, TN
Time: December 8–10, 2025 (following the pattern in their promo):
A Homestyle Christmas transforms Ripley’s downtown square into a holiday village with ice skating, snow, fire pits for roasting s’mores, Christmas cookie decorating, photos with Santa, a live Nativity, train rides, and other family activities. Created in 2019 as a partnership between the City of Ripley and Lauderdale County, it has grown into one of the county’s signature Christmas traditions and often encourages visitors to bring canned goods or toys to support local families.
Location: Millington TN
Time: Tuesday, December 9, 2025
Kids meet Santa at the fire station in a relaxed, festive setting.
Location: Atoka, TN
Time: Traditionally held the Friday before Santa’s Ride. 2025 date TBD.
The Atoka Christmas Parade features local organizations, decorated floats, school groups, and holiday performers traveling the main route through town. It often precedes the larger Santa’s Ride weekend.
Location: Neighborhoods throughout Atoka TN
Time: Friday and Saturday, December 12–13, 2025
Families track Santa on his fire truck route throughout town.
Location: Walker Park, Atoka TN
Time: Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 7:30 PM
A cheerful celebration with Santa, cookies, food trucks, and holiday vendors.
Location: Hernando MS
Time: Saturday, December 13, 2025
The Red Door Market showcases handmade gifts, art, and local creations, offering a festive shopping experience for those seeking unique holiday items.
Location: Olive Branch MS
Time: Saturday, December 13, 2025
Olive Branch’s parade is one of the biggest community events of the year, with marching bands, decorated floats, and local organizations bringing the streets to life.
Location: Henning, TN
Time: Saturday, December 13, 2025
Henning’s parade is a cherished Lauderdale County holiday event featuring classic cars, floats, marching groups, and a visit from Santa. The town describes it as a tradition that unites neighbors across generations.
Location: Oakland, TN
Time: Typically held mid-December. 2025 date TBD.
The Oakland Tree Lighting brings neighbors together for a cozy evening of carols, refreshments, and the moment the town tree shines across the square. Families often describe it as one of the most heartwarming nights of the season.
As the season unfolds, every community across the Blues Backroads region brings its own spark to the holidays. Some towns celebrate with big parades and bright lights. Others keep things simple with caroling, carriage rides, or a single tree glowing in the center of the square.
No matter where you go, you will find the same thing. People gathering. Families slowing down. Traditions being shared. Roads full of music and memory. The Mid-South holds the kind of holiday magic you can only find in places where people still wave from porches and smile at strangers in line.
Whether you plan to hit every tree lighting on the list or just pick a small town to explore for the day, we hope this guide helps you feel the warmth of the region. Wherever the road takes you, may it be bright, joyful, and full of wonder.
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