Everyone loves Christmas lights. It is a fun time to take your family for hot chocolate and gaze at beautiful lights especially if gardens are included in the spectacular light shows.
Christmastime at Beauvoir
A wonderful place near us in Biloxi is Beauvoir. Each December Beauvoir, the last home of Jefferson Davis, transforms the house and properties into a winter wonderland. It is adorned with thousands of sparkling lights and festivities abound.
Beauvoir encompasses a botanical garden, museum, and presidential library. It offers wagon rides, photos with Santa, and much more. The fun usually takes place on Fridays and Saturdays during December. Special events include the wreath laying which is the first Saturday in December.
Christmas Encampment will be held December 15-16, 2023 from 6-9 p.m. For more information or tickets, visit www.visitbeauvoir.org or call 228.388.4400.
Gulfport Harbor Lights Winter Festival
Another great place to see Christmas lights would be the Gulfport Harbor Lights Winter Festival. Even though there is not really a garden associated with the display, it is not to be missed.
Located in Jones Park in Gulfport, it covers 40 acres of the park with more than 1.5 million lights. This Festival has received National Recognition as “One of the Best Christmas Light Displays in the U. S.” A Lifetime Christmas movie was even filmed there, titled, Christmas in Mississippi!
The Winter Festival features everything from giant ornaments to elaborate festive scenes to a “dancing trees” show. In addition to the lights, visitors can watch the elves work at Santa’s Village, ride carnival rides, take a train ride, or visit with the big man himself.
Visit www.gulfportharborlights.com for more information.
Bellingrath Gardens and Home
Bellingrath Gardens and Home is within traveling distance located in Theodore, Alabama, off I-10. Our neighboring friends in Alabama have the most gorgeous gardens that are decorated in 3 million lights during the holidays, and there is always something blooming!
Guests stroll through a dazzling light display that features more than 1,100 set pieces, and 16 scenes throughout the 65-acre garden estate. The show is closed only on Christmas and New Year’s Day.
If you have never been to Bellingrath Gardens and Home, it’s time for a visit! Their Magic Christmas in Lights Annual Tour began November 24 and runs through January 3 from 5 p.m.-9 p.m.!
Tickets may be purchased online or in advance or at the door upon arrival. Check out their website, www.bellingrath.org/magic-christmas, or call them at 251.973.2217 for more information.
Celebration in the Oaks
Celebration in the Oaks is located in New Orleans, Louisiana, during Christmas time.
Your family and friends will enjoy over a million twinkling lights through a 2.25-mile driving or walking tour that features amusement park rides as well as access to the elegant botanical garden.
The ten-acre New Orleans botanical garden contains more than 2,000 varieties of plants from around the world. The seeds for the garden were planted in 1936 when the City Park Rose Garden opened.
Serving as New Orleans’ largest outdoor attraction since 1854, City Park is one of the oldest parks in the country. With its iconic oak trees and picturesque moss canopies, this 1,300-acre green space brings in millions of visitors each year. This year, the celebration is planned for November 23-December 30.
Visit them online at www.celebrationintheoaks.com.
