The Ultimate Guide to Holiday Fun in Jackson – 2025 Edition
Jackson knows how to do the holidays with Southern warmth and genuine community spirit.
From candlelit historic tours and downtown light festivals to neighborhood luminaria displays and bustling holiday markets, the Capital City offers a holiday calendar full of family favorites and new traditions for 2025.
Check out these local businesses and organizations as your one-stop planning tool for a cheerful, low-stress Jackson holiday season.
Holiday Events
Jackson’s official and community events are where the season feels most public and celebratory. Here are dependable, well-loved events and the organizations that run them.
Capital City Lights, downtown Jackson
A city-produced evening of live performances, markets, lighted public spaces, and special programming across Smith Park and nearby venues, Capital City Lights returns each December to kick off the holiday season. Check Visit Jackson for dates and a full schedule of performers and vendors.
Christmas by Candlelight Tour, Mississippi Department of Archives and History
This free, shuttle-supported tour lets visitors move between the State Capitol, Governor’s Mansion, Old Capitol, and the Two Mississippi Museums to see historic sites decorated for the holidays, while enjoying live music, treats, and model trains. The event draws families and history lovers alike.
2025 Santa Zoo Station
Prepare yourself for a holiday extravaganza as you’ve never seen before, as the Jackson Zoo unveils its two-day Santa Zoo Station event! This exclusive event is an incredible chance for families to craft unforgettable holiday memories! Family-friendly holiday experiences like meeting Santa, toy giveaways, and other holiday-themed activities pair nicely with evening light displays and the Zoo’s seasonal schedule.
December 20th, 2025
Jackson Symphony Holiday Pops
The Jackson Symphony and community ensembles schedule family-friendly holiday concerts, sing-alongs, and seasonal pops programs in December, making for an elegant night out or a kid-friendly matinee. See the Symphony calendar for ticket details.
Neighborhood Light Shows
If you prefer a cozy, neighborhood-style holiday viewing, Jackson and its neighbors have multiple routes and displays worthy of an evening drive or a family walk.
Belhaven Singing Christmas Tree
The Belhaven neighborhood often stages local performances and decorative lighting, and the Singing Christmas Tree is a regional favorite that blends community singing and historic charm. Find performance and lighting details on neighborhood and event calendars.
Lazy Acres Farm Lights and Drive-Through Shows
For a full farm-based lights spectacle with hayrides, Santa visits, and a large, car-friendly light path, Lazy Acres in Lights offers a popular destination that doubles as a children’s attraction in the holiday season. Visit the farm site for ticketed event nights.
Places to Buy Gifts
Jackson’s local retailers and museum stores make it easy to shop small and find unusual or locally made gifts that tell a story.
Mississippi Museum of Art Museum Store
The MMA’s store stocks art-forward gifts, books, prints, and locally made home goods, and the Museum hosts a Holiday Market for seasonal shopping. It’s a simple stop for a thoughtful, art-centered present.
Lemuria Books
A beloved independent bookstore with an impressive, curated selection and author events, Lemuria offers signed editions, Mississippi-interest titles, and gift bundles that make meaningful presents for readers. They also participate in local holiday book events.
Fresh Ink
This stationery, gift, and custom-invite shop carries curated paper goods, candles, accessories, and gift sets that travel well and make excellent hostess and stocking-stuffer options. They consolidate Jackson services in Banner Hall and often run holiday promotions.
The Market in Fondren and Fondren Boutiques
Fondren hosts a cluster of independent boutiques, galleries, and makers, including Hunt The Shop, Treehouse Boutique, Interiors Market, and pop-up markets, so you can hit multiple small businesses in one evening. Check the Fondren business directory for merchant hours.
Highland Village and the District at Eastover
If you prefer a single development with a variety of shops, Highland Village and Eastover offer well-curated retailers, local artisan stalls, and dining options to pair with holiday shopping. Check shopping center listings for seasonal hours and special events.
Afrikan Art Gallery & Bookstore
Step into this charming gift shop and bookstore, and you’re greeted by a warm, cozy atmosphere filled with colorful artwork, handcrafted items, and an extensive selection of books that celebrate African culture and history. Explore the rich cultural heritage at Afrikan Art Gallery & Bookstore, where art, literature, and unique gifts come together in Jackson, Mississippi.
Restaurants and Bars
When you want to pair a holiday night out with great food or a festive cocktail, Jackson’s dining scene delivers range, flavor, and Southern hospitality.
The Manship Wood Fired Kitchen
An award-winning Belhaven restaurant known for wood-fired cooking and a thoughtful seasonal menu, The Manship is an excellent pick for an elevated holiday dinner and cocktails. Reserve ahead for weekend holiday nights.
Walker’s Drive-In
A Fondren institution with an ever-evolving menu that highlights Mississippi-grown produce and creative Southern plates, Walker’s is ideal for a special holiday meal with hometown flair.
Saltine
This modern oyster bar and seafood-forward restaurant in Duling Hall pairs fresh Gulf seafood with craft cocktails, making Saltine a popular pick for dinner parties and festive evenings.
Pig & Pint
For relaxed holiday lunches or a family night with BBQ and an extensive beer list, Pig & Pint in Fondren offers award-winning barbecue and a friendly neighborhood vibe.
Brent’s Drugs & Soda Fountain
For classic diner charm, old-fashioned ice cream, and a nostalgic holiday brunch stop, Brent’s mixes retro ambiance with reliable favorites—great for families and casual group get-togethers.
Christmas Tree Farms and Places to Buy a Real Tree
If you’re looking for that Griswold tradition of choosing a live tree, several Mississippi farms and local lots serve Jackson with choose-and-cut fields, pre-cut stands, and farm experiences.
Merry Christmas Tree Farm, Nesbit
A large, popular farm that runs hayrides, netting, and gift-shop conveniences for a day-trip tree purchase, Merry Christmas Tree Farm often draws families looking for a full farm experience.
Lazy Acres Farm Fun
Lazy Acres runs seasonal light attractions, Santa visits, and a tree area in some years; a great option if you want lights, activities, and a tree in one visit. Check their site for current tree and event offerings.
Volunteer Opportunities
Giving time during the holidays deeply matters in Jackson, where nonprofits rely on seasonal volunteers to pack boxes, sort donations, ring bells, and serve warm meals. Here are strong, well-established organizations that post regular holiday needs and volunteer sign-ups.
Habitat for Humanity Mississippi Capital Area
Volunteer for store shifts, help with packaging or retail operations, or join a build day; Habitat’s local chapter lists group and individual volunteer options that support affordable housing year-round.
Mississippi Food Network
Organizations that run food pantries and backpack programs need volunteers to sort and pack food boxes, staff mobile pantries, and help with holiday meal distributions; check the MFN volunteer page or the state food network directory for sign-ups.
United Way
United Way and its volunteer portals list time-limited holiday opportunities across partner agencies, from gift-wrapping and toy drives to tutoring and senior outreach. Their volunteer portal makes it easy to find short shifts that fit a busy holiday calendar.
Jackson Zoo Seasonal Service and Toy-Giveaway
The Jackson Zoo’s holiday giving programs and toy giveaway rely on volunteers for logistics and distribution; check the Zoo’s volunteer page for event-specific needs and registration windows.
Happy Holidays from Pittman, Roberts & Welsh, PLLC
Jackson’s holidays blend hometown traditions and cultural richness into a warm, walkable, and highly giftable season.
Whether you build your adventure around Capital City Lights, picking a tree at a nearby farm, spending an afternoon at the Mississippi Museum of Art market, or ringing a Red Kettle to help a neighbor, the city serves up lots of ways to celebrate and give back in 2025.
Use this guide’s links to lock in tickets, reserve a table, or sign up to volunteer, then bundle up, set an out-of-office message, and enjoy Jackson’s welcoming holiday glow!
