Canton Christmas Fest ready to sparkle in 35th year

Special to the Canton News

Once again, Mississippi’s original City of Lights prepares to shine this holiday season. The 2022 Canton Christmas Festival kicks off on the Historic Canton Square with Opening Weekend and Merchants’ Holiday Open House Friday, November 25, through Sunday, November 27, from 5 until 9 p.m. The festival reopens nightly December 2 through 23, with the 16th Annual Sip ‘N Cider event taking place on Friday, December 9.  

Popular favorites return, such as the Canton Christmas Festival treasure, Storytime with Mrs. Claus, along with performances by her Magical Cast of Characters. The towering four-story LED Christmas tree will once again be present on the historical courthouse grounds, along with over 100,000 twinkling lights around the Square. Also returning are family favorite fire truck and train rides around the Square, as well as the Victorian carousel, sky race, and miniature cars for children. On select dates, attendees can cozy up with a horse-drawn carriage ride and stop by the Canton Welcome Center for photos with Santa himself - and to see who made the Nice List.  

New features visitors can look forward to include a massive 18-foot walk-through giftbox light display and Rudolph’s Playground, where children will find Mrs. Claus’ reading porch, magical reindeer and festive penguin photo ops, and a glittering Finding Nemo display returns with a splash! Here, children of all ages will also find one of three mailboxes, provided by Canton Tourism, where they can mail their Letters to Santa. Letters written from home are also encouraged! 

While the multiple sights, sounds and various rides are always enjoyable, the Canton Christmas Festival also offers several interactive features. Visitors can walk through Canton’s Christmas Village for souvenirs from Rudolph’s Barn, Frosty’s Igloo, and Santa’s Workshop. Children can peek through the “I Spy” window to see if they can find the elves’ Top 10 favorite toys. All ages can step into the past and experience what a true Victorian Christmas looked like in Canton, as Christmas comes alive in the animated Canton History Museum. And no one will want to miss seeing Santa’s All-American Snow Village and Miniature Train Depot, an impressive display of more than three hundred pieces at Canton Tourism. 

“The holidays are such a magical time of year, and we are just honored that so many people choose to make memories with us in Canton,” says May McCarty, Canton Tourism Executive Director. “This festival is thirty-five years old. We have families who have been coming to the festival for generations, many even from out of state. Our gazebo with its gorgeous white tree has become a popular place for couples to get engaged. And for those of us born and raised in Canton, it’s a major part of our childhood. We’re very proud of what we’ve created and the joy it brings into people’s lives.”  

Canton invites everyone to bring their family and make Christmas memories again in the City of Lights. For more information and for a complete schedule of festivities and map of the festival, visit www.CantonTourism.com, or call Canton Tourism at 601-859-1307.