The Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation is proud to present the inaugural Holly Days Arts and Crafts Show, 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Admission is $1. Holly Days will feature over 35 vendors showcasing their talents. This event will pave the way for the Vicksburg Main Street’s Annual Christmas Parade of Lights that begins at 5:00pm. Shoppers will be delighted by the assortment of products available at the show. These items include unique art, photography, polymer clay, handbags, jewelry, clothing, food, pottery, dresses, pillows, stained glass, frames, soaps, wood spoons, handmade knives, quilts, gourds, drawings and much more. The decorating talents of Uptown Florist & Gifts will transform the historic 1885 Auditorium to reflect the festive holiday season. For more information, please contact the SCHF office at 601-631-2997 or email info@southernculture.org.

Dec. 11, 2008 , at 7 p.m. Native Daughters: An Evening with Natasha Trethewey and H.C. Porter , at the Southern Cultural Heritage Center. To help celebrate the release of Backyards & Beyond: Mississippians and Their Stories, Natasha Trethewey will be in Vicksburg for a special program and book signing with H.C. Porter. This is an event that should not only help promote the arts and culture of Vicksburg, but also bring in visitors from all over the Southeast. For more information on H.C. Porter and the exhibition, visit www.hcporter.com or www.backyardsandbeyond.org. A complete bio of Trethewey and information on her published works may be viewed at www.creativewriting.emory.edu/faculty/trethewey.html. Books are also available at Lorelie Books in downtown Vicksburg. Please call the H.C. Porter Gallery at 601-661-9444 for any additional information.

Nightly at 7 p.m. – “The Christmas Post” musical comedy presented by Hawkins United Methodist Church, 3716 Halls Ferry Rd. Admission is free. Imagine if you could step into a Rockwell painting… into another time, another place.  The Christmas Post does just that.  Set in 1947 this fast, fun production is family-oriented with a consistent message that faith in Christ is what makes Christmas real. For more information, call Julie at 601-636-2242.

Confederate Christmas Ball at the Old Courthouse Museum, 1008 Cherry Street. Formerly the Balfour Ball. 7:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m., period dress or coat and tie required. Advance tickets only; admission is $50 per couple or $25 per individual; admission for individuals under age 21 is $15. Please contact Bubba Bolm for more information at 601-636-0741 or email societyhistorica@bellsouth.net. Website for the Old Courthouse Museum is www.oldcourthouse.org.

Christmas at the Old Court House begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Courtroom.  Music and food, free to public: a Vicksburg tradition not to be missed!

The Church of the Holy Trinity Christmas Eve Family Mass, 5:30 p.m. A service designed for the whole family to celebrate the birth of our Lord. At 11 p.m. the Christmas Eve Solemn High Mass begins, including the Holy Trinity choir and guest instrumentalists to celebrate the birth of our Lord. Both events sponsored by The Church of the Holy Trinity, Episcopal. For more information contact Dorothy K. Brasfield at 601-636-0542 or visit www.holytrinityvicksburg.dioms.org