Downtown Christmas Parade of Lights Presents: A Bicentennial Christmas

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — Downtown Vicksburg is lighting up the holidays like never before as the Christmas Parade of Lights returns — celebrating 200 years of Vicksburg’s history with A Bicentennial Christmas!

On Saturday, Dec. 6 at 5 p.m., the streets will glow with thousands of lights, festive music, and the nostalgic charm that makes Christmas in Vicksburg so special. This year’s theme, “A Bicentennial Christmas,” honors two centuries of tradition, blending vintage holiday charm with the energy and excitement of today.

“This year’s parade is especially meaningful as we celebrate 200 years of Vicksburg’s history and the traditions that have shaped our community. A Bicentennial Christmas is our way of honoring the beauty of the past while creating new memories that will carry on for generations to come,” says Kim Hopkins, the Executive Director of Vicksburg Main Street.

Floats and displays will sparkle with handcrafted details: wooden trains, rocking horses, garlands of handmade ornaments, classic nutcrackers, and lantern-lit scenes that evoke the warmth of Christmas through the ages. Participants are encouraged to showcase costumes inspired by Vicksburg’s history, from Victorian-era carolers to mid-century merriment, celebrating how holiday joy has evolved across generations.

As Vicksburg marks its bicentennial, this year’s parade offers a magical mix of heritage and holiday wonder, inviting everyone to experience the charm of Christmas as it has been cherished for 200 years. We are excited to announce Bess Averett as our Grand Marshall for our Bicentennial Christmas Parade. All area clubs, churches, organizations, schools, bands, drill teams, individuals, and businesses are invited to participate in this beloved community Christmas tradition.

The deadline to apply is Tuesday, Nov. 25. You can apply online at the Vicksburg Main Street website, or by contacting the program at 601-634-4527 or kimh@vicksburg.org.

Whether you’re creating a float or joining the crowd, we can’t wait to see you in downtown Vicksburg as we light up the night and celebrate A Bicentennial Christmas, where the magic of the past meets the joy of the present.