If you’re looking for a Hallmark holiday – just like the ones seen in the cheesy yet warm Christmas movies – two Mississippi towns are some of the only places in America that actually offer a parallel to the screen.
Hattiesburg and Oxford were joined by six others on Forbes’ list of “small towns serving up a genuine Hallmark holiday experience.” The two Mississippi college towns known for their vibrant, cozy downtown areas joined places like Augusta, N.J.; Cape May, N.J.; Bristol, R.I.; Cheyenne, Wyo.; Newnan, Ga.; and Sylva, N.C. as the top spots to celebrate joy this holiday season.
Starting with Hattiesburg, Forbes noted that the city’s widespread art scene is worth the backdrop for your family’s annual Christmas post on social media. Paired with lights across town, you may just forget that you’re not in a Hallmark movie.
“Hattiesburg boasts more than 50 murals spread throughout town, serving as a unique backdrop for holiday memories, shopping, tantalizing dining and picturesque events,” Forbes contributor Roger Sands wrote.
As for Oxford, the town was, in fact, the setting of a recent Hallmark movie called On the 12th Date of Christmas, meaning locals and tourists alike get a chance to enjoy the inner world of a real-life TV holiday. Throw in everything The Square and mTrade park have to offer during the Christmas season and the experience is as sweet as the hot chocolate being passed around town.
“Not only does Oxford, Mississippi look like a Hallmark Christmas Movie town. It actually is one,” Sands continued. “This year marks the fifth anniversary of Holly Jolly Holidays, a celebration that transforms the quaint town into a winter wonderland thru Jan. 5. The Walk of Lights is a dazzling display of custom-designed illuminations paying homage to Oxford’s history, enjoyed at mTrade park along with the Oxford on Ice skating rink and visits from Santa. The magic spreads along the Peppermint Trail, where participating local businesses offer various treats, gifts, and cocktails with a side of holiday cheer.”
For the latest information on holiday events in Mississippi’s two Hallmark movie Christmas towns, check out the websites for Visit Hattiesburg and Visit Oxford.
