The Daily Memphian’s new Holidays in Memphis newsletter series will be your helping hand this season with recipes, holiday events, gift ideas and more. Sign up here to receive seasonal tips in your inbox through New Year’s Eve.

You might as well embrace the busy holiday season because we’re in the thick of it. When you find time between shopping, wrapping, office parties and family obligations, consult this guide for the city’s best lighting displays, parades, theater productions, markets and more. 

Santa Claus is comin’: Local holiday parades

Hernando Candyland Christmas Parade, Monday, Dec. 2: 

Annual parade with floats, cars, marching bands, fire trucks and Santa. The parade will begin at the corner of Mt. Pleasant Extended and Commerce Street in Hernando, Mississippi. 6:30 p.m. More information here.

Millington Christmas Parade, Thursday, Dec. 5:

This annual parade lines up at the intersection of Newport and Navy Road and ends at the Baker Community Center. Kicks off at 6 p.m. More information here.

The Collierville Christmas Parade is Friday, Dec. 6. In this file photo, members of the Collierville High School Band marched in the 2019 parade. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian file)

Collierville Christmas Parade, Friday, Dec. 6:

Collierville’s annual holiday parade lines up on Byhalia Road north of White Road and marches toward West Collierville Middle School. 7 p.m. More information here.

Southaven Christmas Parade: Candy Cane Lane, Saturday, Dec. 7:

Annual parade along Southaven’s Main Street with floats, walking groups, high school bands and more. Starts at 10 a.m. More information here.

Olive Branch Christmas Parade: A Red, White and Blue Christmas, Saturday, Dec. 7:

Olive Branch’s holiday parade is red, white and blue-themed in honor of Pearl Harbor Day. Starts at Olive Branch High School at 2 p.m. More information here. 

Horn Lake Christmas Parade, Saturday, Dec. 7:

This year’s parade theme is “Toys, Trains & Candy Canes,” and line-up begins at Horn Lake Middle School. Parade starts at 6 p.m. Click here for more.

Arlington Christmas Parade, Saturday, Dec. 14:

This year’s parade theme is “Winter Wonderland.” The parade will start on Airline Road in front of Arlington High School and travel west to the Memphis-Arlington Road intersection. 11 a.m. More information here.

Germantown Holiday Parade, Saturday, Dec. 14:

Christmas parade with floats, horses, school groups, marching bands and more. Begins at Kimbrough Road and Farmington Boulevard at 2 p.m. Click here for more. 

All dressed up and snow-where to go? Check out these performances and events

‘A Christmas Carol’ at Theatre Memphis, Dec. 6-23: 

Annual production of the classic Charles Dickens story about Ebenezer Scrooge and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future. 630 Perkins Extd. See here for times and tickets. 

‘Nutcracker: Land of Enchanted Sweets’ at the Buckman Performing Arts Center, Friday, Dec. 6:

Students from the Buckman Dance Conservatory, the resident dance company at St. Mary’s School, perform scenes from Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker.” 6 p.m. 60 Perkins Extd. Click here for tickets. 

Emerald Theater Co. presents “Cabaret Noel 9: A Kaleidoscopic Christmas” from Friday-Sunday, Dec. 6-8. (Courtesy Emerald Theatre)

‘Cabaret Noel 9: A Kaleidoscopic Christmas’ from Emerald Theatre Co., Friday-Sunday, Dec. 6-8:

Emerald Theatre Co. presents a holiday variety show with winter songs and campy slapstick humor. Friday-Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m. 2085 Monroe Ave. Click here for tickets. 

Flying Saucer Stumbling Santa Pub Crawl on Saturday, Dec. 7:

This 20th annual pub crawl starts at Flying Saucer. Attendees are encouraged to dress as Santa and bring a toy for the Porter Leath toy drive. Flying Saucer will have a beer tent, and then the group will move to different bars around Downtown. 130 Peabody Place. Click here for more. 

‘A Neighborly Christmas’ with Drew and Ellie Holcomb at the Orpheum Theatre, Wednesday, Dec. 18:

Singer-songwriters and married couple Drew and Ellie Holcomb will take the stage together in their annual holiday performance. 7:30 p.m. 203 S. Main St. Click here for more.

Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder Christmas play the Germantown Performing Arts Center on Saturday, Dec. 21. (Courtesy GPAC)

Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder Christmas at Germantown Performing Arts Center, Saturday, Dec. 21:

Country Music Hall of Fame member Ricky Skaggs and his backing band Kentucky Thunder will perform acoustic Christmas classics. 8 p.m. 1801 Exeter Road, Germantown. Click here for more.

Mannheim Steamroller will play the Orpheum Theatre on Sunday, Dec. 22. (Credit: Business Wire)

Mannheim Steamroller at the Orpheum Theatre, Sunday, Dec. 22:

Grammy Award winner Chip Davis’ touring neoclassical, new-age music ensemble stops at the Orpheum for their annual holiday multimedia show. 6:30 p.m. 203 S. Main St. Click here for more. 

No gift like the present: Holiday markets

Soul & Spirits Brewing will host a holiday market on Saturday, Dec. 7.  (Jennifer Biggs/The Daily Memphian file)

Holiday Market at Soul & Spirits Brewery, Saturday, December 7:

Local vendors will sell arts and crafts, and Soul & Spirits will offer beer specials all day. Food trucks Smoke & Toast, SnoJunt 901 and Travelin' Tom’s Coffee will be on-site. And Santa will stop by for photos from 2-4 p.m. Market will be open from 1-6 p.m. 845 N. Main. St. More info here.

Mint Cream ‘Tis the Season Market at Ghost River Brewing Co. on Saturday, Dec. 7:

Local makers will sell jewelry, art, oddities and more. Plus, there will be live music, beer and food from the Ghost River kitchen. 1-6 p.m. 827 S. Main St. More info here.

The Medical District Holiday Market will be at Flyway Brewing and Memphis Made Brewing on Sunday, Dec. 8. (Sophia Surrett/The Daily Memphian)

Medical District Holiday Market at Memphis Made Brewing and Flyway Brewing, Sunday, Dec. 8:

This local makers’ market is spread over two breweries with booths of artwork, beauty products, snacks, jewelry, clothing and more. There will be food vendors and a DJ. 3 p.m. 16 South Lauderdale St. and 598 Monroe Ave. Click here for more. 

Holiday Bazaar at Arrow Creative:

More than 100 artists and makers are selling art, home goods, jewelry, and more. Runs throughs Dec. 22. Hours are Wednesdays-Thursdays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Fridays-Saturdays from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sundays from noon-4 p.m. 653 Philadelphia St. Click here for more.

Memphis Art Collective holiday market on Summer Avenue:

This art collective, which represents visual artists, potters, jewelry-makers and many others, will host its annual holiday market through Dec. 24. Market is open Mondays-Saturdays 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Sundays noon-5 p.m., Christmas Eve 11 a.m.-4 p.m. 4998 Summer Ave. Click here for more.

Winter Arts Market is at the Shops of Saddle Creek through Dec. 24. (The Daily Memphian file)

Winter Arts Market at the Shops of Saddle Creek:

This annual holiday art sale features works in glass, metal, wood, fiber and clay, as well as jewelry and photography, by local artists. Runs through Dec. 24. Hours are Mondays-Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Fridays from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sundays from noon-5 p.m. 7509 Poplar Avenue, Germantown. Click here for more. 

Gifts of Green at the Garden at Memphis Botanic Garden: 

Holiday plant sale with tropical plants, pots and other accessories. Runs through Dec. 30. Open during regular garden hours. 750 Cherry Rd. Click here for more.

Get lit: Holiday lighting displays

Memphis Botanic Garden’s Holiday Wonders lighting exhibition runs through Dec. 28. (Courtesy MBG)

Holiday Wonders at the Garden at Memphis Botanic Garden:

The Memphis Botanic Garden’s seasonal lighting exhibition, presented in partnership with Memphis Light, Gas and Water this year, features photo ops, holiday characters, themed nights, food trucks and more. Santa will make an appearance on opening night. Runs through Dec. 28. 750 Cherry Road. Click here for more.

The Enchanted Forest Festival of Trees at the Pink Palace runs through Dec. 29. (Brad Vest/The Daily Memphian file)

Enchanted Forest Festival of Trees at the Pink Palace:

The Pink Palace Mezzanine will be filled with decorated trees, animated Christmas characters and model trains. Plus, there will be holiday carols and photos with Santa. Runs through Dec. 29. 3050 Central Ave. Click here for more.

Starry Nights at Shelby Farms runs through Dec. 29. (The Daily Memphian file)

Starry Nights at Shelby Farms Park:

This annual, drive-through lighting exhibition benefits the Shelby Farms Park Conservancy and the Shelby Farms Greenline. Runs through Dec. 29 on select nights. Also, look for motorcycle, bicycle and walk/bike nights through the holiday season. 6903 Great View Dr North. Click here for more.

The Memphis Zoo’s “Zoo Lights” display runs through Dec. 29. (Courtesy Memphis Zoo)

Zoo Lights at the Memphis Zoo:

The zoo’s annual holiday event features light displays, a Ferris wheel, a s’mores station and an ice-skating rink, among other attractions. Runs through Jan. 4. Open from 5 to 9:30 p.m. 2000 Prentiss Place. Click here for more.

Winter Wonderland at the Children’s Museum of Memphis:

Whether or not it snows in Memphis this winter won’t matter, because kids can throw snowballs, skate (in socks), write letters to Santa and so much more at this annual exhibition. Runs through Jan. 5. 2525 Central Ave. Click here for more.

Crosstown Concourse’s Season of Delight holiday lighting party is on Friday, Dec. 6. (Jamie Harmon/Courtesy Crosstown Arts)

Crosstown Concourse’s Delight, Friday, Dec. 6:

Crosstown will flip the switch on its massive lighting installation in the central atrium. Plus, there will be free hot chocolate, crafts and holiday films playing in Crosstown Theater. 5 to 8 p.m. 1350 Concourse Ave. Click here for more.

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