25 Days of Christmas: Music is in warm breezes of South Mississippi

"Do You Hear What I Hear?"

"It's Christmas Time in the City" -- all 12 cities in South Mississippi -- and "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year."

Christmas carols resound from churches, are rehearsed for school plays and keep us company while we shop, wrap presents and bake.

Some of us go for the old favorites sung by Bing Crosby, Andy Williams, Perry Como and Nat King Cole. Others would rather "Rock Around the Christmas Tree" with more contemporary songs and performers.

Whatever kind of music your family members play, they likely will hear and see something they like at the new Gulfport Harbor Lights Winter Festival. Drive by Jones Park in the daytime and it looks not much different than it does every day. Come at night and the lights flashing in time with the holiday music are dazzling.

'People coming back'

"We're overwhelmed with the response and the crowds," said Chris Vignes, Gulfport spokesman. As of Tuesday, more than 24,000 people had come through the gates to see the new holiday display and "We're seeing people coming back," Vignes said.

Instead of Cosatians driving to Alabama or Louisiana to see the elaborate lights displays, families from Mobile, Jackson and New Orleans are coming to Gulfport, he said. They are sharing their awe on Twitter with #GptHarborLights.

It's just a safe place for people to enjoy the lights and music, he said.

More fun things to do

Wynonna & The Big Noise Christmas will kick up the holiday spirit at IP Casino Biloxi this weekend, and Brandon Bennett returns with his Elvis Christmas Show at Hard Rock Casino Biloxi.

For a white Christmas, take the family ice skating at the Coast Coliseum this weekend. Get out and go "Caroling, Caroling," or pull out the bikes and ride past some of Pascagoula's best-decorated neighborhoods starting at 6 p.m. Friday at the Pascagoula Recreation Center. After the ride, everyone will be ready for the pizza and hot chocolate provided.

The Sun Herald's calendar of events if full of theater productions, live Nativities and musical programs that are all part of Christmas in Dixie.

We won't be "Walking in a Winter Wonderland," especially with the warm Christmas in the forecast, but "There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays" in South Mississippi.

This story was originally published December 17, 2015 at 7:41 PM with the headline "25 Days of Christmas: Music is in warm breezes of South Mississippi ."