I truly believe that Christmas in Mississippi is the most wonderful time of year! But between all the activities, it can also be the most hectic time. However, I am here to assure you that it doesn’t have to be. You can escape the craziness of the season by embarking on an unforgettable Christmas vacation. Of course, I get it, planning a great getaway might seem like a chore during the holiday rush, but that’s where we come in. We’ve planned the perfect Christmas vacation, which begins with a festive train ride and concludes with an overnight stay at Thomley's Christmas Tree Farm in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. It’s a holly jolly holiday adventure in Mississippi that’s sure to evolve into a beloved annual tradition.

Kick off your holly jolly adventure at Hattiesburg Zoo, which, during the holiday season, hosts an annual light show, Lights of the Wild. The unique holiday display has hundreds of glowing lanterns that showcase festive holiday scenes as well as the diverse wildlife and flora found around the globe. Christmas music and children's laughter will fill the air at the joyous family-friendly event. 

In addition to dazzling light-up displays, Lights of the Wild features lots of fun events and activities, including unlimited rides on the Candy Cane Carousel and the Northern Lights Express Train. Choo choo, hop on board! This Mississippi Christmas train traverses the zoo grounds continually throughout the event, making it a great way to take in the festive sights. The kids will especially love seeing all the twinkling lights and glowing animals. Be sure to have your phone in hand to capture Christmas pictures for your collections. 

There will be holiday treat stations, too. Located throughout the zoo, the treat stations make it easy to fill up on the best goodies of the season, including hot cocoa and roasted marshmallows. Of course, the lions, tigers, and bears (OH MY!) will be part of the festivities too. This Mississippi Zoo light attraction is a great holiday adventure for folks of all ages. We guarantee that you’ll love it as much as we do! A past guest describes it as “A wonderful way to start the Holiday Season with family and friends making treasured memories and traditions.”

After you’re done exploring Lights of the Wild, head to your next stop – a cozy Airbnb on a Christmas tree farm! Also located in Hattiesburg, Thomley’s Christmas Tree Farm has been helping people get into the spirit of the season for more than 50 years! The 10-acre farm is brimming with beautiful Christmas trees, but that’s not all. The grounds also include an Airbnb. Perfect for a family gathering, the 2,600-square-foot rental sleeps up to eight guests.

You won't be confined to the Airbnb during your stay, though. You can explore the grounds, where you'll find plenty of photo-ops and, possibly, run into some of the resident goats. There's also an on-site shop that carries décor and gifts, which means you can get some shopping done on your Christmas vacation. Not to mention the glassblowing studio, where for an extra fee, you can create a one-of-a-kind gift. Between the Lights of the Wild and a stay at Thomley’s Christmas Tree Farm, your Christmas season will be filled with pure magic.

Hattiesburg Zoo Address: 107 S 17th Ave, Hattiesburg, MS 39401

Ready to embark on this holly jolly adventure? For more information on the Northern Lights Express Train and Lights of the Wild, visit the Hattiesburg Zoo website. Want to book a stay at Thomley’s Christmas Tree Farm? Learn more about these festive accommodations in Mississippi on Airbnb.

So, what do you think? Does this sound like the perfect Christmas vacation or what? If you’ve never been to the Lights of the Wild, you’ll want to add this dazzling light display to your list this season. Plus, you can’t go wrong with a night at Thomley’s Christmas Tree Farm. This will be one Christmas you won’t forget. 

This Christmas vacation is just one way to have some holiday fun in the Magnolia State. This holiday home tour in Mississippi is another.