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horse and carriage in oxford, ms — You, too, can be Cinderella for an hour in this horse-drawn carriage. Photo via Visit Oxford MS

As we all know, COVID has sparked some creative reinvention of beloved holiday traditions. Holly Jolly Holidays in Oxford, Mississippi is no exception. Make plans now to visit between December 1-12 to celebrate the season. Keep reading for all the details.

1. Holly Jolly Holidays was a fan favorite in 2020

family with Santa wearing matching pjs — The cuteness is strong with this one. Photo via Visit Oxford MS

2020 was the first year the city hosted Holly Jolly Holidays, and the numbers tell us it was a huge hit:

Over 1000 ice skaters in one weekend (yep, ice skaters)
Over 200 horse-drawn carriage riders
Over 250 visits with Santa

I wonder how many 2020 holidays Santa brightened based on those visits?

2. You can skate—on real ice

ice skating in Oxford, MS — It doesn’t get more greeting card-like than ice skating under twinkly lights. Photo via Visit Oxford MS

You’ll be able to ice skate on *real ice.* Last year was awesome, and everybody knows artificial ice just isn’t the same as the real deal.

Location: City of Oxford Pavilion (a covered, open-air pavilion), 1801 University Ave, Oxford, MS 38655
Days: Wednesday, December 1 through Sunday, December 12
Hours: Weekdays 3-9PM, Saturday 9AM-9PM, Sunday 1-9PM
Cost: $12 per skater, $6 Decker the Dolphin skate aid

There’s a college night December 1 where it costs $8 to skate with a valid student ID.

Visitors will also be able to enjoy live music from local choirs and food trucks.

Know you want to go? Book your trip to Oxford today.

3. Saturdays will be special at Holly Jolly Holidays

carriage in Oxford M — Your holiday photos could look like this, too. Photo via Visit Oxford MS

If you are in town on Saturday, December 4 or Saturday, December 11, here are some of the fun things you’ll be able to enjoy in and around the Square:

Carriage rides: be Cinderella for a while as you board your very own horse-drawn carriage.
Visit Santa: rumor has it that he’ll be stopping by the Visit Oxford office (1013 Jackson Avenue East) between 11AM and 3PM both days for visits with families.

4. There are even more fun things you can see + do while you’re there

Ice carving: Watch an hour-long demo by an expert ice carver who will turn a block of ice into a beautiful holiday-themed object before your very eyes.
Caricatures: While you wait to skate, you can pay to have your caricature drawn by hand.
Ice hockey team: The Ole Miss ice hockey club will be on the ice for a “Shoot Your Puck” game one of the days during Holly Jolly Holidays.
Community market: Whether you visit during Holly Jolly Holidays or another time, you can enjoy Oxford Community Market on Tuesdays from 3-6:30PM. It’s at the Old Armory Pavilion at 1801 University Avenue.

5. It’s a great time for participants + vendors alike

Oxford Square at night is so beautiful. Photo via Visit Oxford MS

Here’s what people had to say about Holly Jolly Holidays in 2020:

“This was our first Christmas in Oxford, and we loved it. Absolutely magical. Thank you for such a fun and festive event.”
Instagram fan

“So fun! We loved being a part of this, and we love our sweet little town.”
City Hall Cheesecake Oxford

“We just left and had a great time! We have to say, while we had great food everywhere, the oatmeal raisin cookies at Uptown Coffee and the donuts at High Rise were awesome! That goat cheese/cranberry donut was unbelievable! We also enjoyed finding all the little displays outside the storefronts. It was a fun weekend with perfect weather. Thanks, Oxford!”
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Ready to book your trip to Oxford? Holly Jolly Holidays, from December 1-12 is the perfect time to go. Visit Oxford MS has all the resources you need on their website, Facebook + Instagram.

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