Please e-mail all calendar briefs to calendar@themeridianstar.com. Calendar items are listed by date and it may take a while before an event submitted weeks in advance appears in the paper.

Daily:

Wednesday, Nov. 27

• 4:30 p.m. – Young Adults (7th-12th Grade) Mandela Sand Art Pictures at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library.

Thursday, Nov. 28

• 2 p.m. – Free Community Thanksgiving Dinner at Silva Linings Cheesecakery, 121 N Main St., Newton.

Monday, Dec. 2

• 9 a.m.-4 p.m. – Bell’s Best Cookbooks annual sale will take place across from City Hall Christmas tree in the old Telephone Bldg. 2301 7th St., Meridian. Many Southern cookbooks, RADA knives, and accessories are available for purchase from $5 up. They make great Christmas presents. The sale begins Monday, Dec. 2 and goes through Friday, Dec. 6, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

• 4 p.m. – Community Grief Support Group Meeting at Quitman First United Methodist Church with Pastor, Rev. Pam Randall in the Kirkland Activity Center (the red brick house on the corner beside the church, 203 E. Franklin St.) FMI: Hospice Compassus, 601-483-5200 or Quitman First United Methodist Church, 601-776-2637.

Tuesday, Dec. 3

• 5:30 p.m. – Meridian Tree Lighting Ceremony at City Hall Lawn.

• 6-9 p.m. – Pet Photos with Santa at Bonita Lakes Mall.

• 7 p.m. – East Central Community College will host its annual “Christmas Spectacular” in Huff Auditorium. Featured performers include the Wall O’ Sound Marching Band, Christmas Band, Jazz Band, Collegians rock-and-roll band, Concert Choir, Voce’ vocal ensemble, the Color Guard and the Centralettes dance line. Tickets are $10 per person. Children under six are free. FMI: 601-635-6227.

Wednesday, Dec. 4

• 11:30 a.m. – The monthly meeting of the Central MS Chapter of NARFE (National Active and Retired Federal Employees) will be held at Ronnie’s Steak House and Grill, 734 Pecan Ave., Philadelphia. All active and retired federal employees and spouses are invited to attend. FMI: 601-416-1053.

• 7 p.m. – East Central Community College Gospel Choir will present its annual fall concert in the Vickers Fine Arts Center Auditorium on the Decatur campus. Admission is free and the public is invited to attend.

Thursday, Dec. 5

• 7:45 a.m.-5 p.m. – East Central Mississippi Trauma Care Symposium at the Meridian Community College Dulaney Center.

• Meridian Community College Arts & Letters Series Fall 2019 presents A Christmas Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols presented by the MCC Music Department in the McCain Theater. FMI: 601-484-8678.

• 5-6 p.m. – Eudora Welty Cocktail Hour at The MAX.

• 6 p.m. – Newton’s Holiday Christmas Parade “The Magic of Christmas.”

• 7 p.m. – Elf the musical at the Meridian Little Theatre. For tickets call the Box Office at 601-482-6371 or visit www.meridianlittletheatre.com.

• 8-10 p.m. – The East Central Community College Astronomy Club will hold a public viewing and information session in observance of worldwide Astronomy Day. The free come-and-go event is open to the public and will be held on the front lawn of the campus on West Broad St. in Decatur. FMI: Contact Greg Holekamp at gholekamp@eccc.edu or 601-635-6262.

Friday, Dec. 6

• 7:45 a.m.-5 p.m. – East Central Mississippi Trauma Care Symposium at the Meridian Community College Dulaney Center.

• 1:30 p.m. – The East Ms. Retired Educators Association meeting will be held at the Meridian Activity Center, 3300 32nd Ave. Members and interested retired educators should arrive for the social at 1:30 p.m. The meeting starts at 2 p.m. Members are encouraged to submit payment for the upcoming trip at this meeting. FMI: 601-482-5438.

• 7 p.m. – Elf the musical at the Meridian Little Theatre. For tickets call the Box Office at 601-482-6371 or visit www.meridianlittletheatre.com.

Saturday, Dec. 7

• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. – 10th Annual WhistleStop Marketplace at the Historic Newton Depot, 128 S. Main St., in Newton. FMI: 601-683-2201.

• 10-11:30 a.m. – Merry Museum Workshop at the Meridian Museum of Art for youths 6-12. There is no fee, but registration is required. Contact Kate Cherry, 601-693-1501.

• 7 p.m. – Peppermint Pops with the Texas Tenors at the MSU Riley Center. The Meridian Symphony Chorus also join in the fun! Complete with an audience sing-a-long and cookies with Santa. Adults $45; Military $35; students $15. FMI: 601-693-2224.

• 7 p.m. – Elf the musical at the Meridian Little Theatre. For tickets call the Box Office at 601-482-6371 or visit www.meridianlittletheatre.com.

• 7 p.m. – The Harlem Wizards vs The Quitman Panther Razzle Dazzlers in the Quitman High School Gym. Tickets can be purchased at harlemwizards.com. Tickets for students are $8 in advance and $10 at the door. Adult tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Reserve is $16 and Courtside Plus is $25 and can only be purchased online. Doors open at 6 p.m. FMI: Contact Quitman Jr. High, 601-776-6243.

Sunday, Dec. 8

• 2 p.m. – Elf the musical at the Meridian Little Theatre. For tickets call the Box Office at 601-482-6371 or visit www.meridianlittletheatre.com.

Monday, Dec. 9

• 7 p.m. – Elf the musical at the Meridian Little Theatre. For tickets call the Box Office at 601-482-6371 or visit www.meridianlittletheatre.com.

Tuesday, Dec. 10

• 10 a.m.-5 p.m. – Santa’s Christmas Factory at Soule’ Steam Works, 1808 4th St., downtown Meridian. Decorations, music, lights, snow-covered play area in Steam Alley, and a Christmas train ride for the kids. Admission $5 per person.

• 7 p.m. – Elf the musical at the Meridian Little Theatre. For tickets call the Box Office at 601-482-6371 or visit www.meridianlittletheatre.com.

Wednesday, Dec. 11

• 10 a.m.-5 p.m. – Santa’s Christmas Factory at Soule’ Steam Works, 1808 4th St., downtown Meridian. Decorations, music, lights, snow-covered play area in Steam Alley, and a Christmas train ride for the kids. Admission $5 per person.

Thursday, Dec. 12

• 10 a.m.-5 p.m. – Santa’s Christmas Factory at Soule’ Steam Works, 1808 4th St., downtown Meridian. Decorations, music, lights, snow-covered play area in Steam Alley, and a Christmas train ride for the kids. Admission $5 per person.

Friday, Dec. 13

• 10 a.m.-8 p.m. – Santa’s Christmas Factory at Soule’ Steam Works, 1808 4th St., downtown Meridian. Decorations, music, lights, snow-covered play area in Steam Alley, and a Christmas train ride for the kids. Admission $5 per person.

Saturday, Dec. 14

• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. – Christmas Bazaar at Silva Linings Cheesecakery – 121 N Main St., Newton.

• 9 a.m.-5 p.m. – Jingle Bell Bazaar at the Multi-Purpose Bldg. Annex. 99 Westwood Ave., Quitman. No admission fee. FMI: 601-479-6901.

• 10 a.m.-8 p.m. – Santa’s Christmas Factory at Soule’ Steam Works, 1808 4th St., downtown Meridian. Decorations, music, lights, snow-covered play area in Steam Alley, and a Christmas train ride for the kids. Admission $5 per person.

Sunday, Dec. 15

• 1-5 p.m. – Traditional Holiday Tours of the Trees of Christmas at Merrehope. “Sing a Song of Christmas” will come to life at the 51st Trees of Christmas. 905 Martin Luther King Dr., Meridian. Adults $10; Students $5; Children under 4 free; senior citizens, active military and groups of 10 or more $9. FMI: 601-483-8439.

• 6 p.m. – Celtic Woman: The Best of Christmas Tour at the MSU Riley Center. VIP $100, A $75, B $65. 601-696-2200.

Tuesday, Dec. 17

• 10 a.m.-5 p.m. – Santa’s Christmas Factory at Soule’ Steam Works, 1808 4th St., downtown Meridian. Decorations, music, lights, snow-covered play area in Steam Alley, and a Christmas train ride for the kids. Admission $5 per person.

Wednesday, Dec. 18

• 10 a.m.-5 p.m. – Santa’s Christmas Factory at Soule’ Steam Works, 1808 4th St., downtown Meridian. Decorations, music, lights, snow-covered play area in Steam Alley, and a Christmas train ride for the kids. Admission $5 per person.

Thursday, Dec. 19

• 10 a.m.-5 p.m. – Santa’s Christmas Factory at Soule’ Steam Works, 1808 4th St., downtown Meridian. Decorations, music, lights, snow-covered play area in Steam Alley, and a Christmas train ride for the kids. Admission $5 per person.

Friday, Dec. 20

• 10 a.m.-8 p.m. – Santa’s Christmas Factory at Soule’ Steam Works, 1808 4th St., downtown Meridian. Decorations, music, lights, snow-covered play area in Steam Alley, and a Christmas train ride for the kids. Admission $5 per person.

• 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. – Vitalant Blood Drive at Bonita Lakes Mall at the Meeting Place in the Mall beside Belk.

• 7 p.m. – Home for the Holidays Variety Show at The MAX – Showcasing local talent.

Saturday, Dec. 21

• 10 a.m.-8 p.m. – Santa’s Christmas Factory at Soule’ Steam Works, 1808 4th St., downtown Meridian. Decorations, music, lights, snow-covered play area in Steam Alley, and a Christmas train ride for the kids. Admission $5 per person.

Sunday, Dec. 22

• 1-5 p.m. – Traditional Holiday Tours of the Trees of Christmas at Merrehope. “Sing a Song of Christmas” will come to life at the 51st Trees of Christmas. 905 Martin Luther King Dr., Meridian. Adults $10; Students $5; Children under 4 free; senior citizens, active military and groups of 10 or more $9. FMI: 601-483-8439.

Tuesday, Dec. 24

• 4:30 p.m. – St. Paul’s Episcopal Church presents “O Holy Night” with Christmas Pageant and Holy Eucharist. Midnight Mass begins at 10:30 p.m. with festive Choral Eucharist and Brass Ensemble. The church is located at 1116 23rd Ave., Meridian.

Sunday, Dec. 29

• 1-5 p.m. – Traditional Holiday Tours of the Trees of Christmas at Merrehope. “Sing a Song of Christmas” will come to life at the 51st Trees of Christmas. 905 Martin Luther King Dr., Meridian. Adults $10; Students $5; Children under 4 free; senior citizens, active military and groups of 10 or more $9. FMI: 601-483-8439.