Trio of Mississippi Christmas attractions up for USA Today awards

‘Tis the season to be jolly…and win awards?

That’s right! Three Christmas attractions in Mississippi bring plenty of holiday spirit to residents each year, and because of that, they’ve been nominated for USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 Holiday Categories.

Hattiesburg Zoo’s “Lights of the Wild,” an annual display that mixes Christmas lights with super-sized animals, larger-than-life flowers, and festive holiday décor, is up for “Best Holiday Zoo Lights.” It’s competing against light displays at other zoos, including in Cincinnati, San Antonio, Denver, and Detroit.

Hattiesburg Zoo’s annual “Lights of the Wild” combines super-sized animals and holiday lights. (Photo courtesy of the Hattiesburg Zoo)

In Meridian, the historic Merrehope mansion always dazzles and lights up the historic side of the holidays. Visitors can step inside the Victorian home and step back in time, experiencing 19th-century holiday traditions with more than 60 uniquely decorated trees on display throughout the home, veranda, and grounds. Merrehope is competing in the category of “Best Holiday Historic Home Tour” against Elvis Presley’s Graceland in Memphis and the Biltmore in Asheville, N.C., among others.

The snow-globe town of Oxford couldn’t be a picturesque winter wonderland without its “Oxford on Ice” skating rink at mTrade Park. The festive rink allows people to glide into the holiday spirit through a larger “Holly Jolly Holidays” event that also includes a walkable lights trail. Oxford on Ice is up for “Best Ice-Skating Rink,” competing against others such as The Rink at Campus Martius Park in Detroit and Maggie Daley Park Ice Skating Ribbon in Chicago.

“Oxford on Ice” allows residents a chance to ice skate, even if the area doesn’t see much snow. It’s open annually inside mTrade Park as part of the larger “Holly Jolly Holidays” event. (Photo courtesy of Visit Oxford)

“These nominations showcase Mississippi’s unique holiday charm – from sparkling zoo lights to historic homes and festive ice rinks,” a release from Visit Mississippi reads. “Your votes share our state’s story with the nation and celebrate the experiences that make Mississippi magical during the holidays.”

Voting in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 Holiday Categories is open from now until Dec. 1 at 10:59 a.m. CT. Votes can be cast here once per day in each category, with winners set to be announced between Dec. 10 and Dec. 13.