Exploring south Mississippi during the holidays Published Dec. 16, 2014 By Susan Griggs 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Not an Airman was stirring, not even a mouse ... that sums up the atmosphere at Keesler once the student exodus takes place and permanent-party members take advantage of federal holidays, family days and use-or-lose leave for travel to see family and friends. For people who remain in the Biloxi area, there are still things to do for fun and recreation in the surrounding communities. The Biloxi Visitors Center on Highway 90 has a free open house with door prizes, local artists and craftsmen, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday. For more information, call 228-374-3105. To soak up the beauty of the season, Christmas at Beauvoir is hard to beat. You can stroll the grounds of Beauvoir, the last home of Confederate President Jefferson Davis, and enjoy the lights and decorations, carolers, crafts for kids, games, tours, performances and hayrides through Dec. 31. Beauvoir is on Highway 90 just east of the Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi. For prices, schedules and more information, call 228-388-4400 or log on to http://www.beauvoir.org. If you miss winter sports in south Mississippi, the coliseum offers public ice skating, 6-8:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2-4:30 p.m. Sundays through Jan. 4. For more information, call 228-594-3700. Beau Rivage Resort and Casino in Biloxi offers a special military appreciation performance of Santa and Friends on Ice at 3 p.m., Saturday, with tickets for $7.50 plus tax and fees, for military members and their families. For more information, call 228-386-7111 or visit http://www.beaurivage.com. "Snowflakes in the Bay" is an annual event in the depot district of Bay St. Louis through Dec. 31 featuring century-old Live Oaks lit with snowflakes. The area is landscaped with a quaint duck pond surrounded by walking paths and art sculptures created by local artists. For more information, call 228-463-9222 or log on to www.mswestcoast.org. On the depot grounds in Bay St. Louis at 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday, there's a free live Nativity program sponsored by the Bay St. Louis Little Theater. For more information, call 228-864-2882. Many museums, recreational opportunities and other tourist destinations are open on reduced schedules during the holiday season. For more information, log on to www.gulfcoast.org.