Are you looking for a special evening of romance and elegance? Would you like to experience Christmas in the 1800s? Have you ever wanted to see dazzling tiaras, crowns and exquisite antique jewelry? Do you enjoy the special atmosphere of antebellum mansions in the Christmas season? If you want to have one very special evening during the Christmas season, Carriages, Candlelight and Christmas, Magnolia Hall and The Towers on Friday is the event for you.

It combines elegance, romance, traditional Christmas decorations at Magnolia Hall and glamorous Jeweled Christmas at The Towers.

At Magnolia Hall, characters in period dress will portray a Victorian family as they prepare for Christmas. Guests will visit as the family prepares Christmas cards, join the family as the father reads “The Night before Christmas,” and will assist in decorating the Christmas tree. Guests will enjoy light refreshments as the family finishes Christmas Eve supper. The Magnolia Hall gift shop will be open to help guests find the perfect Christmas present.

Guests will then board carriages for a romantic ride through the streets of historic downtown Natchez neighborhoods, decorated for Christmas with lights, wreaths and garlands to The Towers to enjoy the elegant Jeweled Christmas.

As the carriages pull up to the front, this lavish home will be ablaze with light. Guests will see thousands of pieces of fabulous vintage costume jewelry dating from 1860 to 1950 from the unique and unmatched collection of necklaces, brooches, earrings, bracelets, rings, tiaras and crowns.

Each room features a different display of extraordinary decorations. Following refreshments, guests will again board the carriages to return to Magnolia Hall.

Tickets are on sale at Natchez Pilgrimage Tours, 601-446-6631 or 1-800-847-6742, online at www.natchezpilgrimage.com or at the Natchez Visitor Reception Center, 640 South Canal St.

Price are: adults — $75; students ages 8 to 12 — $35; and students ages 13-17, $50. No children under 8 will be admitted.

All tours start at Magnolia Hall. The first tour starts at 4:30 p.m. The second tour starts at 6 p.m.

There will be one special encore of Carriages, Candlelight and Christmas at 4:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 20.

Anne MacNeil is a member of the Natchez Pilgrimage Homeowners Association.