Facebook Instagram

Share

Cleveland’s 50 Nights of Lights

A Magical Delta Getaway That Feels Like Home

by Shelly Withers Janous 

If you’ve never experienced Cotton House Cleveland’s 50 Nights of Lights, you are truly missing one of Mississippi’s most heartwarming holiday traditions. For 50 days, downtown Cleveland transforms into a sparkling, glowing, walkable Christmas village—alive with thousands of twinkling lights, smiling faces, and the kind of southern charm that wraps around you like a warm blanket. And after spending time in Cleveland, I can tell you without hesitation: this town has wrapped me up in hospitality, kindness, and community in a way I will never forget.

✨ Cotton House Cleveland’s 50 Nights of Lights

Every night from mid-November through the New Year, Cleveland lights up—literally. Trees shimmer, families stroll the sidewalks, children race from display to display, and couples take photos under canopies of twinkle lights.

One of my favorite parts?The storefronts. Every window downtown is carefully and lovingly created—each one unique, festive, and full of personality. It’s a treat in itself just to walk down Cotton Row and Sharpe Street to admire the creativity and care local businesses pour into their displays.

🏨 My Home Away From Home: Cotton House Cleveland

The time I spent in Cleveland has given me the joy of staying at Cotton House Cleveland, and I can truly say it’s a 5-star experience.

Every morning begins with a warm greeting from Donnovan at the front desk, who has made my stay feel personal and special. The rooms are stunning, the atmosphere is both modern and cozy, and the convenience of being steps from everything downtown is unmatched.

Staple Food & Drink, located inside the Cotton House, quickly became one of my favorite places. Dwayne, Staple Food and Drink manager is full of hospitality and always presents an amazing meal and exceptional customer experience. 

☕ Daily Rituals: Coffee & Afternoon Pick-Me-Ups

During my stay, I found my Cleveland rhythm:

Zoe’s Coffee — My go-to morning stop for a warm drink and friendly faces.

Meddars Nutrition — My afternoon treat for a shake or loaded tea to keep me going.

🤝 The People Behind the Magic

Working with Cleveland’s leadership has been one of the highlights of this trip:

Hannah – Cleveland-Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce

Crista – Cleveland Main Street

Lauren – Visit Cleveland

These three women work tirelessly to support local businesses, promote Cleveland, and create experiences like 50 Nights of Lights that bring people together. Collaborating with them has been joyful and inspiring.


🎶 Things You Must Do While You’re in Cleveland, MS

⭐ Visit the Grammy Museum Mississippi

Only two Grammy Museums exist in the U.S.—one is in Los Angelas and one is right here in Cleveland, MS. It’s interactive, immersive, and you will make unforgettable memories. 

🛍️ Shop Downtown

Downtown Cleveland is full of treasures—boutiques, gifts, children’s stores, and specialty finds.Shopping in Cleveland is an experience: every shopkeeper is welcoming, creative, and excited to share their store with visitors.

For the men in your group, Cleveland has fantastic shopping too—from hunting and fishing gear to grills, tools, casual wear, and premium menswear.

As you head to Delta State or the Grammy Museum, stop by Delta Party Floral and Rental and Head Hunters Salon & Gifts on Sunflower Drive—two fun additions to your shopping route!

See a Show at the Bologna Performing Arts Center

World-class entertainment right here in the Delta. Be sure to check their show schedule!

 

Where to Eat: My Favorites

Staple Food & Drink

Breakfast here became my daily ritual—fuel for the day and a moment to plan. Lunch is always busy, and dinner is sophisticated and delicious. From salads and burgers to pasta and steak, it’s all exceptional.

My personal favorite? The Bone-In Pork Chop with caramelized Brussels sprouts, amazing sides, and a perfect crème brûlée.After dinner, find your way to the rooftop at Bar Fontaine for live music and to overlook downtown Cleveland.  I highly recommend a Lemon Drop Martini by the fire pit.

Backdraft

A firefighter-themed restaurant that’s both family-friendly and unique, featuring vintage firehouse décor and hearty family meals with an upscale twist. With chef-crafted entrées and a full bar offering signature firehouse cocktails, it’s the perfect blend of fun, comfort dining, and fine dining in one.

Sr. Jose

A warm, family-friendly Mexican restaurant known for delicious dishes, a vibrant atmosphere, and consistently great service—right in the heart of downtown. Be sure to try their margarita!

Catfish Cabin (Boyle, MS)

A beloved southern-style restaurant with a warm, down-home atmosphere and generous servings.They serve classic Mississippi comfort food—farm-raised fried catfish, boiled shrimp, hearty sides, and a buffet full of home-cooked goodness.Reopened in April 2025 after overcoming a fire, Catfish Cabin blends its decades-old heritage with fresh energy and true Southern hospitality.(And while you’re there, be sure to pop into PeaVine Florist & Gifts.)

Tio’s

A popular spot serving fresh, authentic Latin American and Tex-Mex dishes in a casual, welcoming atmosphere—perfect for family meals, quick lunches, and gatherings with friends.

Airport Grocery

A laid-back, soul-food-driven restaurant blending Delta hospitality with a rustic, bluesy vibe.With a full bar, pool tables, TVs, and dog-friendly patio seating, it’s the perfect mix of casual dining and local character.The menu highlights Southern classics—grilled catfish, BBQ, tamales, crawfish po’boys, hearty sides, and their famous Delta-style tamales.

Whether it’s lunch, dinner, or a relaxed night out, Airport Grocery delivers warm hospitality and big flavor.


Cleveland’s Best Gift: Its People

The warmth and hospitality in Cleveland is unmatched. Every person I’ve met—shop owners, servers, hotel staff, business owners—has treated me like family. This town has a way of making everyone feel like they belong.


Plan Your Trip

If you’re looking for a family holiday weekend, a festive adventure, or a cozy Mississippi getaway, you need to experience Cotton House Cleveland’s 50 Nights of Lights. Stroll under the twinkle lights. Admire the beautifully crafted storefronts. Enjoy local eats. Shop downtown. Visit the Grammy Museum. Stay at Cotton House Cleveland. And discover all the reasons Cleveland, Mississippi is full of magic.

Cleveland, Mississippi—where the lights shine bright, the hospitality shines brighter, and every visit feels like coming home.


Stay Local. Eat Local. Shop Local.

Mississippi is full of incredible places to visit, explore, and enjoy. Many people aren’t aware of what’s happening outside their own region. Because of this, Made in Mississippi believes in promoting travel within our state—it’s affordable, safe, full of parking, and boast many unique restaurants from soul food to seafood! Mississippi is packed with rare excursions right in your own backyard.

Made in Mississippi will be showcasing featured communities, small-town events, hidden gems, and can’t-miss adventures across Mississippi.

There is so much to do, see, taste, and love in Mississippi.  Stay + Eat + Shop Local. 

Share

Cleveland’s 50 Nights of Lights

If you’ve never experienced Cotton House Cleveland’s 50 Nights of Lights, you are truly missing one of Mississippi’s most heartwarming holiday traditions.

A Magical Delta Getaway That Feels Like Home

by Shelly Withers Janous 

If you’ve never experienced Cotton House Cleveland’s 50 Nights of Lights, you are truly missing one of Mississippi’s most heartwarming holiday traditions. For 50 days, downtown Cleveland transforms into a sparkling, glowing, walkable Christmas village—alive with thousands of twinkling lights, smiling faces, and the kind of southern charm that wraps around you like a warm blanket. And after spending time in Cleveland, I can tell you without hesitation: this town has wrapped me up in hospitality, kindness, and community in a way I will never forget.

✨ Cotton House Cleveland’s 50 Nights of Lights

Every night from mid-November through the New Year, Cleveland lights up—literally. Trees shimmer, families stroll the sidewalks, children race from display to display, and couples take photos under canopies of twinkle lights.

One of my favorite parts?The storefronts. Every window downtown is carefully and lovingly created—each one unique, festive, and full of personality. It’s a treat in itself just to walk down Cotton Row and Sharpe Street to admire the creativity and care local businesses pour into their displays.

🏨 My Home Away From Home: Cotton House Cleveland

The time I spent in Cleveland has given me the joy of staying at Cotton House Cleveland, and I can truly say it’s a 5-star experience.

Every morning begins with a warm greeting from Donnovan at the front desk, who has made my stay feel personal and special. The rooms are stunning, the atmosphere is both modern and cozy, and the convenience of being steps from everything downtown is unmatched.

Staple Food & Drink, located inside the Cotton House, quickly became one of my favorite places. Dwayne, Staple Food and Drink manager is full of hospitality and always presents an amazing meal and exceptional customer experience. 

☕ Daily Rituals: Coffee & Afternoon Pick-Me-Ups

During my stay, I found my Cleveland rhythm:

Zoe’s Coffee — My go-to morning stop for a warm drink and friendly faces.

Meddars Nutrition — My afternoon treat for a shake or loaded tea to keep me going.

🤝 The People Behind the Magic

Working with Cleveland’s leadership has been one of the highlights of this trip:

Hannah – Cleveland-Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce

Crista – Cleveland Main Street

Lauren – Visit Cleveland

These three women work tirelessly to support local businesses, promote Cleveland, and create experiences like 50 Nights of Lights that bring people together. Collaborating with them has been joyful and inspiring.


🎶 Things You Must Do While You’re in Cleveland, MS

⭐ Visit the Grammy Museum Mississippi

Only two Grammy Museums exist in the U.S.—one is in Los Angelas and one is right here in Cleveland, MS. It’s interactive, immersive, and you will make unforgettable memories. 

🛍️ Shop Downtown

Downtown Cleveland is full of treasures—boutiques, gifts, children’s stores, and specialty finds.Shopping in Cleveland is an experience: every shopkeeper is welcoming, creative, and excited to share their store with visitors.

For the men in your group, Cleveland has fantastic shopping too—from hunting and fishing gear to grills, tools, casual wear, and premium menswear.

As you head to Delta State or the Grammy Museum, stop by Delta Party Floral and Rental and Head Hunters Salon & Gifts on Sunflower Drive—two fun additions to your shopping route!

See a Show at the Bologna Performing Arts Center

World-class entertainment right here in the Delta. Be sure to check their show schedule!

 

Where to Eat: My Favorites

Staple Food & Drink

Breakfast here became my daily ritual—fuel for the day and a moment to plan. Lunch is always busy, and dinner is sophisticated and delicious. From salads and burgers to pasta and steak, it’s all exceptional.

My personal favorite? The Bone-In Pork Chop with caramelized Brussels sprouts, amazing sides, and a perfect crème brûlée.After dinner, find your way to the rooftop at Bar Fontaine for live music and to overlook downtown Cleveland.  I highly recommend a Lemon Drop Martini by the fire pit.

Backdraft

A firefighter-themed restaurant that’s both family-friendly and unique, featuring vintage firehouse décor and hearty family meals with an upscale twist. With chef-crafted entrées and a full bar offering signature firehouse cocktails, it’s the perfect blend of fun, comfort dining, and fine dining in one.

Sr. Jose

A warm, family-friendly Mexican restaurant known for delicious dishes, a vibrant atmosphere, and consistently great service—right in the heart of downtown. Be sure to try their margarita!

Catfish Cabin (Boyle, MS)

A beloved southern-style restaurant with a warm, down-home atmosphere and generous servings.They serve classic Mississippi comfort food—farm-raised fried catfish, boiled shrimp, hearty sides, and a buffet full of home-cooked goodness.Reopened in April 2025 after overcoming a fire, Catfish Cabin blends its decades-old heritage with fresh energy and true Southern hospitality.(And while you’re there, be sure to pop into PeaVine Florist & Gifts.)

Tio’s

A popular spot serving fresh, authentic Latin American and Tex-Mex dishes in a casual, welcoming atmosphere—perfect for family meals, quick lunches, and gatherings with friends.

Airport Grocery

A laid-back, soul-food-driven restaurant blending Delta hospitality with a rustic, bluesy vibe.With a full bar, pool tables, TVs, and dog-friendly patio seating, it’s the perfect mix of casual dining and local character.The menu highlights Southern classics—grilled catfish, BBQ, tamales, crawfish po’boys, hearty sides, and their famous Delta-style tamales.

Whether it’s lunch, dinner, or a relaxed night out, Airport Grocery delivers warm hospitality and big flavor.


Cleveland’s Best Gift: Its People

The warmth and hospitality in Cleveland is unmatched. Every person I’ve met—shop owners, servers, hotel staff, business owners—has treated me like family. This town has a way of making everyone feel like they belong.


Plan Your Trip

If you’re looking for a family holiday weekend, a festive adventure, or a cozy Mississippi getaway, you need to experience Cotton House Cleveland’s 50 Nights of Lights. Stroll under the twinkle lights. Admire the beautifully crafted storefronts. Enjoy local eats. Shop downtown. Visit the Grammy Museum. Stay at Cotton House Cleveland. And discover all the reasons Cleveland, Mississippi is full of magic.

Cleveland, Mississippi—where the lights shine bright, the hospitality shines brighter, and every visit feels like coming home.


Stay Local. Eat Local. Shop Local.

Mississippi is full of incredible places to visit, explore, and enjoy. Many people aren’t aware of what’s happening outside their own region. Because of this, Made in Mississippi believes in promoting travel within our state—it’s affordable, safe, full of parking, and boast many unique restaurants from soul food to seafood! Mississippi is packed with rare excursions right in your own backyard.

Made in Mississippi will be showcasing featured communities, small-town events, hidden gems, and can’t-miss adventures across Mississippi.

There is so much to do, see, taste, and love in Mississippi.  Stay + Eat + Shop Local.