MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST—It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas along the 44-mile stretch of the Mississippi Gulf Coast with festivals and parades from state line to state line.
Before the Thanksgiving leftovers are gone, Bay St. Louis is ringing in the holiday season with its Christmas in the Bay Parade set to roll through historic downtown on Saturday, November 29, followed by holiday events at the Historic Train Depot.
The City of Gautier Recreation and Community events is hosting A Taste of the Holidays on Thursday, December 4, during its regular Tasty Thursday food truck event, but adding some holiday magic. The Coca-Cola Truck and its famous Polar Bear are making a stop in Gautier! Along with enjoying local food truck favorites, guests will enjoy Christmas music and have an opportunity to snap some festive photos.
Pass Christian and Pascagoula are both hosting Christmas events to kick off the first weekend in December. The Pass Christian event is celebrating more than 20 years of kicking off the holiday season. It will feature vendors, crafts for children and a Santa parade.
The Coast Chamber and Pass Christian Main Street say This year’s celebration promises more lights, laughter, and holiday spirit than ever before along with a showcase of the creativity and heart of local businesses and artisans. The fun is set for December 5 from 4 to 9 p.m.
That same night, Downtown Pascagoula will be decked with holiday spirit for the annual Downtown for the Holidays that will feature vendors, music and a parade through the Flagship District. The fun and festivities are scheduled from 5 to 8 p.m.
The annual Mistletoe and Main Street Street Fair in Gulfport includes food, fun, vendors and holiday cheer on Saturday, December 6, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. followed by the Sugarplums and Snowflake Christmas Parade at 3 p.m.
What is a coastal Christmas without some water! Biloxi and Moss Point both will host boat parades on the water, but Long Beach is also having a boat parade—without water.
Sea Santa Sail-A-Bration waterless boat parade is set to roll in Long Beach on Saturday, December 6 rolling at 5:15 p.m. That’s right, the floats will be trailered boats decorated for the Christmas holidays.
The parade is the finale of the day-long Christmas in Long Beach Festival hosted by Long Beach Main Street at the Harper McCaughan Town Green in downtown Long Beach from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. The waterless boat parade sets sail bringing waves of Christmas cheer down Jeff Davis Avenue starting at the Long Beach High School football stadium.
A River City Christmas kicks off at 2 p.m. with a Main Street parade starting at Southgate Plaza and ending at the river front park where vendors, food, music and activities for children will tie the parade to the Christmas by the River lighted boat parade at 6 p.m. The final boat will deliver Santa to the riverfront for photo opportunities and where the city tree will be illuminated. The grand finale will be a brilliant display of fireworks over the river.
Just about 20 minutes to the west of Moss Point, the City of Biloxi will host its 40th Anniversary Christmas on the Water Boat Parade and Fireworks. Always “nauti” and nice, the Biloxi parade is boasted as the coast’s most magical holiday tradition welcoming boats of every size to transform into floating works of art, lighting up the Gulf with twinkling lights, festive music, and Christmas spirit that shines from shore to shore.
The boat parade begins at 6 p.m. at the Lighthouse on Highway 90 and continues eastward to the Golden Nugget Casino and Resort.
Rounding out a very festive coastal weekend is the Discover Christmas Parade in downtown Ocean Springs. Presented by the Ocean Springs ELKS B.P.O.E. 2501, Krewe Unique, and the Ocean Springs Carnival Association, it is sure to be a festive and family-focused holiday event with an opportunity to give back to others. Parade-goers are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate.
The parade begins at 2 p.m. and will feature candy cane fairies, grinches and other costumed characters.
Other communities along the coast are also hosting holiday festivals and parades as well. Check out coastal calendars and social media pages to help plot 2025 coastal holiday adventures.
