The turkey has been carved, the gifts have been unwrapped, and the black-eyed peas have been devoured so you know what that means—it’s time to let the good times roll.
The Coastal Mississippi Mardi Gras Museum and the city of Biloxi are signaling the switch of the holiday seasons in South Mississippi with the annual gathering of the Twelfth Night Celebration.
The event is set for 5 pm Thursday, Jan. 5 at the Biloxi Visitors Center.
The reigning royal courts of 2022 will turn off the Biloxi Lighthouse white Christmas lights and parade to Biloxi City Hall where at 6:30 p.m., they will turn on the purple, gold, and green lights of Carnival and raise their glasses to toast the beginning of the 115th celebration of Mardi Gras in the city of Biloxi.
Gulf Coast Carnival Association’s King D’Iberville Bobby Knesal and Queen Ixolib Madison Warren will lead the event, which includes the reigning kings and queens of the Krewe of Athena, Les Cavaliers, Les Masquees, the Revelers, and Krewe of Sirens.
All Twelfth Night Celebration events are free and open to the public.
Mardi Gras has become more than just a single day and encompasses a period of celebration so expect hosts of Mardi Gras celebrations throughout the Magnolia State until Fat Tuesday rolls in on Feb 21. And don’t forget the King Cakes, which are currently popping up in bakeries and grocery stores throughout the state.
Here’s a list of the parades currently scheduled on the Gulf Coast so you can get ready to laissez le bon temps rouler.
January 21
11 am—Lucedale Carnival Association Parade
5 pm—Long Beach Carnival Association
February 4
1 pm— Pass Christian Carnival Association
1 pm—Ocean Springs Elks Club Carnival Parade
1:30 pm—Krewe Unique Mardi Gras Parade in Ocean Springs
February 5
1 pm—Lizana Mardi Gras Parade in Harrison County
February 11
10 am—Biloxi Children’s Walking Parade
2 pm—Picayune Krewe of Pearl Parade
6 pm—Carnival Association of Long Beach
7 pm—Gautier Men’s Club
February 12
Noon— Krewe of Nereids Parade in Bay St. Louis
12:30 pm— Krewe of Barkloxi PAWrade in Biloxi
February 17
7 pm—Ocean Springs Carnival Association Night Parade
February 18
Noon—Krewe of Diamondhead Mardi Gras Parade
1 pm—Jackson County Carnival Association in Pascagoula
2 pm—Krewe of Gemini Day Parade in Gulfport
5:30 pm—Krewe of Neptune Night Parade in Biloxi
February 19
Noon—St. Paul Carnival Association in Pass Christian
1 pm—Second Street Social Club in Gulfport
1 pm—D’Iberville North Bay Association
February 20
5 pm—Bay St. Louis Mystic Krewe of the Seahorse
February 21—Fat Tuesday
1 pm—Gulf Coast Carnival Association Mardi Gras Parade in Biloxi
