Christmas events officially begin in Biloxi on Thursday with the Lighting of the Biloxi Lighthouse at 5:30 p.m.
The public is invited to gather at the Biloxi landmark, south of the Biloxi Visitors Center, 1050 Beach Blvd., and watch Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich turn the switch and light up the Biloxi Lighthouse in Christmas decorations.
Santa Claus will make an appearance, and hot chocolate and cookies will be available. Staff from the Biloxi Visitors Center will also be on sight selling this year’s city ornament and Christmas shirt, both inspired by the explorer statues near the lighthouse.
Here is a list of other city-sponsored Christmas events.
Annual Children’s Christmas Parade and Christmas On The Town Green, Dec. 2, 6-8 p.m. Annual parade features kindergarten to 4th graders riding in hay wagons celebrating Christmas. The parade begins at the Dr. Frank Gruich Sr. Center, 591 Howard Avenue, travels Lameuse Street, and ends at the Biloxi Town Green, 710 Beach Blvd., where the annual lighting of the Christmas Tree will take place. Santa, hot chocolate, and cookies are all part of the event. See the Children’s parade flyer; See the Lighting of the Town Green flyer
18th Annual Christmas In The City, Dec. 3, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 785 Howard Ave., The District Green, Jackson Street, Rue Magnolia, and Water Street areas. Catch the spirit of the season with local choir performances, entertainers, photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, Pusharates, and more than one hundred vendors. Hourly drawings for $100 cash throughout the festival! Free admission. See the flyer
Christmas On The Water, Dec. 3, 6 p.m. Admission is free. Boats parade in full holiday décor, with a fireworks show after the parade. Best viewing locations along Beach Blvd. are between the Biloxi Small Craft Harbor and Casino Row. Details: 228-617-3112 or 228-432-2563
Annual Woolmarket Christmas Parade, Dec. 10, 2 p.m. Parade begins on Shortcut Road at Woolmarket Road, ending at Woolmarket Elementary School. See Santa Claus and decorate the Christmas tree at the Woolmarket Elementary gym. Hot chocolate and cookies provided. See the flyer
City of Biloxi Ward 2 Christmas Parade, Dec. 11, 2 p.m. Parade begins at O’Reily Park, 431 Division St., travels west on Division, and ends at John Henry Beck Park, 671 Division St. Hot chocolate and cookies provided. See the flyer
Special Needs Christmas Dance, Dec. 16, 6-9 p.m., Donal M. Snyder Sr. Center, 2520 Pass Road. All ages with physical and mental disabilities are invited to celebrate Christmas. Food and door prizes will be available. Admission is an unwrapped gift valued at no more than $10. See the flyer
Biloxi Visitors Center Holiday Open House, Dec. 17-18, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Biloxi Visitors Center, 1050 Beach Blvd. Dozens of artists and artisans show and sell their wares for last-minute Christmas shoppers. Santa, refreshments, children’s activities, and door prizes are all part of the event. Free admission. See the flyer
See the December Community Calendar
News & notes: Feed the Needy, weekly reports, council, walkway
Feed the Needy: The Biloxi Police Department delivered over six hundred meals to residents for the Thanksgiving holiday. Those interested in participating in the Christmas Feed the Needy program, either as a volunteer or meal recipient, have until Dec. 3 p.m. For information, call the Biloxi Police Department at 228-385-3033.
The week that was: Weekly reports from the departments of Police, Fire, Community Development, and Engineering are now online for your review. To see the report from last week and an archive of weekly reports, click here.
City council: Biloxi City Council is not scheduled to meet this week. The council’s next meeting will be Tuesday, Dec. 6, with a regular-scheduled meeting at 6 p.m. at Biloxi City Hall. To see more about the city council and to view an archive of meeting recordings, click here.
Walkway ribbon cutting: The City of Biloxi will hold a ribbon cutting for the Seawall Walkway on Thursday at 2 p.m. Those interested in attending should park south of Oak Street. To see the invite, click here.
