Biloxi officially kicks off the Christmas season with the Lighting of the Lighthouse on Thursday, Dec. 5 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
The public is invited to join Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich and his wife, Serena, as they flip the switch and turn on the holiday lights. The ceremony will take place at the Lighthouse, south of the Biloxi Visitors Center, and will include hot chocolate and cookies. The Biloxi Visitors Center Christmas shirts and ornaments will also be available for purchase. See the flyer.
As with every Christmas season, the city has a list of events taking place throughout December. Here is the lineup.
Friday, Dec. 6, 6 p.m., Christmas on the Water Children’s Parade – Annual parade featuring children in grades K to 4 riding in hay wagons. Parade begins at Dr. Frank G. Gruich Center, 591 Howard Ave., and ends at Biloxi Town Green, 710 Beach Blvd. See the flyer.
Friday, Dec. 6, 6:30-8 p.m., Lighting of the Town Green – Festivities on the Town Green, 710 Beach Blvd., include the lighting of the Town Green and hot chocolate and cookies. Free admission. See the flyer.
Saturday, Dec. 7, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 20th Annual Christmas In The City – 140 Lameuse St., Howard Avenue, G.E. Street, Jackson Street, Rue Magnolia, and Water Street areas. Includes local choir performances, entertainers, photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, Pusharates, arts and crafts vendors, and hourly drawings for $100 cash. Free admission. See the flyer.
Saturday, Dec. 7, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Biloxi Visitors Center Holiday Open House – Biloxi Visitors Center, 1050 Beach Blvd. Dozens of artists and craftsmen show and sell their wares for last-minute Christmas shoppers. Photos with Santa; children’s activities; and door prizes. Free admission. See the flyer.
Saturday, Dec. 7, 6 p.m., Christmas On The Water Boat Parade – Mississippi Sound. Boats parade in full holiday décor, with a fireworks show after the parade. Best viewing locations along Beach Boulevard between Biloxi Small Craft Harbor and Casino Row. Details: 228-617-3112 or 228-432-2563
Friday, Dec. 13, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Senior’s Christmas Luncheon – Donal M. Snyder Sr. Community Center, 2520 Pass Road. Open to ages 50 and older. D.J.; door prizes. Free admission. Details and to RSVP: 228-388-7170
Friday, Dec. 13, 5-8 p.m., Special Needs Christmas Dance – Donal M. Snyder Sr. Community Center, 2520 Pass Road. Open to all ages with physical and mental disabilities and includes food and door prizes. Bring a gift worth no more than $10 to be given to the Biloxi Police Department. See the flyer.
Saturday, Dec. 14, 9:45 -11:15 a.m., Come Learn with Santa – Donal M. Snyder Sr. Community Center, 2520 Pass Road. Event is open to children ages five and younger and includes pictures with Santa, creating holiday crafts, and decorating Christmas cookies. Details: 228-297-6808
Saturday, Dec. 14, 2 p.m. Annual Woolmarket Ward 7 Christmas Parade – Parade begins on Shortcut Road at Woolmarket Road and ends at Woolmarket Elementary School, 12513 John Lee Road. See Santa Claus and decorate the Christmas tree at the Woolmarket Elementary gym. Hot Chocolate and cookies provided. See the flyer.
Saturday, Dec. 14, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum Holiday Open House, 115 1st St. Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, enjoy a tour through the museum, and shop with local vendors for art and treats. Cookies and hot chocolate will be served. Door prizes. Free admission. Details: 228-435-6320
Sunday, Dec. 15, 2 p.m., City of Biloxi Ward 2 Christmas Event – Dr. Frank Gruich Community Center, 591 Howard Ave. Toy giveaway to help ensure children receive a toy at Christmas. Visit with Santa and enjoy hot chocolate and cookies. There will be no parade. Details: moversandshakers2022@gmail.com. See the flyer.
The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish concerts – 870 Howard Ave., Dec. 6, 7 p.m., “Gulf Coast Messiah Chorus Christmas Concert”, Dec. 19, 6 p.m. “Christmas Caroling at Cathedral Square,” Dec. 22, 4 p.m., “Holiday Christmas Concert.” Details: 228-374-1717
To see the BNews Community Calendar for December 2024 for more events, click here.
News & notes: Weekly reports, holiday schedule, parade registrations
The week that was: The latest information on city projects, permits, service calls, and more from the departments of the Police, Fire, Engineering, Community Development, and Public Works is posted on the city’s Weekly Reports page. To see the weekly department reports, click here.
City office closures: All non-emergency city offices will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 28, and Friday, Nov. 29 in observance of Thanksgiving.
Trash service: Garage, recycling, and yard waste pick-up will not run on Thanksgiving Day. The routes will run one day behind for Thursday and Friday.
Children’s Walking Parade registration: Those interested in participating in the annual Christmas on the Water Children’s Walking Parade have until Dec. 2 to submit a completed registration form. The parade takes place downtown on Dec. 6. Participation is open to children in Kindergarten through the Fourth grade. For details and to download the form, click here.
Woolmarket Christmas Parade registration: Those interested in participating in the annual Woolmarket Christmas Parade have until Dec. 7 to register. The parade takes place along Shortcut and Woolmarket roads. For more information and to download the registration form, click here.
