Biloxi ushers in holiday season this weekend

The annual parade of lighted boats off the Biloxi peninsula remains the centerpiece of the city’s Christmas on the Water parade, but this year’s Christmas in the City will have a few special treats, including a Christmas scavenger hunt, an Art Can Change Everything festival and a Christmas show in the Saenger.

It’s all part of the city’s festivities to usher in the holiday season.

Christmas on the Water begins Friday evening with the Children’s Walking Christmas Parade, which rolls from the Biloxi Library and Civic Center and makes its way to the Town Green, where the lighting of the green takes place.

After the parade, a Christmas in the City scavenger hunt will be held, with participants checking in at the Margaret Tremmel Peresich Park between 6 and 8 p.m. and beginning their search for gift certificates and cash.

On Saturday, the day will begin with a Breakfast with Santa at the Half Shell Oyster House. Throughout the day, more than 100 arts and crafts vendors will be showing their wares at outdoor booths in the downtown area, and an Art Can Change Anything exposition, featuring local artists and performers, in the Vieux Marche area.

A Christmas Spectacular is planned for the Saenger at 3 and the annual Christmas on the Water boat parade begins at 6 at the Biloxi Lighthouse and travels the Biloxi channel to the Biloxi Bay Bridge. A fireworks show will cap the parade.

The complete lineup:

Friday, Nov. 30

— Children’s Walking Christmas Parade, Biloxi Library & Civic Center, 580 Howard Ave. Pre-parade activities begin at 5:00 PM with registration of parade participants, entertainment in the courtyard and a display of Christmas trees in the Library. Parade begins at 6 p.m. and travels to Town Green.
Details: Sarah Rider, (228) 861-6997

— Lighting of the Biloxi Town Green,
710 Beach Blvd.,
immediately following Parade.
Bring an ornament for the Biloxi Town Christmas Tree.
Santa will be there with hot chocolate and cookies.

— Christmas Scavenger Hunt, from 6 until 8 p.m. visit the shops in downtown and participate in a Christmas In the City Scavenger Hunt for gift certificates and cash, and get a sneak preview of vendor booths for Christmas in the City. Check-in for Scavenger Hunt at Margaret Tremmell Peresich Park, at Rue Magnolia and Water streets. Details: kmiller@biloxi.ms.us or (228) 435-6339.

Saturday, Dec. 1

— Breakfast with Santa, Half Shell Oyster House, 8 a.m. until 10 a.m., sponsored by Nativity BVM Elementary School. Tickets are $5 each. Details: (228) 432-2269.

— Christmas In The City, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The free arts-and-crafts festival, situated around Rue Magnolia and Water streets, will feature more than 100 vendors, including the Slavonian Ladies’ Auxiliary Pusharatas sale, a Christmas Music Competition, hourly drawings of $100, sales of the Biloxi Main Street Christmas ornaments, and Christmas On the Water shirts.
Details: kmiller@biloxi.ms.us or (228) 435-6339

— Art Can Change Everything Expo Block Party, Vieux Marche, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. This new event will feature original, local art for sale and for commissioning.

— Biloxi’s Christmas Spectacular Show, Saenger Theater, 3 p.m. Ticket prices are $10, adults; or $8, students. Details: (228) 388-1616.

— Christmas On The Water boat parade. Beginning at 6 p.m., decorated boats will parade from the
Biloxi Lighthouse to the Biloxi Bay Bridge. Fireworks will follow the parade and the boat awards will be presented immediately after the fireworks display. Details: Rusty David, (228) 617-3112