Christmas events in Biloxi officially begin Thursday evening with the Lighting of the Biloxi Lighthouse.
The public is invited to gather at the city’s signature landmark, south of the Biloxi Visitors Center, 1050 Beach Blvd., at 5:30 p.m. Those attending will be treated to hot chocolate and then at 6 p.m., Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich will flip the switch to light up the Biloxi Lighthouse and signal the beginning of the Christmas festivities in Biloxi.
Santa Claus will also make an appearance.
Then, on Friday, at 6 p.m., children will parade downtown for the annual Christmas on the Water Children’s Parade followed by the lighting of the Biloxi Town Green, 710 Beach Blvd. from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Then on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the downtown Rue Magnolia Art District will be filled with arts and crafts vendors, food vendors, choir performances and more for the annual Christmas in the City festival.
The centerpiece of the weekend, the Christmas on the Water Boat Parade, will take place Saturday evening, beginning at 6. The parade of decorated boats will cruise along the Mississippi Sound from the Biloxi Lighthouse to Point Cadet. After the parade, a fireworks show will light up the east Biloxi sky.
The commemorative Christmas on the Water shirts are now available for purchase for $25 at the Biloxi Visitors Center and the Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum.
See a listing of holiday happenings
See images from last year’s Lighting of the Lighthouse
See images from last year’s children’s parade
See images from last year’s boat parade