Biloxi officially kicks off the Christmas season with the Lighting of the Lighthouse on Thursday, Nov. 30 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.
As with every Christmas season, the city has a list of events taking place throughout December.
Here is the lineup. (Updated Dec. 1, 2023)
Friday, Dec. 1, 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 Beach Blvd., and ends at Biloxi Town Green, 710 Beach Blvd. Event was canceled because of inclement weather.
Saturday, Dec. 2, 6 p.m., Christmas On The Water – Mississippi Sound. 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
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 holiday dance performances and hot chocolate and cookies. See the flyer
Saturday, Dec. 9, 9:45 -11:15 a.m., Come Learn with Santa – 140 St. John Ave., Lopez School. Event is open to children ages 5 and younger and includes pictures with Santa, creating holiday crafts, and decorating Christmas cookies. Details: 228-297-6808
Saturday, Dec. 9, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 19th 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 near Mary Mahoney’s back door on Water St., arts and crafts vendors, and hourly drawings for $100 cash. Free admission. See the flyer(moved from Dec. 2 because of weather)
Saturday, Dec. 9, 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. 9, 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
Friday, Dec. 15, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Senior’s Christmas Luncheon – Donal M. Snyder 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. 15, 5-8 p.m., Special Needs Christmas Dance – Donal M. Snyder 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. 16, 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 noon-4 p.m.; children’s activities; and door prizes. Free admission. See the flyer
Sunday, Dec. 17, 2:30 p.m., City of Biloxi Ward 2 Christmas Parade – Parade begins at O’Reily Park, 431 Division St., and ends at John Henry Beck Park, 671 Division St. Register for parade through Dec. 13. See the flyer.
The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish concerts – 870 Howard Ave., Dec. 2, 3 p.m., “Advent Service of Reflections” Choral Program, Dec. 17, 4 p.m., Annual “Nativity Cathedral Christmas Concert,” Dec. 21, 7 p.m., Annual “Christmas Caroling at Cathedral Square,” Dec. 24, 10:30 p.m., Annual “Christmas Eve Pre-Service of Carols & Music.” Details: 228-374-1717
To see the BNews Community Calendar for December 2023, click here.
News & notes: City Council, historical society Christmas party
City council: The council’s next meeting will be Tuesday, Nov. 28, with a regular-scheduled meeting at 1:30 p.m. at Biloxi City Hall. To see more about the city council and to view an archive of meeting recordings, click here.
Historical society meeting and party: The Mississippi Coast Historical and Genealogical Society will host its next meeting on Saturday, Dec. 2 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Dr. Frank Gruich Community Center, 591 Howard Ave. In addition to the meeting, the society will also host its Christmas party. The meeting and party are open to the public. For more information, call 228-396-1543.
