Gulfport Harbor Lights Runs Through New Year; Biloxi Piles On Holiday Shows
A continuous light festival at Jones Park will operate through January, while Biloxi hosts a dense schedule of concerts, parades, and retail events.
By Alexei Petit ·
South Mississippi's holiday season begins this weekend with a split strategy: Gulfport anchors a continuous, month-long light installation, while Biloxi stages a high-volume series of ticketed concerts and public festivals. The two cities offer distinct approaches to the winter months, with Gulfport prioritizing duration and Biloxi focusing on variety.
The Gulfport Harbor Lights Winter Festival opens on Friday, Nov. 27, at Jones Park. The event runs daily through Sunday, Jan. 3. This 38-day run makes it the longest-running holiday attraction in the region's current schedule. No closures are listed for the duration of the festival.
In Biloxi, the calendar is densely packed. Disney on Ice's Magic of Family will occupy the Mississippi Coast Coliseum from Nov. 19 to Nov. 22. The production features six shows over four days, with matinee and evening slots. The Christmas City Gift Show will run from Nov. 13 to Nov. 15 at the Coast Coliseum and Convention Center, offering extended hours on Friday evening.
The Beau Rivage at 875 Beach Boulevard serves as a central hub for both retail and performance events in Biloxi. The venue hosts a Holiday Open House from Dec. 1 through Dec. 5, open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. It also hosts the Oak Ridge Boys Holiday Show on Nov. 27, Kenny G's The Miracles tour on Dec. 4, and An Acoustic Christmas with Chris Young on Dec. 11. The venue will continue hosting Christmas in the Air performances through Dec. 27.
Public street events will anchor the mid-December period. Biloxi's Christmas on the Avenue runs from Dec. 4 through Dec. 12, featuring a boat parade and fireworks on Dec. 5. Gulfport will hold its Sugarplum Christmas Parade on Dec. 5 and Mistletoe & Main Street on Dec. 18 and 19. Smaller communities will join in, with events in Pass Christian, Pascagoula, and Ocean Springs scheduled for Dec. 4 and Dec. 12.
The schedule extends into the new year. While most Biloxi events conclude on Dec. 27, the Gulfport Harbor Lights will remain active through Jan. 3. This creates a post-holiday window for visitors who miss the peak December crowds. The final day of the Gulfport festival falls on a Sunday.
Source: WLOX
