Biloxi's Christmas season brings the Lighting of the Lighthouse, a boat parade, a children's parade and Town Green lighting, and the East Biloxi parade.

Last checked Oct. 12, 2026. This page is updated each year. The City of Biloxi has not yet announced its 2026 Christmas schedule, so this guide lists the 2025 season from the city’s holiday festivities list, so you know what to expect. It will be refreshed when the 2026 dates are posted.

Biloxi does not have one big Christmas parade. It has a season of them: a lighted boat parade on the Mississippi Sound, a children’s parade that ends at the lighting of the Town Green, neighborhood parades in Woolmarket and East Biloxi, a golf-cart Santa-Gras parade on Howard Avenue, and the Lighting of the Lighthouse to start it all.

Who to call

  • City Christmas events: Biloxi Parks and Recreation, 228-388-7170
  • Biloxi Visitors Center (lighthouse lighting, open house): 228-374-3105
  • Christmas on the Water boat parade: 228-617-3112 or 228-432-2563
  • Downtown events (Christmas in the City, Christmas on the Avenue): Biloxi Main Street, 228-435-6339

The 2025 schedule

Date (2025) Event Where
Thursday, Dec. 4, 5:30 to 7 p.m. Lighting of the Lighthouse, with Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich Biloxi Visitors Center, 1050 Beach Blvd.
Sunday, Dec. 7, 6 p.m. Christmas on the Water Boat Parade, fireworks after Mississippi Sound; festivities at Point Cadet Marina
Saturday, Dec. 13, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 20th Annual Christmas in the City Downtown: Lameuse Street, Howard Avenue, Rue Magnolia and nearby
Saturday, Dec. 13, 2 p.m. Woolmarket Christmas Parade Shortcut Road at Woolmarket Road to Woolmarket Elementary, 12513 John Lee Road
Monday, Dec. 15, 6 p.m. Christmas on the Water Children’s Parade Dr. Frank G. Gruich Sr. Community Center, 591 Howard Ave., to the Town Green
Monday, Dec. 15, 6 to 8 p.m. Lighting of the Town Green Biloxi Town Green, 710 Beach Blvd.
Friday, Dec. 19, 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Grand Lighting of Howard Avenue, then the Santa-Gras Parade Howard Avenue, Lameuse to Reynoir streets
Saturday, Dec. 20, 2 p.m. East Biloxi Christmas Parade John Joseph O’Reilly Park, 431 Division St., to John Henry Beck Park, 671 Division St.

The children’s parade and Town Green lighting were moved to Dec. 15 from their original date in 2025, according to the city’s updated flyer (PDF).

What each event is like

Lighting of the Lighthouse. The mayor turns on the holiday lights at the Biloxi Lighthouse and Visitors Center, with hot chocolate and cookies. The Visitors Center sells its Christmas T-shirts and ornaments that night.

Christmas on the Water Boat Parade. Boats in full holiday decor parade on the Mississippi Sound, followed by fireworks. The city says the best waterfront viewing is along Beach Boulevard between the Biloxi Small Craft Harbor and Casino Row.

Children’s parade and Town Green lighting. Children in kindergarten through fourth grade ride hay wagons from the Gruich Community Center on Howard Avenue to the Town Green, where the green is lit, with hot chocolate and cookies. Free.

Christmas in the City. Downtown choirs and entertainers, photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, arts and crafts vendors and hourly cash drawings. Free.

Woolmarket Christmas Parade. The parade ends at Woolmarket Elementary, where children can see Santa and decorate the Christmas tree in the gym, with hot chocolate and cookies.

Christmas on the Avenue. Three nights on Howard Avenue: blues and tree decorating on the first night, the Grand Lighting of Howard Avenue and a walk, bike and golf-cart Santa-Gras parade led by Santa on the second, and an ugly-sweater Santa crawl on the third.

East Biloxi Christmas Parade. A neighborhood parade along Division Street. Details: 228-388-7170.

More holiday events in 2025

  • Biloxi Visitors Center Holiday Open House, Dec. 13: artists and craftsmen, photos with Santa and children’s activities. Free.
  • Camp Wilkes Christmas on the Back Bay, Dec. 13: vendor village, Santa’s Cabin and children’s activities.
  • Special Needs Christmas Dance, Dec. 12, Donal M. Snyder Sr. Community Center.

After the holidays, the Harrison County Utility Authority holds Christmas tree and cardboard recycling events; see our trash and recycling guide.

What this means for you

  • In 2025 the season opened with the lighthouse lighting on Dec. 4.
  • Boat parade viewing: Beach Boulevard between the Small Craft Harbor and Casino Row.
  • Check back for the 2026 dates; this page is updated when the city posts them.

More guides: things to do in Biloxi this month and getting around Biloxi.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Biloxi Christmas parade?

Biloxi has several. In 2025 the Christmas on the Water Boat Parade was Dec. 7, the Woolmarket Christmas Parade Dec. 13, the Christmas on the Water Children’s Parade Dec. 15, Santa-Gras on Howard Avenue Dec. 19 and the East Biloxi Christmas Parade Dec. 20. The 2026 dates have not been announced.

When is the Lighting of the Lighthouse in Biloxi?

In 2025 it was 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, at the Biloxi Visitors Center, 1050 Beach Blvd., with the mayor flipping the switch. The 2026 date has not been announced.

Where is the best place to watch the Biloxi boat parade?

The city says the best viewing is along Beach Boulevard between the Biloxi Small Craft Harbor and Casino Row. Festivities are at the Point Cadet Marina, and fireworks follow the parade.

Where does the East Biloxi Christmas Parade go?

In 2025 it started at John Joseph O’Reilly Park, 431 Division St., at 2 p.m. and ended at John Henry Beck Park, 671 Division St.