Holiday lights and Christmas events in Biloxi 2026

Last checked Oct. 23, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. The City of Biloxi had not posted its 2026 Christmas schedule as of Oct. 23, so the dates below are from the 2025 season, taken from the city’s holiday festivities list and December 2025 calendar (PDF), so you know what to expect. Confirmed 2026 dates are marked.

Updated Oct. 23: Gulfport’s Harbor Lights festival now lists Nov. 27, 2026, to Jan. 3, 2027, a day earlier and a day later than first posted.

Biloxi’s Christmas season starts the first week of December, when the mayor switches on the lights at the 1848 Biloxi Lighthouse. Over the next three weeks the Town Green and Howard Avenue light up, Santa makes the rounds, and churches and theaters put on their holiday shows. Parades and the Town Green lighting are on our separate Christmas parade and tree lighting page.

Who to call

• Biloxi Visitors Center (lighthouse lighting, open house): 228-374-3105
• City Christmas events: Biloxi Parks and Recreation, 228-388-7170
• Downtown events: Biloxi Main Street, 228-435-6339
• Edgewater Mall (Santa): 228-388-3424

Light displays

The Biloxi Lighthouse. In 2025 the Lighting of the Lighthouse was 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, held rain or shine inside the Biloxi Visitors Center, 1050 Beach Blvd. Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich flipped the switch to light the lighthouse in Christmas red and green, the city said. Santa came, the Nativity children’s choir sang, and the Visitors Center sold its lighthouse ornament and Christmas shirt. Free.

The Town Green. The green at 710 Beach Blvd. is lit at the end of the children’s Christmas parade. In 2025 that was Monday, Dec. 15, after rain moved it from Dec. 5. Details are on our parade and tree lighting page.

Gulfport Harbor Lights Winter Festival. The biggest light show near Biloxi is about 8 miles west at Jones Park in Gulfport, Nov. 27, 2026, to Jan. 3, 2027. The City of Gulfport and Island View Casino Resort put on more than 1.5 million lights across 40 acres, with carnival rides, a train, a “Dancing Trees” show and Santa’s Village, where Santa is in from 6 p.m. every night the show is open except Christmas Day, according to the festival website. Tickets go on sale Nov. 1; the festival’s FAQ lists general admission at $14 to $22 and $5 to $7 for ages 4 to 12, depending on the night and where you buy, with children 3 and under free. A heated trolley runs inside the park for visitors who have trouble walking.

Howard Avenue. Christmas on the Avenue lit Howard Avenue between Lameuse and Reynoir streets over three nights in 2025:

• Dec. 18: blues at Ground Zero while volunteers decorated Christmas trees, 5 to 9 p.m.
• Dec. 19: the Grand Lighting of Howard Avenue at 5 p.m., then a walk, bike and golf-cart Santa-Gras parade led by Santa at 7 p.m.
• Dec. 20: an ugliest-Christmas-sweater Santa crawl to downtown bars.

Santa visits

Concerts and shows

In 2025:

• The Singing Christmas Tree, First Baptist Church Biloxi, 1560 Popp’s Ferry Road, Dec. 12-14. Details: fbcbiloxi.org, 228-396-8500.
• Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Cathedral, 870 Howard Ave.: an Advent concert Dec. 7 at 4 p.m., caroling in Cathedral Square Dec. 20 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and the annual Christmas concert Dec. 21 at 4 p.m.
• Biloxi Little Theatre, 220 Lee St.: “What the Elf?” Dec. 12-13. Details: 4blt.org, 228-432-8543.
• Kroc Center Jingle Bell Bash Christmas swim party, Dec. 12, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Holiday markets

The Christmas City Gift Show is Nov. 13-15, 2026. The Visitors Center Holiday Open House, Christmas in the City and Camp Wilkes’ Christmas on the Back Bay were all on Saturday, Dec. 13, in 2025. Hours and the full list are on our Black Friday and holiday shopping page.

Hanukkah

Hanukkah 2026 begins at sundown Friday, Dec. 4. No public menorah lighting in Biloxi had been announced as of Oct. 12; this page will add one when a congregation or the city posts it.

Safety at home

Biloxi Police’s holiday tips: check tree lights for frayed wiring, keep a live tree in water, never burn wrapping paper in the fireplace, and put indoor and outdoor lights on a timer when you are away.

What this means for you

• First event of the season: the lighthouse lighting, the first Thursday in December in 2025.
• Best free lights: Beach Boulevard at the lighthouse and Town Green, and Howard Avenue downtown; Harbor Lights in Gulfport is ticketed.
• Check back: this page is refreshed when the city posts its 2026 schedule, usually in late November.

More: things to do in Biloxi this month and New Year’s Eve in Biloxi.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Biloxi Lighthouse Christmas lighting?

In 2025 the Lighting of the Lighthouse was 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, at the Biloxi Visitors Center, 1050 Beach Blvd., where the mayor turned the lighthouse red and green. The 2026 date had not been announced as of Oct. 12.

Where can I see Christmas lights in Biloxi?

The lit Biloxi Lighthouse on Beach Boulevard, the Town Green at 710 Beach Blvd. after its December lighting, and Howard Avenue downtown after the Grand Lighting of Howard Avenue during Christmas on the Avenue.

When is Gulfport Harbor Lights 2026?

Nov. 27, 2026, to Jan. 3, 2027, at Jones Park in Gulfport, about 8 miles west of Biloxi. Tickets go on sale Nov. 1.

Where can kids see Santa in Biloxi?

In 2025 Santa visited Edgewater Mall from Nov. 8, the Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum’s open house, breakfasts at the Kroc Center and the Christmas City Gift Show, Christmas in the City downtown and the Visitors Center Holiday Open House. In 2026 Breakfast with Santa at the gift show is Saturday, Nov. 14.

Is there a menorah lighting in Biloxi?

None had been announced for Hanukkah 2026 as of Oct. 12. This page will add one if a congregation or the city posts it.