Gulfport, Mississippi Sparkles for the Holidays

Coastal Mississippi offers the world’s longest man-made beach — miles of sand framing the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. There’s plenty to enjoy along the coast, from Bay St. Louis and Waveland at one end to Pascagoula bookending the other and Biloxi sporting its mega casinos and minor league baseball. At its center lies Gulfport with its marina, shopping areas that range from downtown stores to the Gulfport Premium Outlets, a vibrant culinary scene and attractions for all ages.

It’s the largest Christmas light show in Mississippi and spotlighted on the Lifetime movie “Christmas in Mississippi.” The Gulfport Harbor Lights Winter Festival attracts thousands every year with its singing Christmas trees, visits with Santa in Santa’s Village, train rides, holiday foods and much more all throughout 40 acres in Jones Park. Check out dates and special events for this 10th anniversary at gulfportharborlights.com/.

The annual Christmas on the Bayou boat parade floats down Bayou Bernard in Gulfport on the second Saturday in December (but check its Facebook page for exact time and dates). The boats — and the waterfront homes along the bayou — decorate with thousands of lights to celebrate the holidays, with the parade concluding at the mouth of the bayou at Big Lake.

What’s New

The new Changing Tides exhibit at the Mississippi Aquarium has added more than 7,000 square feet of indoor exhibition space. Look for 20 new habitats and more than 100 new species throughout three biomes, such as a lush rainforest and tropical coral reef.

Also new this year is the 1,100-foot tramway and pedestrian bridge that stretches over U.S. Hwy. 90 from the Mississippi Aquarium and the Coast Transit Authority parking garage to the elaborate Jones Park and Gulfport Marina. No longer will visitors wanting to experience all attractions risk their lives dodging Highway 90 traffic, especially this November and December when Jones Park comes alive with the Harbor Lights Winter Festival.

Don’t Miss You don’t have to love trains to visit TrainTastic S.T.E.A.M. Park and Model Railroad Museum, but those who do will go batty over the largest model train museum in the country. In addition to the model train displays are interactive exhibits, S.T.E.A.M. demonstrations, an indoor Playville Station, outside train rides and more.

Where to Stay

The Almanett Hotel & Bistro, once a site of protests during the height of the Civil Rights Movement, now offers visitors comfortable accommodations, seating areas for reading or visiting with friends and a bistro serving up coastal fare. It’s easy to relax in this historic property, imbibe a cocktail in the lounge and enjoy a meal. If you must venture forth, the beach is a short walk and downtown Gulfport a longer walk or quick drive away.

Where To Eat

Gulfport is home to numerous fine dining establishments, smaller cafes and the popular Perks Coffee Shop & Cafe. Visitors can choose from close to a dozen restaurants in downtown Gulfport alone, particularly near Fishbone Alley between 26th and 27th avenues and 13th and 14th streets with its cool artwork and murals, nightclubs and special events.

If you need visuals to decide what to eat, try Mama Ain’t Cooking Food Truck Days from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. every second Thursday of the month at the Gulfport Premium Outlets right off Interstate 10. Around 13 food trucks gather each month serving up everything from lobster rolls and fried catfish to jerk chicken and Asian fusion. Indoor seating is available.