Merry memories 16 WAYS TO FILL YOUR MISSISSIPPI COAST CHRISTMAS WITH FAMILY FUN
The holidays on the Mississippi Gulf Coast give families plenty of ways to celebrate, from viewing the beautiful waterfront lights and shopping in the Christmas markets to making oyster shell ornaments and cookie boxes at the kitchen table. Here are 16
BY ALEXA CUTRER
ideas, with local outings and at-home activities taking turns. Choose a few that fit your family; revisit a favorite, and try something new together.
1. CHOOSE A TREE AT HOLLY BERRY HILLS
Getting our tree from Holly Berry Hills Christmas Tree Farm in Saucier has been a family tradition for more than a decade. In past seasons, we’ve tagged it in November and collected it closer to Christmas. Take a family photo beside your choice, and check the farm’s Facebook announcements for tagging and pickup details. 2. PAINT OYSTER SHELL ORNAMENTS Give your tree a little Coast personality with oyster shell ornaments. Start with clean, craft-ready shells; let the kids paint Christmas trees or tiny coastal scenes inside, then have an adult attach ribbon loops. Add the artists’ names and the year on the back. A blue-and-white shell with a gold edge makes a sweet grandparent gift, too. 3. GET IN THE SPIRIT AT THE GULFPORT HARBOR LIGHTS FESTIVAL The Gulfport Harbor Lights Winter Festival at Jones Park brings light displays, dancing trees, train rides and Santa’s Village to the waterfront. Let the kids choose a favorite display and linger. Bring sweaters to keep warm, and check the latest schedule and pricing before choosing your night. Bring the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade excitement to breakfast with a miniature parade down the table. Print character cutouts; attach them to small cardboard floats and add mini balloons, assembled by an adult. Let the kids create a Gulf Coast float with paper shrimp boats or a lighthouse. Serve breakfast while you watch the parade together. 5. WEAR YOUR PAJAMAS TO TRAINTASTIC TrainTastic’s Polar Experience in Gulfport combines cocoa, crafts, lights and train rides on December 6, 10, 13, 17 and 20, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. At the 6 p.m. ceremony, Santa calls participating children by name and presents a keepsake bell. Reserve ahead. 4. SET THE TABLE FOR A THANKSGIVING PARADE
Santa makes an appearance at the Gather Gulf Coast Christmas Market. Photo by Savvy Snapshots.
6. BRING MICKEY’S CHRISTMAS MAGIC HOME Put on Disney Christmas pajamas and stream “Mickey Saves Christmas” on Disney+. For breakfast, brush warm Mickey-shaped waffles with melted butter and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar for a churro-inspired treat. A Mickey waffle maker makes the shape easy. Add a little Gulf Coast touch with satsuma wedges, then let the kids settle in for the show.
7. CATCH A CHRISTMAS SHOW AT LYNN MEADOWS
Lynn Meadows Discovery Center’s WINGS Performing Arts program in Gulfport has Dr. Seuss’s “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” The musical scheduled for Dec. 4–6. Read the story beforehand and cheer on local young performers together. Consider your child’s attention span and confirm performance times and tickets directly with Lynn Meadows.
November 2026
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