In Coastal Mississippi, festival season doesn't end with the purple, green, and gold trappings of Mardi Gras. We keep the good times rollin' along our 62 miles of scenic coastline throughout the dawning of spring. Our unique annual events range from art festivals to nationally-renowned competitive fishing tournaments to celebrations of classic cars. So, put a spring in your step and plan a trip to Coastal Mississippi today!

  • Rapiscan Systems Classic, March 28 - April 3: Tee up with PGA TOUR Champions for a week of exciting events, including pro-am outings, a celebrity chefs' course dinner (called CHIP & CHOP), pairing party, and more! If you’ve never been to a golf tournament, now’s your chance! Rapiscan Systems Classic showcases Coastal Mississippi’s gorgeous scenery while also providing great opportunities to hang out with friends and family.

  • Art in the Pass, April 2 - 3: The 24th Annual Art in the Pass provides the perfect opportunity to celebrate art while enjoying the breathtaking beachfront views of Coastal Mississippi. Overlooking the gulf in Pass Christian, Art in the Pass welcomes over 100 vetted artists from across the region showcasing a variety of media and genres. A family-friendly event, Art in the Pass also features Celebrate the Gulf Marine Education Festival, providing hands-on activities that address marine and estuarine environmental issues associated with the Gulf of Mexico. 

  • Crawfish Music Festival, April 20 - 24: One of the premiere festivals in Coastal Mississippi, the 29th Annual Crawfish Music Festival promises entertainment, hot boiled crawfish, and exciting mid-way rides. Located on the beachfront property of the Mississippi Coast Coliseum, the five day festival boasts exciting lineups every night with plenty of music, delicious food, and family-friendly activities. Tickets start at $10 and can be purchased in advance, but admission to the Crawfish Cook-Off requires an additional fee. Two words of advice before you go: come hungry!

For more information, check out our insider's guide to the Annual Crawfish Music Festival here.

Crawfish

  • Arts Alive!, May 21: Experience an immersive festival of arts, music, and culinary creations at Hancock County’s capstone arts and culture event. With dozens of artist tents, children’s activities, hands-on demonstrations, live performances, and a dessert competition, #ArtsAliveBSL will be sure to stimulate the senses for an amazing time.

  • Memorial Day Weekend, May 28 - 30: There's no better place to spend your Memorial Day than Coastal Mississippi! Whether you're in need of quiet relaxation or crave a weekend full of outdoor adventure, the 62 miles of scenic coastline provides itineraries for every type of traveler and budget. Our accommodations range from boutique hotels in charming downtown districts to world-class casino resorts - some properties are even pet-friendly! For the leisure visitor, Coastal Mississippi boasts an array of attractions, shopping, spas, and nightlife to fill your schedule. And for the outdoor adventurer, choose from boat cruises to the barrier islands, fishing charters for deep-sea catches, kayak or paddleboard rentals for river exploration, and even eco-tours for estuarine education. Find endless choices and open-ended experiences on The Secret Coast.

Live Oak Cropped

  • Jeepin' the Coast, June 1 - 5: Join over 1,000 Jeep aficionados from across the region as they flock to Coastal Mississippi this May. Since 2012, the family-friendly event sees Jeepers cruise down the area's 26 miles of white sand beaches, enjoying the scenic coastline and participating in events along the way. Previous years' celebrations have included beach crawls, live entertainment, a 5K fun run, and scavenger hunts. Make sure you brush up on your Jeep wave etiquette beforehand!

  • Billfish Classic, June 6 - 12: Hundreds of anglers will converge in Coastal Mississippi for the 24th Annual Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic, competing for over $2 million in cash and prizes. As the premiere billfish tournament in the Gulf of Mexico, the Billfish Classic holds the Gulf of Mexico Blue Marlin record at 1054.6 pounds! The week-long features nightly dock parties and live entertainment for spectators at the weigh-in scales. Put this tournament on your calendar for your chance to see another record made!

Billfish Classic

  • Scrapin' the Coast, June 24 - 26: Heralded as the south's largest and premiere car, truck, and bike show, the 20th Annual Scrapin' the Coast will bring hundreds of hot rods to Coastal Mississippi for a weekend of non-stop cruisin' and fun. In addition to the official car and truck show at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center, expect vendors, live entertainment, and more on the weekend's itinerary!

           For an insider's guide to Scrapin' the Coast, visit here to learn more.

We hope to see you for these fantastic coastal events! Stay up-to-date with everything happening across Coastal Mississippi by visiting our events page.