Here’s where to see fireworks on the MS Coast on July 4th weekend, plus other events
July 4 falls on Tuesday this year, bringing a big, long Independence weekend celebration to South Mississippi.
The fireworks shows begin on Friday and continue nightly through July 4 in cities across the Coast.
It’s a good time for boating, for discovering the new Gulfport Traintastic attraction, the largest model train museum in the country, or catching the biggest fish at the Deep Sea Rodeo.
Here’s where to find the fireworks and the fun:
Friday, June 30
Ocean Springs — at Front Beach, with entertainment by Dr. Zarr’s Amazing Funk Monster beginning at 6 p.m. Food available Fireworks start at 9 p.m. The show is presented by the city of Ocean Springs.
Saturday, July 1
Long Beach Fourth of July Jubilee ends with a fireworks show at around 8 p.m., but the celebration begins at 10 a.m. with a festival on the Town Green. A parade rolls at 1 p.m. and live music begins at 6 p.m. Food trucks will offer many dining options.
Diamondhead — the celebration is from 5:30-10 p.m. on the south side of Diamondhead at Harbor Drive. There will be a band, food, drinks, beer and snow cones. Bring chairs and blankets for the fireworks at dark.
Sunday, July 2
Silver Slipper Fireworks on the Beach at 9 p.m. at Silver Slipper Casino near Bay St. Louis. Also a meet and greet from 5-7 p.m. with Walton and Johnson, The Radio Gawds. Dave Mayley Band performs from 6-9 p.m. at the Slipper Beach Bar.
Lighting Up Da Bay Fireworks Show at Oyster Bayou on the Jourdan River, Bay St, Louis. 8:30 p.m. Presented by Jourdan River Community Association
Monday, July 3
Biloxi Shuckers at MGM Park. The only Monday game of the Biloxi Shuckers season is against the Mississippi Braves starting at 6:35 p.m. The game is followed by the biggest fireworks show of the season, presented by Merit Health Biloxi.
Tuesday, July 4
Biloxi — 9 p.m.. Fireworks will launch across the beachfront between the Hard Rock and Golden Nugget casinos. A fireworks-free zone, where spectators can’t use their own fireworks, will be on the beach from the Small Craft Harbor and Oak Street.
Schooner sail — Ride the Biloxi Schooner for the July 4 fireworks in Biloxi. $40 for adults, $20 for kids age 3-12. Bring food and drinks. 7-9:30 p.m. Tickets available through Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum.
Gulfport — 9 p.m. at Jones Park, U.S. 90 and 49. The Kiln Billys will perform at the Mississippi Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo at the park from 3:45-5 p.m.
Fireworks from Mississippi Aquarium — The aquarium on U.S. 90 in Gulfport, across from Jones Park will re-open at 6:30 p.m., after normal business hours. Tour the attraction and see the fireworks from the west lawn. The pop-up beer garden will offer a variety of craft beers on tap for a suggested donation. Admission is $15 for non-members and free for members. Tickets are available online until 7 p.m. or at the gate until 7:30 p.m.
Fireworks cruise — aboard Ship Island Excursions to see the Gulfport fireworks. Music and a full bar.
Pascagoula — 8:45 p.m. at Pascagoula Beach Park. Patriotic music in sync with fireworks on Magic 93.7
July 4 weekend highlights
Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo — The 75th annual rodeo in July 1-4 at Jones Park in Gulfport, with carnival rides and fishing tournaments for adults and kids. Gates open at noon and close at 10:30 p.m. Gate admission is $5 per for adults when purchased by 2 p.m. or $10 from 2 p.m. to closing. 4-day arm bands are $20. Children ages 5 and under are free. Carnival rides vary in price.
Traintastic is now open at 615 Pass Road, Gulfport and it’s the largest model train museum in the U.S. Model trains run throughout the sprawling building. Ride a train car, see Lego displays and play with the interactive exhibits. The climber is a tangle of ramps, nets, tunnels, slides, stairs and railroad-themed play spaces. Open Monday-Saturday 10am. –5 p.m. and Sunday 1-5 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for senior age 65+ and children under age 18, $10 for military with valid ID and free for children under 24 months.
Cruisin Tikis Bay St Louis is another new attraction complete with a tropical tour, a wildlife tour near Bay St. Louis or a sunset tour, island-themed music and a cold drink.
Coastal Mississippi has information about a big variety of boat cruises, water parks and other attractions and events on the Coast.
This story was originally published June 23, 2023 at 1:33 PM.
