Gulfport’s holiday lights display: What does it cost the city, and how many attend?
Attendance at Gulfport’s annual Harbor Lights Winter Festival exceeds the population of the state’s second-largest city.
The holiday lights display, believed to be the largest in the state, will run from Nov. 28 through Dec. 31 in Jones Park and the surrounding harbor just south of downtown Gulfport.
The light show and accompanying entertainment costs the city around $2 million a year, but the show is expected to pay for itself in 2025, mostly through ticket sales, along with revenue from carnival rides and concessions, plus an Island View Casino Resort sponsorship.
The city did not start tracking expenses for Harbor Lights until a separate budget was set up in 2022-2023 and seeded with $1.2 million from the general fund, comprised mostly of property and sales taxes.
The city tapped into the fund when Harbor Lights posted deficits for the 2022 and 2024 shows, leaving about $94,000 in the seed fund. This year, the city estimates it will break even on the show, spending and earning an estimated $2,115,400.
Harbor Lights, with towering Christmas trees that dance to holiday music and many other LED light displays, draws in tourists during the traditional off-season. But for city employee Billy Lehman, it’s all about building family traditions and memories.
In 2024, about 92,000 people attended Harbor Lights, compared to 116,000 visitors in 2023. The city’s population is close to 75,000.
Lehman says Harbor Lights revenue is higher when the weather cooperates and when Thanksgiving comes early. Eleven rainy days and a late holiday start contributed to a $362,484 deficit for the 2024 show. Harbor Lights also provides funding for harbor operations and employees who also work other special events.
The biggest expense is for contractors who provide everything from security to setup and construction.
Lehman was on the city crew for the first Harbor Lights show in 2015 and started overseeing the event in 2023 as special events coordinator. When he was promoted to assistant director of the Leisure Services Department, he asked to keep Harbor Lights as part of his duties.
“Some days, I regret it, but the payoff is really what’s worth it,” Lehman said. “Seeing the families, seeing the tradition, seeing everyone down in harbor lights, that’s what I like.
“It’s a lot of work — I don’t think people realize how much work. They see lights going up, and they come and enjoy it.”
Planning a Harbor Lights visit
Here’s what you need to know if you plan on attending the event.
Times and dates: Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and close at 9:30 p.m, Nov. 28-Dec. 31, with Jones Park remaining open until 10:30 p.m. and later on busy weekends.
Ticket prices: $15 for adults on weekdays and for the week after Christmas, $5 for children 4-12 and free for children 0-3. Adult prices are $20 on Fridays and Saturdays, except after Christmas. For the first two weeks in December, Monday-Wednesday, tickets are $5 for adult residents of Gulfport, military, first responders and senior citizens who present IDs. Ticket sales start Nov. 1.
Location: Jones Park is located on the waterfront along U.S. 90 just south of downtown Gulfport.
Featured attractions: In addition to dazzling light displays timed to Christmas music, families can enjoy carnival rides, food booths, a gift shop and, the main attraction, visits with Santa in Santa’s Village.
What’s new: A special 3-D display is being added. Be on the lookout for a lighted crab the city will soon display on the Harbor Lights Facebook page, where a contest to name the crab will be held.
Lights: The number of lights that decorate Jones Park and the harbor is approaching 2 million.
