PHOTOS: Hundreds kick off Carnival season with Biloxi’s 12th Night Celebration
By Jackson Ranger
As the Christmas season came to an end, the City of Biloxi kicked off Carnival season with their annual 12th Night Celebration at City Hall.
The event began at 5 p.m. with a series of floats on Lameuse Street in front of City Hall where event attendees could receive Mardi Gras beads, flowers and candy from the floats.
Candy is handed out to a child riding on her father’s shoulders during a 12th Night Celebration in Biloxi on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
Following the floats was the changing of the lights at City Hall in which the lights changed from red and green Christmas colors to purple and gold to represent the arrival of Carnival.
The lights of City Hall change from Christmas colors to Mardi Gras colors during a 12th Night Celebration in Biloxi on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
After the changing of the lights, attendees got the chance to pick up complimentary food — including gumbo and king cake — to celebrate Carnival.
Kelly Gentry serves free gumbo for event attendees during a 12th Night Celebration in Biloxi on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
Those who stayed at the event got to enjoy a DJ set to dance and celebrate on Lameuse Street until the event ended at around 9 p.m.
The lights of City Hall change from Christmas colors to Mardi Gras colors during a 12th Night Celebration in Biloxi on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
City Hall is lit up with Christmas colors during a 12th Night Celebration in Biloxi on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
Mardi Gras King Cakes are stacked up during a 12th Night Celebration in Biloxi on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
King Cakes are brought to Biloxi City Hall in preparation for a 12th Night Celebration in Biloxi on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
Sebastian, a chicken, sits on top of a stroller during a 12th Night Celebration in Biloxi on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
Parade attendees pose for photos in front of a sign during a 12th Night Celebration in Biloxi on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
Parade attendees pose for photos in front of a sign during a 12th Night Celebration in Biloxi on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
Daniel Joyner, right, hands out a light stick to Scarlett Greene and her daughter Mackenzie, left, during a 12th Night Celebration in Biloxi on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
A crowd gathers in front of Biloxi City Hall for a parade during a 12th Night Celebration in Biloxi on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
Parade attendees laugh as they toss beads and flowers from their floats during a 12th Night Celebration in Biloxi on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
Candy is handed out to a child riding on her father’s shoulders during a 12th Night Celebration in Biloxi on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
Candy is handed out to a child riding on her father’s shoulders during a 12th Night Celebration in Biloxi on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
Joseph Simmons reaches out to catch a string of Mardi Gras beads during a 12th Night Celebration in Biloxi on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
Joseph Simmons plays with a string of Mardi Gras beads received from a float during a 12th Night Celebration in Biloxi on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
Mardi Gras beads are passed out from floats to parade attendees during a 12th Night Celebration in Biloxi on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
Crowd members cheer for Mardi Gras beads as parade floats pass by during a 12th Night Celebration in Biloxi on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
A parade attendee sets off a bundle of confetti during a 12th Night Celebration in Biloxi on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
Float participants hand out flowers during a 12th Night Celebration in Biloxi on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
Parade attendees pose for a photo during a 12th Night Celebration in Biloxi on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
A float attendee waves to a child sitting on her father’s shoulders during a 12th Night Celebration in Biloxi on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
A crowd gathers as they wait to see the lights of Biloxi City Hall change during a 12th Night Celebration in Biloxi on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
Event attendees pick up slices of King Cake during a 12th Night Celebration in Biloxi on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
Event volunteers prepare desserts during a 12th Night Celebration in Biloxi on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
Complimentary desserts are prepared during a 12th Night Celebration in Biloxi on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
Samuel Earhart dances with Sebastian, his chicken, during a 12th Night Celebration in Biloxi on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
Kelly Gentry serves free gumbo for event attendees during a 12th Night Celebration in Biloxi on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
Event attendees dance in front of Biloxi City Hall during a 12th Night Celebration in Biloxi on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. Jackson Ranger jranger@sunherald.com
This story was originally published January 5, 2026 at 9:56 PM.
