New Year's Eve on the Gulf Coast? (Gulfport, Biloxi: 2015, hotels)

[buildings_and_bridges]

Hi. Every year I contemplate getting a hotel room on the coast for NYE. I always wait until almost everything is taken, but I'm thinking ahead this year.

But here's my question: what kinds of festivities take place on the coast for NYE? I read something online about an "oyster ball drop," and a couple of festivals of light (that I thought sounded more Christmas-themed). The casinos seem to have events, also, but I'm not into gambling. No fireworks show? Thanks for any info you might have that's difficult to find via Google!

[Southern man]

Originally Posted by buildings_and_bridges

Hi. Every year I contemplate getting a hotel room on the coast for NYE. I always wait until almost everything is taken, but I'm thinking ahead this year.

But here's my question: what kinds of festivities take place on the coast for NYE? I read something online about an "oyster ball drop," and a couple of festivals of light (that I thought sounded more Christmas-themed). The casinos seem to have events, also, but I'm not into gambling. No fireworks show? Thanks for any info you might have that's difficult to find via Google!

There will be plenty of fireworks

[buildings_and_bridges]

Originally Posted by Southern man

There will be plenty of fireworks

Is there an official fireworks show by any of the cities, or is it just private citizens shooting off fireworks?

[Southern man]

Originally Posted by buildings_and_bridges

Is there an official fireworks show by any of the cities, or is it just private citizens shooting off fireworks?

Typically , the casinos will have a display.

[buildings_and_bridges]

Wanted to reply publicly to someone who sent me a PM via reputation points, without naming usernames, since I suppose the person wanted to remain anonymous.

I have been to Mississippi's Gulf Coast, more times than I can count, pre- and post-Katrina. I understand being underwhelmed if you're accustomed to different coastlines, but I happen to be a big fan.

When I was a kid, I was all about Marine Life, the JL Scott Marine Education Center, and making my parents take me to the Sharkheads store, and just being on the beach, of course. Marine Life and the Marine Education Center are gone since Katrina, and the coast has yet to rebuild something similar, as far as I can tell. They have essentially rebuilt the casinos, if you're into that. I was never a fan, but the Beau Rivage is nice from the couple of concerts I've attended there.

Over ten years since Katrina, a lot of rebuilding is going on. Bay St. Louis has kind of established itself as a "party town," with bayview restaurant hangouts, art hops, and the annual "Frida Fest" celebration. There's a number of antique and specialty shops and cute cafes. Biloxi has the Ohr O'Keefe Museum of Art, and you'll find the Walter Anderson Museum of Art in Ocean Springs. Speaking of Ocean Springs, it also boasts a variety of specialty shops and dining locales, as well as a great public beach. Granted, the water isn't crystal clear blue, but it's still a lovely place to be. For a better beach, there's Ship Island Excursions, which takes you out to a barrier island that is just gorgeous. Pass Christian is also working on revitalizing its downtown area. Gulfport will be opening a new aquarium in late 2019/early 2020. New hotels are being built, aside from the casino high rise hotels you see in Gulfport and Biloxi. There are some places to stay in the smaller towns where you can still get that small town feel, but be minutes away from Gulfport/Biloxi.

Well, maybe I should work for their tourism department.