Christmas by the River 2026

Christmas by the River has two parades, and the second one floats.

The first one rolls down Main Street in the afternoon, with floats decked out for Christmas, families waving from both curbs and Santa Claus bringing up the rear. The second one glides along the Escatawpa River after dark, its boats outlined in Christmas lights that shimmer on the water while the crowd at the downtown riverfront watches from the rail.

Between the two parades, you’ll find pictures with Santa, games, live entertainment and food at the festival on the riverfront, and you can watch the Christmas tree light up before the boats arrive. The City of Moss Point hosts Christmas by the River every year with Moss Point Active Citizens (MPAC), and you’re welcome to be part of it on Saturday, December 5. Enter your float, decorated car or walking group in the parade for free, or bring your food truck or booth to the festival.

The Christmas by the River lineup

• 12:00 p.m. Parade lineup at the Southgate Shopping Center, where staging opens at 8:00 a.m.
• 1:00 p.m. Parade judging
• 3:00 p.m. The Land Parade travels down Main Street from the Southgate Shopping Center to Hancock Bank
• 4:00 p.m. The festival opens on the downtown riverfront along the Escatawpa River, with pictures with Santa, games, live entertainment, and food and beverage vendors
• 6:00 p.m. The Christmas tree lighting
• 6:15 p.m. The lighted boat parade, followed by the fireworks finale

Ride in the Land Parade

This year’s theme is “Christmas Around the World,” so picture your float hung with the star lanterns of a Filipino Christmas, or your walking group carrying the piñatas of a Mexican posada.

Floats, decorated cars, bands and walking groups from any business, church, school, civic group or family can enter on the Christmas Parade registration page through December 1. On parade day, staging opens in the morning at the Southgate Shopping Center, so your crew has time to finish decorating before lineup and judging.

Your entry can earn recognition in categories that include Best Overall Float, Best Christmas Around the World Theme, Most Creative Entry, Best Business Entry, Best Community/Organization Entry, Best Youth Entry and the Mayor’s Choice. One costume is spoken for: Santa Claus arrives as the finale of the parade.

Set up your booth by the river

After the parade, families make their way to the festival on the downtown riverfront along the Escatawpa River. Last year Santa’s white chair sat under a tent between two decorated Christmas trees, and musicians played on the stage with the river behind them as the sun went down.

If you run a food truck, a food table or a merchandise booth, those families are your customers, and they still have the tree lighting, the boat parade and the fireworks ahead of them. Food truck spaces are $50, food tables or tents and merchandise booths are $25 each, and information or exhibit tables are free. Reserve your space on the Christmas by the River vendor page on Go Coast Events.

Stay for the tree lighting, boat parade and fireworks

Once the Christmas tree lights up, find a spot along the railing at the riverfront, because the lighted boat parade comes along the Escatawpa River a few minutes later. Last year a fishing boat passed with its tall tower outlined in white lights, another carried a Christmas tree made of colored bulbs, and the dark water below doubled them both.

Bring a jacket for the cool air off the river, and stay after the last boat passes, because the fireworks finale goes up over the river.

Questions about Christmas by the River

Christmas by the River and the Land Parade are both on the City’s community calendar for December 5. Programs and Events Director Donna Joseph and the Moss Point Parks and Recreation team answer questions about the parade and the festival at (228) 475-7887 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays.

The City and Moss Point Active Citizens hope to see you downtown on December 5, whether you ride in the parade, sell at the festival or watch the boats from the rail.

Enter the Christmas Parade

Sell at Christmas by the River

To stay up to date on news from the City, download the City of Moss Point app on the App Store or Google Play.

This post was brought to you by Experienced Results, your Gulf Coast partner in digital marketing and community growth.