The 6 Mississippi Christmas Parades You Can Watch For Free This December

Bright floats, booming drums, and candy flying through the cold night air can turn any December evening into a family memory. Across Mississippi, small towns and coastal cities line their streets each year for Christmas parades that cost nothing to watch.

All you need is a folding chair, a warm jacket, and kids ready to wave at Santa. Here are eight free parades worth planning your December weekends around.

1. Reed’s Tupelo Christmas Parade

Seventy-eight years is a long run for any tradition, and Tupelo’s downtown parade shows no signs of slowing down. Set for Friday, December 4, 2026, it officially opens the holiday season in this northeast Mississippi city.

Darkness is the secret ingredient here. Because the parade rolls at night, every float glows with strings of lights, and marching bands seem louder against the quiet winter sky.

Kids tend to remember the sparkle more than anything else, so arriving early for a curbside spot pays off.

Expect a mix of entries, from commercial floats sponsored by local businesses to walking groups from churches and schools. Grandparents who watched as children often bring their own grandkids now, which gives the crowd a warm, hometown feel.

Families visiting from out of town can turn the trip into a full evening. Grab an early dinner downtown, then claim a spot along the route before the first drumbeat.

Pack gloves and a thermos of hot cocoa, since December nights in north Mississippi can get chilly fast.

Fun fact for history buffs: Tupelo is also the birthplace of Elvis Presley, so a daytime stop at his childhood home makes a natural pairing with the parade.

2. Christmas on the Water Boat Parade in Biloxi

Picture Santa trading his sleigh for a shrimp boat. That is the magic of Christmas on the Water, a parade that floats instead of rolls along the Mississippi Sound on Saturday, December 5, 2026.

Dozens of boats wrapped in glowing lights cruise from just south of the Biloxi Lighthouse east toward Point Cadet. Reflections dance across the water, doubling the show and making little ones gasp.

When the last boat passes, fireworks burst over the Gulf to cap off the night.

Where you stand matters. Local organizers point to the stretch between the Lighthouse and Point Cadet as the best area, with the center of the action running from the Biloxi Small Craft Harbor to Oak Street.

Bring blankets and set up along the shoreline before sunset to beat the crowds.

Families love that the event marks the official kickoff of the holiday season for the entire Mississippi Gulf Coast. It feels big and celebratory without charging a penny.

One tip from parents who have done it before: the breeze off the water can feel cooler than you expect. Layers, hats, and a snack bag will keep everyone happy until the final firework fades.

3. Sugarplum Christmas Parade in Gulfport

Not every family wants a late night out. Gulfport’s Sugarplum Christmas Parade solves that problem by rolling in broad daylight, from 2:00 to 4:30 PM on Saturday, December 5, 2026.

Afternoon timing is a gift for parents of babies and preschoolers. Nap schedules stay mostly intact, and kids can actually see every costume and float detail without squinting into the dark.

Warmer midday temperatures on the coast help, too.

The lineup leans heavily on community spirit. Local businesses, school marching groups, and civic organizations build floats and perform along the route, centered near 15th Street.

You might spot a cheer squad, a dance troupe, and a fire engine draped in garland all within a few minutes.

Here is a smart plan: watch Sugarplum in the afternoon, grab an early dinner, then drive to nearby Biloxi for the evening boat parade the same day. Two free holiday shows in one Saturday is a pretty great deal for any family budget.

Sunscreen might sound strange for a Christmas event, but Gulf Coast afternoons can be bright. Toss some in the bag along with water bottles and a bag for collecting treats.

4. Amory Main Street Christmas Parade

Main Street Magic is the 2026 theme in Amory, and the name fits. On December 7, this small northeast Mississippi town fills its downtown with floats, music, and neighbors bundled up on every corner.

Participation is what sets Amory apart. Businesses, schools, churches, civic clubs, and even individual families are invited to enter.

That means the person waving from a decorated pickup might be your server from lunch or a kid from the local elementary school. The whole thing feels personal.

Spectators gather along the downtown streets to enjoy festive floats, decorated vehicles, marching groups, and holiday performances. Children usually grab spots right at the curb, ready to catch candy tossed from passing entries.

For families living nearby, Amory offers an easy chance to join in rather than just watch. Building a float or decorating the family car can become a fun weekend project that teaches kids about teamwork and creativity.

Visitors from farther away will find the town welcoming and walkable. Park a few blocks off Main Street, stroll in, and soak up the old-fashioned charm.

A quick stop at a downtown shop afterward makes a nice ending to the evening.

5. Columbus Christmas Parade

Monday night parades are rare, which is exactly why the Columbus Christmas Parade feels like a treat. It steps off at 7:00 PM on December 7, 2026, giving families a festive break at the start of a busy school week.

Columbus sits in the Golden Triangle of east Mississippi, and its downtown is known for historic architecture and tree-lined streets. When holiday lights hit those old buildings, the scene becomes picture-perfect for family photos.

Nearby towns also host parades the same day, including Hernando, Booneville, and West Point. That cluster makes December 7 a big celebration night across north Mississippi.

If Columbus is too far, one of those communities might be closer to home.

Back in Columbus, expect a classic community lineup of floats, bands, and local groups spreading holiday cheer. The crowd skews local and friendly, so newcomers rarely feel like outsiders.

History-minded families might enjoy knowing that Columbus is often credited as one of the places where Decoration Day traditions began. A daytime walk past the antebellum homes before the parade adds a little learning to the outing.

Bring warm layers, a blanket for sitting, and plenty of excitement for the season ahead.

6. Natchez Christmas Parade

Few backdrops beat Natchez. Historic brick storefronts and old homes frame the route, so the city’s Christmas parade feels a bit like stepping into a holiday storybook.

Mark your calendar for Saturday, December 5, 2026, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM. Admission is completely free, and the route typically winds through downtown streets starting near the historic district.

That ninety-minute window is a sweet spot for families, long enough to feel special but short enough for younger kids who fade by bedtime.

Why make the drive? Natchez is the oldest settlement on the Mississippi River, founded in 1716, which means your children get a dose of history alongside the candy canes.

Spend the afternoon exploring the bluff overlooking the river, then wander downtown as the lights come on.

Parents often find the crowd friendly and relaxed, with neighbors swapping hot drinks and scooting over to make room for strollers. Bring a small flashlight for walking back to the car, since some side streets stay dim after dark.

If you can stay the night, many historic inns dress up for December, turning the whole weekend into a cozy small-town getaway.