Events in Gulfport-Biloxi today

Enjoy a free, community-focused Mississippi Gulf Coast Book Festival at Jones Park’s Barksdale Pavilion. The festival highlights literacy and brings together local authors, families, and educational opportunities for everyone in the Gulf Coast region.

This Marina Cleanup at Keesler Marina Dock welcomes volunteers to help empty trash bins, pick up trash and debris, and pull weeds. All bags and gloves are provided, and participation is open to anyone.

Gulf Coast Softball Exposure Camp comes back to Gulfport Sportsplex for two days of training, competition, and on-field opportunities to showcase skills in front of experienced college softball coaches from programs across the country and at a variety of levels. Athletes will take part in offensive and defensive instruction, live game scenarios, and competitive drills that build skills and readiness. Open to graduates from the classes of 2026 through 2031, with registration currently open.

Begin the day with a Lions Club pancake breakfast, then dive into family friendly fun that spans water slides, a Raingutter Regatta, water balloon tosses, sack races, tug of war, a bubble station, and sidewalk chalk art. Scout skills take center stage with demonstrations, a knot tying challenge, a camping and outdoor skills display, and a flag etiquette presentation. Food trucks and local vendors add to the festivities, community partners are on hand, and a raffle keeps the excitement going. Lions vision screenings are available. Longtime residents, scouting families, and anyone seeking a fun outing will find plenty to do while celebrating the nation’s history and connecting with neighbors. The day also spotlights how organizations like the Woolmarket Lions Club and Scouting America are helping build the future. Admission is free. Honoring America’s Past. Building America’s Future.

A volunteer-driven beach cleanup focuses on tidying the shoreline near the Biloxi Lighthouse parking lot along the beach. No advance registration is required, volunteers can simply show up to help keep the coast clean.

Discover a free, family friendly celebration of books and community at Jones Park. The Mississippi Gulf Coast Book Festival highlights literacy, creativity, and connection with opportunities to meet local authors, browse vendor offerings, enjoy live entertainment, and take part in youth activities. Food and drinks will be available. This inaugural gathering is inspired by His Story, Our Journey in honor of Arthuris "AJ" Rapp, and it is dedicated to uniting the Gulf Coast through storytelling and education. Prospective vendors, sponsors, and authors can contact the organizers for participation details.

This event features a tabletop war game set in the Star Wars universe.

Mudslingers is a beginner friendly pottery wheel class that celebrates the inventive legacy of George Ohr, the Mad Potter of Biloxi, through the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art. Instructors provide step by step guidance on the basics of wheel throwing, and participants create two ceramic pots to keep. After the class, staff glaze and fire the pieces so they are ready for pickup in about two weeks, and shipping can be arranged for an additional fee for those who are not local. No experience is required. Wear clothing that can get messy and enjoy hands on time with clay. The class takes place at the Biloxi Center for Ceramics, costs $48 per person, is designed for ages 18 and up, and is limited to 10 students per session. Refunds, minus the credit card fee, are available up to seven days before the class begins. After that window the fee is nonrefundable, but tickets may be transferred to a friend.

Create a ceramic seashell that captures a bit of summer in a pottery workshop at Boozer's Brew & a Cafe Too, LLC. After the workshop, your piece will be glazed and fired, then returned to the venue for pickup about a month later. All supplies and firings are included in the $65 fee. Tickets are released about a month before each workshop.

Creek and Craft Market Bite Night brings dinner on the go to Bayou View Park, with multiple food trucks offering convenient meal options. It is an easy alternative to cooking at home, giving attendees the chance to pick up dinner from the trucks.

The annual GCCA Summer Social at Bayou Bluff Tennis Club features a $5,000 drawdown, a live auction, and raffles for two Basket of Cheers. Food, drinks, and music will be provided. Tickets are $100 and can be purchased via Venmo at @GCCA-1908, include your name and phone number, or by calling the GCCA office at 228-432-8806. Current GCCA sponsors do not need to purchase a ticket to attend. Prospective members may join by purchasing a drawdown ticket or by paying $50 per person at the door. For questions, contact the GCCA office at 228-432-8806. Attendees must be 21 or older.

Enjoy a meal paired with a casual jam session, bringing food and music together in a relaxed setting.

Grammy Award winner Dexter Allen brings his signature mix of blues, R&B, soul, and funk to the stage at Ground Zero Blues Club Biloxi. A seasoned guitarist and bassist who has toured with major acts and released multiple albums, he performs with a high-energy style influenced by classic blues and beyond.

Near the Popps Ferry Bridge and Causeway, a festive flotilla sets out for a Mardi Gras themed boat parade that transforms Bayou Bernard into a sea of purple, green, and gold. Participants can display GCCA flags with pride while cruising in the procession. Sponsorship as a GCCA Mardi Gras supporter is open to everyone. Celebrate on the water with colorful boats and plenty of Mardi Gras spirit.

Explore clay together in a family-friendly class at the Center for Ceramics Studio, where participants create a fish sculpture from slabs. Guided by instructor Lara Blanchard, each student makes one fish and adds color with underglazes. Finished pieces remain in the studio for a clear glaze and firing, with pickup available about two to three weeks after the class. The session introduces hand-building with clay slabs and surface decoration. It is open to ages 10 through adult, and a parent or guardian must also register. Class size is limited to 10 students. Refunds, minus credit card fees, are available up to 7 days before the class begins. After that period the fee is non-refundable, but tickets may be transferred to a friend.

Take part in a Riftbound event that uses the constructed format. The entry fee is $5.

Get creative at the Arts & Crafts Center by painting a mug of your choice. You only pay for the mug, while glaze and studio time are included at no extra cost. This activity is open to those with base access and their sponsored guests, with a limit of one mug per person.

Senior Station at TrainTastic is designed for adults 65 and older to enjoy a full day centered on coffee, conversation, and trains. The morning begins with a Coffee Social in the Steam Shop, featuring coffee from Boozer’s Brew & Cafe Too, fresh donuts while supplies last, large-print puzzles and games, and newspapers when available. It offers a relaxed setting to chat with fellow train enthusiasts and make new friends. After the social, guests can explore the largest model railroad museum in the world at their own pace. Admission for seniors 65 and up is $5 for the entire day.

Buy a 2-hour jump ticket and get a second for 50 percent off. Redeem online only with code BOGO50 at checkout. Share the experience with someone and save on the second ticket.

Hospice of Light’s experienced team offers support groups that help people navigate grief after the death of a loved one. Participants share with others who are going through a similar experience. These groups are open to the public and allow participation at any point in the series. There is no cost to attend, and registration is available by calling 228-818-2160. Conversations may cover what grief typically looks like, emotions that accompany loss, common misconceptions and clichés about grief, approaches for handling holidays and special occasions, the six needs involved in mourning, and ways to support personal healing.

Board Game Peddler hosts a board game night featuring a rotating theme each week, paired with a matching game. Attendees also have the option to pick from the rental shelf and play other titles.

Aztecas Gulfport hosts a spirited trivia showdown where teams test their knowledge for gift card prizes. Settle in with tacos and drinks while tackling questions in a lively atmosphere. First place earns a $100 gift card, second place takes $40, and third place receives $20. This popular night often fills quickly.

Explore a variety of offerings including fresh local produce, breads and other baked goods, honey, jams, and arts and crafts, with food trucks on site and more to discover.

This weekly creative writing session is for kids and teens who want to imagine original stories, craft poems, and explore new worlds. It offers a welcoming space to practice writing, exchange ideas with peers, and find fresh inspiration, whether you are just starting out or already have experience. All materials are provided. For more information, call 228.436.3095.

This health-focused community walk brings the Dad Tribe together at Golden Nugget Biloxi for simple movement and shared motivation. Plan to park on the Golden Nugget side of the bridge.

Deuces Night at Gaudé Lanes features $2 games, $2 shoe rentals, and $2 select snack bar items. Invite friends, choose a lane, and enjoy simple two dollar pricing from the bowling to the bites.

A fast paced group ride sets out from and returns to Tri Hard Sports Biloxi, covering about 28 miles at an average speed of 17 to 20 mph. The route features Biloxi Back Bay, the Fishing Pier, the Biloxi Bay Bridge, Ocean Springs, and Gulf Islands National Seashore. Bring water, lights, and a helmet. Participation is at your own risk, and riders are responsible for their own safety and equipment.

Test your knowledge at Jackpot Trivia hosted at Altered Reality Brewing. Teams tackle questions spanning movies, music, TV, sports, and other general topics, with top finishers earning a chance to open a locked box containing a cash jackpot. If the winning team does not crack the code, the pot increases and carries over to the next outing, and it is guaranteed to be won at least once within a 10-week span. The event is free, family friendly, and there is no limit on team size. Enjoy craft beer while you play, and look for weekly updates on the total prize pool and the odds of winning.

Curious about Dungeons and Dragons? D&D Encounters offers a season of weekly play designed to be welcoming for new players and satisfying for veterans. Each session focuses on a single, in-depth encounter in a streamlined format, and a light ongoing story connects the weeks while still allowing newcomers to start at any point without needing earlier sessions. Characters from the Celebration event can continue into this program, with level ups planned for weeks 1 and 3.

A monthly meetup of local eats takes over the outlet shopping center as several food trucks gather in one convenient spot. Expect a range of flavors from various vendors and bring a big appetite.

Aztecas Gulfport hosts a music bingo night where tracks replace the usual numbers. The atmosphere is lively, with singalongs, spur-of-the-moment dance moves and friendly prize competitions, paired with tacos and margaritas. Crowds are usually large, so parties of six or more can call 228-265-7263 to reserve seating. It is a spirited way to test your song savvy and celebrate each win with a cheerful bingo call.