2 new Coast events join fireworks, parties and casino New Year’s Eve celebrations

Mary Perez
·5 min read

South Mississippi will party its way into 2024, with two new celebrations adding to the festivities.

The Drop on Government starts at 8 pm. with Unfazed Show & Band. As the clock nears midnight in downtown Ocean Springs, the city will drop a lighted ball in the spirit of the celebration each year in New York City. The ball will be fitted with bright LED lights and suspended 60 feet above Government Street by an Ocean Springs Fire Department ladder truck.

Pascagoula also is launching its first New Year’s Eve “drop,” with an Anchor Drop hosted by the city and Main Street Pascagoula in the downtown, along Delmas and Magnolia streets. Restaurants and bars will offer specials and music begins at 8 p.m. with music by Coast Motel. US Band takes the stage at 10:30 p.m. and plays until midnight. The anchor — a symbol of the city’s maritime heritage — will slowly be lowered from The City Centre just ahead of midnight.

New Year’s Eve Oyster Drop and Fireworks is how Bay St. Louis will welcome 2024 along Beach Boulevard. Music begins at 7 p.m. and The Chee-Weez will take the stage leading up to the oyster drop and fireworks at midnight.

Bars in the downtown Bay St. Louis will add their own celebrations. 200 N. Beach Restaurant has limited VIP balcony view tickets and the new Rags to Riches sports bar and wine bar has its opening New Year’s Celebration over two floors. The Terrapins will play at the New Year’s party at Hinge Cocktail Lounge at Pearl Hotel in the downtown.

Fun for all ages

Other “drops” are scheduled earlier for kids who can’t stay up until midnight:

Lynn Meadows Discovery Center at 246 Dolan Ave. in Gulfport will celebrate its Countdown to Noon a day earlier this year, on Saturday, Dec. 30. Kids and their parents can welcome the new year starting at 10 a.m., with a DJ and music, snacks, a New Year’s craft, falling confetti and a ball drop at noon. The event is included with museum admission.

Confetti falls during the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center’s Countdown to Noon New Year’s celebration at the Gulfport children’s museum. This year the countdown is on Dec. 30.
Confetti falls during the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center’s Countdown to Noon New Year’s celebration at the Gulfport children’s museum. This year the countdown is on Dec. 30.

Margaritaville Resort Biloxi at 195 Beach Blvd. has three countdowns and balloon drops in the Escape arcade to accommodate different age kids — at 7 p.m., 9 p.m. and midnight. A DJ will spin tunes from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. for dancing. Half price games begin at 10 p.m.

The final night for Gulfport Harbor Lights Winter Festival is New Year’s Eve. The site along U.S. 90 in Gulfport is filled with more than a million lights along with rides. It’s open from 5:30-10:30 p.m.

Miles to Adventure New Year’s Eve Party at 901 Pass Road, Gulfport, will be a drug and alcohol free place to ring in 2024 with friends and video games.

The Juicy Caboosy New Year’s Eve Party, 407 Mason Ave., Long Beach, is a free day of fun with live music, treats and drinks from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Dining and dancing

1New Year’s Eve is one of the busiest nights of the year for Coast restaurants and many will have holiday menus and entertainment.

White House Hotel at 1230 Beach Boulevard in Biloxi is taking reservations for a four-course New Year’s Eve dinner at Cora’s from 5-9 p.m., followed by music and dancing, with (the other) James Taylor performing into the New Year.

Hotel Legends at 674 Beach Blvd. in Biloxi is the ultimate New Year’s Eve celebration, starting at 10:30 p.m. in the Sapphire Supper Club with entertainment by Mishee. Reservations go fast for private tables that comes with champagne, a chef’s sampling platter, party favors and a photo. General admission with bar seating includes party favors and a toast at midnight.

Ground Zero Blues Club at 814 Howard Ave., Biloxi, has music by Ra’Shad The Blues Kid & The Chitlins starting at 8 p.m. Those under 18 can attend the show with a paid adult.

Casino action

New Year’s Eve is always a party at the Coast casinos, with most offering slot tournaments, party favors and a toast at midnight. Some of the casinos also have entertainment.

Beau Rivage Resort and Casino in Biloxi brings in 2024 with popular party band Who’s Bad 20/20 presenting The Evolution of Pop that delves into the universal songbook of popular music. The sing-and-dance-along is in the Beau Rivage Theatre and tickets start at $30.

Who’s Bad 20/20 presents The Evolution of Pop at the Beau Rivage Theatre in Biloxi for a New Year’s Eve sing and dance along celebration.
Who’s Bad 20/20 presents The Evolution of Pop at the Beau Rivage Theatre in Biloxi for a New Year’s Eve sing and dance along celebration.

Hard Rock Casino Biloxi has music and the countdown in Hard Rock Live by the band “After Party” and DJ Doc Roc. For country music by Chris Bayless of The Barstool Cowboys, head to Road House 777. One tickets gets admission to both, starting at 9 p.m. Drinks are not included and the event is for ages 21 and older.

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Biloxi is one of many Coast places hosting New Year’s Eve events to welcome 2024.
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Biloxi is one of many Coast places hosting New Year’s Eve events to welcome 2024.

Island View casino Resort presents music on the Beach View Casino Stage Bar, starting with Lisa Lee Albritton Band from 1-5 p.m., Brandon Green Band from 5:30-9:30 p.m. and Starz from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Treasure Bay Casino in Biloxi will extend the hours at Infinity Buffet until midnight, for those who want crab legs to celebrate the new year.

For more New Year’s Eve celebrations, check the Coastal Mississippi holiday event calendar.