2024 Memorial Day Weekend events across the MS Coast: Seafood, fireworks, music & more

School’s out, so light the barbecue and don those closeted white clothes and prepare for the long Memorial Day weekend with events and ceremonies along the Coast.

The holiday falls on May 27 this year. It marks the start of the summer’s festivities, but is also a day for remembering those fallen defending the country’s freedom.

Here’s a list of the start of summer and memorial events:

Weekend long

May 24-26: St. Clare Seafood Festival is at the St. Clare Catholic Church 236 South Beach Blvd., Waveland. Friday is Cajun night– with Pastalaya, Crawfish Pie and Boudin Eggrolls– and a military tribute at 5 p.m. Saturday features a classic car show from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fireworks are on Sunday. There’s to be food, live music, carnival games and crafts each day of the festival.

May 24-27: Military Free at the Mississippi Aquarium at 2100 E. Beach Boulevard, Gulfport gives active, reserve and veteran military personnel complimentary admission and anyone in their party a 10% discount to admission.

May 24-26: Memorial Day Blowout at 17085 Racetrack Road, Gulfport welcomes partygoers and motorcyclists alike for live music, contests, racing and entertainment. Tickets cost $40 for all-access this weekend. Recommended for adults only. Proceeds go to local charities.

May 23-27: Memorial Day at KOA, located at 14031 Highway 49, Gulfport, offers different activities each day. Paid reservations are required and costs will vary by camper.

May 24-25: Travis Tritt at the IP Casino, located at 850 Bayview Ave, Biloxi will host the country music star. Most tickets at the Imperial Palace start upwards of $150.

Friday

Craft from the Future at the Ohr O’Keefe Museum of Art of 386 Beach Boulevard will pit contenders in a competition to create the best “futuristic mystery craft.” The Event lasts from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and entry is $10 per person.

Blippi at Biloxi at the Gulf Coast Coliseum at 2350 Beach Blvd, Biloxi. Children’s television educator and entertainer Blippi is visiting the Coast as part of his Wonderful World Tour. The show begins at 6 p.m. and remaining tickets start at $50.

Justin Moore plays in Gautier at the Sound Amphitheatre. The country music star’s show is at 3855 Dolphin Drive, Gautier and starts at 7 p.m. Remaining tickets start at $50 each.

Memorial Madness Party at the Pub Sports Bar on 3254 Mallett Road, D’Iberville. There will be drink specials and a $10 cover. DJ Chestang comes on at 10 p.m.

Boosie is playing at club Thirty IV, at 1925 34th Street, Gulfport starting at 9 p.m. Remaining tickets start at $70.

Saturday

Decoration Day: Mississippi Greek Weekend is volunteering at the Biloxi National Cemetery at 400 Veterans Ave. starting at 8 a.m. to honor and decorate graves.

Placing of the flags at the Biloxi National Cemetery starting 9 a.m. at 400 Veterans Ave. Volunteers pay tribute by placing flags at in front of the cemetery’s graves. Volunteers are also needed June 1 to pick up the flags.

Biloxi Shuckers vs. Birmingham Barons at Keesler Federal Park, at 105 Caillavet St, Biloxi starting at 6 p.m. Tickets start at $15.

Pursuit of Fun 5K and 1 Mile run/walk is hosted by the Gulf Coast Running Club.

Sunday

Jazz in the Pass at War Memorial Park, or at Highway 90 at Fleitas Avenue, Pass Christian, is a free event from 12-8 p.m. with live music and southern sounds.

Monday

A Memorial Service at the Biloxi National Cemetery starting 9 a.m. at 400 Veterans Ave.

Memorial Day Avenue of the Flags hosted by the American Legion Post 1992 Family and the City of Gautier starting at 11 a.m. at Veterans Tribute Tower 3330, Highway 90 at Gautier.

Memorial Day at the Pub Sports Bar, on 3254 Mallett Road, D’Iberville will be open from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. and feature drink specials.

Also of note

The Mississippi Symphony’s Sounds by the Sea free concert has been canceled, according to the symphony’s website. On Facebook, the City of Gulfport said the Gulf Coast Symphony Board voted to suspend the show in March citing rising costs and a lack of funding; hopes are high, the post said, it’ll return in the future.

Mississippi Greek Weekend will include just one event on Saturday, the organization’s website said, instead of the multi-event weekends of years’ past. This is to account for larger events in the future, the organization said.