It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Families encouraged to enjoy a day full of holiday festivities on December 6

By Toni Miles

It’s hard to believe the Christmas holiday is right around the corner, but the Harper McCaughan Town Green and Pavilion are decked out in red, green and gold, signaling another Christmas is rolling around.

On Wednesday, November 12, City of Long Beach crews were on the grounds of the Long Beach Town Green setting up all sorts of Christmas decor, including reindeer, lights, a nativity scene and more.

Christmas Eve falls on Wednesday, December 24, and the next day is Christmas, Thursday, December 25.

While these are the official calendar days for Christmas this year, the City of Long Beach is already warming up for several holiday events beforehand.

While the annual Sea Santa Sail-A-Bration Parade is set to roll Saturday, December 6, at 5:15 p.m., there will be plenty to do before the parade. The Christmas in Long Beach Festival will start at 9 a.m. that morning and continue until 3 p.m. in the afternoon and will include food trucks, artists and family holiday fun.

Santa’s Village on the Town Green will begin that afternoon. Long Beach Main Street and the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce will set the stage for the event by transforming the Harper McCaughan Town Green into a festive Santa’s Village before the 5:15 p.m. parade.

Long Beach’s annual holiday waterless boat parade, dubbed the “Sea Santa Sail-A-Bration,” is scheduled for downtown Long Beach that evening.

Sponsored by the City of Long Beach, Long Beach Main Street and the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, the twelfth annual parade will roll through the downtown area at 5:15 p.m. and end at the Harper McCaughan Town Green, where organizers say there will be even more family-friendly activities, as well as the opportunity to take pictures with Santa.

The event is expected to start with thousands of spectators and hundreds of participants for the parade of decked-out boats pulled on trailers, followed by the annual Christmas tree lighting and award presentations.

According to one of the hosts, the Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce, “This isn’t your ordinary Christmas parade. The Sail-A-Bration is our very own ‘waterless boat parade,’ where festive, brightly-lit boats on trailers travel down Jeff Davis Avenue, bringing the wonder of the season to life with lights, music, and maybe even a little snow. The parade begins at 5:15 p.m. and, once Santa makes his grand entrance on the final ‘boat,’ the fun continues at the Town Green, with holiday activities for the whole family – including photos with Santa, milk and cookies, candy cane bingo, reindeer food crafting, caroling, and so much more.”

“This year, we’re proud to share that the proceeds from this event will go directly to CASA of South Mississippi. CASA plays a vital role in our community by advocating for children who have experienced abuse or neglect, ensuring that every child has a voice and the support they need to feel safe and seen. By supporting this event, you’re not only joining in a beautiful community tradition, but you’re also helping to change the lives of local children who need it most.”

Advance registration is required to participate in the parade. Applications submitted ahead of the deadline have a $25 registration fee. Boat owners who wish to participate in the parade will be asked to provide proof of insurance coverage for their vehicle, trailer, boat and/or watercraft that will be in the parade. Entries are limited to a length of sixty-five feet or less, including the tow vehicle.

For more information or for an application form, call 228-380-6851.

The Annual Christmas Tree Lighting will take place immediately after the Sea Santa Sail-A-Bration at the Town Green, with Mayor Tim Pierce lighting the Long Beach Christmas Tree to kick off the holiday season with glee.

In addition to the much-anticipated photos with Santa, the evening’s festivities will also include live Christmas music, and more.

All events are free and open to the public.