Coastal Mississippi Announces Lineup of Events and Experiences Celebrating America250 | News
As the nation prepares to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States, Coastal Mississippi is proud to unveil a range of festivities, from city festivals to impressive art exhibitions. As part of the America250 festivities, Coastal Mississippi will host a dynamic series of events and experiences, including:
Long Beach 4th of July Anniversary: The City of Long Beach will see an expansion to their 4th of July Anniversary for America250 on June 27, transforming the evening event into a daylong cultural heritage celebration. This celebration will highlight Mississippi’s traditions, music and history while strengthening civic pride and community identity, all in a beachside show with a parade, local vendors, fireworks and more.
Red, White and Biloxi: An America250 Celebration: On July 4, the city of Biloxi will host a brand new Fourth of July event in honor of the 250th anniversary of the United States. This free celebration includes a patriotic musical performance, a show band and a play depicting Biloxi’s history while emphasizing the theme of resilience.
Ohr-O’Keefe Museum: Ohr-O’Keefe will undergo many improvements using the Legacy America250 Grant, including restorations to the Pleasant Reed House, the addition of three listening rooms with ADA upgrades, updated technology for the museum’s current films, The Wade-Ins and City Within a City, and the completion of a third film, Joys and Blues of East Biloxi, and more.
Lynn Meadows Discovery Center: To commemorate America’s 250th anniversary, Lynn Meadows presents two collaborative art initiatives that celebrate Mississippi’s role in the American story. Travelers will find a community quilt guided by local quilters who guests can help build, debuting in August 2026 before joining a Smithsonian traveling exhibit, and a large-scale outdoor installation featuring weather-resistant metal silhouettes of children framing a community-made woven tapestry inspired by Gulf Coast culture.
Gulfport Museum of History: With the help of the Historical Society of Gulfport, the Gulfport Museum will feature a new permanent exhibit highlighting the city’s founding and early development, including the historic train depot. The goal is to highlight Gulfport’s role in the economic development of the United States, in line with the theme ‘Mississippi in the American story’.
The Arts, Hancock County: Located in Bay St. Louis, The Arts launched a yearlong arts and humanities initiative for 2026 called Place Apart, Place Connected: Remembrance and Reinvention at the Edge of America. Through the end of this year, travelers will find Living Library oral history sessions, a participatory Story Slam and a juried community art exhibition – bringing together diverse audiences to reflect on themes of movement, democracy and resilience.
Walter Anderson Museum of Art: The Walter Anderson Digitalization Project, expected to be completed in December 2026, will offer free online exhibitions that take a deep dive into exploring Walter Anderson’s most unique works and provide greater context through oral histories and culturally significant connections.
“These experiences are an opportunity to celebrate not only our country’s history, but also the unique role Coastal Mississippi has played in shaping it,” said Judy Young, CEO of Coastal Mississippi Tourism. “We are excited to welcome visitors to our coastal community to experience the stories, shared traditions and unforgettable events that honor our past and inspire the future.”
To learn more about Coastal Mississippi, see a full calendar of events and experiences, or plan a trip today, visit CoastalMississippi.com.
