About Cruisin' The Coast
About Cruisin' The Coast
Welcome to America's Largest Block Party. Cruisin' The Coast® began in 1996 as a festival to celebrate antique, classic and hot rod vehicles, nostalgic music and related events. It was started to boost tourism during slower visitor times in October. 374 vehicles registered that first year, and in 2025, we had more than 10,300 registered vehicles. Car enthusiasts from 45 states plus several foreign countries arrive on the Mississippi Gulf Coast once a year to showcase their rides and to cruise our beautiful 30-mile stretch of beach-side highway. With 12 cities and designated stops in Bay St. Louis, Biloxi, D'Iberville, Gulfport, Pass Christian, Ocean Springs and Pascagoula, each venue is set up as a mini festival with a stage for live bands, reserved parking for registered cruisers, spectator parking, and vendors for food and event merchandise.
Registered cruisers receive an ID card in their registration packets to exhibit all week in their car's front window; this ID allows entry into the venues where reserved parking is available. A program with maps is also part of the registration packet so cruisers can plan their individual schedules as this is an open cruise – events are scheduled and you decide which ones you are interested in attending. Our week-long event includes cruise-ins, a Salute To Our Veterans event, the CTC-Vicari Auto Auction, Swap Meet, Car Corral, and a parade. Spectators are welcome and will find that our cruisers love to talk "old cars."
Cruisin' The Coast® has 12 Host Car Clubs providing about 600 volunteers who help with registering vehicles, directing cars at the venues, giving directions, and welcoming our guests. These are just the jobs cruisers see. There are several behind the scenes and pre-event activities that our volunteers help with all year long. When you see someone in a bright yellow staff shirt, that is a fellow car lover who is donating time to make this a fun event for all. If you get a chance you may want to say ‘thank you’ to a volunteer during your visit.
Cruisin' The Coast® is the biggest and #1 special event in the state of Mississippi. As Cruisin' The Coast® has grown, the honors and awards have followed suit. In addition to receiving several state and regional awards over the years, Cruisin' The Coast® was voted USA Today’s Best Car Event in the nation for the sixth consecutive year in 2025.