“Our cruisers enjoy their time on the Gulf Coast. They go back home to speak of their experience then travel back bringing family and friends other times of the year for vacations. This creates a dramatic impact of value and brings money to our state,”  says Sherwood R. "Woody" Bailey, Jr., Vice Chairman & Executive Director of Cruisin' The Coast®. 

Cruisin' The Coast® is a festival to beat all festivals celebrating a passion for antique cars, classic cars, and hot rods of all eras. Enjoy a jam packed fun schedule while cruising down the pristine Mississippi Gulf Coastline. Each Coastal city offers events with reserved parking for participants, cruise-ins, a swap meet, headline bands, oldies entertainment, parades, vendors for food and event merchandise, and much more. Spectators are always welcome. The CTC/Vicari Auto Auction, raffles, celebrity guest appearances, and the Salute to Our Veterans are annual events within the festival you will not want to miss.

October 6-13 

Mark your calendar for the week of October 6-13. Every Coastal city is proud to participate in the week long annual festival. Visit Cruise Central in Gulfport to register for the 30-mile stretch of beach side highway, pick up a program with maps, an ID card which allows entry into the venues, and all the info you need to plan your personalized adventure.  

Attend Cruisin' The Coast® to fall in love with the southern hospitality, the perfect beach weather, and the fun filled activities.  Festival season occurs each year in the fall. Become part of a trend that is helping to create a positive impact on southern Mississippi. Established in 1996 Cruisin' The Coast® brought in 374 registered vehicles. This festival along with other annual events quickly helped to forge a movement of festivals filling gaps on activity calendars in every Coastal city. With festival season now in place the Gulf Coast no longer has a downtime. 2018 Cruisin' The Coast® brought in 8,444 registered vehicles. 

Over 8,000 Car Enthusiasts  

Cruisin' The Coast® Festival Honors are as follows: The Governor’s Excellence in Tourism Award as Festival/Event of the Year in the State of Mississippi (by Jarvis Brannon). Cruisin' The Coast® was voted the Best Car Show in the Country by 10 Best Readers’ Choice travel awards as promoted by USA Today in 2018. The event is also in the running for 2019 honors! Cruisin’ The Coast® was named the recipient of the “Shining Example Award” for Best Festival/Event of the year by the Southeast Tourism Society, one of the “100 Events for the Year” for 2001 and in 2011 by the American Bus Association and was also named a Southern Travel Treasure by AAA’s magazine, AAA Southern Traveler. In 2007, the Automotive Restoration Market named Cruisin' The Coast® the 2007 Restoration Event of the Year.

Registration for the October 6-13, 2019 Cruisin' The Coast® is now open. Drive your RV, your sports car, vintage roadster, a cool cat rat rod or the family SUV. Hit the highway and join us on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi for the 23rd Annual Cruisin' The Coast®. 

For more things to do in Mississippi Gulf Coast, register on 228area, we've got you covered!

Cover photo courtesy of Cruisin' The Coast®