Gulfport opens November the way it likes to do everything, with local businesses, local artists, and a lot of walking. On Saturday, October 31, families follow a trick or treat route from DRV Gallery to businesses around town. The Tuesday Fresh Market keeps its weekly schedule on November 3, and on Friday, November 6 the First Friday Night Market fills Beach Boulevard while DRV Gallery opens an art show by working musicians. Between October 29 and November 6, here are four picks for neighbors and newcomers alike.
Halloween Creepy Crawl
Why It Stands Out
Saturday, October 31, from one until four in the afternoon, DRV Gallery at 5401 Gulfport Boulevard South hosts the Halloween Creepy Crawl, a trick or treat route for local families through participating businesses around Gulfport. Kids pick up a scavenger hunt map and collect a sticker at each location. DRV Gallery has a Halloween photo backdrop, a giant canvas for Halloween art, and treats.
Best For
Families with young children who want a daytime Halloween outing that doubles as a tour of Gulfport's small businesses.
Timing and Planning
No price or registration is listed on the gallery's page. Start at DRV Gallery to pick up a map, and plan on a few hours of walking between stops. The treats are described as free at the gallery.
Gulfport Tuesday Fresh Market
Why It Stands Out
Tuesday, November 3, from nine in the morning until two in the afternoon, the Gulfport Merchants Chamber's Tuesday Fresh Market sets up in the historic Waterfront District on Beach Boulevard below 28th Avenue South. It runs every Tuesday, year round, with produce, breads, cheeses, honey, prepared foods, handmade goods, and artists, some of whom work in view of shoppers.
Best For
Anyone who works from home, retirees, dog owners, and families with little ones. The market is pet friendly, and live musicians play in two spots along the route.
What to Expect
No price is listed, and village parking is free. Bring a tote bag and plan to wander the shops, galleries, and restaurants nearby afterward.
Gulfport Night Market
Why It Stands Out
Friday, November 6, from five until nine in the evening, the Gulfport Night Market takes over Beach Boulevard in downtown Gulfport on the first Friday of the month. The open air market features local artists and makers, live music, and food from independent restaurants. The next market follows on the third Saturday, November 21.
Best For
Couples, friends, and anyone who wants to see Gulfport at its liveliest. If you are thinking about a home near the water, this is the evening that shows what the walkable side of town feels like after dark.
Neighborhood Angle
Listings give slightly different boundaries for the market along Beach Boulevard, so follow the crowd and the string of tents. No admission price is listed, so check the Gulfport visitor page before you go.
Visual Art by Musicians at DRV Gallery
Why It Stands Out
Friday, November 6, from 5:30 until 8:30 in the evening, DRV Gallery at 5401 Gulfport Boulevard South hosts the opening reception for Visual Art by Musicians, a show of artwork by Devin Rice, Kirk Adams, L.C. Williams, Geri X, and James Suggs. Each of the artists also performs at the reception.
Best For
Music lovers, art collectors, and anyone who enjoys an opening where the artists are also on stage.
Timing and Planning
No price or registration is listed. The reception overlaps the Night Market, so plan a stroll down Beach Boulevard first and finish the evening at the gallery.
Event Q&A
Which event is best for families?
The Halloween Creepy Crawl on Saturday afternoon, with a scavenger hunt map, stickers, and treats at stops around town.
Which event feels most on-brand for a date night?
Friday, November 6, with the Night Market from five and the musicians' art show reception at DRV Gallery from 5:30. It is a very Gulfport evening.
Which event is worth planning ahead for?
The Friday night double, since the Night Market and the gallery reception overlap. Decide which comes first and give yourself time for parking.
Which event gives the best sense of local community?
The Tuesday Fresh Market. It runs every week of the year, which makes it the easiest way to start feeling like a local.
What else is happening around town?
DRV Gallery hosts Art in Action with Paula Roy on Friday, October 30 from one to 2:30 on painting water and sky, and again on Friday, November 6 from one to 2:30 on adding texture to paintings. The host lists no price or registration details. The Gulfport Historical Society also lists Labyrinth Lights, a dance performance, at the Gulfport History Museum, 5301 28th Avenue South, on Friday, November 6 from five to eight.
What is coming right after the window?
The Tuesday Fresh Market continues every week, and the next Gulfport Night Market is Saturday, November 21.
