Last updated on December 2nd, 2025 at 05:24 pm

People love to attend fairs and festivals. The Peter Anderson Arts and Crafts Festival held each year the first week of November in Ocean Springs Mississippi is the best arts and crafts event. More than 400 artists and crafters offer their products. An army of volunteers from throughout the area offer their time to insure that the huge crowds enjoy what the arts community is offering. 

The festival occurs November 7th and 8th 2026.

Several streets in downtown Ocean Springs have been blocked off for the pedestrian-only event. Hundreds of vendors from all over the United States travel to the largest art fair in Mississippi and one of the largest in the nation. The Peter Anderson Festival draws art enthusiasts from a multi-state area.

The event supports the economic development of the area. Hotels, restaurants, and other vendors experience a large increase in revenue during the event.  There is no charge to attend the event although the organizers are asking for a donation of $2. Parking is free and there are free shuttle buses. Some people charge to park in their yards if you want a shorter walk.

Yes funnel cakes but gumbo as well

Food vendors include not only the typical traveling variety with fried candy bars and those funnel cakes but restaurant owners open for business. The area is full of restaurants and pubs as well as shops. On any normal day, Ocean Springs draws many people to this small city for shopping and entertainment.

Ocean Springs today has a very diverse population including a thriving art scene. Many art galleries and shops are selling local artist wear. The festival merchandise expands the art offering during the event.

The event is a big street party with people eating and drinking and having a great time. I saw so many dogs at the event, I thought I was missing a dog show. Back to the local artists who work with the City each year to plan the event. The festival organizers include city officials as this is as much an official city event as it is for the private sector.

The City earns revenue each year that helps pay for the sanitary service, street cleaning, barricades, and overtime for staff. Leftover funds are used to beautify the city.

One of my favorite artists

Live music entertains the crowds

The live music at various points adds to the theme of just having fun. The downtown streets are crowded about mid-day but for many, that is part of the excitement. My wife and I sampled some delicious spicy raspberry jam made by a local small business, it was great. We found some beekeepers who sell “local” honey which we like. Local businesses such as these mingle with food booths and lots and lots of artists.

More than 150,000 visitors go to the festival each year. The number of booths exceeds 400 and both the number of booths and visitors gets larger each year. Walking around the event, we noticed that there are new streets added to the route full of vendors that were not there two years ago when we last attended.

Some readers may have attended the Sawdust Festival located in Laguna Beach, CA. It’s a similar event although held in an area designated for this purpose and not on city streets. The article I just read indicated that about 200,000 people attend that event every year. I was surprised when I compared the 150,000 visitors to the annual Peter Anderson event where the population of the four counties along the Mississippi Gulf Coast was less than 450,000 with the Sawdust Festival.

Paintings at Peter Anderson Festival Ocean Springs
Art at Peter Anderson festival
painting at peter anderson art festival
booth peter anderson festival ocean springs

More people per capita attend Peter Anderson than the Sawdust Festival

It’s clear that with more than four million people living in a similar area in and around the Sawdust Festival, the Peter Anderson festival on a per capita basis is better attended by far. It’s nice to see that our little corner of the world along the Mississippi Gulf Coast is more popular with the public.

Started in 1978

In 1978 the first event started with humble beginnings and contained fifty-six booths in a parking lot. The Southeast Tourism Society indicates that the Peter Anderson Arts and Crafts Festival is one of the largest such events in the South. This large event may be partially responsible for some of the growth of the area.

It’s difficult to find a house for sale in Ocean Springs, so few are for sale and when one comes up, it is usually sold fast. This community is small and walkable. Streets are covered with live oak and magnolia trees, many several hundred years old.

I suggest that you visit the Peter Anderson gallery and the Shearwater Pottery center. There is a master potter at Shearwater and they can make something for you.

Plan to attend in 2024. Visit the official website for details on sponsors, vendors, volunteers, and other event details. You may want to stay in a vacation rental, visit ChristiesGulfBeachRentals.com. If last year’s attendance record is broken again, I suggest you make reservations early.  Christies Gulf Beach Rentals offers beautiful properties including one in Ocean Springs and several on the beach in nearby Biloxi and Gulfport.

Try crawfish plentiful in November

Veterans Day usually follows the event and while you are in the area you should attend the annual Veterans Day parades held in several Mississippi Gulf Coast cities. The Peter Anderson Arts and Crafts Festival – Ocean Springs is held in the winter which is a great time for weather and food. Crawfish are available along with oysters caught locally.

Several species of fish (including speckled trout) are caught and served at this time of year when the water starts to cool down. This is also shrimp season. You can stop by any of the harbors and buy fresh shrimp and other fish from the boats.

More festivals on the Mississippi Gulf Coast

The Peter Anderson Festival is unique and the best for arts and crafts but there are many other festivals and parades during the year, this article explains what you have to look forward to. Including the Christmas light show in Gulfport read more here:

Please visit RetireCoast.Com and read more of our blog articles. Try this one: Who I decided to retire in Ocean Springs Mississippi. and Why you need to retire on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

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FAQ – Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival (Ocean Springs, MS)

1. When is the Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival held each year?
The festival is traditionally held on the first full weekend of November in downtown Ocean Springs. It runs on Saturday and Sunday, and hours are generally around 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, though exact hours can vary slightly by year.
2. Is there an admission fee to attend the festival?
Admission to the festival is free. Parking in some areas may require a fee, and shuttle services usually charge a small fare. Vendors set their own prices for artwork, food, and crafts.
3. Where is the best place to park, and is shuttle service available?
Parking in downtown Ocean Springs is limited during the festival. Visitors are encouraged to use designated off-site shuttle lots, which typically operate throughout the weekend and drop attendees near the center of the festival. Detailed shuttle and parking information is usually posted by the Ocean Springs Chamber before the event each year.
4. What types of vendors and artwork can I expect to see?
The festival features hundreds of artists and craftsmen from across the country. You’ll find fine art, pottery, woodworking, jewelry, photography, textiles, metalwork, handmade clothing, regional food vendors, and live demonstrations. It’s considered one of the premier arts and crafts festivals in the Southeast.
5. Are pets allowed at the festival?
Pets are strongly discouraged due to the heavy crowds—attendance often reaches tens of thousands of visitors over the weekend. Service animals are always permitted, but the festival environment is typically too crowded and noisy for most pets to be safe or comfortable.

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