TrekUnity
When
November
Attendance
~150,000
Admission
Free
Setting
Outdoor
Held the first weekend of November in the charming Gulf Coast town of Ocean Springs, the Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival is the largest fine-arts festival in Mississippi — hundreds of artists lining the historic downtown, alongside live music, food, and the pottery legacy of the Anderson family's Shearwater studio.
Named for the celebrated potter Peter Anderson, it turns the walkable, oak-shaded town into a two-day celebration of Southern art and coastal culture.
Want to go? Turn Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival into a trip you plan with your group.
Creates an editable trip seeded with a starter itinerary, hotels & eats.
Event details
Typical dates
First weekend of November
Admission
Free
Parking
Downtown fills fast — use shuttles and park on the edges; the town is walkable.
Nearest airport
Gulfport-Biloxi (GPT) ~30 min; New Orleans (MSY) ~1.5 hr
Typical weather
Mild Gulf Coast November — 60s–70s °F; pleasant fall festival weather.
Official website
Location
Ocean Springs, MS
Where to stay
The Roost Ocean Springs
Boutique hotel in walkable downtown.
Biloxi casino hotels
Bigger resorts ~20 min away.
Coastal inns
Local guesthouses near the water.
Where to eat & drink
The Government Street Grocery
Beloved local restaurant and bar.
Maison de Lu
Refined coastal dining downtown.
Gulf seafood
Fresh shrimp and oysters along the coast.
Nearby attractions
Walter Anderson Museum of Art
Devoted to the visionary local artist.
Shearwater Pottery
The historic Anderson family pottery studio.
Gulf Islands National Seashore
Pristine barrier-island beaches nearby.
A sample itinerary
1Arrive + downtown
- •Fly into GPT
- •Afternoon: Walter Anderson Museum
- •Dinner: Government Street Grocery
2Festival day
- •Day: hundreds of artists + live music + food
- •Evening: coastal dinner
3Seashore + depart
- •Morning: Gulf Islands National Seashore
- •Head to GPT
Make it yours — an editable trip you can share with your group.
Travel tips
- Use the shuttle — downtown parking disappears fast.
- Visit the Walter Anderson Museum for the artistic backstory.
- Add a Gulf Islands National Seashore beach day.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Peter Anderson Festival?
The first weekend of November in Ocean Springs, Mississippi.
Is it free?
Yes — it's free to attend; you buy directly from the artists and vendors.
Who was Peter Anderson?
A celebrated potter of the Anderson family, whose Shearwater Pottery is a local institution the festival honors.
Going with friends?
TrekUnity keeps the whole group on the same page — vote on plans, split costs, and see who's arriving when.
Start planning freeTrekUnity is an independent travel guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival or its organizers. Dates, prices, and details are provided for informational purposes and can change — always confirm on the official event website before booking.