Events & Festivals in Jackson

This race weekend packs in a full marathon, half marathon, and 5K through Jackson streets. The route hits significant landmarks. Live blues music plays at multiple points. Runners arrive from across the region. Competitive athletes and casual participants both find their place. The post-race celebration brings music and local food vendors.

A week-long series puts independent Mississippi musicians and regional acts on stage. Concerts spread across clubs, theaters, and cafes throughout the city. Original music drives everything. Expect folk, rock, and alternative country. This is where you discover new artists up close.

Gospel choirs, quartets, and soloists from across Mississippi gather for this large celebration. Traditional and contemporary gospel fill a large church or auditorium. The event honors gospel's central place in Mississippi's musical heritage. The crowd sings along. The spirit is participatory.

One of the South's largest St. Patrick's Day parades rolls through the Fondren District. Floats, marching bands, and community groups keep this Jackson tradition alive. Spectators crowd the neighborhood streets. The vibe is family-friendly. Think community party.

Scottish heritage takes center stage here. Athletic competitions include the caber toss. Highland dancers and bagpipe bands perform. Clan tents trace genealogy. Vendors sell food, kilts, and Celtic crafts. Families welcome. Tradition and history drive everything.

Mississippi's longest-running film festival screens independent features, documentaries, and shorts. Filmmaker Q&A sessions and panel discussions follow. Cinephiles turn out. Regional filmmaking talent gets support. Southern stories and perspectives dominate the programming.

The biscuit, that Southern staple, gets its own festival. Local chefs and home bakers compete for best biscuit. Samples sell on site. Live music, kids' activities, and technique demonstrations fill the schedule. The outdoor setting keeps things relaxed and food-focused.

This outdoor festival honors Mississippi blues heritage. Legendary and contemporary artists share the bill. The city park setting includes multiple stages, food trucks, and local craft vendors. The mood stays relaxed. Blues fans and families both feel at home.

Fondren District hosts this monthly evening street festival. The May edition usually expands. It kicks off the summer series. Shops stay open late. Artists sell their work. Restaurants move tables outdoors. A main stage often features live music. Walk, browse, eat casually. This is the formula.

A local Greek Orthodox church runs this festival. Authentic Greek food, pastries, and coffee headline. Cooking demonstrations run throughout. Live Greek music and dancing fill the air. Church tours round out the experience. Cuisine and tradition introduce attendees to Greek culture. The community turns out in force.

Every four years, Jackson hosts this prestigious international ballet competition. Young dancers from across the globe compete here. The public can watch performances and select competition rounds. Expect exceptional classical and contemporary talent in a formal theater.

Local theater companies and colleges stage outdoor productions in Jackson parks on early summer evenings. Shakespeare and popular musicals dominate. Bring blankets or lawn chairs. Affordable, casual live theater under the stars.

Short films and works by Mississippi filmmakers dominate this summer festival. Screenings develop in air-conditioned theaters, a refuge from the heat. Talkbacks follow, with directors and writers taking questions. Local film supporters and aspiring filmmakers fill the seats.

Fondren and Highland Village coordinate this weekend of outdoor sales across multiple shopping districts. Retailers haul discounted inventory onto sidewalks. Hunt for deals on clothing, home goods, and gifts. Morning and early afternoon timing beats the summer heat.

The 'Literary Lawn Party' develops on the Mississippi State Capitol grounds. Author panels and signings run throughout. Cooking demonstrations add flavor. A large tent sells books from independent publishers. Reading and writing get their day-long celebration. The audience is broad and enthusiastic.

Belhaven residents host bands on their front porches for this neighborhood festival. Attendees walk or bike from porch to porch. Folk, jazz, and rock rotate through the lineup. Community spirit runs strong. The price is right. An afternoon of music costs little.

A parade, block party, and downtown festival span multiple days. The event builds LGBTQ+ visibility and community. Live performances, vendor booths, and speeches fill the schedule. The gathering is inclusive and energetic. Allies and supporters from across the region are welcome.

Hot air balloon launches, evening glows with lit balloons after dark, and tethered rides define this periodic festival. A carnival, live music, and food vendors occupy a large open field. The visuals stop traffic. Crowds drive from across the state to see it.

The state fairgrounds in Jackson host this large-scale fair. Agricultural exhibits and livestock competitions share space with carnival rides. Multiple stages offer live entertainment. Classic fair food fills the concession stands. Visitors arrive from across Mississippi. Families love it.

Zombies take over downtown Jackson for this Halloween event. Costumed participants walk a set route. A party follows with music and costume contests. The tone stays lighthearted and creative. Teens, young adults, and Halloween fans all join in.

This community fitness event centers on heart health awareness. It has a timed 5K run and a non-competitive walk. The flat course welcomes all ages and fitness levels. Health screenings and wellness info wait at the finish. A positive, health-focused gathering.

Mississippi breweries and select regional producers pour at this festival. Attendees sample wide-ranging styles, meet brewers, and learn the process. Food trucks feed the crowd. The large indoor venue targets adults serious about local craft beer.

Marching bands, floats, giant balloons, and Santa Claus fill this traditional holiday parade. It rolls down a main downtown thoroughfare after dark. Families crowd the curbs, bundled against the cold, soaking up lights and music. This is how Jackson officially launches its holiday season.

Jackson's professional theater company mounts a special holiday production each December. Expect classics like 'A Christmas Carol' or family-friendly musicals. Locals treat these performances as tradition. The intimate venue delivers quality that touring productions cannot match.

The Fondren District stays open late for this festive evening shopping event. Local businesses run special promotions, serve refreshments, and stage entertainment. Holiday lights line the streets. The goal is simple: unique gifts from local artists and retailers, wrapped in a cheerful social atmosphere.