WellsFest
September 26, 2026 @ 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM
WellsFest1150 Lakeland Drive
Jackson, MS 39216
Overview
The festival has been named one of the Top 20 Events in the Southeast, has received the Governor's Award for Excellence in The Arts, and has received the GIVE (Governor's Initiative for Volunteer Excellence) Award.
Admission is FREE. 100% of the proceeds from this family-friendly music festival benefit a local non-profit. This year's beneficiary is Shower Power.
The festival kicks off with a pet parade at 9:30 a.m. followed by non-stop live music on two stages from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
WellsFest also features:
- A play area for children, featuring easy-to-win games, inflatables and creative activities
- A variety of food and dessert trucks
- An online auction of goods and services donated by local merchants and restaurants
- Vendor booths with arts, crafts and more
- A giant plant sale including unique and pass-a-long plants
HISTORY
WellsFest music festival has been sponsored by Wells Church for more than 40 years.
Malcolm White came up with the idea to help support the renovation project Wells Church had going on at the time, and that's how Wells Fest began — held right there on Millsaps' campus, at the corner of West Street. After that, the late Wells Church Reverend, Keith Tonkel said, in typical Keith Tonkel fashion, let's do this and do something for somebody else — let's give the money away to some other organization. That's where that started. The church has since given over a million and a half dollars to organizations in the neighborhood and city, supporting all kinds of causes. The thing that's made it possible is the music — for those 40 years, every one of those musicians has given their time freely, without charge, to help support the festival, the organization, and to give back.
For more information, including vendor registration info visit wellschurch.org/wellsfest or call Wells Church 601-353-0658.
MS Ag Museum
1150 Lakeland Drive
Jackson, MS 39216
- Time: 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM
- Admission: FREE