National Folk Festival • Jackson MS • November 7-9, 2025

Jackson, Mississippi proudly hosts the 82nd National Folk Festival November 7-9, 2025, marking the first year of an unprecedented three-year residency in the heart of downtown.

Performers
Volunteer
Vendor Applications

Jackson, Mississippi proudly hosts the 82nd National Folk Festival November 7-9, 2025, marking the first year of an unprecedented three-year residency in the heart of downtown.

This free, three-day celebration brings together around 300 artists, musicians, dancers and storytellers for a weekend showcasing America's rich cultural traditions including blues, bluegrass, go-go music, and more. Selected from 42 cities nationwide, Jackson becomes the first Mississippi city to host this prestigious festival, welcoming an anticipated 60,000 to 80,000 visitors in its inaugural year.

Experience the magic where Mississippi's musical heritage meets America's diverse cultural tapestry in downtown Jackson's historic streets.

About the National Folk Festival


The National Folk Festival is the nation's longest-running traditional arts event, a free, three-day, outdoor multicultural celebration of America's finest traditional artists. Since 1934, this traveling festival has honored the artistic traditions of all Americans, from those generations old to more contemporary forms of expression.

Beginning November 7-9, 2025, the National Folk Festival will bring as many as six stages of continuous music and dance, as well as traditional crafts, regional and culturally diverse cuisine, storytelling, parades, and folklife demonstrations to downtown Jackson.

This free, three-day celebration features 300+ of the country's finest tradition bearers across seven stages of nonstop performances, hands-on craft demonstrations showcasing Mississippi folklife, parades, family-friendly fun, a bustling festival marketplace, and a mouthwatering array of regional and international cuisine.

The festival's arrival in Jackson holds special significance. "Mississippi is the birthplace of America's music, and we're bringing the festival home," said former Jackson Mayor Chokwe Lumumba. Mississippi has been represented at the National Folk Festival throughout its history, but this marks the first time the prestigious event comes to the Deep South.

With Jackson's rich musical legacy as the backdrop, the National Folk Festival promises to become a signature cultural event that celebrates both local heritage and America's diverse artistic traditions.

Scheduled to Perform


  • Bobby Rush, the "King of the Chitlin' Circuit," Mississippi's premier blues ambassador
  • Ms. Jody - captivating Southern Soul
  • Jackson State University's world-famous "Sonic Boom of the South" marching band
  • Oka Hamma Alla Hilha Alhiha - traditional Choctaw social dancing (Chahta Hihla)
  • Jeff Little Trio featuring Wayne Henderson's Blue Ridge mountain music
  • Tres en Punto's romantic trío music
  • Balla Kouyaté & Famoro Dioubaté - West African balafon
  • Frank London’s Klezmer Brass Allstars - raucous, earthy old-country klezmorim
  • Jeffery Broussard & the Creole Cowboys – zydeco
  • Korean Performing Arts Institute of Chicago – pungmul and samulnori
  • Lutchinha – Cabo Verdean singing
  • Wylie & the Wild West – cowboy and western music
  • The Campbell Brothers – sacred steel guitar
  • Dale Ann Bradley – bluegrass
  • E.U. featuring Sugar Bear – go-go
  • Eileen Ivers – Irish
  • John Primer & the Real Deal Blues Band – Chicago blues
  • LOS RICOS featuring Sonia & Ismael – flamenco
  • Plena Libre – bomba and plena
  • Riyaaz Qawwali – South Asian qawwali

STORIES OF THE NFF

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PRESS

GET INVOLVED

  • Over 800 volunteers needed for Backstage Support, Beverage Sales, Participant Transportation, Bucket Brigade, Merchandise and more
  • Average volunteer shifts are three to four hours, volunteers may sign up for multiple shifts
  • Volunteers receive a National Folk Festival volunteer t-shirt and service hours

Sign Up to Volunteer

VENDOR APPLICATIONS

FOOD VENDORS

Vendors specializing in Mississippi and Deep South cuisine, international flavors, snacks/desserts, "fair" foods, main dishes, and specialty beverages are needed.

Food Vendor Application

MARKTPLACE VENDORS

Priority is given to artists from Mississippi, featuring both traditional crafts and contemporary artists' expressions.

ART VENDOR APPLICATION

PARTNERS

National Council for the Traditional Arts, City of Jackson, Visit Jackson, Downtown Jackson Partners, Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership, Community Foundation for Mississippi, Mississippi Arts Commission, Mississippi Humanities Council, Visit Mississippi, and National Park Service