National Folk Festival • Jackson MS • November 13-15, 2026

The National Folk Festival is America's longest-running celebration of the people, cultures, and living traditions that make our nation unique. Since 1934, this free, traveling festival has been a vibrant showcase where communities gather to share their stories through music, dance, food, and craft.

Coming to downtown Jackson, November 13-15, 2026, the festival transforms the city into a living tapestry of American culture. Multiple stages will pulse with continuous performances from musicians, storytellers, dancers and more—the keepers of our collective memory who pass down everything from generations-old ballads to contemporary expressions of identity. Expect to hear the deep roots of blues and soul, alongside the rhythmic power of hip-hop and the heartfelt traditions of gospel and southern soul. The festival will also celebrate the rich HBCU culture that has shaped so much of America. You'll witness hands-on craft demonstrations, taste authentic regional and international cuisine, and experience the joy of storytelling that connects us all.

While Mississippi artists have graced the National Folk Festival stages for decades, this marks its first journey to the Deep South, where so many of America's most powerful cultural traditions, from the delta blues to the marching bands of historically Black colleges and universities, were born and continue to flourish.