Welcome to the Top 10 Events in Mississippi
Explore the selection of the top 10 annual events and festivals, fairs and celebrations (listed in calendar priority) across the State of Mississippi, including events in Natchez, Biloxi, and Vicksburg.Natchez Spring Pilgrimage
April
Natchez, Mississippi
For five weeks each spring twenty-five late colonial and pre-Civil War town houses, mansions and plantation homes open their doors to local, national and international visitors.
Hosts and hostesses dressed in period costume recount the history of each house and its various owners and occupants.
Evening entertainment includes The Historic Natchez Pageant, a brilliant musical production of dancing, historic scenes, and elaborate period costumes.
For more information visit: www.natchezpilgrimage.com
Rivergate Festival
April
Tunica, Mississippi
The free, weekend-long Rivergate Festival, an annual event held in Downtown Tunica, highlights cooking, music and fun for the whole family.
In some of the best competitive barbecue cooking in the South, thirty different teams battle to produce the best pork barbecue. Nashville artists entertain thousands of visitors with their music, and fun is the order of the day at Funland Children's Activities and Super Chikan in the Park, and at the 7th annual "Running of the Hawgs" and Flag ceremony during the Rivergate Festival.
For more information visit: www.tunicamiss.com/rivergatefest.asp
Canton Flea Market
May
Canton, Mississippi
The famous Canton Flea Market attracts over 1,000 superior artists and craftsmen nationally to showcase handcrafted items such as pottery, jewelry, and unique arts and crafts.
Handmade arts and crafts are located on the Courthouse grounds and the adjacent Union and Center Streets. Additional craft exhibits are on the church properties on Peace Street, at the Old Jail Museum behind City Hall and on two blocks of East Fulton Street.
For more information visit: www.cantontourism.com
Tupelo Elvis Presley Festival
June
Tupelo, Mississippi
A tradition for over ten years, the Tupelo Elvis Presley Festival celebrates the early days of Elvis’ life. Apart from music from all facets of Elvis’ music career, from rockabilly to gospel, other attractions of this event include special tours of the area, a parade, Tribute Artist competition and displays at the museum.
For more information visit: www.tupeloelvisfestival.com
BB King Homecoming Festival
June
Indianola, Mississippi
Indianola is the hometown of legendary blues musician BB King. An international icon, BB King has entertained generations and inspired musicians from Elvis Presley to the Rolling Stones.
Each year the BB King Homecoming Festival, which features the BB King Homecoming Concert, is held at Fletcher Park. At BB King's request, children under 12 are admitted free of charge, and regular admission is kept at a low charge with net proceeds going to Indianola Parks and Recreation.
The festival attracts thousands of people every year. The crowds enjoy the music by BB King and other musicians along with food and fireworks.
For more information visit: www.indianolams.org/blues.html
Neshoba County Fair
June
Philadelphia, Mississippi
Established in 1889, the Neshoba County Fair® fosters political, agricultural, and social exchanges of knowledge and ideas.
Home of the state's only licensed horse track since 1922 and the nation's largest campground fair, the Neshoba County Fair is also referred to as "Mississippi's Giant House Party®" and was entered on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
For more information visit: www.neshobacountyfair.org
Slugburger Festival
July
Corinth, Mississippi
A tradition for over 21 years, this annual event is the ultimate tribute to the local culinary delight - the slugburger.
The slugburger is a beef and soybean grits combination deep-fried instead of grilled as the usual hamburger with a garnish of mustard, pickle and onion.
Three days of fun in this event celebrating the slugburger are packed with live entertainment, amusement rides and great food.
For more information visit: www.corinth.net
Mississippi Delta Blues Festival
September
Greenville, Mississippi
Mississippi Delta Blues is recognized as one of America's most important musical forms. The Mississippi Delta Blues Festival celebrates and helps to preserve this culture.
When the festival began in 1978 it was little more than a local community gathering. Today it is the second oldest continuously operating blues festival in the country attracting performers such as BB King, Sam Chatmon, Son Thomas, Willie Foster, Ruby Wilson, Robert Cray, John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Albert King, Bobby Rush and Denise LaSalle.
For more information visit: www.deltablues.org
Biloxi Seafood Festival
September
Biloxi, Mississippi
A popular attraction for over 27 years, the annual Biloxi Seafood Festival attracts more than 25,000 festival goers, vendors and volunteers, and has been voted as the best Mississippi event of the year.
Food fun events feature a gumbo championship, and a large selection of seafood including jambalaya, shrimp and fried fish. Live music, from country to rock, entertains the foodies.
For more information visit: www.biloxi.org
Vicksburg Fall Pilgrimage
October
Vicksburg, Mississippi
Offering a rare glimpse of historic Vicksburg, the Vicksburg Fall Pilgrimage showcases 15 historic homes and churches as they open their doors to guided tours during appointed hours.
Visitors step back in time and relive an era when cotton was king and riverboats tamed the Mighty Mississippi River.
Each Pilgrimage home is privately owned and occupied, with most listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Many offer bed and breakfast accommodations by prior arrangement. The homes are impeccably maintained, furnished with period antiques, and still as resplendent as ever.
For more information visit: www.vicksburgpilgrimage.com
