[2026] A journey to trace your roots: Savoring live sounds at a music festival in Mississippi

FestivalSouth is a multidisciplinary arts festival organized by a regional arts organization in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, USA. Officially, it is positioned as a series of events that span diverse fields such as music, visual art, dance, and film, bringing together performances across a wide range of genres from classical to jazz, Broadway, and blues. Featuring community-rooted, multifaceted programming such as children’s initiatives and film screenings, it is distinguished by its local focus. In 2026, it will be held starting in June.

The Sunflower River Blues & Gospel Festival is a music festival held in Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA. Centered on blues and gospel, it has long prioritized showcasing musicians from the local area and those with roots in Mississippi. The organizers are committed to keeping it a free, easily accessible festival for everyone. Known as an international event that draws music fans from around the world, it will be held from August 7 to 9 in 2026.

The Juke Joint Festival is a blues music festival held in Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA. Officially billed as “half blues festival, half small-town fair, all about the Delta,” it features more than 100 blues performances across multiple venues around town, both outdoors and indoors. Blues artists such as James “Super Chikan” Johnson and John Primer also appear, and it will be held in April 2026.

The Crawfish Music Festival is a music festival held on the front lawn of the Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi, Mississippi. Set against the sea breeze from the Gulf of Mexico and views of Mississippi Sound, it features a lineup centered on rock. Its signature offering is boiled crawfish dishes, and highlights include the Crawfish Cook-Off and the Food Village. In 2026, it will take place from April 17 to 19.

A two-day festival of food, art, and music held in Oxford, Mississippi, USA. Centered around the historic downtown Courthouse Square, the event features multiple music stages alongside numerous art and food vendors. Musicians from a wide range of genres—country, soul, rock, and folk—will perform, including names like Wilco and Margo Price. It will take place in April 2026.

This is a country music festival held in Meridian, Mississippi. Officially billed as “the longest-running music festival in America,” it is operated by an organization that honors local musician Jimmie Rodgers and aims to preserve musical culture. Using multiple venues downtown, it combines outdoor lawn stages with indoor halls, featuring artists across a wide range from bluegrass to country. The 2026 edition will take place from May 7 to 9.