Companies will help bring three days of free music and dance from across America to Downtown Jackson, Mississippi Jackson, MS, September 8, 2026 — The National Folk Festival is excited to announce that Ergon, Inc. and Alliant Construction are returning as presenting sponsor for the 83rd National Folk Festival, which will take place November 13 -15, 2026. This year marks the second year of the festival’s three-year residency in Downtown Jackson. Part of the Ergon family of c

Mississippi Flavor: At the Crossroads of the American Story puts a spotlight on the ways the state’s folk traditions have influenced the nation Jackson, MS, September 1, 2026 —The wide-ranging program for the 83rd National Folk Festival’s Mississippi Folklife Area & Stage was announced today at a press conference inside the House Chamber at the Old Capitol Museum. This is the event’s second year of a three-year residency, scheduled to take place November 13-15, 2026, in Downt

Artists will additionally be found at pop-up street performances throughout the festival Jackson, MS, August 19, 2026 — The 83rd National Folk Festival is excited to announce the performers featured in the festival’s Family Area, and in pop-up street performances, in Downtown Jackson from November 13-15, 2026. The Family Area & Stage will once again be located in Smith Park at the north end of the festival site, providing a perfect space for performances and participatory act

Over 800 volunteers needed to fill a variety of positions for the free 83rd National Folk Festival taking place in downtown Jackson, November 13-15, 2026 Jackson, MS, August 2, 2026 — Online volunteer registration opens today for the 83rd National Folk Festival, a FREE, three-day event, returning to Downtown Jackson, November 13-15, 2026. This year marks the second year of the festival’s three-year residency in Mississippi’s capital city. Over 400 volunteers participated l

The National Folk Festival and Amazon also to partner on a donation to Jackson Public Schools Jackson, MS, July 24, 2026 — The 83rd National Folk Festival is pleased to announce that Amazon is returning as the sponsor of the festival’s Arts in Education program. This program is a cornerstone of the festival’s community engagement efforts, bringing world-class traditional artists into local schools and exposing students to new cultures, communities, and artistic traditions,

Artists from across Mississippi to appear at the festival in Downtown Jackson this November Jackson, MS, July 21, 2026 — The 83rd National Folk Festival announced today eight more groups appearing at the festival in Downtown Jackson, November 13-15. Representing cultural communities from Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, these artists join an artistic program that reflects the richness and variety of American culture. Half of today’s announced groups

Artists announced include Mavis Staples, legendary gospel and soul artist with deep ties to Mississippi Jackson, MS, June 16, 2026 — Additional performers appearing at the 83rd National Folk Festival in Downtown Jackson, November 13-15, were announced today. These seven artists represent a broad spectrum of traditions, from gospel and soul to the Iraqi oud, the visual spectacles of Mardi Gras, HBCU marching bands, and more. This year marks the second year of the festival’s th

In collaboration with the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellows featured in the 2026 program. Jackson, MS, April 28, 2026 — The National Folk Festival revealed today the first eight artists who will be performing at the 83rd National Folk Festival in Downtown Jackson, November 13-15, 2026. This will be the second year of the festival’s three-year residency in Jackson, and it occupies a momentous place in observances of the

Jackson, MS — The National Folk Festival is returning to Jackson, Mississippi, for the second year of its three-year residency. The 83 rd National Folk Festival will take place in Downtown Jackson from November 13 – 15, 2026. The festival is now accepting vendor applications for food vendors for the food courts within the festival site. Downtown Jackson will come alive for three days of FREE outdoor music, non-stop dancing, family activities, storytelling, crafts demonstrati

Jackson, MS — The 83 rd National Folk Festival is excited to announce its collaboration with the Smithsonian’s Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage in 2026. The festival will participate in Of the People: The Smithsonian Festival of Festivals , a series of programs and exchanges marking the 250 th anniversary of the United States and showcasing the country’s remarkable cultural landscape. The National Folk Festival and the Smithsonian Folklife Festival share a common m