Question 1

What is the National Folk Festival?

Accepted Answer

The National Folk Festival is the nation’s longest-running traditional arts event, a FREE, three-day outdoor multicultural celebration of music, dance, and traditional arts and culture, which historically draws upwards of 150,000 attendees by year three, along with an economic impact ranging from approximately $15-30 million a year.

Produced by the National Council for the Traditional Arts,(https://ncta-usa.org/) the National Folk Festival has been presented in 28 cities across the country—from Richmond, VA, and Butte, MT, to Lowell, MA, and St. Louis, MO—since its inception in 1934.

This is the first time in the festival’s long history that it has been presented in Mississippi—often considered the birthplace of America’s music—as well as the Deep South.

Question 2

How long will the National Folk Festival be in Jackson, MS?

Accepted Answer

Jackson is the host city for the National Folk Festival for three years, from 2025 to 2027.

The National Folk Festival partners with communities across the nation to present the festival, free to the public, for three years with the understanding that the local host community intends to continue its own festival once the National moves on to its next site.

Question 3

What are the dates?

Accepted Answer

The 83rd National Folk Festival will be held in downtown Jackson, MS, November 13-15, 2026.

HOURS OF OPERATION:
Friday, Nov. 7:   6:00 p.m.* - 9:30 p.m.
 Saturday, Sept. 7:  Noon* - 9:30 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 8: Noon* - 6:00 p.m.

* Food Vendors and the Festival Marketplace will open at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, and at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Get the festival schedule here.(https://www.nationalfolkfestival.com/schedule)

Question 4

Where will the festival take place?

Accepted Answer

The 82nd National Folk Festival will take place in downtown Jackson, Mississippi, from State Street to Farish Street and from Pascagoula Street to Mississippi Street.

Question 5

Downtown Parking

Accepted Answer

Multiple parking decks and public lots are available downtown for an hourly rate. Designated handicapped parking spaces are available in all public lots and downtown parking garages.

For more, visit Directions/Parking.(https://www.nationalfolkfestival.com/parking)

Question 6

Satellite Parking and Shuttles

Accepted Answer

FREE  festival parking is available within walking distance of the festival at  the southwest corner of the Mississippi State Fairgrounds, near the  intersection of Jefferson St and Madison St. An ADA-compliant shuttle  with limited space will be running during festival hours. Festivalgoers  can catch the shuttle at the Jefferson St entrance. The shuttle stop at  the festival will be located near the intersection of State St and Amite  St.

For more info on satellite parking and free JTRAN service during the festival, visit Directions/Parking.(https://www.nationalfolkfestival.com/parking)

Question 7

What if it rains?

Accepted Answer

The National Folk Festival will go on, rain or shine.  In the event of rain, please visit guest services booths located throughout the festival to receive an updated performance schedule. The festival’s three tented stages offer a dry environment in which you can enjoy the performances. All best efforts will be made to present performances regardless of weather.

Safety is our highest priority, and we monitor all potential weather-related impacts on our audiences. If severe weather is observed in the area, we will make announcements from stages including the severity of the storm, evacuation, and/or event suspension procedures.

Question 8

How much does the festival cost?

Accepted Answer

The National Folk Festival is a FREE event—you can enjoy the performances, the Mississippi Folklife Area & Stage, and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation Family Stage and C Spire Foundation | Regions Bank Family Activities Area at no cost. Food, drink, and merchandise are available for sale.

To keep it going we need your support. Please donate as you can by putting a drop in the bucket—$5, $10, $20.

Question 9

Bucket Brigade

Accepted Answer

Help keep the National Folk Festival a FREE event!

A group of community volunteers carrying buckets will be circulating during the festival asking for your support. All donations made through the bucket brigade help to directly cover the costs of the festival.

The suggested donation is $10 per person per day.

Thank you in advance for your support!

Question 10

Live Broadcast Available

Accepted Answer

Listen in live on Mississippi Public Broadcasting’s MPB Think Radio throughout the festival weekend. More info at MPBOnline.org.

Question 11

Guest Services

Accepted Answer

Four Guest Services Booths are located throughout the festival. Volunteers will be on hand to assist you and answer questions. First Aid personnel are also available. Locations are marked on the festival map, available for download and on site.

Question 12

Emergency Services / First Aid

Accepted Answer

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, go to one of the four Guest Services booths to be connected with emergency services. Guest Services booths are well-marked on festival maps, posted around the festival site.

Question 13

Restrooms

Accepted Answer

Portable restrooms are located throughout the festival.

Question 14

Keep Downtown Jackson CLEAN!

Accepted Answer

Please help protect the environment and historic Downtown Jackson by disposing of trash in designated locations throughout the festival site.

Question 15

Accessibility

Accepted Answer

The National Folk Festival is welcoming to participants with all levels of abilities. All stages and areas allow accessibility for mobility devices.

Interpretation Services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Attendees
Check your Pocket Schedule or stop by any of the four Guest Services Booths located throughout the festival for details about which performances will be interpreted.

Question 16

Lost People

Accepted Answer

If a child or person in your party gets lost please approach a staff member or volunteer immediately. Staff and volunteers have access to persons with radios, who can get you help right away.

Question 17

What CAN'T I bring with me?

Accepted Answer

Items that are not permitted include, but are not limited to:

• Pets (service animals are permitted)
 • Coolers
 • Large backpacks
 • Alcohol
 • Bottles/glass containers
 • Contraband (drugs and weapons)
 • Laser pointers
 • Bikes, skateboards, inline skates
 • Flying objects (drones, kites, Frisbees, footballs, etc.)

Question 18

NO Tailgating

Accepted Answer

Tailgating is not permitted in Downtown Jackson during the 82nd National Folk Festival. No unauthorized vehicles are allowed on the festival site. Attendees are not allowed to bring coolers, glass bottles or containers, alcohol, and grills to the festival.

Question 19

Your Presence is Your Permission

Accepted Answer

Special photographers and videographers have been hired by festival organizers to document the event. Some images and videos may be used in later promotional materials.

Your presence at the event is seen as your permission for such promotional use by the non-profit organizers.

Question 20

If You See Something, Say Something

Accepted Answer

If you experience odd behavior or see something you know shouldn’t be somewhere, say something. Report suspicious behavior to any security, staff, or volunteer team member.

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The National Folk Festival© is a production of the National Council for the Traditional Arts©, a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, duly licensed. All rights reserved.

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