Directions / Parking
Driving & Parking Directions to the Festival
The 82nd National Folk Festival takes place in historic Downtown Jackson, from State Street to Farish Street and from Pascagoula Street to Yazoo Street. For guest safety, streets leading into the site are closed to vehicular traffic.
Festival Site Map
See our Schedule & Site Map page to know where to go.
Driving Directions to the Festival
NOTE: To avoid Mistletoe Marketplace traffic on High Street, we recommend taking I-55 exit 96A for Pearl St.
From the North (Canton/Ridgeland):
Traveling on I-55 South, take exit 96A (Pearl St/Convention Complex) toward downtown. Stay left at the fork onto Access Road. Turn right onto Jefferson St and then left onto Amite St.
From the South (Richland/Crystal Springs):
Traveling on I-55 North, take exit 92B. Stay on US 51 North/State St/Gallatin St to reach downtown.
From the East (Meridian/Brandon):
Traveling on I-20 West, merge on I-55 North and take exit 96A (Pearl St/Convention Complex) toward downtown. Stay left at the fork onto Access Road. Turn right onto Jefferson St and then left onto Amite St.
From the West (Vicksburg/Clinton):
Take I-20 East to exit 45. Stay on US 51 North/State St to reach downtown.
Satellite Parking and Shuttles
Free Parking, Shuttles, and JTRAN Buses
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.
All JTRAN buses will also be FREE on Friday, Nov. 7 and Sat. Nov. 8. JTRAN will operate regular inbound and outbound service during normal hours, ending at 7 p.m. This will include a Festival Park N Ride shuttle running from Smith-Wills Stadium (1200 Lakeland Dr) to Union Station downtown. Parking will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. From 7 – 10 p.m., there will be outbound service ONLY, leaving from Union Station and going to Smith-Wills Stadium.
On Sunday, Nov. 9, JTRAN will offer limited, special, FREE service. From 11:30 a.m. – 7 p.m., there will be a Park N Ride shuttle operating from Smith-Wills Stadium to Union Station downtown. Service will be outbound only starting at 5 p.m.
Directions to the Mississippi State Fairgrounds
Take I-55 to exit 96A (Pearl St./Convention Complex) toward downtown, stay left at the fork onto Access Road, turn right onto Jefferson St. FREE Festival parking is at the corner of Jefferson St and Madison St.
Free and Pay-to-Park Public Parking Decks & Lots Outside the Festival Footprint:
Trustmark Building Garage – 257 E. Amite St (limited spaces)
Trustmark Building Garage Information
Regions Garage – 220 E Amite St
Regions Parking Garage Information
Marriott Parking Deck - 200 E. Amite St.
City Centre Parking – 211 S. West St
City Centre Parking Information
Union Station Lot – 122 N. Mill St
Jackson Place Garage – 100 E Capitol St
Jackson Place Parking Garage Information
McRae’s Lot – 100 N. Ranch St
Jackson Convention Complex Lot – 105 E. Pascagoula St
Jackson Convention Complex Parking Information
Facility II Parking Garage – 435 E. Capitol St
Faculty II Parking Garage Information
Facility IV Parking Garage – 123 N. President St
Accessible Site & Parking Information
Shuttle to and from Mississippi State Fair Grounds is ADA accessible.
ADA accessible parking can be found in all public parking garages.