Visit Jackson, MS

09/04/2026

New Soul Sessions just dropped and it's a GOOD one.

Ellen Daniels, the mastermind behind the Mississippi Book Festival (and host of her own show, It's Lit, Y'all, on MPB), sat down with Paul to spill all the details on this year's festival. And can we talk about this lineup?! George Saunders, Deesha Philyaw, Kate McKinnon, Rick Ross, Andrew McCarthy... the Capitol grounds are about to be the place to be on September 26.

Ellen also gives us the full scoop on everything happening that weekend, from Frank-in-Stein's Beer Garden and Frank the Camel in Smith Park to the Hot Fest Cooldown at Hal & Mal's (comeback sauce required). Plus a sweet story about what keeps her showing up, year after year, on very little sleep and a whole lot of love for this city.

Hit play below and let's get ready for Jackson's biggest literary weekend!

Mississippi Book Festival director Ellen Daniels talks her new MPB radio show, the 2026 lineup, and what makes Jackson's literary lawn party special.

09/04/2026

September in Jackson is stacked! From musicals and music festivals to the Mississippi Book Festival, a science fest, and everything in between, there’s a reason to get out almost every weekend this month.

Swipe through for what’s on the calendar and start planning your September in the City With Soul.

09/02/2026

Football season is in full swing in Jackson, and three college programs are calling the City With Soul home this fall.

Jackson State enters 2026 as the two-time defending SWAC East Division champion under head coach T.C. Taylor, taking the field at The Vet for the HOPE Labor Day Classic on September 5 before building toward Homecoming on October 17 against Florida A&M.

Belhaven and Millsaps kicked off the season with their annual rivalry, the Riverside Rumble, on September 3, with Belhaven looking to defend its title as reigning sword-holder after a dominant 2025 win.

Whether you're cheering on the Tigers, Blazers, or Majors, there's a home game to catch nearly every weekend this fall. Check out our guide to game day here: https://www.visitjackson.com/blog/jackson-football/

09/01/2026

The 83rd National Folk Festival just unveiled its Mississippi Folklife Area lineup, and it's a love letter to the state.

This year's program, Mississippi Flavor: At the Crossroads of the American Story, is curated by the Mississippi Arts Commission and celebrates the artists, musicians, cooks, and families who've shaped Mississippi's culture for 250 years. The lineup spans genres and generations: Cedric Burnside and Eddie Cotton Jr. on Hill Country and soul blues, Annie & the Caldwells bringing gospel-soul, Rising Stars Fife & Drum keeping an African American musical tradition alive, and food from Big Apple Inn, Las Delicias, and Jarita Frazier-King. You'll also find quilters, blacksmiths, boatbuilders, hairbraiders, and even college gameday tailgating with JSU, MSU, USM, and Ole Miss.

As NCTA Executive Director Blaine Waide put it, this year is a once-in-a-generation chance to celebrate Mississippi as more than the "birthplace of America's music," but as a true source of the nation's cultural legacy.

Mark your calendar for November 13-15 in downtown Jackson. Three days, seven stages, 300+ artists, and it's all free.

National Folk Festival's 2026 Mississippi Folklife Area lineup is here: blues, gospel, soul food & more, Nov 13-15 in Downtown Jackson. Free to attend.

09/01/2026

Consider your Labor Day plans officially made. 🎺🥁

The HBCU Labor Day Classic Battle of the Bands returns to Jackson on Sunday, September 6! 10 HBCU bands are coming together in one place. This year’s lineup features Jackson State, Grambling State, Alcorn State, Bethune Cookman, Mississippi Valley, and more!

The day kicks off at 1pm with the FanFest and Food Truck Festival, the Parade of Bands rolls at 5:30pm, and the Battle of the Bands takes over Veterans Memorial Stadium at 7pm.

Bring the whole family and get ready for a full afternoon and evening of music, marching, and showmanship in the City With Soul.

For more information visit the link below!

https://www.visitjackson.com/events/hbcu-labor-day-classic-battle-of-the-bands/

08/27/2026

The blues don’t stay alive on their own. They need people who are willing to play it, teach it, share it and make room for the next generation.

That’s exactly what the Central Mississippi Blues Society has been doing for nearly 20 years.

Through Blue Monday at Hal and Mal's-Jackson, MS, the organization has created a weekly gathering place for Mississippi musicians and blues lovers, welcoming everyone from seasoned performers to first-time players. What started as a way to bring the blues community together has become a lasting Jackson tradition and an important part of keeping the music connected to the city that helped shape it.

Read the story behind Blue Monday and the Central Mississippi Blues Society’s work to keep Jackson’s blues culture thriving.

Every Monday at Hal & Mal's, anyone can sign the sheet and take the stage. Blue Monday is Jackson's longest-running live blues jam — and one of the real ones.

08/26/2026

We’re one month away from the state’s literary lawn party! The Mississippi Book Festival returns to Jackson on September 26 with authors, book signings, panels, local booksellers, family activities and plenty of reasons to add another book to your TBR.

Best part? It’s FREE. Come for the books, stay for the City With Soul.

08/25/2026

Some meals just feel like home, and Jackson has no shortage of them. ❤️

From smoky BBQ and 11-ounce burgers to comforting blue plate specials and New York-style pizza, this city knows how to serve up the kind of food that keeps you coming back.

We rounded up some of Jackson’s comfort food favorites, including The Pig & Pint, Stamps Super Burgers - West JXN, Sugar's Place Downtown, Sal & Mookie's New York Pizza & Ice Cream Joint and more.

Whether you’re craving a plate of BBQ, a burger piled high, or a slice fresh from the oven, there’s something waiting for you.

Explore Jackson’s comfort food favorites!

From smoked ribs to blue plate specials, discover 10 Jackson, MS comfort food classics — BBQ, burgers, plate lunches, and pizza all in one guide.

08/21/2026

Jackson’s art scene is growing, and Turner Martin is helping shape what comes next.

As manager of the Arts Center of Mississippi, Turner has built the Spotlight Series into a monthly platform for Mississippi artists while helping expand the City of Jackson’s permanent art collection to better reflect the artists and communities that make this city what it is.

In the latest episode of Soul Sessions, Turner talks about his path into Jackson’s arts community, the vision behind the Spotlight Series, and what’s coming up at the Arts Center this fall.

🎧 Listen to the full conversation at the link below.

Turner Martin, Arts Center Manager, on downtown Jackson's Arts Center of Mississippi, its Spotlight Series, and 100-year-old art collection.