The only thing better than the cooler temperatures that come along with fall, are the incredible festivals held throughout the season. From delicious food to one-of-a-kind crafts, the fall festival season in Mississippi has something for everyone. Towns all over the state are prepping for their annual autumn celebrations and just to be sure you don’t miss a thing, we put together this list of some of our favorites. Read on to see if your favorite fest made the list.
- Vicksburg Fall Fest (Vicksburg)
Visit Vicksburg/Facebook The perfect mix of small town charm and autumn fun, Vicksburg’s Fall Fest features live music, a sidewalk sale, loads of activities, antique tractor displays, and unique demonstrations. This year’s fun is scheduled for October 7th and will take place on Main Street in downtown Vicksburg.
- Pecan Festival (Richton)
MS Pecan Festival: sponsored by Fulmers General Store and Farmstead/Facebook Held at Fulmer’s Farmstead in Richton at the end of every September, the annual Pecan Festival is as charming as they come. The 3-day long affair features over 250 craft vendors, demonstrations, live music, and more. This year’s festival will take place September 29th – October 1st.
- Mississippi Peanut Festival (Collins)
Mitchell Farms/Facebook Head on over to Mitchell Farms from October 7th – 8th and experience the wonder that is the Peanut Festival. With over 75 vendors, selling yard art, jewelry, collectibles, antiques, arts, crafts, and a variety of food, there really is something for everyone.
- Cleveland Oktoberfest (Cleveland)
Octoberfest MS/Facebook Officially kick off the season with Cleveland’s Oktoberfest. Always held the 2nd weekend of October, this popular event has been named one of the best festivals in the Delta. It’s been held for over two decades and now attracts over 15,000 attendees and features hundreds of vendors, two music stages, games, plenty of food, and a BBQ contest.
- French Camp Harvest Festival (French Camp)
frenchcamp.org Held at the French Camp Historic District, the Harvest Festival is now in its 64th year. The annual event includes crafts, food, music, buggy rides, and the highlight of the festival, the Quilt and Craft Auction. Be sure to mark your calendar; this year’s event is scheduled for Saturday, October 14th.
- Sweet Potato Festival (Vardaman)
Sweet Potato Festival/Facebook As the “Sweet Potato Capital of the World,” it should come as no surprise that Vardaman hosts an annual festival dedicated to the vegetable. Beginning November 4th, the festival includes several food booths, featuring a variety of sweet potato dishes as well as Vardaman’s “famous chicken dinners,” arts and crafts, a 5k run, contests, and the annual auctioning of the Sweet Potato Quilt.
- Great Mississippi River Balloon Race (Natchez)
Mississippi River Trail/Facebook One of Natchez’s most anticipated events, this year’s Great Mississippi River Balloon Race is scheduled for October 20th – 22nd. In addition to dozens of hot air balloons, the event includes live entertainment, carnival rides, and plenty of food. There’s even a sister festival, Blufftober Fest, which is the city’s version of Oktoberfest.
- Leland Frogfest (Leland)
Leland Chamber of Commerce/Facebook Enjoyed by adults and children alike, Frogfest includes free carnival games, train rides, and activities for kids of all ages. There’s also a Chili Cook Off, and for only $5 you can buy a tasting spoon and souvenir cup, which allows for unlimited chili samples and the chance to cast your vote for the best chili. This year, Frogfest will take place on October 28th.
- Pumpkinpalooza (Starkville)
starkville.org Head to Starkville’s Main Street on October 13th, from 6 pm – 8 pm, to take part in the city’s annual harvest festival, Pumpkinpalooza. In addition to trick-or-treating, after hours shopping, a farmers market, and fun jumpers, there’s also a pumpkin patch and pumpkin painting station.
- Harvest Festival (Jackson)
Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum/Facebook From November 7th – 11th, the Agriculture and Forestry Museum will hold its Harvest Festival. The annual event includes unique demonstrations on everything from the operation of the cotton gin to a blacksmith shop. Wagon and carousel rides, food, and souvenirs will also be available during the festival.
Was your favorite fall festival included? Ever attended any of the amazing events listed above? Tell us in the comments section!
Visit Vicksburg/Facebook
The perfect mix of small town charm and autumn fun, Vicksburg’s Fall Fest features live music, a sidewalk sale, loads of activities, antique tractor displays, and unique demonstrations. This year’s fun is scheduled for October 7th and will take place on Main Street in downtown Vicksburg.
MS Pecan Festival: sponsored by Fulmers General Store and Farmstead/Facebook
Held at Fulmer’s Farmstead in Richton at the end of every September, the annual Pecan Festival is as charming as they come. The 3-day long affair features over 250 craft vendors, demonstrations, live music, and more. This year’s festival will take place September 29th – October 1st.
Mitchell Farms/Facebook
Head on over to Mitchell Farms from October 7th – 8th and experience the wonder that is the Peanut Festival. With over 75 vendors, selling yard art, jewelry, collectibles, antiques, arts, crafts, and a variety of food, there really is something for everyone.
Octoberfest MS/Facebook
Officially kick off the season with Cleveland’s Oktoberfest. Always held the 2nd weekend of October, this popular event has been named one of the best festivals in the Delta. It’s been held for over two decades and now attracts over 15,000 attendees and features hundreds of vendors, two music stages, games, plenty of food, and a BBQ contest.
frenchcamp.org
Held at the French Camp Historic District, the Harvest Festival is now in its 64th year. The annual event includes crafts, food, music, buggy rides, and the highlight of the festival, the Quilt and Craft Auction. Be sure to mark your calendar; this year’s event is scheduled for Saturday, October 14th.
Sweet Potato Festival/Facebook
As the “Sweet Potato Capital of the World,” it should come as no surprise that Vardaman hosts an annual festival dedicated to the vegetable. Beginning November 4th, the festival includes several food booths, featuring a variety of sweet potato dishes as well as Vardaman’s “famous chicken dinners,” arts and crafts, a 5k run, contests, and the annual auctioning of the Sweet Potato Quilt.
Mississippi River Trail/Facebook
One of Natchez’s most anticipated events, this year’s Great Mississippi River Balloon Race is scheduled for October 20th – 22nd. In addition to dozens of hot air balloons, the event includes live entertainment, carnival rides, and plenty of food. There’s even a sister festival, Blufftober Fest, which is the city’s version of Oktoberfest.
Leland Chamber of Commerce/Facebook
Enjoyed by adults and children alike, Frogfest includes free carnival games, train rides, and activities for kids of all ages. There’s also a Chili Cook Off, and for only $5 you can buy a tasting spoon and souvenir cup, which allows for unlimited chili samples and the chance to cast your vote for the best chili. This year, Frogfest will take place on October 28th.
starkville.org
Head to Starkville’s Main Street on October 13th, from 6 pm – 8 pm, to take part in the city’s annual harvest festival, Pumpkinpalooza. In addition to trick-or-treating, after hours shopping, a farmers market, and fun jumpers, there’s also a pumpkin patch and pumpkin painting station.
Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum/Facebook
From November 7th – 11th, the Agriculture and Forestry Museum will hold its Harvest Festival. The annual event includes unique demonstrations on everything from the operation of the cotton gin to a blacksmith shop. Wagon and carousel rides, food, and souvenirs will also be available during the festival.
Looking for another fall festival to add to your bucket list? Check out “This Upcoming Festival Is One Of The Tastiest In Mississippi.“
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