KICKOFF
Saturday • November 16
Get a preview of the nation’s longest-running multicultural traditional arts celebration
Saturday, November 16
4:00 PM
FREE
The National Folk Festival is excited to announce a special program, providing a taste of what’s to come at the nation’s premier celebration of the artistic traditions of all Americans. Join us at the "Welcome to Jackson" mural at the corner of State and Pearl Streets for an eclectic and dynamic program, ranging from Cajun to South Asian Kuchipudi dance, and from blues to salsa dura.
Prior to the late afternoon and evening program, spend the day exploring several of the sites that enrich Jackson’s cultural landscape. Visit the Medgar & Myrlie Evers Home National Monument; free tours start at 9:00 AM. Then from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, head to the Mississippi Museum of Art’s (MMA) Of Salt & Spirit: Black Quilters in the American South exhibition opening, which will feature demonstrations, panel discussions, performances, and more.
Schedule of Events
National Folk Festival
KICKOFF
4:00 - 7:30 PM
seating opens at 3:30 PM
Food & Beverages
Food and drink is available for sale. Food is provided by Hal & Mal's, and beverages are provided by Martin's Downtown and Cathead Distillery.
Make a day of it!
Before the kickoff program at 4 PM, visit our partners at the Medgar & Myrlie Evers Home National Monument and at the Mississippi Museum of Art for a full day of activities. Bring the whole family!
Medgar & Myrlie Evers Home National Monument
Tours start at 9:00 AM
Free shuttle runs every 30 minutes from the Hinds County Tax Collector parking lot in downtown Jackson. Shuttle runs from 8:45 - 11:15 AM.
Mississippi Museum of Art
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Of Salt & Spirit: Black Quilters in the American South exhibition opening
Opening day activities will include a panel discussion, quilt demonstrations, and the following performances:
Directions & Parking
The National Folk Festival Kickoff takes place in downtown Jackson, with additional activities happening at the Medgar & Myrlie Evers Home National Monument and at the Mississippi Museum of Art.
National Folk Festival Kickoff
511 E Pearl Street, Jackson MS 39201
"Welcome to Jackson" Mural
The National Folk Festival Kickoff is located at the "Welcome to Jackson" mural at the corner of State and Pearl Streets in downtown Jackson.
Free parking is available throughout downtown Jackson.
Medgar & Myrlie Evers Home National Monument
2332 Margaret W Alexander Dr, Jackson MS 39213
The national monument is located within the Medgar Evers Historic District in Jackson, Mississippi.
Free parking is available in downtown Jackson at the Hinds County Tax Collector parking lot at Pascagoula and State Streets.
The City of Jackson will run a free shuttle from the parking lot to the Evers home. Shuttles run every 30 minutes. The first shuttle departs the parking lot at 8:45 AM, and the last shuttle returns at 11:15 AM.
There is also limited parking available at the Evers home, as well as street parking.
Mississippi Museum of Art
380 South Lamar Street, Jackson MS 39201
The Mississippi Museum of Art is located at the corner of Lamar and Court Streets in downtown Jackson.
Parking for Museum visitors is available at the rear of the facility at West and Court Streets, as well as Lamar and Court Streets.
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What is the National Folk Festival?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, 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.
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What are the dates?The 82nd National Folk Festival will be held in downtown Jackson, MS, November 7-9, 2025. The dates for years 2026 and 2027 will be announced soon.
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How long will the National Folk Festival be in Jackson, MS?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.
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How much does the festival cost?The National Folk Festival is FREE! for all. To keep it going we need your support. Please donate as you can... $5, $10, $20
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Bucket BrigadeHelp keep the National Folk Festival a FREE event! A group of community volunteers carrying buckets will be circulating 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 $20 per person per day. Thank you in advance for your support!
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What CAN'T I bring with me?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.)
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Information BoothsIf at any time while onsite you have more questions, need assistance, or just want to say hi, swing by one of the three information tents. Our volunteers are there to help!
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What if it rains?Safety is our highest priority and we monitor all potential weather-related impacts on our audiences. Performances are RAIN OR SHINE except where indicated, there are no rain dates. All best efforts will be made to present performances regardless of weather. 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.
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Emergency Services / First AidEmergency service centers will be available at several locations at the National Folk Festival. They will be well-marked on festival maps, available at information booths and posted around the festival site.
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Lost PeopleIf 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.
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If You See Something, Say SomethingIf 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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Your Presence is Your PermissionSpecial 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.
Quick Facts
Supporters of the National Folk Festival Kickoff
The National Folk Festival Kickoff is produced by the National Council for the Traditional Arts and the City of Jackson.
The National Folk Festival Kickoff is presented in partnership with the Mississippi Museum of Arts, the Medgar & Myrlie Evers Home National Monument, and the Mississippi Arts Commission.
The National Folk Festival Kickoff is made possible with support from Hal & Mal's, Martin's Downtown, Cathead Distillery, Jackson Redevelopment Authority, and Mississippi Public Broadcasting.
