Month by Month Calendar of Meridian Festivals
Meridian hosts festivals and events all year long
Meridian residents are always up for a celebration, and the city hosts festivals and special events all year long. These events increase community pride and bring all ages together, while often raising funds for important local causes.
In This Article
JANUARY
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. ANNUAL PARADE
Highlights: Meridian kicks off each year with this downtown event. Participants include local churches, schools, youth groups, social and civic clubs, the Meridian High School band and the immense Jackson State University marching band.
FEBRUARY
MARDI GRAS
Highlights: Mardi Gras is celebrated each February on the City Hall lawn with events such as a popular pet parade, gumbo cook-off, arts show, block party and Poker Run that benefits local nonprofit organizations.
MARCH
59TWENTY MUSIC FESTIVAL
Highlights: Named for Meridian’s location at the intersection of Interstates 59 and 20, this festival showcases live music by local, regional and national artists on two stages, and includes food and children’s activities. The Young Professionals of Meridian started the festival in 2011 as a fundraiser to benefit Care Lodge, a local domestic violence shelter.
More Info: www.59twenty.com
APRIL
THREEFOOT ARTS FESTIVAL
Highlights: The Threefoot Arts Festival showcases the work of regional artists in a variety of media and includes a juried competition, an exhibit and sale, a student art competition, and live music.
More Info: meridianarts.org/site1/threefoot
KIDS’ ART CRAWL
Highlights: This April children’s event in Dumont Plaza includes art displays, canvas painting and hands-on arts and crafts.
More Info: meridianmainstreet.org/events.html
EARTH’S BOUNTY FARMERS MARKET
Highlights: The local farmers market runs in Singing Brakeman Park on the first Saturday of each month from April through November with produce, plants, honey, jams and breads from local farms and vendors, as well as music and children’s activities.
More Info: meridianmainstreet.org/events.html
MAY
Highlights: Mississippi’s oldest live music festival features live performances by musicians from near and far. Now in its 62nd year, this two-day event on the City Hall lawn honors the Meridian man known as “the father of country music.”
More Info: www.jimmierodgers.com/
JUNE
JUNETEENTH HERITAGE FESTIVAL
Highlights: Meridian is one of several U.S. cities that hosts Juneteenth, which commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. Meridian’s event features live music, food vendors, arts and crafts vendors, a play area for children and proclamations by city leaders.
More Info: www.juneteenth.com/history.htm
JULY
HWY 80 SONGWRITERS FEST
Highlights: The weekend of music includes performances at local businesses, songwriters showcasing their original works at downtown bars, a songwriting workshop, jam sessions and a grand finale concert.
OCTOBER
MERIDIAN MAIN STREET CANDY CRAWL
Highlights: This family-friendly festival in Dumont Plaza includes activities such as pumpkin carving and painting contests, book readings, walking tours of local sites and scavenger hunts.
More Info: meridianmainstreet.org/
NOVEMBER
SOULE LIVE STEAM FESTIVAL & RAILFEST
Highlights: This two-day festival at the Mississippi Industrial Heritage Museum features steam engines operating on live steam, tours of the historic Soule Steam Feed Works factory complex and live demonstrations of how things once were made.
More Info: www.soulelivesteam.com/livesteamfestival.html
MERRY MERIDIAN MARKETPLACE
Highlights: Held at the MSU Riley Center-Outdoor Marketplace, here holiday shoppers can find everything from artwork and crafts to jewelry and clothing.
DECEMBER
Highlights: Meridian wraps up the year of celebrations with Santa’s Christmas Factory, held on December weekends in the historic Soule Steam Feed Works, features decorations, music, lights and faux snow flying through a play area in Steam Alley.
More Info: www.soulelivesteam.com/