Events in Hinds County, MS

Weekly line dancing returns to the Corner Pocket, with instruction covering as much as can fit into the session.

Happy Aura brings a two-day aura photography pop-up to Cups Espresso Cafe in Fondren, Jackson, Mississippi. Using the AuraCam6000, hand sensors read your energetic frequency in hertz, convert it into color, and capture it on Instax film. Each session includes a clear explanation of what the colors mean. The experience is fully analog with no AI or Wi-Fi, and it is not a digital camera in disguise. Prices start at $50, and both advance reservations and walk-ins are available.

On the first Saturday of each month, MMA offers no-cost access to its exhibitions, along with drop-in artmaking and a complimentary guided tour. These experiences are part of Access for All and are supported by the Art Bridges Foundation.

Hayes Carll appears with Joelton Mayfield at Duling Hall. A VIP experience option is available. Tickets roll out through an artist presale and a venue presale, followed by a general public sale.

Help pack free books for incarcerated readers in Mississippi correctional facilities. Paperback book donations are also accepted. Please check the accepted titles list before donating.

The inaugural program in an annual series celebrating notable figures in Mississippi’s arts, literature, and music honors artist and University Press of Mississippi author Bill Dunlap. Mississippi Museum of Art Director Betsy Bradley and author, restaurateur, and philanthropist Robert St. John will discuss Dunlap’s work and influence. Dunlap will also take part through a short film by Anthony Thaxton, who is working on a documentary about the artist. The program includes a reception and open bar, followed by a conversation and presentation.

Enjoy a festive stroll through the Village, with holiday activities for children, including complimentary visits and photos with Santa on a first-come, first-served basis, a mailbox for wish lists, ornament decorating, and appearances by Nutcracker characters portrayed by Mississippi Metropolitan Ballet dancers. The evening also features live music from The Lonely Hearts in the Courtyard and a Christmas tree portrait station for holiday-card photos or printed keepsakes. Browse Village stores, where many merchants offer gift wrapping, and receive complimentary hand-lettered gift tags from Olivia Franklin Calligraphy with a purchase. A Holiday Stroll Passport includes a map of festive stops. Collect stickers with purchases at participating merchants, and return the passport with three stickers for a chance to win a collection of gifts from local businesses.

Jackson hosts the 83rd National Folk Festival as part of the Smithsonian's Festival of Festivals honoring the nation's 250th year. This free, nationally recognized celebration gathers leading traditional artists from across the country while placing a special focus on Mississippi's deep cultural heritage and its influence on American history. Set in Downtown Jackson, it highlights the city as a cultural capital renowned for its soulful culture. The festival centers on music, art, and traditions that bring people together and share local stories on a national stage.

Restore Hope Laundry Day is a fundraising event for Agape Rainbow Center. Each registration supports the organization’s mission and its goal of creating a brighter, more compassionate world.

Art & Coffee brings people together around a shared appreciation for art. It offers a pause from the pace of daily life to look closely and connect with a community of fellow admirers. Each gathering welcomes a guest whose work contributes to Jackson’s cultural life. This edition features Chef Enrika, the Mississippi-born creator and chef-owner of Fauna Foodworks. Her experience includes working with Chef Carla Hall and Emeril Lagasse, appearing on FOX’s Hotel Hell with Gordon Ramsay, and competing on The Food Network’s Beat Bobby Flay. She has cooked in a series of three dinners at the James Beard House and leads culinary projects that blend food, story, and culture. Through Fauna Foodworks, she explores an abstract, reimagined culinary lab that creates thoughtful, ingredient-driven, bohemian chic cuisine.

Tab Benoit teams up with Jesse Dayton for the Soul of the Swamp Tour at Martin’s Downtown, presented by Rybolt Productions. Benoit first broke through with the 1992 album Nice and Warm on the Justice label, whose title track made waves at AAA radio and launched an intense touring run of roughly 250 shows a year for more than two decades. After four releases with Justice, he signed to Vanguard, took the producer’s chair, and issued These Blues Are All Mine in 1999. His move to Telarc/Concord in 2002 brought a lean three-piece format that opened new space for his guitar, while he focused his platform on Louisiana’s coastal erosion. Time spent in the wetlands shaped his writing and led to the album Wetlands, which wove Louisiana styles into his sound and even echoed accordion and washboard textures on guitar. He later founded the nonprofit Voice of the Wetlands and assembled an all-star band featuring Cyril Neville, Anders Osborne, George Porter Jr, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, Johnny Vidacovich, Johnny Sansone, and Waylon Thibodeaux, resulting in two albums and occasional national touring. He also launched Whiskey Bayou Records with Rueben Williams, releasing music by Eric McFadden, Damon Fowler, Eric Johanson, Jeff McCarty, and Dash Rip Rock, and hit the road in 2019 with the Whiskey Bayou Revue. Jesse Dayton brings a blend of Texas blues, outlaw country, and punk rock. The Beaumont native has collaborated with Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Willie Nelson, as well as contemporary artists such as Samantha Fish and Duff McKagan. His career spans fronting the Road Kings and composing for Rob Zombie’s films. The Hard Way Blues, produced by Grammy winner Shooter Jennings, debuted at number two on the Billboard Blues Albums chart, drawing attention for its raw storytelling and electrified guitar work. He also earned a Grammy nomination for Death Wish Blues with Samantha Fish. Dayton now begins a new phase with the Texas Headhunters, a band featuring Ian Moore, Johnny Moeller, and additional supporting players, with a debut album planned for 2025. This show highlights roots music steeped in Louisiana traditions and Texas grit from two artists with deep ties to the American musical landscape.

Ashley McBryde brings her country sound to Thalia Mara Hall in Jackson, MS, delivering hard-hitting vocals, unguarded storytelling, and fan favorites that invite the crowd to sing along.

Friendsgiving returns to The Cedars for an evening centered on connection, conversation, and community. Guests gather around a shared table to honor the relationships and places that help Mississippi feel like home. The focus reaches beyond the meal, celebrating friends who feel like family, traditions built together, and the sense of belonging that grows through shared stories. The night offers a pause from busy routines, creating space to reflect with gratitude and enjoy the simple act of breaking bread. The program begins with a happy hour that includes an appetizer first course, then transitions to dinner, with thoughtful food, meaningful fellowship, and a celebration of community.

Desi Banks brings his Your Favorite Cousin Tour to Thalia Mara Hall, delivering the high-energy stand-up and vivid storytelling that made him a breakout headliner. An actor, comedian, podcaster, and entrepreneur, he leads Desi Banks Productions, a digital-first comedy hub built on original sketches, community, and culture. His path from daily online sketches to packed theaters has turned viral moments into must-see live sets. Banks has previously sold out a 50-city run with nearly 52,000 tickets and has appeared alongside Mike Epps, DeRay Davis, Kountry Wayne, Gary Owen, Lavell Crawford, and Martin Lawrence. His work has drawn praise from Kevin Hart and led to major brand collaborations, including a Hartbeat-produced Super Bowl spot for DraftKings and partnerships with Meta, Apple, Beats by Dre, PrizePicks, Casamigos, Red Bull, and DoorDash. On screen, he continues to expand his acting resume with roles in Boyz Trip, One of Them Days, Will Packer’s Little, Haunted Trail, Love by Chance, and La Vie Magnifique de Charlie. A prolific creator with more than 3,500 original videos and an audience of over 19 million across social platforms, he continues to develop original comedy and collaborate with emerging voices through Desi Banks Productions.

Families can enjoy a turkey-themed program at the museum that includes learning about turkey science, practicing turkey calls, playing games, making a craft, and meeting live turkeys. Admission is included with regular museum entry or covered by an MMNS Foundation membership.

Bridgid Ferguson and Tim Avalon perform Americana, country classics, Southern soul, and original songs, with harmonies and guitar picking. The evening pairs live music with food at Wynndale Steakhouse.

An open mic at The Station JXN hosted by Ruth Etc. welcomes performers of all ages to share live music, comedy, poetry, dance, skits, and more. The gathering takes place outdoors and is friendly to families and dogs. Take the stage or relax as part of the audience. To sign up for a slot, message Ruth Etc.

Hands-on winter science activities invite participants to try instant snow experiments, craft paper snowflakes, and investigate the unique behaviors of dry ice. The program also features the story of Snowflake Bentley, the naturalist and photographer who was the first to successfully photograph snowflakes. Participation is covered by regular museum admission or by an MMNS Foundation membership.

Celebrate the winter holidays with Capital City Pride at a festive gathering that pairs tasty food with a lively show in a welcoming, inclusive space for everyone. All ages are welcome. Photo opportunities with Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available. Purchasing tickets in advance is encouraged.

The 11th Annual Ruck for Rugrats gathers hundreds of veterans, families, and supporters for a ruck focused on collecting toys for Children’s of Mississippi Hospital. The event includes registration, bringing a toy to contribute, and an optional $250 Challenge that helps raise additional funds for 5th Squad’s veteran programs. It centers on supporting kids and backing veterans while making a meaningful difference.

Treat kids to a nighttime snow day in Mississippi. Take part in a playful snowball showdown inside an inflatable fort, dance beneath swirling snow effects, dive into hands-on winter themed STEM activities, watch Santa feed the fish, and explore Mississippi’s Ice Age past. This festive family evening blends seasonal cheer with engaging learning. For event information and tickets, please visit the museum’s website.

A Christmas themed game night at Tabernacle of Praise Fellowship Hall focuses on fellowship, laughter, and a spirit of friendly competition. Couples can pair up for holiday trivia, quick minute to win it style challenges, and classic party games. Winners receive prizes and giveaways, along with bragging rights that last all year. The evening offers a lighthearted way to connect with other couples in the church community and celebrate the season together.

Mannheim Steamroller brings its Christmas concert to Thalia Mara Hall in Jackson, MS, showcasing the group’s distinctive blend of classical and modern sounds in a live performance. The evening centers on their hallmark style, creating a concert experience filled with the music that defines Mannheim Steamroller.

Enjoy an evening of live music featuring Bridgid Ferguson and Tim Avalon, with Americana, country classics, Southern soul, and original story-filled songs. Their performance brings together harmonies and guitar picking at Wynndale Steakhouse, where steaks are served.

Xperience Jxn Entertainment presents a high-energy Southern soul concert at the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson, featuring T.K. Soul and band, L.J. Echols and band, E.J. Jones and band, O.B. Buchana and band, along with Breeze and Earl Jackson. Promoted as an ultra soulful night for grown-folks, this single-stage showcase brings live vocals, tight bands, and a celebratory atmosphere. The announcement also highlights options for reserved tables and a VIP Access Xperience for those looking to elevate the night.