13 Of The Most Welcoming Towns In Mississippi
Mississippi's trademark Southern charm, deep-rooted Blues heritage, classic Cajun cuisine, and fanatical religious roots combine to form a culturally diverse community that represents all races. Its multicultural outlook, characterized by Black Americans, Native Americans, Hispanics, Whites, and Asian communities, enables tourists to relate to this beautiful destination. Through colorful festivals, buzzing farmers' markets, annual fairs, and Creole-inspired seafood dishes, visitors get an authentic taste of what distinguishes the state from the others. From the rich antebellum history of Natchez to the vibrant college vibe of Starkville, these welcoming towns in Mississippi charm tourists with an array of invigorating experiences worth sharing with friends and family.
Starkville
Home to Mississippi State University, Starkville's vibrancy and diversity are reflected in the lineup of annual festivals it hosts, which showcase different aspects of the city. The annual Cotton District Arts Festival is one of the region's largest, uniting over 150 artisans for a celebration of art, music, food, and community. At least 30,000 people typically attend the event, which is ranked among the state's top events. Meanwhile, the King Cotton Crawfish Boil pits the top cooks in Starkville against one another, while exposing visitors to some of the tastiest local flavors. Dozens of booths line the streets as competitors seek the bragging rights for the best boiled crawfish.
Starkville also excites movie lovers and filmmakers with the Magnolia Independent Film Festival, the state's longest-running film festival. This family-friendly event features award-winning stories from around the world, inspiring homegrown storytellers and independent filmmakers to thrive.
Ocean Springs
Ocean Springs is an artsy community on the Gulf of Mexico and a premier vacation destination in the South. The annual Spring Arts Festival is one of the town's signature art events, attracting over 100 crafters, artists, and makers to showcase their talent. The outdoor festival, held in the downtown area, features seminars, demonstrations, and live entertainment spanning several blocks. The Taste of Ocean Springs Food & Wine Festival pays tribute to a buzzing dining culture, inviting participants to indulge in delicious tastings across a selection of local restaurants. From delicious oysters and chicken to steak and a variety of dishes, chefs put on their best show as attendees embark on an invigorating culinary adventure.
Every October, Cruisin' the Coast welcomes at least 5,000 vintage cars for an automobile show like no other. The jamboree lasts for a week and features several activities at different venues, accompanied by live music, social interactions, and family-friendly entertainment.
Bay St. Louis
Bay St. Louis is another Gulf Coast gem, celebrated for its beaches, art, and seafood. Every Fourth of July, the OLG Crab Festival brings tasty foods, beautiful art, and lasting memories to the community of Bay St. Louis. The weekend-long event is held at the grounds of Our Lady of the Gulf Church and attracts hundreds of volunteers who crab dishes for the participants. The Bay Fest is another popular event that celebrates the region's creativity and diversity, attracting over 70 area artists, crafters, artisans, and farmers to showcase their art and coastal cuisine.
Beyond the vibrant festivals, Bay St. Louis hosts regular gatherings at the Bay St. Louis Little Theatre. Tourists can enjoy plays, concerts, and other live performances in an intimate setting with a 100-seat capacity, while also taking the opportunity to mingle with locals and other visitors.
Natchez
Elaborate antebellum homes make this Mississippi River community stand out from the rest. However, what makes it a darling for visitors is the strong sense of community it demonstrates during the weekly Natchez Farmers Market. Dozens of crafters, artists, entertainers, and growers converge in this open-air market, which also serves as a social hub for tourists and locals alike. The Natchez Balloon Festival is the most colorful event in the town, featuring an aerial spectacle of hot-air balloons, art and craft displays, food vendors, and a carnival.
The Natchez Food & Wine Festival gives tourists the opportunity to savor the finest homegrown flavors in Natchez. Every summer, culinary enthusiasts converge in the town to attend gourmet tastings, dining events, casual social gatherings, and multiple-course dinners in the rustic setting of historic mansions.
New Albany
This riparian community in Union County showcases its rich cultural heritage through various festivals and special events, highlighted by the annual Tallahatchie Riverfest. This free event captures the mood of the region and engages everyone in town with outdoor concerts, food vendors, arts and crafts, and family-friendly entertainment. Furthermore, the Mississippi Hill Folk Life and Craft Festival preserves and promotes the region's cultural heritage. It creates a welcoming space for townsfolk to reconnect through educational opportunities, featuring demonstrations on how to make traditional crafts.
Meanwhile, vendors in the community use the New Albany Farmers Market not only to display their products but also to connect with buyers on a personal level. The event boasts a vibrant atmosphere and features a diverse range of offerings, including handmade crafts, farm-fresh produce, baked goods, and other local specialties.
Oxford
Popularly known as the home of "Ole Miss," this varsity town boasts a stacked event calendar that draws thousands of festival-goers throughout the year. Among its signature events is the Double Decker Arts Festival, typically attended by over 60,000 people in the historic downtown square. This fun-filled weekend features dozens of food and art vendors setting up shop along the streets, accompanied by continuous performances by multiple musical acts. The Holly Jolly Holiday spreads winter cheer throughout the Oxford community, as twinkling lights take over the town, cheery holiday tunes fill the air, and locals engage in ice skating fun.
The Oxford Film Festival draws amateur and professional filmmakers in the region to the Lyric Theatre. It features screenings of celebrated films from across the globe, and past iterations have been graced by Academy Award nominees and Spirit Award winners.
Laurel
Steeped in enduring history and full of Southern charm, Laurel has hosted the South Mississippi Fair for over a century. For an entire week, thousands of attendees come to Laurel to celebrate community pride, family fun, and fall-time excitement through an array of exhilarating activities. From food tastings and carnival rides to livestock exhibitions and live music, it is the ultimate opportunity to mingle. The Loblolly Festival is another fall jamboree that celebrates the community's sawmill town heritage. Held on the first Saturday of October, the event features local vendors, artists, crafters, children's activities, and festival food.
But if festivals are not your cup of tea, you can still experience Laurel's warmth at the Laurel Little Theatre. This historic Arabian movie house combines vibrant costumes, angelic voices, talented acting, and graceful dancers to entertain audiences with a series of live theatrical performances.
Brookhaven
Brookhaven hosts multiple festivals and fairs to deliver an unforgettable family vacation, especially when you visit during the Ole Brook Festival. Locally christened "America's Largest Block Party," this family-friendly celebration takes place on the first weekend of October and features a classic car show, food trucks, live music, and a kids' zone that brings the townspeople together. The Brookstock Music Festival strives to bring together and promote local talents with a focus on rock n' roll music, featuring a lineup of electrifying performances by Brookhaven bands.
Performing arts enthusiasts find numerous reasons to assemble at the Brookhaven Little Theatre. This lively community venue offers cultural enrichment and family-friendly entertainment, thanks to its diverse range of stage productions, including musicals, plays, and dramas performed by local actors.
Hattiesburg
"Hub City" boasts a festival for every season, promising guests a fun-filled itinerary whenever they visit. Every spring, Mississippi's largest craft beer festival goes down in downtown Hattiesburg. Thousands of craft beer lovers, foodies, and art enthusiasts come for the Hattiesburg Craft Beer Festival, taking advantage of tastings of over 100 craft beers from regional breweries, art demonstrations, and musical performances. Furthermore, HubFest is the signature art and music festival in Hattiesburg, held annually in downtown, incorporating live music stages and featuring at least 200 craft and food vendors.
Apart from the festivals, Hattiesburg still finds a way to excite tourists at the Hattiesburg Saenger Theater. This Art Deco venue in downtown showcases a year-round cycle of live shows and events, including film screenings, magic performances, pageants, and award ceremonies, to foster a strong sense of place.
Batesville
Batesville's long lineup of special events and festivals begins with the UKC Winter Classic, which takes place at the Batesville Civic Center. The festival pits hundreds of dogs against one another during a coonhound hunting competition, where participants attempt to trail wild raccoons at night. SpringFest is arguably the largest event in the city, held on Mother's Day weekend. It combines several activities that unite local families in a festive atmosphere, such as carnival rides, music, food, games, and much more.
Meanwhile, the back-to-school season kicks off with the Pep Rally on the Square. The community comes out in large numbers to celebrate and support local football teams, showcasing a spirit of sportsmanship. Marching bands with colorful cheerleaders entertain spectators during this popular local tradition.
Tupelo
Tupelo is nationally recognized as the childhood home of Elvis and one of the most welcoming towns in Mississippi. It hosts diverse festivals celebrating the King of Rock ‘n' Roll, including the Tupelo Elvis Festival, a tribute to Tupelo's famous son that draws fans from across the United States. Happening along Main Street, it features an array of Elvis-themed activities, including Elvis music, impersonators, memorabilia, vendors, a King 5K run, and more fun at Presley's birthplace. The Tupelo Chili Festival is an amazing culinary experience that pits competing local teams against each other to determine the best chili. Participants can expect chili tastings, food trucks, beer tents, and live music in the downtown area.
Elsewhere, Tupelo also celebrates Change Fest, an artsy festival that brings color and DIY creativity to the streets of downtown. Lasting three days of family-friendly fun, participants can experience authentic street art, skateboarding events, street music, and more in a carnival-like atmosphere.
Meridian
The arts play a significant role in the day-to-day function of this Lauderdale County community, drawing large crowds with a series of live events at the Temple Theater of the Performing Arts. Constructed in the 1920s, this elegant Moorish Revival venue boasts a 1,600-seat capacity, an orchestra pit, and a functioning organ, entertaining audiences with concerts, musicals, plays, movies, and other productions. In spring, the Threefoot Festival is held in downtown to celebrate creativity, community, and everything in between. It attracts a diverse blend of artists and creators, featuring a vendor market, music lineup, Youth Art Contest, and the Threefoot Mile Race.
The Mardi Gras Parade & Festival is a must-attend event in Meridian, bringing out the true spirit and warmth of the locals. This annual bash promises fun for the whole family as the colorful Krewe of Midas parade takes over the town, alongside the popular annual dog parade. Furthermore, attendees indulge in king cakes, crawfish, MoonPies, and catch beads.
Pascagoula
This laid-back beach town comes alive with an exciting calendar of events, starting with the Zonta Arts and Crafts Festival. This annual extravaganza draws around 15,000 people to the streets of downtown Pascagoula for a weekend of arts, crafts, delicious food, live entertainment, and an antique automobile show. The Krewe of Little Rascals Parade is a Mardi Gras event designed for kids. It incorporates an array of kid-centric activities in downtown, ranging from face painting and animal floats to mask decorating and decorated bikes. Furthermore, a King and Queen are crowned from each school.
Meanwhile, the Free Flowin' Festival takes festival-goers to the Pascagoula Beach Park. This free annual jamboree features dozens of food, art, and craft vendors, as well as performances by local bands. It is an excellent way for the townsfolk to come together in celebration of heritage, community, and the Pascagoula River.
Final Thoughts
From jamming to electrifying live tunes by the beach in Ocean Springs to celebrating the arts with college kids in Oxford, these welcoming towns in Mississippi introduce vacationers to the many sides of the state, which range from vibrant coastal culture and year-round festivals to historic theaters and student-driven energy that make every visit unforgettable. Whether you’re soaking up music, exploring museums, or strolling charming downtowns, Mississippi’s unique blend of creativity and Southern charm will leave you inspired.
