Mississippi Food Festivals 

Food is a huge passion is the South and Mississippi, and this is celebrated with many food festivals throughout the state. 

Mardi Gras Mambo-cue – February in Pass Christian, Mississippi

Visit Pass Christian's nationally-sanctioned barbecue competition on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Professional barbeque competition teams from across the country compete to win the coveted title. The festival also features music, rides for the kids, food vendors, arts and crafts and outdoor cooking products.  

D’Iberville Barbecue Throwdown & Festival – March in D’Iberville, Mississippi

Join this family fun event for a barbecue cookoff, arts and crafts and live music.

Grilling on the Green – March in Biloxi, Mississippi

Watch while teams barbeque their favourite recipes in competition, or browse the arts & crafts, games and more.

Grilling on the River – April in Columbus, Mississippi

The Magnolia State Barbeque Championship and Food Fair is a Kansas City Barbeque Society-sanctioned event held each year the second weekend in April. Over sixty teams compete for the "Grand Champion" of Barbeque, with all proceeds going to charity.

Crossroads Festival and Chili Cook-off – April in Corinth, Mississippi

This all-day event is sanctioned by the International Chili Society where you choose the winner in The People's Choice competition. Live music, arts & crafts, food vendors, games and more will heat up the arena. 

World Catfish Festival – April in Belzoni, Mississippi

For over 30 years, the town of Belzoni, known as the Catfish Capital of the World, has been celebrating Mississippi’s agriculture, hospitality and one of its favorite cash crops – catfish. One of the top 20 events in the Southeastern United States, the World Catfish Festival, takes place every April, and features arts and crafts, live entertainment, catfish eating contest, the crowning of the Catfish Queen, and of course the “World’s Largest Fish Fry.”

Mississippi Coast Coliseum Crawfish Festival – April in Biloxi, Mississippi

This exciting festival has to be held on 2 consecutive weekends to fit in all the delicious food, spectacular rides, challenging games and unique vendors it features. The event has been recognised by the Southeast Tourism Society as one of the top 20 events in the Southeast and was recently chosen as one of the top 200 events in the United States, landing it in a class with the Daytona 500.

Creole Crawfish Festival – April in Southaven, Mississippi

A fun lesson in Cajun culture, this event features live Cajun-French singing band from Louisiana, fresh boiled crawfish, gumbo cook off contest, art/craft vendors, as well as a Zydeco dance instruction and contest. Festival proceeds benefit 'No Music Left Behind' Program which recycles band instruments donating them to deserving students, schools and musicians.

Double Decker Arts Festival – April in Oxford, Mississippi

A celebration of music, food and arts on Oxford's historic Courthouse Square, Double Decker Arts Festival provides charming atmosphere for guests to mingle with painters, potters and woodworkers and sample entrees from Southern chefs. At night, enjoy an eclectic blend of music including jazz, funk, blues and rock 'n' roll.

Leland Crawfish Festival – May in Leland, Mississippi

Join in with exciting live entertainment, plus an arts & crafts show. Enjoy crawfish and barbeque to your heart's – or tummy's – content.

St. Ann’s Catfish Festival – May in Gulfport, Mississippi

Yet another great seafood festival on the MississippiGulf Coast! You won't want to miss out on the great food & live entertainment, carnival rides, children’s games, Bingo, Live & Silent auction, $1K & $15K drawdown, fishing rodeo and much more.

Crab Festival – July in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi

The Crab Festival is held every July in Bay St. Louis on Mississippi’s coast, delighting guests with crab specialities, boiled and fried seafood, Cajun food, barbecue, New Orleans dishes and more. The free festival also includes games, arts and crafts, live music, rides and fireworks. 

Slugburger Festival – July in Corinth, Mississippi

The ultimate tribute to this local culinary delight is offered during this three day event of live entertainment, amusement rides and great food. Go ahead and taste the slugburger –there's good reason it's been a Corinth favourite for decades! 

Mize Watermelon Festival – July in Mize, Mississippi

Watermelon at its best! Enjoy the live entertainment, music, arts & crafts and family fun including a Watermelon seed-spitting contest, greased watermelon race and watermelon eating contest. This two day festival also has an Antique Car Show and motorcycles on display.

WWISCAA Food Festival – July in Greenville, Mississippi

Delicious Southern Cuisine, ethnic dishes and unique displays and costumes are the highlight of this event in the heart of the Delta – Mississippi's melting pot.

Natchez Food and Wine Festival – July in Natchez, Mississippi

This food and wine festival includes gourmet chefs, wine tasting, a cooking contest and food tasting in various historic homes around Natchez in Mississippi.

Bright Lights, Belhaven Nights – August in Jackson, Missisippi

The hottest festival in town will celebrate its 10th anniversary with a night of fun for the whole family. Once again named as a "Top 20 Event in the Southeast for the month of August" by the Southeast Tourism Society, Bright Lights, Belhaven Nights is an end-of-the-summer tradition that celebrates all things that make Greater Belhaven special including art, music, children's activities and food.

Biloxi Seafood Festival – September in Biloxi, Mississippi

Every September this festival treats visitors to seafood, arts & crafts, live entertainment, children’s activities, a gumbo contest and much more. The event exemplifies what makes Biloxi a diverse and unique community, and highlights the city’s rich history with a celebration of family, community and the seafood industry. 

Muscadine Festival – September in Pelahatchie, Mississippi

For over 25 years, thousands of people have been coming to Pelahatchie late in the summer to pay homage to the muscadine grape, a famed ingredient in southern wines, pies, and jellies. Visitors enjoy food, fun, arts and crafts, music, and of course, the Grape Stomp!

Gautier Mullet & Music Fest – October in Gautier, Mississippi

The Gautier Mullet & Music Fest offers delicious Gulf Coast food, shopping, live music, and the famous Mullet Toss Contest.

Vardaman Sweet Potato Festival – November in Vardaman, Mississippi

Come help celebrate the delectable, versatile sweet potato, a mainstay of Southern cuisine.