Information about these events and many more can be found at our Event Calendar.
1. Race to Vicksburg! ♀️ ♂️
Kick-off the new year by signing up for a challenging race! Chill in the Hills will be on January 11 and will begin at Martin’s at Midtown in downtown Vicksburg. Keep those resolutions going strong throughout the year! Plan to participate in Run Thru History on March 7, Over the River Run on October 10, Bricks and Spokes on October 3, and the Reindeer Run 5k on December 6! More information on these events will be posted on our event calendar throughout the year.
2. VICKSBURG SECOND SATURDAYS DOWNTOWN
Vicksburg Second Saturdays will continue into 2020 and will be on the second Saturday of each month beginning at 2:00 pm in downtown Vicksburg! These events offer live music, art activities, and fun for the whole family.
For more on Second Saturdays, click here.
3. TOUR one (or all) of OUR MUSEUMS
Immerse yourself in the history of Vicksburg in our museums! The Old Depot Museum, the Jesse Brent Lower Mississippi River Museum, the Biedenharn Coca Cola® Museum, and the Old Court House Museum are all located within walking distance of one another in downtown’s historic district. The new Catfish Row Museum will be opening some time in 2021! Click here for more information. The Jacqueline House Museum is also downtown and focuses on the rich African-American history woven into the very fabric of the city of Vicksburg. Also, be sure to experience the USS Cairo Gunboat and Museum located in the Vicksburg National Military Park!
4. celebrate mardi gras
The Annual Mardi Gras Parade is a wonderful way to celebrate the coming of spring in downtown Vicksburg! On February 22, check out the parade and then wear your bounty of beads to the 9th Annual Gumbo Cook-Off at the Southern Cultural Heritage Center! There will be other events happening throughout town for Mardi Gras so be sure to bookmark our event calendar to stay in the know!
5. SPRING PILGRIMAGE
Step back in time in Vicksburg’s historic tour homes and immerse yourself in the stately elegance of the 1800’s. The Vicksburg Pilgrimage returns this spring on March 20th. The homes that will be on tour are to be decided, but more information can be found on their website. Spring Pilgrimage will last for three weekends, March 20th – April 5th – Start planning your trip today!
Remember that many of Vicksburg’s historic homes operate as bed and breakfast inns – perfect for a romantic getaway!
6. Experience Vicksburg film and LIVE THEATRE
You’re going to want to check out the classic films offered at the historic Strand Theatre this year! Live theatre and films are played at the 83-year old theatre – The Westside Theatre Foundation offers several live plays at the Strand during the year. Be sure to follow them on Facebook as they are consistently creating events for their showings.
Speaking of live theatre – The Vicksburg Theatre Guild will put on Vicksburg’s most iconic theatrical production, Gold in the Hills, and there will be several showings in the spring and summer at Parkside Playhouse. Dates and times below:
Friday & Saturday, March 20-21, 27-28, April 3-4, 2020 at 7:30 pm
Sunday, March 29, 2020 at 2 pm
Friday & Saturday, July 10-11, 17-18, 24-25, 2020 at 7:30 pm
Sunday, July 19, 2020 at 2 pm
7. 40TH ANNUAL JAZZ FESTIVAL
Mark your calendars for Alcorn State University’s 40th Annual Jazz Festival happening on April 17th and 18th at the Vicksburg Convention Center! Enjoy performances by high school, college and university jazz ensembles from schools throughout the region (as far away as Dallas, Atlanta and Chicago)! There will also be performances and educational workshops by some of the best jazz musicians in the world! Stay tuned for more information.
8. SPLASH PAD FUN
Is it summertime yet? Take the kids to explore the playground and splash fountain at Catfish Row Children’s Art Park. The park is located on Levee Street at the downtown waterfront. There’s a good chance that you will see a riverboat or two (..or three even!) that make regular stops in our historic downtown on their voyages up and down the Mighty Mississippi. While you are down there, be sure to take in the riverfront murals painted on the flood wall!
9. TOUR THE VICKSBURG NATIONAL MILITARY PARK
Take a drive through the Vicksburg National Military Park and learn about the Campaign for Mississippi and the Siege of Vicksburg while viewing the park’s collection of priceless art. There are always educational events and reenactments happening!
Join the Friends of the Vicksburg National Military Park for their presentation of Symphony at Sunset featuring the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra on Saturday, May 23. This event happens right there on the grounds – and it’s free!
10. MISS MISSISSIPPI 2020 EVENTS
Share in the excitement at the crowning of Miss Mississippi 2020 at the Miss Mississippi Pageant on Saturday, June 27.
The week prior is FULL of activities and events, so be sure to check back with details!
11. fireworks extravaganza
Vicksburg’s Independence Day Celebration lights up the night sky with a fireworks extravaganza on the waterfront in downtown Vicksburg! The show always features great live entertainment. Head down early and take the family by the Coca Cola® Museum to enjoy the decadence of a Coke Float made with Mississippi’s own Luvell Ice Cream. Yum!
12. sports force parks on the Mississippi ⚾️
Fun for the whole family awaits at the new Sports Force Parks on the Mississippi! SFP features professional-level synthetic turf fields, on-site recreation such as Fly Wire Zipline and mini-golf, and high-quality concessions. There are so many ball tournaments already planned for 2020! Find them here!
13. 3rd annual fiber fun on the sip
This year, Fiber Fun on the Sip is happening September 24-26! From knitting to weaving and dyeing – learn about many areas of fiber craft during this invigorating weekend with friends! Locally and nationally known instructors will be present and there will also be a large juried show that will include vendors, yarn shops, and artists! Visit their website for more information.
14. SUPPER ON THE SIP ☀️
Mark your calendars – The 3rd Annual Supper on the Sip will be here before we know it! In the past, this event has happened on the last Thursday of September! We will update with more information on the exact date and time as we have it. Enjoy all of the food that you can eat while overlooking the Mississippi River at sunset on the Old Mississippi River Bridge! Always a popular event (sold out in less than 24 hours last year) – you won’t want to miss this!
15. Twilight and BEST LITTLE air show ✈️
Twilight Air Show and Best Little Air Show in the World is happening on Friday and Saturday, October 16th and 17th at Southern Heritage Air Foundation. A sight to see! For more events happening at the SHAF, visit their website here.
16. EXPERIENCE HAUNTED VICKSBURG
McRaven Tour Home, named the “Most Haunted House in Mississippi,” offers monthly professional ghost investigations, and weekly history and haunted tours. For more information, visit their website. You may also discover the hauntings of Vicksburg on a walking ghost tour through Vicksburg’s historic district.
17. GET OUTSIDE
Experience the raw, wild power and vitality of the lower Mississippi River on a canoe adventure from Quapaw Canoe Company – Vicksburg Outpost! This is perfect for adventurers and naturalists of all ages. No previous experience necessary, but must wear life jacket and be willing to paddle! (Photo by Layne Logue)
18. VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE SHOW
This year’s Vicksburg Vintage Motorcycle Show is happening on Saturday, November 7th in Washington Street Park in downtown Vicksburg. Make plans to check out all of the pre-1990 motorcycles! Fun for the whole family including live entertainment, door prizes, and over 15 awards! More details to come.
19. FIND LIVE MUSIC
Have we mentioned that all year long you can enjoy the best of live music at venues throughout the city!? Relax and enjoy rock ‘n roll, blues, country, classical and even the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra! And just in case you take a hankerin’ to take to the mic yourself, you will have your chance any night from Tuesday – Saturday! Find Karaoke Here.
20. experience the Christmas season
Kick-off the season with Breakfast with Santa at the Vicksburg Convention Center! This is the perfect time to get those photos with Santa Claus. Then take the whole family to enjoy Christmas in the Park; this event will last throughout the month of December! Trolly and carousel rides, and animated lights are just a few things that you are sure to find at Christmas in the Park! Be sure to visit our event calendar throughout the year to be the first to know about holiday events!