Mississippi Best Food and Drink Festivals 

Mississippi, renowned as the birthplace of the blues, extends its allure beyond music enthusiasts to welcome food, wine, and beer fans. From Jackson's culinary hub to the invigorating brews along the Gulf Coast, Mississippi hosts a diverse array of festivals that enthrall taste buds and proudly display the states culinary legacy.

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Taste of Oxford: February

 

The elegant Jefferson Oxford transforms into a culinary haven during the Taste of Oxford, one of Mississippi's premier food events. The festival features over 35 local restaurants and beverage vendors, including City Grocery, Saint Leo, Snackbar, and Oxford Creamery, serving their signature dishes and handcrafted cocktails. Live music from local blues band The Red Tops and country artist Morgan Myles keeps the atmosphere lively while guests sample everything from traditional Mississippi catfish to gourmet international fusion creations.

 

The event typically draws around 2,000 food enthusiasts from across the Southeast, who enjoy cooking demonstrations from celebrated regional chefs in the demonstration kitchen. A highlight of the festival is the "Best of Oxford" competition, where attendees vote for their favorite dishes in multiple categories including appetizers, entrees, and desserts. Special features include a craft beer garden showcasing local breweries, a wine-tasting pavilion, and an artisan marketplace where local food producers sell their specialty items.

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JXN Food and Wine Festival: March

 

More than 3,000 food lovers gather annually in Mississippi's capital city to celebrate regional gastronomy. The JXN Food & Wine Festival features more than 50 local and regional vendors serving everything from traditional soul food to elevated Southern cuisine, with standout offerings from Crazy Cat Eat Up, 1693 Red Zone Grill, and Sugar's Place. Live music performances by Big Freedia, Akeem Ali and DJ Nick create an inviting atmosphere at the Mississippi Museum of Art, which transforms into a vibrant hub of mixology demonstrations and chef-led cooking workshops.

 

Festival goers can explore unique wine pairings with Southern dishes while local sommeliers guide tastings of over 100 different wines from around the world. The event showcases Mississippi's evolving culinary scene with special features like the Somm Slam competition, where top sommeliers compete in blind tastings, and the wildly popular Late Night Bites series featuring after-hours chef collaborations.

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Gulf Coast Beer & Bacon & BBQ Festival: March

 

A beloved coastal culinary event draws hundreds to the unique Hollywood Warehouse, where movie sets and props create an immersive backdrop for food enthusiasts. The Gulf Coast Beer, Bacon & BBQ Festival features over 100 vendors showcasing regional craft breweries, award-winning restaurants, and talented local chefs. Participants compete in intense bacon and BBQ competitions, with winners earning coveted Golden Tickets to the prestigious 2024 World Food Championships.

 

The festival consistently reaches capacity with 600 attendees eager to sample innovative bacon creations, perfectly smoked BBQ, and carefully curated craft beer selections. Local brewers pour signature beers while chefs demonstrate their culinary expertise through creative bacon-inspired dishes and traditional BBQ favorites. The venue's industrial atmosphere, combined with the aromatic blend of smoking meats and craft beer, creates an authentic festival experience that celebrates the region's rich culinary heritage.

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Sante' South Wine Festival: May

 

The premier wine and food event in Mississippi delivers an impressive gathering each year in Jackson. The Sante' South Wine Festival welcomes over 1,200 wine enthusiasts to sample from more than 120 notable wineries and distributors. Local restaurants including Table 100, Amerigo, Tico's Steakhouse, and Anjou provide exquisite food pairings throughout the festival grounds. The festival features a VIP Tasting Room where guests can sample rare and limited production wines while enjoying live jazz performances from local artists Barry Leach and Raphael Semmes.

 

A specialty Champagne Tasting area offers attendees the chance to explore various sparkling wines from around the world, while expert-led wine seminars provide educational opportunities for both novice and experienced wine lovers. The event's Grand Tasting showcases over 500 wines, with many winemakers and vineyard representatives discussing their offerings, and proceeds benefit The MIND Center at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, having raised more than $1.5 million to date.

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Gulfport Gumbo Fest: January

 

The historic Centennial Plaza resort complex sets the perfect stage for this coastal culinary tradition that attracts over 5,000 food enthusiasts to Gulfport. The Gulfport Gumbo Festival crowns champions through multiple competitions including the Stir Da Roux Gumbo Cook-Off and the prestigious Mayor's Cup, where over 40 vendors vie for culinary supremacy. Gulf Coast favorites like Mary Mahoney's and Half Shell Oyster House serve their signature gumbos alongside an array of coastal delicacies including fresh oysters, crawfish étouffée, and local craft beers from Chandeleur Island Brewing and Lazy Magnolia.

 

The festival's People's Choice Tasting lets attendees sample and vote for their favorite gumbo, settling age-old debates about whose recipe reigns supreme. Live Zydeco and blues performances from acts like Rockin' Dopsie Jr. create the perfect soundtrack for this 48-acre waterfront celebration. Beyond the food, visitors enjoy boat shows featuring vintage vessels, cooking demonstrations from local chefs, and a family zone complete with face painting and crafts.​

 

Whether you're a seasoned foodie, beer and wine enthusist or simply eager to sample the state's culinary treasures, Mississippi's festivals are bound to tantalize your taste buds and create enduring memories.