Plans are underway for year two of the National Folk Festival’s three-year residency in Jackson – the first time the nation’s longest-running traditional arts event has been held in Mississippi.
This week, National Folk Festival officials revealed the initial slate of artists who will perform at the 83rd edition spanning Nov. 13-15, 2026, in downtown Jackson. Not only will the event have an Americana twist in line with ongoing semiquincentennial celebrations statewide, but it will also feature the following artists:
- Capoeira Luanda (Brazilian capoeira – New York, N.Y.)
- Eddie Cotton Jr. (soul blues – Clinton, Miss.)
- The Jerry Douglas Band (bluegrass – Nashville, Tenn.)
- Mississippi Mass Choir (gospel – Jackson, Miss.)
- Rahzel (beatboxing – New York, N.Y.)
- Raiatea Helm (Hawaiian falsetto – Honolulu, Hawaii)
- Rebolú (Colombian – Queens, N.Y., and Tampa, Fla.)
- Rondalla Club of Los Angeles (Philippine rondalla – Los Angeles, Calif.)
More acts will be announced in the months leading up to the festival as more than 300 performers, demonstrators, and artisans were at the 2025 edition. Each act is selected by the local Festival Programming Advisory Committee, which promises no repeat acts throughout the festival’s three-year stay in Mississippi.
“There are no repeats at the National Folk Festival, so audiences can expect an entirely new program at this year’s festival,” said Blaine Waide, executive director for the National Council for the Traditional Arts.
In addition to the music – which will be played at as many as six outdoor performance venues throughout downtown Jackson – the 2026 National Folk Festival will include a special program honoring America’s 250th anniversary. “Of the People: The Smithsonian Festival of Festivals” will be used to shine a light on the diversity of American cultures, promote awareness and appreciation, and honor some of the country’s most acclaimed artists.
“As we celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary, the 83rd National Folk Festival will feature a special program honoring the best of the best in the traditional arts – from legendary blues, soul, and gospel performers with deep roots in Mississippi to musicians and dancers that reflect the endless wellspring of artistic excellence and creativity across the country,” Waide continued. “Best of all, it’s free!”
As Waide said, the National Folk Festival has no admission cost. At least 100,000 people are expected to attend year two of its Mississippi stint with an economic impact expected to reach tens of millions of dollars.
“Hosting the National Folk Festival for a second year is a tremendous honor for Jackson,” Mayor John Horhn said. “This celebration of our nation’s 250th anniversary, and of the artists who keep our stories alive, reflects the spirit, talent, and creativity that define our city.”
The National Folk Festival was founded in 1934 and championed in the early years by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt as a way to highlight the roots, richness, and variety of American culture. Before Jackson, recent stops include Nashville, St. Louis, Greensboro, N.C., and Salisbury, Md.
