Events held in Jackson unless indicated otherwise.

JANUARY

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration
Event highlights include a parade, talent show, live entertainment, awards, tributes, and more; Jackson; http://www.king-raleigh.org/natlevent/body.cfm

FEBRUARY

Black History Month
Celebration of African Amerian culture and history; Jackson; http://www.visitjackson.com

MARCH

Taste of Mississippi
Annual Culinary tasting event featuring Mississippi's finest restaurants, live music, and auctions; proceeds from the event go to fight hunger in Mississippi; Highland Village; http://www.visitjackson.com

APRIL

Crossroads Film Festival
Annual celebration of filmmaking in all of its diversity and depth by presenting and promoting a broad spectrum of film and video, including those from Mississippi and the South; http://www.crossroadsfilmfest.com

MAY

Crawfish Festival
Annual festival featuring live entertainment, fun and spicy crawfish; Mississippi Agricultural & Forestry Museum; http://www.visitjackson.com

Mississippi Cultural Festival
Festival celebrates the Old Capitol's Museum's permanent exhibition gallery, Native American, European, and African Cultures in Mississippi; Old Capitol Museum; http://www.visitjackson.com

JUNE

Juneteenth
Celebration of the African American holiday; Jackson; http://www.juneteenth.com

JULY

Old-Fashioned 4th Of July Celebration
Featuring family fun, tram rides, carousel, games and musical entertainment; Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum; http://www.visitjackson.com

AUGUST

Mississippi Gospel Music Gathering
Annual festival celebrating traditional Gospel music; Downtown Jackson; http://www.visitjackson.com

SEPTEMBER

Festival Latino
Annual cultural event features dance, music and crafts from South American countries and Caribbean Islands; Jackson; http://www.visitjackson.com

Farish Street Festival
Second oldest African-American community festival in the state features three stages of live entertainment from national, regional and local artists and performers; arts and crafts exhibition, children's activities, soul food and various cultural activities; Farish Street Historical District; http://www.farishstreetheritagefestival.com

OCTOBER

Mississippi State Fair
One the largest fairs in the South featuring music, educational demonstrations, food, and amusement rides; Mississippi State Fairgrounds; http://www.visitjackson.com

NOVEMBER

Capital City Classic
The pageant begins one week before the football game between Jackson State University and Alcorn State University; events include the downtown pep rally, scholarship banquet, Battle of the Bands, Black fraternity step show, live music and the ever popular Miss Capital City Classic pageant; Veterans Memorial Stadium; http://www.soulofamerica.com/2009-black-college-football-classics.phtml

DECEMBER

City of Jackson Christmas Parade
Featuring a tree lighting ceremony at City Hall, parade and musical entertainment; Jackson; http://www.visitjackson.com

Kwanzaa Celebration
Begins 12/26; annual 7-day celebration of African American culture at various locations in Jackson; http://www.soulofamerica.com/kwanzaa-celebrations.phtml