Natchez Annual Events

Whether you're in Natchez for a conference or company meeting, a second honeymoon or a girlfriends' getaway, our annual Natchez events will add an extra to-do to your itinerary any month of the year. Check our Natchez Calendar of Events for many more!

March & April: Spring Pilgrimage

In a tradition dating back to 1932, Natchez welcomes "pilgrims"  into  its most beautiful historic homes for tours by costumed hosts in 19th-century character.

If you love antebellum history, Greek revival architecture and the very essence of 19th-century Southern gentility, don't miss this five-week celebration that includes theater performances, special presentations and live music, all focused around our stunning antebellum homes. Even the azaleas turn out in style!

2013 Natchez Spring Pilgrimage Dates: March 9-April 9

2014 Natchez Spring Pilgrimage Dates: March 8-April 8 

March: Natchez PowWow

Every March, The Grand Village of the Natchez Indians comes to life with the annual Natchez Pow wow. Celebrate Natchez' Native American roots with a weekend filled with traditional food, hand-crafted jewelry and art, dancing and singing. From gourd dances to intertribal dancing, attendees to the Natchez Pow Wow will be delighted by the performances. This Natchez event is one of a kind, and an amazing cultural outing for the whole family.  

2013 Natchez PowWow Dates: March 23-24 

April: Natchez Bluff Blues Festival

If you're looking for a classic Mississippi blues festival, look no further. The Natchez Bluff Blues Festival draws folks from far and wide. This musical extravaganza showcases acclaimed local talent and recording artists from throughout the Southeast, with many events free of charge for music lovers.

2013 Natchez Bluff Blues Festival Dates: April 26-28

May: Natchez Festival of Music

The entire month of May is filled with wonderful Mississippi concerts and musical events to entertain just about any music lover's taste; from Jazz to Classical and Broadway to Opera. There are a number of Mississippi music festival spin-off events in Natchez that take place throughout the year, just to whet your appetite for the music that fills the air all over the city in May. Click on the link above to learn more about the Natchez Festival of Music, and take a look at our calendar to see what kinds of Mississippi concerts are happening during your visit to Natchez.   

July: Natchez Food and Wine Festival

Since 2000, this eating event has been a delicious to-do on summer calendars, drawing foodies from New Orleans, Baton Rouge and throughout the region to sample the culinary creations of some of the South's finest chefs, best breweries and most respected wineries. Food and wine festivals don't get any better than this amazing affair. Tickets to the Natchez Food and Wine Festival sell out in advance!

2013 Natchez Food & Wine Festival Dates: July 26-28

October: Phatwater Kayak Challenge

The Phatwater Kayak Challenge is a kayak and canoe race that takes place every year on the second Saturday of October. Kayakers and canoers race 42.5 miles down the mighty Mississippi starting at Grand Gulf early in the morning, and finishing at Natchez Under-the-Hill. Check out their website for more details on the race. 

2013 Phatwater Kayak Challenge Date: October 12  

October: The Great Mississippi River Balloon Race

Starting with "Balloon Glow" Friday night, and continuing through Sunday afternoon, the Great Mississippi River Balloon Race is the most colorful annual event in Natchez, with gorgeous hot air balloons filling the skies over the Mississippi River as local and national talent fill the air with live music at Rosalie Bicentennial Gardens.

2013 Great Mississippi Balloon Race Dates: October 18-20

October: Fall Pilgrimage

Like the Natchez Spring Pilgrimage, each October, Natchez welcomes guests into its historic homes, this time for two weeks that include beautiful tours of autumn gardens and evening entertainment in the homes, such as this year's Stone House Musicale event. 

2013 Natchez Fall Pilgrimage Dates: September 27-October 14  

November: Angels on the Bluff Cemetery Tour

Each year, usually the second weekend of November, the Natchez City Cemetery presents an elaborate production featuring iconic Natchez personalities buried there as portrayed by their descendants and other local citizens in period costumes. Tour this beautiful, historic site, stopping at graves to hear stories and musical tributes to the lives and deaths of some of Natchez oldest "residents."Tickets go on sale in August and sellout fast!

2013 Angels on the Bluff Cemetery Tour: November 8-9

November: Natchez Antiques Forum

Each year, the Natchez Antiques Forum takes on different forms with a variety of themes, but always with a Southern point of view. The Forum is a civilized and lovely way to experience Natchez-whether you're a novice or an experienced collector or are simply interested in beauty and history, you will find it enjoyable. Spend your days sipping mint juleps, soaking up the scenery and drinking in the knowledge of experts. Rub shoulders with noted experts, such as Wendell Garrett, former editor-in-chief of The Magazine Antiques and current editor-at-large and a consultant for Sotheby's in New York. The Forum also gives you the opportunity to meet antique dealers and designers, as well as people who just happen to be interested in antiques or history.

2013 Natchez Antiques Forum: November 6-9  

November & December: Christmas in Natchez

In Natchez, the winter holidays begin the Friday after Thanksgiving with the annual Lighting of the Tree and continue through city-wide New Year's celebrations, including tours of beautifully lit and decorated historic homes, holiday concerts, candlelight carriage rides and more.

2013 Christmas in Natchez: November 23-January 1