Fun things to do in the South

A curated list of the best upcoming events in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.

Arkansas

Mountain View Fall Bluegrass Festival

November 7­–9 Dozens of performance sets take place over this festival weekend, starting with Gospel Bluegrass Night on Thursday. Enjoy melodies from some of the biggest names in bluegrass, including the Grascals, the Waddington Brothers, and the Kody Norris Show. All performances are held in the Ozark Folk Center’s Ozark Highlands Theater. Tickets start at $20 and go on sale after Labor Day. Mountain View.

46th Annual Arkansas Craft Guild Christmas Showcase

December 6–8 Just in time for holiday shopping, peruse traditional and contemporary arts and crafts at the Arkansas Craft Guild’s premier annual event. A cash bar and food are available. Admission, $5; free entry 5 p.m.–6 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m.–10 a.m. on Saturday. Arkansas State Fairgrounds, Little Rock.

Campfire Renewal

FREE! January 1 Start the new year with a goal-setting experience. Join Mississippi River State Park staff around a campfire, where you can write your aspirations and hopes on paper and release them into the flames. Incorporate the celebration into a stay at the park, which has campgrounds (starting at $15) and camper cabins (starting at $79), as well as access to the Ozark–St. Francis National Forests, whose trails cut through 1.2 million acres of hardwood and pine forests. Marianna.

Frost Fest

February 1 Toast winter at this annual craft beer festival in the Arkansas Ozarks. While sampling ales, pilsners, and stouts from craft breweries across northwest Arkansas, you can enjoy live music, nosh on food truck fare, and peruse vendors and artists’ booths. In its eighth year, the festival donates some proceeds to local nonprofits. Tickets are $80, and guests must be 21 or older. A limited number of $100 early-entry tickets provide access one hour before general admission ticket holders. Fayetteville.

The World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade

FREE! March 17 The First Ever 22nd Annual World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade is held on Hot Springs’ 98-foot-long Bridge Street. The cheeky title stems from the fact that this will be the first time the parade has held its 22nd iteration. Expect wacky floats, marching bands, and a troop of Elvis impersonators among the more than 40 parade units. Pre- and post-parade, enjoy concerts, a Blarney Stone–kissing contest, and other activities. Hot Springs.

Louisiana

Covington Three Rivers Art Festival

FREE! November 9–10 One of the most popular events on Louisiana’s Northshore, this festival showcases more than 200 artists, whose tents line both sides of Columbia Street from the 200 block to the 600 block. Enjoy live music and art demonstrations. When hunger strikes, grab a bite to eat in the tented food court. A Children’s Village offers hands-on art activities. Covington.

Caroling in Jackson Square

FREE! December 22 Thousands gather to herald the holidays at this annual tradition in New Orleans’ Jackson Square, located in the center of the French Quarter. Local dignitaries and clergy lead a festive hour of caroling that starts at 7 p.m. Free songbooks and candles are distributed when gates open at 6:30 p.m. The Patio Planters of the Vieux Carré, which is dedicated to the preservation of the French Quarter, has sponsored the event since 1946. Fundraising activities like the Holiday Home Tour that features private French Quarter residences, also held December 22 this year, help support this event. New Orleans.

Louisiana Fur & Wildlife Festival

January 10–11 Started in 1955 to honor Cameron's heritage and the different industries that have enabled it to thrive, this celebration has been called one of Louisiana's "oldest and coldest" festivals. This year's event will pay tribute to the area's oyster industry. Enjoy a parade, a carnival, live entertainment, an antique car show, crafts, and food booths. Competitions include a gumbo cook-off, oyster shucking, duck and goose calling, and trap shooting. Admission is $5 on Friday and $10 on Saturday; children 12 and under are admitted for free. Cameron.

Abita Springs Push Mow Parade

FREE! February 23 Push-style lawnmowers, carts, and wagons make up this wacky parade that celebrates Mardi Gras. Put on a mask or costume and join in the fun of the hour-long parade, which was started by an artist and art educator. Prizes are awarded for favorite floats and costumes. Abita Springs.

Louisiana Red Beans & Rice Heritage and Music Festival

FREE! March 21­–22 Celebrating one of Louisiana’s most iconic dishes, this festival brings together farmers, artists, and local businesses for family-friendly fun. On the roster: Zydeco dance lessons ($10 registration), live music, a karaoke brunch, and a car show. Teams will compete in a red beans and rice cook-off. Some events charge a fee. Baton Rouge.

Mississippi

Harvest Festival

November 5–9 During this five-day festival, step into the past at the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum’s re-created small town. Experience the life of farmers and residents of small towns in the late 1800s to early 1900s as you watch demonstrations of a cotton gin, sawmill, cane mill, print shop, and blacksmith shop. Shop for snacks and souvenirs in the General Store, and enjoy wagon, train, and carousel rides for $1 per rider. Admission, $8 (ages 3 and older). Jackson.

Chimneyville Arts Festival

December 5­–7 Members of the Craftsmen’s Guild of Mississippi display and sell handmade items at this annual show featuring jewelry, pottery, woodcrafts, baskets, and glassworks. Blacksmiths, metal forgers, and woodturners demonstrate their skills. A preview party on Thursday is held from 6 to 9 p.m., and festival hours on Saturday and Sunday are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission, $10. Bill Waller Craft Center, Ridgeland.

MLK Weekend at the Two Mississippi Museums

FREE! January 18–21 Pay tribute to Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy at the Museum of Mississippi History and the adjacent Mississippi Civil Rights Museum. Enjoy free admission during this event to explore exhibits about the Civil Rights Movement and King’s contributions to its advancement. Highlights include performances, activities for students, and gallery talks. Jackson.

Mississippi Blues Marathon

February 22 Starting at the Mississippi Capitol complex, this one-of-a-kind marathon features live music before, after, and throughout the course. If you’re not ready to run 26.2 miles, choose among half-marathon, 10K, 5K, and relay options. Non-runners will enjoy the street-party vibe of the event that celebrates Mississippi’s blues legacy. Registration starts at $40 for the 5K and $90 for the marathon. Jackson.

Spring Arts Festival

FREE! March 22–23 This springtime celebration of art is set among historic live oaks in downtown Ocean Springs. Peruse crafts, artworks, plants, and garden items from more than 200 vendors. Live music, artist demonstrations, and educational sessions add even more appeal. Ocean Springs.

FREE! indicates free admission to the event, but additional fees may be required. Be sure to designate a driver if you plan to drink alcohol.