Beth Scharwath, REALTOR® | 30 Years Serving Hattiesburg
Published: June 1, 2026
Quick Answer: Festival South 2026 runs June 4-21 across Hattiesburg with 80+ events — concerts, theater, workshops, a 5K, kids’ programming, and art. This year’s theme is America 250. Don’t try to do them all. The bucket-list picks: Disney’s Newsies (June 4-7, Mannoni), the free Pinebelt Pickers downtown summer tunes (June 12), Stars and Steps Forever! ballet (June 13), and the Dog Days 5K for the Alzheimer’s Association.
Confession upfront: I have lived in Hattiesburg for 30 years and Festival South still surprises me every June. It’s the thing that quietly reminds you that a town of 48,000 people can run a three-week arts festival that holds its own against anything in cities five times our size.
The full 2026 calendar is at festivalsouth.org. Below are the picks I’d build a bucket list around.
When is Festival South in 2026?
June 4 through June 21, 2026. Three weeks of programming across venues from downtown to the Southern Miss campus to William Carey, with this year’s theme tied to America’s 250th anniversary.
What’s the one event everyone should see?
Disney’s Newsies, presented by the Hub City Players. Mannoni Performing Arts Center (107 Southern Dr.). Multiple performances June 4 through June 7, tickets $10-$30. The Hub City Players are local, the show is high-energy and family-friendly, and “Extra! Extra!” is the perfect way to open America 250. If you’re a Newsies person, this is THE opener of the festival. Bring the family.
What’s the best free event of the festival?
Made in America Downtown Summer Tunes with the Pinebelt Pickers — Friday, June 12, 7-10 p.m., Town Square Park (100 Main St.). Free. Local roots music, downtown setting, you can walk to dinner before or after at any of the Hattiesburg spots within a block. The Pickers are the unofficial sound of summer in the Pine Belt.
What if I have just one day?
Saturday, June 13. It’s stacked:
- 7:30 a.m. — Dog Days 5K at Kamper Park (107 S 17th Ave.) — $25, benefits the Mississippi Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association
- 10 a.m. — Emerging Artists in Concert at OLLI (free) OR Theatrical Storytime with Southern Arena Theatre at the Southern Miss Gallery (also free)
- 4 p.m. — American Art Reimagined juried exhibition at Creators Plaza (100 W 4th St.) — free
- 7 p.m. — Stars and Steps Forever! at the Mannoni — ballet, hip hop, and Latin dance all in one show, $10-$25
That’s a whole day from sunrise to curtain. Pace yourself.
What about kids?
Plenty for them. Anansi Stories with Da Story Weaver (June 9, free for Parks & Rec summer camp kids), Lines and Light Poetry Workshop for ages 8-12 at the Southern Miss Gallery (June 9, free with registration), Dancing with Artie (June 11, free), and a return of the K-Pop Demon Hunters Dance Party and Sing-A-Long at the historic Saenger Theater (June 14, 2 p.m.). The Saenger event filled up last year — get tickets early.
What if I want something different?
A few off-the-beaten-path picks:
- From The Beginning To The Top! — local historian Russell Archer walks you through the early history of Southern Miss (June 5, $10, Mannoni)
- Archetypal Healing Art Doll Workshop with Emma Connolly — Main Street Gallery (June 10, $65, four hours, meditation + craft)
- Pens, Paints, and Creations — poetry + visual art exhibition at Main Street Gallery (June 12, free)
- Printmaking Workshop by John Carvalho — Main Street Gallery (June 17, hands-on block printing)
The Bottom Line
You can’t see all 80+ events. Pick three, put them on the calendar, and actually go. Festival South is what makes Hattiesburg a real-deal arts town, not a “for its size” arts town. Show up.
Beth Scharwath | REALTOR® | RE/MAX Real Estate Partners | (601) 606-3001 | bethscharwath.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Festival South free?
A: Many events are free (downtown concerts, art exhibits, kids’ programming). Ticketed performances run $10-$30. Check each event listing at festivalsouth.org for specifics.
Q: Where are events held?
A: Across Hattiesburg — Mannoni Performing Arts Center on the Southern Miss campus, downtown venues like Town Square Park and Main Street Gallery, Bennett Auditorium, the historic Saenger Theater, Bass Memorial Chapel at William Carey, and Kamper Park.
Q: Is parking available?
A: Yes — downtown venues use street parking and downtown lots; Mannoni and Bennett Auditorium have on-campus parking at Southern Miss; William Carey events have campus lots. Plan to arrive 15-20 minutes early for ticketed performances.
Q: Are children welcome at Festival South?
A: Many events are family-friendly, including Disney’s Newsies, the K-Pop Demon Hunters sing-a-long, and dedicated kids’ workshops at the Southern Miss Gallery and partner locations.
