FestivalSouth 2026 to Feature Performances, Exhibits Across Southern Miss Campus
Tue, 05/26/2026 - 09:30am | By: Mike Lopinto
This June, invites audiences from across the region to experience a monthlong celebration of the arts as the Pine Belt marks America鈥檚 250th birthday in spectacular style. With more than 50 events spanning music, dance, theater, visual art and family programming, FestivalSouth 2026 blends national-caliber headliners with hometown pride June 4-27 at venues throughout the Pine Belt.
Many of those on stage and behind the scenes are faculty, staff, students and alumni from 小狐狸直播, with multiple performances and exhibits taking place on the Hattiesburg campus. Tickets are now on sale exclusively , including full schedules and event details.
Events are thoughtfully planned alongside adjacent amenities 鈥� including FestivalArt exhibitions throughout downtown Hattiesburg, nearby restaurants, local boutiques and cultural attractions 鈥� creating an all-day and evening arts experience ideal for visitors planning a summer getaway.
Disney鈥檚 Newsies
FestivalSouth 2026 opens in star-spangled fashion with 鈥淒isney鈥檚 Newsies,鈥� presented by Hancock Whitney June 4-6 and featuring the beloved Hub City Players in partnership with Visit Hattiesburg and Visit Mississippi.
Packed with high-octane choreography, soaring anthems and a rousing story of young people standing up for what is right, this Broadway smash hit launches the America 250 celebration with energy, heart and family-friendly excitement at the Mannoni Performing Arts Center (MPAC). This limited engagement is expected to draw visitors from across Mississippi and neighboring states, making it the perfect kickoff weekend for a summer arts adventure.
Stars and Steps Forever
In honor of America鈥檚 250th birthday, Pine Belt Motors presents a one-night-only dance spectacular headlined by International Ballet Competition gold medalist Alexei Orlovsky on June 13. Presented with support from Hattiesburg Clinic, 鈥淪tars and Steps Forever!鈥� fuses classical ballet with hip-hop grooves, Latin rhythms and bold contemporary choreography.
With dancers from Ballet Magnificat, Mississippi School of the Arts, South Mississippi Ballet, Laurel Ballet Academy, On Your Toes Dance Studio, Gabriel Cavallini Swing & Tango and more, the program celebrates the rich diversity of American dance 鈥� from folkloric roots to cutting-edge innovation 鈥� delivered by international stars and premier regional dancers. This genre-blending production promises athleticism, artistry and visual spectacle in a celebration that bridges generations and cultures on the Mannoni Performing Arts Center stage.
The Great American Playlist
FestivalSouth concludes June 27 with an orchestral celebration featuring the FestivalSouth Orchestra under the baton of Jay Dean, with Mississippi restaurateur and author Robert St. John serving as emcee. Forrest General presents 鈥淭he Great American Playlist,鈥� which reimagines iconic popular music in bold new symphonic arrangements featuring internationally known Mississippi artist Vasti Jackson.
From the blues of Robert Johnson and B.B. King to the soul of Stevie Wonder, the Motown sound of The Supremes and the country storytelling of Dolly Parton, this grand finale becomes a joyride through America鈥檚 soundtrack.
Presented with support from Cadence Bank and the City of Hattiesburg, the concert celebrates how American music has shaped 鈥� and continues to shape 鈥� culture around the world, making it a fitting culmination to a month honoring the nation鈥檚 creative legacy.
More than 50 Events this June
Beyond its headliners, FestivalSouth 2026 features these on-campus events, including:
- 鈥淗aydn in Hattiesburg鈥� in Bennett Auditorium on June 6
- 鈥淩hapsody in Blue鈥� by George Gershwin in the MPAC on June 11
- 鈥淓merging Artist in Concert鈥� at Osher Lifelong Learning on June 13
- 鈥淭heatrical Storytime鈥� at the Gallery of Art & Design on June 13
- 鈥淧sycho: Music on the Cutting Edge鈥� in the Tatum Theatre on June 18
- Multiple art events including 鈥淲e Might All Could Hear a Story,鈥� the featured exhibition with works by Ellen Langford
About FestivalSouth
FestivalSouth is a premier multidisciplinary arts festival serving the Pine Belt and
beyond. Through music, dance, theater, visual art and educational initiatives, FestivalSouth
celebrates artistic excellence while strengthening community connections across Mississippi
and the region. FestivalSouth is supported in part by grants from the Mississippi
Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts.