HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WHLT) – This June, FestivalSouth invites audiences to experience a monthlong celebration of the arts as the Pine Belt marks America’s 250th birthday.
With more than 50 events spanning music, dance, theater, visual art and family programming, FestivalSouth 2026 will blend 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 The University of Southern Mississippi (USM), with multiple performances and exhibits taking place on the Hattiesburg campus. Tickets are now on sale at FestivalSouth.org, including full schedules and event details.
Regional opponents set for Mississippi State, USM, Ole Miss
Disney’s Newsies
FestivalSouth 2026 opens in star-spangled fashion with “Disney’s Newsies,” presented by Hancock Whitney June 4-6 and featuring the beloved Hub City Players in partnership with Visit Hattiesburg and Visit Mississippi.
Stars and Steps Forever
In honor of America’s 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, “Stars and Steps Forever!” fuses classical ballet with hip-hop grooves, Latin rhythms and bold contemporary choreography.
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 “The Great American Playlist,” which reimagines iconic popular music in bold new symphonic arrangements featuring internationally known Mississippi artist Vasti Jackson.
More than 50 Events this June
“Haydn in Hattiesburg” in Bennett Auditorium on June 6
“Rhapsody in Blue” by George Gershwin in the MPAC on June 11
“Emerging Artist in Concert” at Osher Lifelong Learning on June 13
“Theatrical Storytime” at the Gallery of Art & Design on June 13
“Psycho: Music on the Cutting Edge” in the Tatum Theatre on June 18
Multiple art events including “We Might All Could Hear a Story,” the featured exhibition with works by Ellen Langford
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