JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Take some time to unwind with friends, family or yourself this weekend. Below you’ll find a list of some fun events going on this weekend (November 14-16) around Mississippi.

Central Mississippi

Concrete Studio – Jackson – Friday

• These are quick-paced, rapid-fire art talks designed to keep everyone engaged. 

Amy Allen 70s Show – Natchez – Friday

• Experience an unforgettable night at The Big Muddy Inn & Blues Room as Amy Allen pays tribute to the iconic music of the 1970s.

First Presbyterian Church Culinary Event – Natchez – Friday

• Proceeds will go to the mission Fund of First Presbyterian Church, to support the church’s outreach locally and globally.

Movies on the Bluff – Natchez – Friday

• Movies on the Bluff is a free outdoor film series held on the Natchez bluff, where the views stretch wide over the Mississippi River and the sunsets steal the show before the opening credits even roll.

Murals in Action – Vicksburg – Friday

• Live actors and musicians will be portraying the subject of five murals along the wall.

The Great Hangout – Clinton – Friday and Saturday

• Adults and children ages 12+ (with an adult) are invited to an evening of swingin’ in the trees, roasting hot dogs and s’mores over the campfire, and enjoying the company of other camping enthusiasts.

2025 Chimneyville Arts Festival – Ridgeland – Friday and Saturday

• The annual celebration showcases the incredible craftsmanship of artisans from Mississippi and beyond.

Backyard Adventures Exhibit – Jackson – Friday, Saturday & Sunday

• Backyard Adventures invites you to discover the scientist within yourself, showcasing how science is woven into the fabric of your daily experiences.

Ridgeland Scarecrow Trail – Ridgeland – Friday, Saturday & Sunday

• Come to the Ridgeland Wildflower Field & Art Park and take a stroll among the pumpkins and scarecrows.

Hamlet – Vicksburg – Friday, Saturday & Sunday

• Hamlet is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare.

Jackson State vs. Bethune-Cookman – Jackson – Saturday

• The Tigers welcome Bethune-Cookman to The Vet for another important SWAC conference game.

Belhaven vs. Huntingdon College – Jackson – Saturday

• The Blazers conclude their home schedule against Huntingdon College from Alabama at Belhaven Bowl Stadium.

Millsaps vs. Sewanee – Jackson – Saturday

• The Majors conclude their home schedule against Sewanee at Harper Davis Field in this SAA conference matchup.

Late Night with Rita Brent – Jackson – Saturday

• “Late Night with Rita Brent” is back with a very special holiday show for one night only! Don’t miss this wonderful night of standup comedy, live music, engaging guests, and more.

Metro Jackson Heart Walk – Jackson – Saturday

• The American Heart Association, a global force for healthier lives for all, will host walkers and volunteers at the annual Metro Jackson Heart Walk.

GIS Day 2025 – Jackson – Saturday

• Agencies, schools, nonprofits, and companies from different industries will have exhibit booths to showcase how GIS powers real-world solutions across Mississippi.

Mississippi Farmers Market – Jackson – Saturday

• From persimmons to peaches, from bok choy to butter beans, the Mississippi Farmers Market is the one place to go for the freshest fruits and vegetables that are grown in the state.

Here to Pee Comedy Tour – Jackson – Saturday

• The Here to Pee Tour is an all-trans comedy tour going to all 50 states, raising funds to fight anti-trans bills, and teaming up with non-profits around the nation for the tour of the century.

Art on the Bluff – Natchez – Saturday

• Art on the Bluff is an annual art festival sponsored by ArtsNatchez, held at the Natchez Bluff Gazebo.

Natchez Farmer’s Market – Natchez – Saturday

• Every week there will be live fresh produce, baked goods, fresh dairy, and arts and crafts all from local growers and artists.

Thanksgiving Centerpiece Workshop – Ridgeland – Saturday

• Create your own stunning fall cornucopia centerpiece filled with feathers, gourds, and seasonal greenery.

Flow – Vicksburg – Saturday

• The movie will be at 7:00 p.m. at the Strand Theatre.

McRaven Ghost Hunt Investigation – Vicksburg – Saturday and Sunday

• During this event, you will learn about the house and family history on an 8:30 p.m. haunted tour. After the tour, you will get to know the rest of the guests and investigators as you enjoy refreshments during a Q&A session.

Pine Belt

Desi Banks – Hattiesburg – Friday

• Comedian Desi Banks announced his all new The Elevation Tour is coming to Saenger Theater in Hattiesburg.

Signature Scene Candle Making Party – Hattiesburg – Friday

• During this exclusive event, you’ll design your very own Signature Scent using precise fragrance measurements and custom scent calculations to craft a one-of-a-kind recipe that’s uniquely you.

A Southern Soiree with Landon Talks – Hattiesburg – Friday

• Join Storied Bookery at The Bay Bed and Breakfast for a fun evening with Landon Bryant of Landon Talks! Ticket price includes a copy of Landon’s new book, “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, Y’all”, live entertainment, and hors d’oeuvres.

Karaoke in the Lounge – Hattiesburg – Friday

• The event will be held at Southern Prohibition.

FRIYAY Karaoke Night – Laurel – Friday

• The event will be held at 320 5th Street in Laurel.

New Exhibit at Hattiesburg Pocket Museum – Hattiesburg – Friday, Saturday & Sunday

• The Hattiesburg Pocket Museum has a new exhibit every month, so be sure to head downtown for a small surprise!

48th Annual Oyster Luv Tennis Tournament – Hattiesburg – Friday, Saturday & Sunday

• Registration includes matches, t-shirt, beer, and food for the weekend, including oysters provided by Half Shell Oyster House on Saturday.

Southern Miss Football vs. Texas State – Hattiesburg – Saturday

• Watch the Southern Miss football team vs. Texas State at the Rock. A presentation by the Pride of Mississippi will be halftime with military appreciation.

Ballet Magnificat “The Light Has Come” – Hattiesburg – Saturday

• Ballet Magnificat will present “Light Has Come” at the Saenger Theater.

Art Market and Book Swap – Hattiesburg – Saturday

• Spend the day surrounded by creativity and community as local artists, makers, and musicians fill the space with color, sound, and fun.

Emerging Artists Reception – Hattiesburg – Saturday

• The Hattiesburg Arts Council is hosting its annual Emerging Artists Exhibit.

Stories with Ms. Amy – Hattiesburg – Saturday

• Bring the kiddos for a late morning reading with Ms. Amy!

Thomley’s Holiday Market – Hattiesburg – Saturday

• There will be live music, food, live glass and blacksmith demos and your favorite crafters, makers and artisans.

Sugar Cane Syrup Making at Landrum’s Homestead and Village – Laurel – Saturday

• Syrup maker Jack Staples will be making cane syrup the old-fashioned way…with a mule!

Wine Down Downtown Laurel – Laurel – Saturday

• Wine Down is a prefect date night or girls’ night out! Pick up your cup from the LMS Entry tent, located at the corner of Central Avenue and North Magnolia Street.

Chamber Music for Winds – Hattiesburg – Sunday

• Enjoy a delightful program of chamber music of all styles and genres performed by School of Music woodwind and brass students.

Fall Choral Concert – Hattiesburg – Sunday

• The School of Music presents Concert Choir and University Singers. This concert will feature an eclectic and exciting array of works from the choral genre.

Suzuki Strings Concert – Hattiesburg – Sunday

• This recital will feature performances from pre-college students and adults in the community.

Viola Studio Recital – Hattiesburg – Sunday

• Fall 2025 Viola Studio Recital – enjoy an afternoon of viola music.

JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – The Mississippi Arts Commission (MAC) awarded $4 million to 17 organizations across the state through the Building Fund for the Arts (BFA) grant.

The funding will help support the repair, renovation, expansion, or construction of Mississippi facilities that serve as sites for year-round arts programming in their communities.

“MAC and our grantees are grateful to the Mississippi Legislature for prioritizing funding for the Building Fund for the Arts grant each year,” said David Lewis, executive director of the mac. “Mississippi communities continue to demonstrate a strong need for this type of support, while maintaining the ability to execute projects at a high level and with high impact. We are excited to see these grant dollars put to good use through the investment in Mississippi’s creative communities.”

MAC has awarded the following arts organizations funding through the BFA grant:

• University of Mississippi Research Foundation (Lafayette) – awarded $500,000 to construct a writer’s studio at Greenfield Farm Writers Residency.
• Yoknapatawpha Arts Council, Inc. (Lafayette) – awarded $500,000 to construct the Humanities Hub.
• Foundation for Mississippi History (Hinds) – awarded $500,000 to support phase one construction of Crigler Park.
• Arts Foundation of Kosciusko (Attala) – awarded $415,530 to complete the final phase of renovations to the L.V. Hull Legacy Center.
• Hattiesburg Tourism Commission dba Hattiesburg Alliance for Public Art (Forrest) – awarded $400,000 to make ADA upgrades and renovate a flexible arts program space in the Hattiesburg Welcome Center.
• Kosciusko Foundation for Excellence in Education (Attala) – awarded $324,000 to rebuild accessible restrooms in the Skipworth Performing Arts Center.
• Walter Anderson Museum of Art (Jackson) – awarded $300,000 to support the Walter Anderson Mural Preservation Project.
• Byhalia Area Arts Council (Marshall) – awarded $270,000 to install a sound system, renovate restrooms, and restore classrooms in the Byhalia Old School Commons.
• Harrisburg Cultural and Social Services Center Inc., dba Link Centre (Lee) – awarded $225,000 to repair and preserve the Concert Hall.
• Cleveland Music Foundation dba GRAMMY Museum Mississippi (Bolivar) –awarded $172,313 to upgrade interactive technology and replace tiles on the front porch.
• Northwest Mississippi Community College Foundation (Tate) – awarded $150,000 to update sound and lighting systems for the Fine Arts Auditorium and the Black Box Theatre.
• Center Stage, Inc. (Harrison) – awarded $82,327 to replace the roof and correct the tech booth stairs.
• Land Trust for the Mississippi Coastal Plain (Harrison) – awarded $60,000 to replace electrical systems, make sustainability improvements, and improve accessibility at the Twelve Oaks Property.
• Brookhaven Little Theatre (Lincoln) – awarded $48,000 to continue renovations to the auditorium, sound system, and roof.
• Friends of Lexington Preservation, Inc. (Holmes) – awarded $48,000 to continue the restoration of the historic Lundy House.
• ArtPlace Mississippi (Leflore) – awarded $25,650 to repair bathrooms in the ArtPlace facility and the Elforts Building.
• The Arts Hancock County (Hancock) was awarded $25,080 to improve the functionality of the facility.

Those awarded the grant this year will have two years to complete their projects.

For just the second time ever, the Mississippi State Bulldogs head to Columbia to face the Missouri Tigers. Not a matchup we have seen too frequently since Mizzou joined the SEC due to divisions within the conference. Now, this will be the back-end of consecutive games between them.

Before taking the field, there are some injuries to deal with. Availability reports were released on Wednesday night, being the first of a few. Players can be listed as probable, questionable, doubtful, or out. Usually, changes do take place throughout the week.

Mississippi State and Missouri both have some key names popping up a few days before kickoff. You can check out the full injury report here.

Mississippi State Bulldogs

Questionable:
QB Blake Shapen
OL Albert Reese IV

Out:
S Isaac Smith
CB Jett Jefferson
DL Will Whitson
OL Brennan Smith
OL Blake Steen

Missouri Tigers

Questionable:
TE Brett Norfleet

Doubtful:
QB Beau Pribula

Out:
DE Langden Kitchen
K Blake Craig
QB Sam Horn

Kickoff from Faurot Field is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. CT. Missouri enters with a 6-3 overall record but 5-2 in SEC play. The Tigers have dropped three of the last four, effectively ending any chance of making the College Football Playoff. As for Mississippi State, Jeff Lebby‘s bunch is 5-5 and one win away from bowl eligibility. Getting a second SEC win of the season would tick off a box for the program.

Eli Drinkwitz discusses ‘playoffs or bust’ mentality

Eli Drinkwitz apparently has had enough with how some fans viewed college football seasons. Of course, the College Football Playoff is what everyone wants to achieve. But Drinkwitz spoke on the mindset of that being the only way to determine success.

“I talked about this at SEC Media Days, we gotta get out of this ‘Oh man, it’s playoffs or bust,’” Drinkwitz said on Tuesday night’s Tiger Talk radio show, via Joey Van Zummeren. “Yes, again, we’re shooting for the moon, we’re going to put our whole self into that, but only 12 teams make the Playoffs and we put ourselves in position in November to be there. Didn’t get it done, I got that. But if the season only counts for 12 football teams, and we got a 127 D1 football teams, that math’s not gonna math very well.

“Football is more than just the Playoff potential, and again, we were there, we didn’t get it done. But there’s a whole heck of a lot to be proud of, there’s a whole heck of a lot to play for. When I took over, we didn’t go to a bowl game, we (were under) NCAA probation, and ever since then, we’ve been going to bowl games. And there’s a lot of programs right now that would trade us spots. … So (we’ve) just got to keep on fighting, keep on believing, and we’re going to get ourselves back there. We’re going to bust through.”