The first 22 years of Juke Joint Festival in Clarksdale, Mississippi, tell a story. It’s a story of music history, downtown revitalization, and community spirit. It’s a story of local musicians, artists, and entrepreneurs coming together with their friends and neighbors from all around the globe to build something big. Something life-changing.
This April 10–13, the world returns to what many call “the land where blues began,” “the home of the crossroads” and “ground zero for the blues.” Only in Clarksdale, Mississippi.
“Based on phone calls and hotel bookings, 2025 is shaping up to be our biggest edition yet. And that says a lot,” said co-organizer Roger Stolle. “Last year, Juke Joint Festival attracted attendees from all fifty US states plus D.C., 26 international countries, and a majority of Mississippi counties. Plus, we continue to garner media attention from likes of NPR, The New York Times, PBS NewsHour, 60 Minutes, and many more.”
This year’s main event is Saturday, April 12 with related events running Thursday through Sunday, April 10–13. Details at www.jukejointfestival.com.
OFFICIAL SATURDAY DAYTIME HAPPENINGS
Saturday’s main event features multiple free events during the daytime — including dozens of blues acts on 17 free daytime stages, plus monkeys riding dogs, racing pigs, a student art/writing contest, a rock wall, kids’ zone, and more. In addition, there will be plenty of arts & crafts vendors, tasty Southern foods, a car show, and more lining some eight blocks downtown.
Most of the official daytime activities are free thanks in large part to the generous support of partners like Visit Clarksdale, Visit Mississippi, Cathead Vodka, Southern Bancorp, Clarksdale Economic Partnership, C Spire, Mississippi Delta National Heritage Area and others.
SATURDAY NIGHTTIME REQUIRES JJF WRISTBAND
April 12 has nighttime music at 26 participating venues (with over 40 acts) and requires an official Juke Joint Festival Saturday-Night Wristband. Music starts as early as 6 pm and runs as late as 1 am, depending on the venue. Wristbands also get attendees rides on the official nighttime shuttle buses. (Limited seating. First come, first served.) Details online and subject to change. Buy Saturday-Night Wristbands now at www.jukejointfestival.com (limited quantities; sales will cease immediately in the event of another sellout). If wristbands remain the week of the festival, then limited sales will begin in-person on Thursday, April 10, at the 243 Delta Avenue festival headquarters.
THURSDAY KICK-OFF & FRIDAY THACKER MOUNTAIN RADIO
“Juke Joint Festival is half blues festival, half small-town fair and all about the Delta,” said co-organizer Nan Hughes. “There will be tons of official and related events all weekend long for both families and music fans. You literally cannot do, see, and hear everything. You can find lists of all the happenings in our printed program booklet or on the website.”
The weekend’s festivities begin Thursday, April 10, on the new Red Panther Brewing Co. Stage (in the street near 121 Delta Avenue) with a free Kick-Off Concert presented by the Mississippi Delta National Heritage Area and featuring a festival welcome, awards presentations, and a very special Grown in Mississippi CD Release Show starring 80-year-old, Mississippi-born, Grammy-nominee John Primer and his all-star band.
On Friday, April 11, lucky attendees can enjoy educational presentations at Meraki, live blues performances outside of Cat Head store and more during the day. Then, at 6 pm, Visit Mississippi presents a free-to-the-public, live taping of Thacker Mountain Radio Hour on the Red Panther Brewing Co. Stage — starring Charlie Musselwhite & Kenny Brown, Duwayne Burnside, author Ace Atkins, host Jim Dees and The Yalobushwackers.
Thursday and Friday nights will also feature dozens of related blues shows at the clubs and jukes around town as always (cover charges may apply).
SUNDAY IS ALSO A FUN DAY ON JJF WEEKEND
It ain’t over till it’s over.
A super Sunday of related events cap off the weekend on April 13 — including the free Cat Head Mini Blues Fest as well as other events at Bluesberry Cafe, Levon’s, Meraki, Griot, Ground Zero Blues Club, Ooze Bar, Clarksdale Sound Stage, Red’s Lounge, Auberge Hostel, and more (details subject to change; cover charges may apply).
MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT YOUR FINGERTIPS
Juke Joint Festival & Related Events music line-ups, event schedule, wristband sales/details, and much more available on-line at www.jukejointfestival.com. Need lodging? Camping options are on festival website; hotel options are on VisitClarksdale.com site. Other questions? Email office@jukejointfestival.com
