What the Dixie National Livestock Show and Rodeo Is
The Dixie National Livestock Show and Rodeo is Mississippi's biggest winter livestock and rodeo event, held every February at the Mississippi Fairgrounds in Jackson. The 2026 show was the 61st annual. It bundles a professional rodeo with a concert after every performance, a downtown parade, a western marketplace, a free kids' rodeo morning, junior and open livestock shows, and the Sale of Junior Champions. Organizers promote the rodeo as the largest east of the Mississippi River, a National Finals Rodeo qualifier that draws about 900 contestants in events such as bull riding and barrel racing.
What Is on the Calendar
| Piece of the show | What it is |
|---|---|
| Dixie National Rodeo | Nine performances over two weekends at the Mississippi Coliseum, each followed by a concert |
| Dixie National Parade | Free, a mile-long route through downtown Jackson with rodeo queens, marching bands, floats, car and tractor clubs, riding groups and the Dixie National Wagon Train |
| Dixie National Marketplace | Vendors in Trade Mart Halls A and B selling western and agricultural goods, plus educational exhibits and the Genuine MS Store |
| Kids Day | A free morning rodeo for students with Dusty the Rodeo Clown, rodeo queens and barrel racing; registration is through the Dixie National website |
| Dixie National Junior Round-Up | The state's largest junior market livestock show for 4-H and FFA youth, ending with the Sale of Champions |
How It Works: The 2026 Timeline
- The Junior Round-Up opened February 2 with goat weigh-ins and ran through the Sale of Champions on Thursday, February 12.
- Rodeo performances began Friday, February 13, and ran February 13-15 and 18-21.
- The parade rolled Saturday, February 14 at 10:30 a.m.
- Kids Day was Tuesday, February 17 at 9:30 a.m.
- The Marketplace ran February 13 (noon to 7 p.m.), February 14 (10 a.m. to 7 p.m.) and February 15 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
The 2026 concert lineup was Ole 60 (February 13), Bayker Blankenship (February 14, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.), Joe Nichols (February 15, 2 p.m.), Tanya Tucker (February 18), Waylon Wyatt (February 19), Muscadine Bloodline (February 20) and Mark Chesnutt (February 21, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.). Evening shows started at 7 p.m.
Next Edition
The next Dixie National Rodeo is listed for February 12-20, 2027, and the Dixie National Marketplace for February 12-14, 2027, the first weekend of the rodeo. The 2027 Junior Round-Up runs February 1-11. Check dixienational.org for the 2027 lineup and ticket on-sale date. Last year, tickets went on sale to the public in early October during the Mississippi State Fair.
For Competitors and Youth Exhibitors
Junior livestock exhibitors must be Mississippi 4-H or FFA members aged 8 to 18 and are entered through their county Extension agent or agriculture teacher. In 2025 the Sale of Junior Champions set a record in its 56-year history at $591,284 for 49 animals and awarded 39 scholarships totaling $85,000. Young women aged 17 to 23 with horsemanship skills can try out to ride as Dixie National flag girls, with tryouts held during the Tri-State Rodeo Finals in November. The Dixie National Rodeo Queen Pageant takes place in October, and a "Taste of the Dixie National Rodeo" is held at Patriot Village during the Mississippi State Fair.
Where and Tickets
Rodeo and concerts: Mississippi Coliseum, 1207 Mississippi Street, Jackson, MS 39201, on the Mississippi Fairgrounds. Tickets are sold through Ticketmaster and at the Coliseum box office. Phone: 601-961-4000.
Questions
Is there a concert?
Yes, a concert follows every rodeo performance, with a different act on most nights.
Is the parade free?
Yes, the parade is free and open to the public. The State Capitol area is suggested for the best views.
Can school groups come?
Kids Day is a free morning rodeo for students, and registration is through dixienational.org.
Who do I call?
601-961-4000.
Official Links
- Visit Jackson: 2026 Dixie National Rodeo guide
- 2026 rodeo lineup and ticket sale announcement
- Mississippi Fairgrounds upcoming events
- 2026 Junior and Open Livestock Show Premium Book
- Dixie National Rodeo Flag Girl Competition application
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- MSFB Classic Livestock Show
The Mississippi Farm Bureau Classic Livestock Show fills the Livestock Arena at the Mississippi Fairgrounds in Jackson. Held each year; the most recent dates were November 20-22, 2026.
- Tri-State Rodeo Finals
Rodeo finals are held at the Kirk Fordice Equine Center on the Mississippi Fairgrounds in Jackson, with flag girl tryouts alongside. Held each year; the most recent dates were November 20-21, 2026.
- Dixie National Junior Round-Up
Youth beef, sheep, goat, swine and dairy exhibitors compete in the Dixie National Junior Round-Up. The 2027 show is set for February 1-11, with ownership deadlines of September 1 and December 1, 2026 by division.
- MS Ag and Outdoor Expo
Farm, ranch and outdoor exhibitors gather at the Mississippi Trade Mart in Jackson for a three-day expo scheduled for February 19-21, 2027.
Jackson, MS Official event details - Dixie National Rodeo
Nine-performance professional rodeo over two weekends at the Jackson fairgrounds, paired with concerts by Joe Nichols, Tanya Tucker, Mark Chesnutt and others. Held each year; the most recent dates were February 13-21, 2026.
All Mississippi events by date
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.