(Photo from Craftsmen’s Guild of MS)
- The Chimneyville Arts Festival returns to Ridgeland November 12–14, 2026, celebrating its 50th annual event with three days of artistry, holiday shopping, and the opportunity to meet the people behind some truly beautiful work.
Handmade gifts are special. Maybe it’s knowing someone spent hours shaping, stitching, carving, or painting it. Maybe it’s the fact that no two pieces are exactly alike. Or perhaps it’s simply the pleasure of owning something beautiful that somebody made with their own two hands.
Whatever the reason, Mississippians have long appreciated good craftsmanship, and for 50 years, one beloved festival has celebrated the talented people who keep those traditions alive.
The Chimneyville Arts Festival returns to Ridgeland November 12–14, 2026, celebrating its 50th annual event with three days of artistry, holiday shopping, and the opportunity to meet the people behind some truly beautiful work.
Hosted by the Craftsmen’s Guild of Mississippi at the Bill Waller Craft Center, Chimneyville is much more than your average arts and crafts show. It brings together some of the finest artisans from Mississippi and beyond, with everything from traditional folk crafts to contemporary works of art.
If you appreciate beautiful things, you might want to bring your Christmas shopping list. And maybe pick up a little something extra for yourself.
The story of Chimneyville begins with the Craftsmen’s Guild of Mississippi, established in 1973 to preserve, promote, and celebrate fine craftsmanship.
Three years later, in 1976, the Chimneyville Craft Festival was born.
And the name? Well, that comes with a little Mississippi history.
During the Civil War, Union forces burned much of Jackson, leaving rows of brick chimneys standing among the ruins. The devastated capital earned the nickname “Chimneyville,” a name that would eventually find new life in a celebration of creativity and craftsmanship.
It’s an interesting connection. A name once associated with destruction now represents the remarkable things people can create with their own two hands.
Over the decades, the festival has welcomed generations of artists and shoppers, changed venues, and expanded its offerings. Yet its purpose remains the same: to celebrate the people whose creativity, patience, and skill turn ordinary materials into extraordinary works of art.
Today, the festival also serves as the Guild’s largest annual fundraiser, supporting its continued work on behalf of craftspeople throughout Mississippi. For many participating artists, it is also an important opportunity to share their work, meet customers, and earn a living doing something they love.
Part of Chimneyville’s charm is the wonderful variety of things visitors will discover.
One booth might feature handwoven baskets or beautifully stitched quilts, while the next is filled with colorful fused glass, intricate jewelry, or contemporary metal sculptures.
There are hand-carved wooden spoons almost too pretty to use, pottery that deserves a place on the Sunday dinner table, and original creations that might become family heirlooms.
Some pieces honor techniques passed down through generations. Others take traditional materials in entirely unexpected directions.
And that’s what makes browsing the festival so much fun. You never quite know what will catch your eye around the next corner.
Unlike mass-produced merchandise, the works at Chimneyville come directly from skilled artisans. All exhibitors are juried members of the Craftsmen’s Guild of Mississippi, meaning their work has been evaluated according to the organization’s standards.
Visitors can also enjoy live demonstrations, offering a closer look at the tools, techniques, and talent behind the finished pieces.
Watching an artist work gives you an entirely different appreciation for what you’re buying. That beautiful bowl or delicate piece of jewelry becomes more than something sitting on a shelf. You begin to understand the time, patience, and imagination that went into making it.
This year’s golden anniversary celebration begins Thursday, November 12, with Preview Night from 6 to 9 p.m., featuring live music, hors d’oeuvres, and refreshments.
The festival continues Friday, November 13, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., including a special Sip and Shop experience from 5 to 7 p.m. On Saturday, November 14, visitors can browse from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
All events take place at the Bill Waller Craft Center, located at 950 Rice Road in Ridgeland.
With Christmas just around the corner, Chimneyville offers a chance to find gifts that are thoughtful, distinctive, and made with genuine care.
And there’s another good reason to shop here. When you purchase something at Chimneyville, you’re supporting an artist who has spent years learning and perfecting a craft. You’re helping someone continue doing work they love, and you’re taking home something you won’t find on the shelves of a big-box store.
For half a century, Chimneyville has helped keep Mississippi’s artistic traditions alive while welcoming new generations of creative talent.
For more information about the 50th annual Chimneyville Arts Festival, visit here.
