Red Brick Roads festival offers entertainment, art, food and fun
By Sherry Lucas
The Red Brick Roads Music and Arts Festival returns March 26-28 with a three-day focus on creativity and community on the charming brick streets of Olde Towne Clinton.
The festival is a joint production of the Clinton Chamber of Commerce, City of Clinton and Main Street Clinton.
Organizers say the festival’s move last year from late summer to early spring was a good step, turning down temps weather-wise, and upping the festival’s draw with new events and an expanded footprint.
“We were extremely pleased with the success of the date change and the addition of new events and festival components,” Clinton Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Anna Nutt said. “Based on the positive feedback from the community, we consider the entire weekend a success.”
The inaugural Red Brick Run got the festival’s biggest day off to a running start with “incredible” participation, she said, and the sold-out Red Brick Boil crawfish event was a fine finale. The introduction of StoryFest and the Red Brick Roads Plein Air Paint Out last year elevated the weekend’s arts component.
Expect all to be back, enhancing the street party atmosphere with creativity in action. Insights gained from last year’s festival helped improve new additions.
“We’re excited to build on that momentum and make them even better this year!” Nutt said.
“We just want the whole family to be able to come into the community and have a full day of activities,” Clinton Director of Communications and Tourism Marlee Price-Cook said. “I think there’s a little bit for everybody.”
The draw extends beyond families, too.
“Even college students love it,” said Price-Cook.
Red Brick Roads StoryFest, hosted by the Institute for Southern Storytelling at Mississippi College, gets festival weekend underway on Thursday, March 26. The free event, in the Entergy Theater at the Mississippi College Gore Arts Complex, is 6:30-8:30 p.m., featuring former Industrial Light and Magic matte artist Frank Ordaz, author Joseph Lee Smith and student band Broken Halos.
On Friday, flock to festival stage in Olde Towne. As always, music is a main festival draw, and the Red Brick Roads committee and festival organizers spend months finalizing the roster.
“Our goal is to include a variety of genres and book artists that the general public will enjoy,” Nutt said. “One of the biggest crowd-pleasers last year was adding a Friday night cover band, so we knew we wanted to continue that tradition.”
“This year, we’re excited to kick things off with The Molly Ringwalds, which will be such a fun way to start the weekend!”
The tongue-in-cheek ‘80s cover band turns back time and cranks up the vibe. Gates open at 6 p.m., and the band plays 7-9 p.m. Friday, March 27.
Saturday, March 28, is jam-packed, starting with the 7-9 a.m. Red Brick Run.
The Red Brick Roads Plein Air Paint Out, hosted by Wyatt Waters Gallery will actually allow artists to start on Friday if they like, but primary hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. that Saturday. Visit RedBrickRoads.com for more details.
Art in the Park, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Lions Club Park, gathers artists from the community to engage kids of all ages in fun art-making activities and demonstrations. Art in the Park is free.
Gates open on the festival grounds at 1:30 p.m. The Red Brick Brew Home Brew Competition (included with festival admission for those age 21 and older) opens for sampling at 2:30 p.m. The competition ends at 4:30 p.m. with an announcement of winners chosen by judges, and the People’s Choice Award, voted by festival-goers.
Music again joins the mix, 2:30-4:30 p.m. with Brandon-based singer/songwriter Logan Hogue on the Local Legends stage.
The Red Brick Boil crawfish boil at 5 p.m. dishes up crawfish platters from T’Beaux at the festival. After last year’s quick sellout, organizers more than doubled the order this year, so come ready to pinch tails and spice up your spring.
From 5 to 6 p.m., Jason Nix, an award-winning songwriter and an independent artist, takes the stage. Nashville-born and south Mississippi-raised, Nix grew up around his musical dad’s bluegrass and his mom’s fondness for Motown, plus his own passion for classic rock. Back in Nashville for seventeen years, he’s earned cuts from artists such as Keb’ Mo’ and Lainey Wilson
At 6:15 p.m., listen up for Texas-born soul-country singer-songwriter Alex Lambert. Elements of R&B, blues and pop also work their way into Lambert’s storytelling songs. He was a semi-finalist on the ninth season of American Idol.
Rock’n’roll parties with New Orleans funk, soul and Hill Country blues in the music of New Orleans band Deltaphonic, delivering a fun finale for the 2026 festival. Deltaphonic plays 7:30 to 9 p.m.
Red Brick Roads festival tickets are on sale at RedBrickRoads.com. A Friday pass is $20, a Saturday pass is $25 and a weekend pass with admission both days is $35. The VIP pass, $125, includes both days as well as a festival T-shirt, access to the VIP area with drinks, snacks, restrooms and more. Children younger than ten get in free, and student passes are available onsite.
Coolers and pets are not permitted at the festival. Bring a blanket or chair for seating and your ID if you plan to drink beer at the festival.
Thursday, March 26
StoryFest 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Entergy Theater at the Gore Arts Complex
Friday, March 27
Plein Air Paint Out Noon to 5 p.m. (optional) Wyatt Waters Gallery and various locations
Red Brick Run race packet pickup 6 to 9 p.m.
(can also be picked up on race day) Red Brick Roads ticket gate on East Leake Street
*Gates open 6 p.m.
The Molly Ringwalds 7 to 9 p.m. Brick streets, Main Stage
Saturday, March 28
Red Brick Run race packet pickup 6 to 9 a.m. Olde Towne Depot
Red Brick Run 7 to 9 a.m. Starts at Olde Towne Depot
Plein Air Paint Out 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Wyatt Waters Gallery and various locations
Art in the Park 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Lions Club Park
Hinds Rock Band and Jazz Combo 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Atmos Energy Stage, Lions Club Park
*Gates open 1:30 p.m.
Red Brick Brew 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Brick streets
Logan Hogue 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Brick streets, Local Legends Stage
Paint Out Art Show and Voting 3 to 5 p.m. Wyatt Waters Gallery
Red Brick Boil 5 p.m. Brick streets, Leake Street
Paint Out People’s Choice Awards Presentation 5:30 p.m.
Jason Nix 6 p.m. Brick streets, Main Stage
Alex Lambert 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. Brick streets, Main Stage
Deltaphonic 7:30 to 9 p.m. Brick streets, Main Stage
Red Brick Roads Tickets/Registration:
Weekend Pass $35
Friday only $20
Saturday only $25
V.I.P. Pass $1251
Children 10 and under Free
Student pass available onsite
Red Brick Boil plate Market price
(expected to be ~$30)
Plein Air Paint Out $90
Red Brick Run $40
VIP Pass includes:
• Weekend pass and festival t-shirt
• Access to a private indoor VIP Area with restrooms, snacks and drinks
• Four drink tickets redeemable in VIP Area
• Private outdoor seating near stage
Plein Air Paint Out registration includes:
• Two-day pass to the Red Brick Roads festival
• Meet and Mingle Social
• Red Brick Roads Paint Out swag bag
• Hospitality access to the Wyatt Waters Gallery for refreshments and restroom access
• Lunch during Saturday’s Paint Out
Red Brick Run registration includes:
• One-day pass to the Red Brick Roads festival
• Race t-shirt (while supplies last)
