Held each April in the historic Cotton District in Starkville, Mississippi, the festival blends incredible art, music, and food into a showcase event. The festival is host to more than 125 artisans, as well as a Juried Art competition and show, Writer's Village, Taste of Starkville restaurant competition, Pet Parade, Student Art competition, and much more. Presented by the Starkville Area Arts Council, the Cotton District Arts Festival has been named one of the top 100 Events in North America by the American Bus Association, a Top 20 Event in the Southeast, and one of the top 5 festivals in Mississippi for 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and again in 2019, by Mississippi Magazine.
During our 2017 arts festival, participants had the opportunity to write thank you letters to the arts council. Below are just a few of the letters.
Past Festival Photos
Nervous about parking the day of the festival? Use the S.M.A.R.T Shuttle service!