Less than four hours from most major cities in Louisiana (and no more than two from many of them), “the Most Victorian Town in Mississippi” is also one of the region’s best-kept staycation secrets. Infused with history and unparalleled Southern hospitality, Brookhaven is the sort of place you can fill your belly, enjoy spirited main street shopping, catch a show, and lounge on the front porch of a historic bed and breakfast. There’s no bad time to visit, but if you time your summer trip just right, you'll catch this tight-knit community at its best. Designated trip planners, get out your calendars! We’ve got some dates for you.
Tuesdays & Fridays All Summer Long: Brookhaven Farmers Market
It’s been said that the place to discover a town’s heart is at its farmers’ market. Starting May 31, Brookhaven’s takes place twice each week, on Tuesday afternoons from 2 pm–6 pm at the Exchange Club Park and Friday mornings at Railroad Park from 8 am–noon. Friday’s market brings out local musicians to perform on the Railroad Park stage—providing a summer morning soundtrack for the farm-to-table shopping. Discover small-batch, artisan vendors and specialty farmers proffering everything from heirloom tomato seeds and hand-decorated cookies, to jams, medicinal salves, and sourdough. Get a preview of participating businesses at the Brookhaven Farmers Market Facebook page.
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Paige & Co Flowers at Brookhaven Farmers Market
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Try zucchini pineapple jam at the Brookhaven Farmers Market
June 14 & 19: Brookhaven Summer Concert Series
Held on the community stage in Railroad Park—where the Great Northern Railroad Company once stopped during its journey from New Orleans to Jackson, Tennessee—this annual summer tradition brings the community together to enjoy the best of the local music scene. Arrive early (around 6:30 pm) with a folding chair or picnic blanket, or set up on the porch of the neighborhood daiquiri shop. If you really want to fit in, be sure to pack your dancing shoes. Catch the Bridge Band, winner of the local paper’s 2021 “Best of the Best Local Band” award, on June 14 for a rousing performance of old rock ‘n’ roll favorites from the 1960s, ‘70s, and ‘80s. Come back on the 19th for Americana tunes from Southwest Mississippi band The Lincoln Outfit. The best part? These concerts are free to the public. visitbrookhavenms.com/summerconcertseries for details.
Image courtesy of Brookhaven Mississippi
Brookhaven Summer Concert series performance on the community stage in Railroad Park
June 20: Girls Night Out
It’s the perfect excuse to get the girls trip beyond the group chat. Held in Brookhaven’s distinguished boutique mecca, this progressive shopping event has been running for thirteen years now—getting bigger all the time. Brookhaven’s downtown district is home to several locally-owned retail stores, including oh-so-Southern boutiques like Expectations Too, Castles, and Beyond the Rainbow. Not to mention Brookhaven’s abundance of furniture and home décor shops, which deliver inspiration for your next makeover project. For $20 in advance ($25 the week-of), attendees receive a coupon book that delivers special discounts for the Girls Night Out event, plus coupons good throughout summer. Your ticket also includes a $10 meal voucher, a t-shirt, and a tote bag. The action takes place from 3 pm–9 pm on Thursday, June 20. Tickets and more information at visitbrookhavenms.com/event/girls-night-out-7
July 25–27, August 1–3: Brookhaven Exchange Club Fair
For 75 years, this end-of-summer Brookhaven tradition has been bringing the entire town together to enjoy a whimsical, old-school carnival before the school year starts up again. Held at Exchange Club Park the last weekend of July and first of August, this is the only stationary fair in Mississippi that is still operating. It comes to life each summer with all the essential midway trappings: roller coasters, a tilt-a-whirl, a carousel, and of course a Ferris wheel. Eat your weight in funnel cakes and cotton candy, and try your luck at winning a stuffed animal from the ring toss or balloon darts. Whether you win or lose, relish the pleasure of supporting local businesses—who run the carnival’s game booths. This sets the fair apart from many carnival experiences today; since its earliest days, the entire event has been hosted by the local community service organization, the Brookhaven Exchange Club, making it a true home town celebration. Gates open Thursdays and Fridays from 6 pm–9 pm, and on Saturdays from 4 pm–8 pm. $5 for entry; $10 for an arm band, which grants you unlimited access to the rides.
Carnival ride at the Brookhaven Exchange Club Fair
Discover more exciting events happening this summer in Brookhaven at visitbrookhavenms.com.
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