Hub City Summer

A guide to water play, parks, movies, camps, special events and family-friendly adventures in Hattiesburg.

Greetings from Hattiesburg

Dear neighbor,

Summer brings with it a sense of freedom, and with that, the challenge of keeping our children active, engaged and off their screens. As a fellow parent, I understand how valuable it is to have structured, affordable activities available for all ages.

That’s why we created this guide: to help families take full advantage of what our city has to offer during the summer months.

Now in its fifth year, this guide features programs and events offered by our public partners and community organizations, all designed with kids, teens and families in mind. While it doesn’t capture everything, it’s a strong starting point. I also encourage you to explore additional opportunities through local churches, arts organizations and other community groups.

As summer draws near, I hope this guide serves as a helpful resource in your planning and that it inspires our youth, and the young at heart, to connect, explore and grow in the months ahead.

If we can be of any help, please don’t hesitate to call our office at 601-545-4501. Wishing you and your family a fun, safe and enriching summer.

All the best,

Toby Barker signature

Mayor Toby Barker

Water Play

Community pools and splash pads help families beat the Hattiesburg heat all summer.

Pools

The City of Hattiesburg’s Parks & Recreation team maintains three community pools. Typical hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m.; Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 601-545-4623 for current details.

Ben McNair Center

300 North 12th Avenue

Open Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Cost: $1.

Vernon Dahmer Park

1000 Country Club Road

Open Saturdays only. Cost: $1.

CE Roy Community Center

300 East 5th Street

Opening soon with Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday hours. Cost: $1.

Splash Pads

Free splash pad options for quick cool-downs throughout the summer.

Dewitt Sullivan Park Old Airport Road, south of Travillion Road
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cost: Free.
J. Ed Morgan Train Depot 308 Newman Street
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cost: Free.

Summer Splash Days

The Hattiesburg Fire Department turns park areas into free water play spaces where children and families can cool down. Waivers are required for children, closed-toe shoes are required and towels are recommended.

Thursday, June 4, 1–3 p.m. Tatum Park
Thursday, June 11, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Thames Elementary
Thursday, June 18, 1–3 p.m. Jaycee Park
Thursday, June 25, 1–3 p.m. Vernon Dahmer Park
Thursday, July 9, 1–3 p.m. Jaycee Park
Thursday, July 16, 1–3 p.m. Tatum Park
Thursday, July 23, 1–3 p.m. Chain Park
Thursday, July 30, 1–3 p.m. Vernon Dahmer Park

Popsicles in the Park

The Hattiesburg Police Department visits neighborhood parks with popsicles, games and time for families to connect with officers in a relaxed summer setting.

Tuesday, June 9, 4–6 p.m. Oseola McCarty Park
Tuesday, June 16, 4–6 p.m. Eastside Park
Tuesday, June 23, 4–6 p.m. Jaycee Park
Tuesday, July 7, 4–6 p.m. Midtown Green
Tuesday, July 14, 4–6 p.m. Vernon Dahmer Park
Tuesday, July 21, 4–6 p.m. Dewitt Sullivan Park
Tuesday, July 28, 4–6 p.m. Robertson Place Apartments

Parks + Green Spaces

The City of Hattiesburg maintains parks and green spaces throughout the city limits. Some pavilions, courts and park amenities can be reserved by calling 601-545-4667.

Summer of Movies

Bring a blanket or lawn chair and settle in for family-friendly outdoor movie nights at Town Square Park and The Commons at Gordon’s Creek. Movies begin at sunset.

Saturday, June 13 Summer of Movies: Jurassic Park
The Commons at Gordon’s Creek, 105 Hardy Street
Saturday, June 20 Summer of Movies: Black Panther
Town Square Park, 100 Main Street
Saturday, July 11 Summer of Movies: Mulan
Town Square Park, 100 Main Street
Saturday, July 18 Summer of Movies: Wicked
Town Square Park, 100 Main Street
Saturday, August 1 Summer of Movies: National Treasure
Town Square Park, 100 Main Street
Saturday, August 8 Summer of Movies: The Lion King
The Commons at Gordon’s Creek, 105 Hardy Street

Camps & Weekly Classes

Recurring library programs, school district camps and museum programs give families dependable summer options throughout the guide season.

Hattiesburg Public Library Weekly Programs

Family Story Time

Schedule
Wednesdays at 10 a.m.
Location
Hattiesburg Library

Interactive story time for children and families featuring books, songs, movement activities and early literacy fun.

Baby Story Time

Schedule
First and third Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m.
Location
Hattiesburg Library

Early literacy program for babies and caregivers featuring songs, rhymes, sensory play and simple stories.

Teen Center Gaming Hours

Schedule
Monday-Thursday, 3-6:45 p.m.; Friday, 3-4:45 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.-4:45 p.m.
Location
Hattiesburg Library Teen Center

Open gaming time for teens with access to video games, social activities and a safe place to connect.

Hattiesburg Public School District Camps

Camp Tiger Rock

Schedule
June 1-25, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.; extended learning available until 5 p.m.
Location
Thames Elementary, Woodley Elementary and Hawkins Elementary

A summer learning and enrichment camp for Pre-K through fifth grade students featuring academic support, activities, meals and transportation.

Camp Roar

Schedule
June 1-25, 8 a.m.-noon
Location
Hattiesburg High School - Dr. Yvonne Bryant Hall

A middle school summer program for students in grades 6-8 focused on continued learning, engagement and enrichment activities.

ACT Prep Camp

Schedule
June 1-25, 8 a.m.-noon
Location
Hattiesburg High School - Building D

A summer academic program for students in grades 7-12 designed to help prepare participants for the ACT.

Camp GREAT

Schedule
June 1-25, 8 a.m.-noon
Location
Hattiesburg High School

A summer enrichment program for high school students in grades 9-12 offering academic engagement and structured summer learning opportunities.

ACT WorkKeys Boot Camp

Schedule
June 1-25, 8 a.m.-noon
Location
Hattiesburg High School - Building D

A career-readiness and test preparation program for students in grades 10-12 focused on ACT WorkKeys and workforce success.

Hattiesburg Parks & Recreation Arts Programs

Any Body Can Dance

Schedule
Mondays at 7:30 p.m.
Location
Rebekah Stark Johnson Community Arts Center

A free weekly dance class featuring different ballroom styles each month, brought to you by USA Dance.

Weekday Watercolor

Schedule
Thursdays at 6 p.m.
Location
Rebekah Stark Johnson Community Arts Center

Meditate through painting in this weekly watercolor class with Brett Cummins.

South Mississippi Art Association Art Demos

Schedule
Second Tuesdays at 7 p.m.
Location
Rebekah Stark Johnson Community Arts Center

Free art demonstrations presented by the South Mississippi Art Association.

Art of the Jam

Schedule
June 14 and July 12, 3-5 p.m.
Location
Rebekah Stark Johnson Community Arts Center

A free, all-ages community bluegrass and old-time music jam. Bring instruments, friends and a love for traditional tunes.

Sixth Street Museums Programs

Ready, Set, Go! Tour

Schedule
Starting in June by reservation: Wednesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturday, noon-4 p.m.
Location
African American Military History Museum, 305 E. 6th Street

A hands-on museum program where children explore how soldiers traveled by foot, boat, train and plane throughout history.

Storytime with a Soldier

Schedule
Starting in June by reservation: Wednesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturday, noon-4 p.m.
Location
African American Military History Museum, 305 E. 6th Street

A storytime experience for Pre-K through third grade students where children meet a military servicemember, hear a story, ask questions and explore the museum.

Charles J. Brown Youth Civic Engagement and Leadership Camp

Schedule
June 22-26, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Location
Eureka School, 410 E. 6th Street

A leadership and civic engagement camp for rising seventh through ninth graders focused on teamwork, confidence, problem solving and community impact.

Needham Jones Boot Camp

Schedule
July 7, 8, 9, 14 and 15, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Location
African American Military History Museum, 305 E. 6th Street

A summer program for young men ages 12-15 focused on communication, confidence, teamwork, career exploration, health and wellness.

Events + Special Programs

Use the filters to narrow the full 2026 summer calendar by keyword, month or organizer. Switch between calendar and list view any time.

No events match those filters.

June 2026

Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat

1

Any Body Can Dance 7:30 p.m. Rebekah Stark Johnson Community Arts Center, 825 N. Main Street

2

Home School Days 9–10:30 a.m. Hattiesburg Zoo
Baby Story Time 10 a.m. Hattiesburg Library
Free Summer Kids Movies at Santikos 10 a.m. The Grand Theater - 100 Grand Dr

3

Family Story Time 10 a.m. Hattiesburg Library
Free Summer Kids Movies at Santikos 10 a.m. The Grand Theater - 100 Grand Dr

4

Summer Splash Days 1–3 p.m. Tatum Park
Downtown Farmer’s Market 3–7 p.m. Town Square Park, 100 Main Street
Weekday Watercolor 6 p.m. Rebekah Stark Johnson Community Arts Center, 825 N. Main Street
Disney’s Newsies | Featuring the Hub City Players 7–10 p.m. Mannoni Performing Arts Center, 107 Southern Drive

5

Disney’s Newsies | Featuring the Hub City Players 7–10 p.m. Mannoni Performing Arts Center, 107 Southern Drive

6

Smith Drug Co. Museum Noon–4 p.m. Smith Drug Co., 606 Mobile Street
Disney’s Newsies | Featuring the Hub City Players 1–4 p.m. Mannoni Performing Arts Center, 107 Southern Drive
Twilight Nights 6–9 p.m. Hattiesburg Zoo
Disney’s Newsies | Featuring the Hub City Players 7–10 p.m. Mannoni Performing Arts Center, 107 Southern Drive

7

Sensory Day 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Hattiesburg Zoo

8

Any Body Can Dance 7:30 p.m. Rebekah Stark Johnson Community Arts Center, 825 N. Main Street

9

Free Summer Kids Movies at Santikos 10 a.m. The Grand Theater - 100 Grand Dr
Anansi Stories 10:30–11:30 a.m. Lillie Burney Learning Center, 901 Ida Avenue
Popsicles in the Park 4–6 p.m. Oseola McCarty Park
South Mississippi Art Association Art Demos 7 p.m. Rebekah Stark Johnson Community Arts Center, 825 N. Main Street

10

Family Story Time 10 a.m. Hattiesburg Library
Free Summer Kids Movies at Santikos 10 a.m. The Grand Theater - 100 Grand Dr
Fueling the Troops: What Soldiers Ate Through Time 10 a.m. African American Military History Museum, 305 E. 6th Street
Artie’s Adventures in Writing 10:30–11:30 a.m. Lillie Burney Learning Center, 901 Ida Avenue

11

Dancing with Artie 10:30–11:30 a.m. Lillie Burney Learning Center, 901 Ida Avenue
Summer Splash Days 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Thames Elementary
Downtown Farmer’s Market 3–7 p.m. Town Square Park, 100 Main Street
Weekday Watercolor 6 p.m. Rebekah Stark Johnson Community Arts Center, 825 N. Main Street

12

The Sounds of Service 10 a.m. African American Military History Museum, 305 E. 6th Street
Made in America Downtown Summer Tunes with Pinebelt Pickers 7–10 p.m. Town Square Park, 100 Main Street

13

Dog Days 5K Run and 2-Mile Walk @ FestivalSouth 7:30–9:30 a.m. Kamper Park, 107 S. 17th Avenue
Emerging Artists in Concert 10–11 a.m. Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, 3601 Dr. Eddie Holloway Drive
Science Saturday - Tooth Detectives: What’s Hiding in Your Drink? 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Smith Drug Company, 606 Mobile Street
Smith Drug Co. Museum Noon–4 p.m. Smith Drug Co., 606 Mobile Street
Summer of Movies: Jurassic Park Sunset The Commons at Gordon’s Creek, 105 Hardy Street

14

Art of the Jam 3–5 p.m. Rebekah Stark Johnson Community Arts Center, 825 N. Main Street

15

Any Body Can Dance 7:30 p.m. Rebekah Stark Johnson Community Arts Center, 825 N. Main Street

16

Baby Story Time 10 a.m. Hattiesburg Library
Free Summer Kids Movies at Santikos 10 a.m. The Grand Theater - 100 Grand Dr
Popsicles in the Park 4–6 p.m. Eastside Park

17

Family Story Time 10 a.m. Hattiesburg Library
Free Summer Kids Movies at Santikos 10 a.m. The Grand Theater - 100 Grand Dr
Fueling the Troops: What Soldiers Ate Through Time 10 a.m. African American Military History Museum, 305 E. 6th Street
Artie’s Adventures in Writing 10:30–11:30 a.m. Oseola McCarty Youth Development Center, 607 McSwain Street

18

West African Drumming Workshop 10:30–11:30 a.m. Oseola McCarty Youth Development Center, 607 McSwain Street
Summer Splash Days 1–3 p.m. Jaycee Park
Downtown Farmer’s Market 3–7 p.m. Town Square Park, 100 Main Street
Weekday Watercolor 6 p.m. Rebekah Stark Johnson Community Arts Center, 825 N. Main Street

19

Juneteenth
The Sounds of Service 10 a.m. African American Military History Museum, 305 E. 6th Street

20

STEM Saturday 10–11 a.m. Town Square Park, 100 Main Street
Songs of the Heartland 10–11 a.m. Storied Bookery, 201 Cox Avenue #3
Smith Drug Co. Museum Noon–4 p.m. Smith Drug Co., 606 Mobile Street
Summer of Movies: Black Panther Sunset Town Square Park, 100 Main Street

21

Father’s Day
Take Me Out to the Ball Game! 3–5 p.m. Historic Hattiesburg Saenger Theater, 201 Forrest Street

22

Charles J. Brown Youth Civic Engagement and Leadership Camp 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Eureka School, 410 E. 6th Street
Any Body Can Dance 7:30 p.m. Rebekah Stark Johnson Community Arts Center, 825 N. Main Street

23

Charles J. Brown Youth Civic Engagement and Leadership Camp 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Eureka School, 410 E. 6th Street
Free Summer Kids Movies at Santikos 10 a.m. The Grand Theater - 100 Grand Dr
Light and Lens: A Kids’ Photography Workshop 10:30–11:30 a.m. RSJ Community Arts Center, 825 N. Main Street
Popsicles in the Park 4–6 p.m. Jaycee Park

24

Charles J. Brown Youth Civic Engagement and Leadership Camp 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Eureka School, 410 E. 6th Street
Family Story Time 10 a.m. Hattiesburg Library
Free Summer Kids Movies at Santikos 10 a.m. The Grand Theater - 100 Grand Dr
The Seagull and the Sandwich 1–3 p.m. Studio 522, 522 Main Street

25

Charles J. Brown Youth Civic Engagement and Leadership Camp 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Eureka School, 410 E. 6th Street
Artie’s American Landscapes with Ellen Langford 10:30–11:30 a.m. RSJ Community Arts Center, 825 N. Main Street
Summer Splash Days 1–3 p.m. Vernon Dahmer Park
Downtown Farmer’s Market 3–7 p.m. Town Square Park, 100 Main Street
Weekday Watercolor 6 p.m. Rebekah Stark Johnson Community Arts Center, 825 N. Main Street

26

Charles J. Brown Youth Civic Engagement and Leadership Camp 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Eureka School, 410 E. 6th Street

27

Smith Drug Co. Museum Noon–4 p.m. Smith Drug Co., 606 Mobile Street

28

29

Any Body Can Dance 7:30 p.m. Rebekah Stark Johnson Community Arts Center, 825 N. Main Street

30

Star-Spangled Celebration on the River

Celebrate Independence Day early with a free, family-friendly riverfront event on Thursday, July 2, from 6 to 10 p.m. at Chain Park and Petal River Park. Enjoy live music, food and merchandise vendors, kids’ zones and fireworks over the Leaf River at 9 p.m.

Murals & More

Hattiesburg is home to more than 69 murals and many public art pieces. Pack a lunch, begin near the Pocket Museum alley, and build a summer public-art scavenger hunt downtown.

The Pocket Museum Alley

Tucked away between downtown buildings, the alley features rotating exhibits, a pocket theater, a pocket art gallery, murals, interactive photo opportunities, string lighting and picnic tables.

Community Partners

Many partners continue to announce events throughout the summer. Follow their pages for the latest additions.