Pepsi Pops

Come join us for a fun-filled evening at Old Trace Parko on Friday, May 09 2025 at 5:30PM. Get ready for a night of music, dancing, and delicious Pepsi drinks!

Bring your friends and family for a fantastic time under the stars. Enjoy live performances by local bands and artists while sipping on your favorite Pepsi beverages.

Don't miss out on this exciting event - mark your calendars and get ready to groove at Pepsi Pops!

Pepsi Pops

Blast in the park

Against the backdrop of a balmy sunset, a starry night sky and the gentle waves of the Rez, MSO treats listeners young, old and in-between to a lineup of favorites from stage, screen and the top of the charts. Bring the kids, bring the parents, bring a date, bring some friends, bring a picnic if you like — this outdoor charmer fits all. Count on the always-splendid fireworks at the end to unite the crowd with a feel-good exclamation point!

Lawn chairs, blankets, shorts and snacks — this casual concert brings all the orchestral oomph of the rest of the season, but with the pops punch, swinging vibe and outdoor breeze that’ve been magnets for this season-ending splash for decades. Bike riders, hikers, boaters and drivers converge on Old Trace Park to soak up sweet sounds at one of the metro area’s loveliest spots.

Pops on the water and fireworks under the sky

Mississippi Symphony Orchestra’s Pepsi Pops, a beloved community favorite, marks its 44th year at Old Trace Park in Ridgeland putting a symphonic spin on chart toppers, movie themes, Broadway hits and patriotic fare, 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 9, on the shore of the Ross Barnett Reservoir.

The MSO concert presented by Pepsi and Brown Bottling Group works a powerful annual charm on picnickers, music lovers and fireworks fans with its combination of open-air, under-the-stars ambiance, infectious music and scenery at sunset.

“Pepsi Pops is more than just a concert,” MSO President and Executive Director Janet Reihle said. “It’s a celebration of nostalgia. It brings back the joy of longer summer evenings spent with families and friends enjoying great music under the stars. We are proud that this tradition has been a part of Mississippi’s cultural fabric for over 44 years.”

The Jackson Symphony League hosted the first outdoor pops concert in 1969, and Brown Bottling Group has continued the popular community staple since 1981. Brown Bottling Group Executive Vice President Shelley Brown Floyd recalled the vision of her grandfather and arts patron Ken Brown in the partnership with MSO. “It was my favorite time of year as a child, setting the stage as the official start of summer, and now my children are the fourth generation to experience the wonder of Pepsi Pops!” Floyd said.

The program includes highlights from Wicked, a tribute to the music of Elvis, Wind Beneath My Wings, Spinning Wheel, Unchained Melody, selections from Grease and Twilight and some of John Williams’ finest.

Gates open at 5:30 p.m. at Old Trace Park, as the Mississippi Youth Symphony Orchestra (MYSO) entertains early arrivers with performances by aspiring young musicians ranging in age from 5 to 18. The annual outdoor concert offers MYSO studentsthe chance to show off their skills and hard work.

Pre-concert entertainment continues with the gypsy jazz of David Keary & Friends at 6:30 p.m. MSO takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. with WLBT’s Maggie Wade and restaurateur Jeff Good as the evening’s emcees.

Picnicking is a Pepsi Pops tradition, but food will be available onsite, too. Find pizza by Poppy Pies and barbecue by Pig & Pint, plus Mo’ Betta Dessert Bar will be there with banana pudding and ice cream sundaes with choice of toppings. Stay hydrated with ice-cold Pepsi products. Lawn chairs, blankets and picnics are welcome. Please do not bring glass, alcohol or tents.

Tickets are $15 each for adults in advance at msorchestra.com, $20 each at the gate. Student tickets are $5 each, with valid student ID. VIP parking passes, $35, access the lot closest to the concert green space with entry through the Post Road gate. Contact MSO Patron Services at 601-414-6005 or cGF0cm9uc2VydmljZXMgfCBtc29yY2hlc3RyYSAhIGNvbQ== by May 2 to purchase in advance and receive by mail. Space permitting, parking passes may be available at the Post Road gate on the night of the concert.

Parking in the lot west of Old Trace Park is free.

MSO’s Pops Series is sponsored by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi. The Pepsi Pops concert is presented by Pepsi and Brown Bottling Group, along with concert sponsors iHeart Media Jackson, WLBT3 on your side, and EastGroupProperties. MSO is supported in part by the Mississippi Arts Commission, a state agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

Also check out other Music events in Ridgeland, Entertainment events in Ridgeland, Concerts in Ridgeland.