The Natchez Pilgrimage is the twice-yearly event when dozens of private antebellum homes open their doors to visitors — many of them houses that are not otherwise accessible at any other time. Spring Pilgrimage runs through March and April; Fall Pilgrimage takes place in October. During Pilgrimage weeks the town fills up, prices rise, and the historic district buzzes with activity that feels genuinely organic rather than staged.
The events include evening candlelight tours, dramatic presentations, and Confederate Pageant re-enactments that carry considerable political baggage — Natchez has not entirely resolved the question of how to present its antebellum history. Even visitors who are uncomfortable with the more celebratory aspects of the Pilgrimage will find the access to private homes worth the admission price. Book accommodation well in advance if you are visiting during Pilgrimage.