News Summary
The 2025 Double Decker Arts Festival in Oxford saw an impressive turnout of 113,300 attendees, generating an economic impact of $18.7 million. The event featured a diverse lineup of local and national musical acts, food vendors, and a vibrant community atmosphere. With enhanced safety measures in place and support from local officials, the festival highlighted its significance in celebrating local art and culture. Frank Holiman and Kelsey Ray emerged as top runners in the Double Decker Spring 5K, further showcasing community engagement.
Oxford experienced an impressive surge in attendance at the 2025 Double Decker Arts Festival, attracting 113,300 total attendees throughout the weekend. The festival not only showcased renowned musical talents but also provided a significant economic boost to the local community, with an estimated economic impact of $18.7 million, as reported by Visit Oxford.
The festival, which kicked off on a Friday, featured a variety of performances from both local and national music acts. Notable performers included The Great Dying, The Band of Heathens, Ole 60, and headliner Charley Crockett. Saturday expanded the celebration across the entirety of The Square, offering festival-goers over 150 artist vendor booths and a “Southern showcase” of culinary delights. The diverse music lineup also included acts such as Cedric Burnside, Seratones, Water Liars, Cimafunk, and the highly anticipated Grace Potter.
This year also saw a surprise appearance from the head football coach of the University of Mississippi, who introduced Grace Potter while leading the crowd in the enthusiastic “Hotty Toddy” chant. In a reflection of the local community spirit, Lee Ann Stubbs, the Double Decker Coordinator, acknowledged the contributions of attendees, sponsors, artists, and city departments for the festival’s success.
The festival emerged from humble beginnings, initially inspired by a Double Decker bus imported from England in 1994. Over the years, it has transformed into one of Mississippi’s largest and most beloved events. Additional activities included the Double Decker Spring 5K, where 2,400 participants, including local residents and visitors, took part in the competitive events. Approximately 1,800 individuals registered for the 5K alone, with Frank Holiman achieving the best overall time of 18:43 and Kelsey Ray recording the best 10K time of 41:36.
To ensure the safety of all participants, the festival implemented new safety measures, which included a clear-bag policy and a ban on coolers. The Oxford Police Chief reported that the event was largely successful, with minimal incidents reported throughout the weekend, confirming only a single arrest. The community fabric and festive atmosphere were emphasized by the support of local officials, including the city’s mayor, who shared her gratitude on social media for both the community’s participation and the efforts of the event organizers.
In essence, the 2025 Double Decker Arts Festival not only marked a record year for attendance but also underscored the festival’s growing importance to the local economy and its cultural heritage. With its combination of local art, music, and community engagement, the festival continues to be a beacon of positivity and a key highlight in Oxford’s annual calendar.
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Additional Resources
- Oxford Eagle: More than 113K Folks Attended Double Decker
- The Daily Mississippian: Oxford Community Packs The Square for Double Decker
- WTVA: Police Will Adopt Clear Bag Policy at 2026 Double Decker Arts Festival
- Wikipedia: General Information
- Encyclopedia Britannica: General Knowledge
Author: STAFF HERE OXFORD WRITER
The OXFORD STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOxford.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Oxford, Lafayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Oxford Film Festival, Double Decker Arts Festival, and University of Mississippi football games. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce and the University of Mississippi, plus leading businesses in education and retail that power the local economy such as Ole Miss Athletics and Square Books. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Mississippi's dynamic landscape.
