Jackson, MS Public Conduct: Public Alcohol Use (2026)

Under City Code Sec. 10-5(c), it is unlawful for one or more people to possess an open container of alcohol or to consume it on any public street or sidewalk in Jackson unless the location sits inside an established leisure and recreation district or the drinking happens during a city-sponsored event, or another event approved in writing by the chief of police (the ordinance names Jubilee Jam as an example). A denial of that written permission can be appealed to the city council within 30 days.

Section 10-5(a) defines an "open container" as any can, bottle, carton, glass or other vessel from which alcohol is immediately drinkable, or whose manufacturer's seal has been broken. Section 10-5(b) separately bars anyone from lingering outside a commercial establishment not licensed for on-premises consumption while drinking or holding an open container, though patrons of a properly licensed establishment may drink on its own property, indoors or out. The city created its first leisure and recreation district, the Commerce Street Entertainment District downtown, by Ord. No.

2025-33(4) (adopted June 3, 2025), codified at Sec. 10-21 through 10-23. Inside that district, Sec. 10-23 lets a permitted on-premise retailer allow patrons to carry one open container of beverage out in a paper, styrofoam or plastic cup no larger than 32 fluid ounces; patrons may not carry the drink back into a licensed premises or leave with more than one open container at a time. Separately, Sec. ) to a specific list of authorized venues and events.