Louisiana Events

Featured Events

Mandeville Seafood Festival

The festival features food booths serving seafood dishes as well as alternative dishes, arts & craft booths, a Children's entertainment area, and live musical entertainment throughout the event. The festival also features an annual fireworks show.

click here for more information

Space available

List your event here

May 25 - 27 - Plaquemines Parish Seafood Festival, Belle Chasse - This Memorial Day weekend enjoy specialty seafood dishes, carnival rides, and arts and crafts. Entertainment by Amanda Shaw, Chee-Weez, Southern Cross, The TopCats, The Boogie Men, Bag of Donuts, The Molly Ringwalds, and more. (504) 394-6328 Louisiana's Medal of Honor Park (514)

May 25 - 26 - 1st Annual D'Arbonne BBQ Fest, Farmerville - KCBS nationally sanctioned BBQ Competition. It will be a Louisiana State Championship BBQ Cook-off. Total Prize money is over $6300.00. There will be a Backyard BBQ Contest for local and regional BBQ Cookers. There will be arts and crafts. We will have different bands throughout the 2 day event, with a street dance on Friday night. (318) 368-8935 Lake D'Arbonne State Park (533)

June 23 - 24 - Lacombe Crab Cook Off Festival, Lacombe - The festival truly has something for everyone. The community welcomes its visitors with a weekend of fun and pure pleasure. Great entertainment, great food, wonderful artwork, carnival rides, and friendly folks; all set under the majestic live oaks. (985) 882-3010 John Davis Park (22)

June 29 - Mandeville Seafood Festival, Mandeville - The festival features food booths serving seafood dishes as well as alternative dishes, arts & craft booths, a Children's entertainment area, and live musical entertainment throughout the event. The festival also features an annual fireworks show. (985) 624-9762 Mandeville Harbor (159)

July 20 - 21 - Deep South Crane And Rigging Swamp Pop Music Festival, Gonzales - Festival benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. This two day indoor music festival features the finest in Swamp Pop & South Louisiana Music, a Jambalaya Association Cook- Off, Classic Car Show, Poker Run, and a Swamp Pop Festival Queen Pageant. Rain or shine come out and enjoy the music in our fully air-conditioned facility! For the uninitiated, "swamp pop" is a blend of Rhythm and Blues, Hillbilly, Cajun, and Creole music that originated in the 1950's. (225) 769-9994 Lamar-Dixon Expo Center (535)

July 20 - 21 - 28th Annual Natchitoches/Northwestern Folklife Festival, Natchitoches - The festival has an alcohol free environment. Over 60 master folk artists, exhibitors, craftsmen, and artists. Listen to the sounds of Cajun, Zydeco, Country, and Folk musicians. Over 75 different Louisiana foods. Each year the festival focuses on a new aspect of Louisiana culture including occupational, ethnic, and regional folklore. This year's focus is on Passing It On: The Next Generation. (800) 259-1714 Prather Coliseum (541)

August 10 - 12 - Pennington Hot Air Ballooning Championships, Baton Rouge - Louisiana's most popular hot air ballooning event. This year's competions include the 2007 Louisiana State Championships and the 2007 Southeast Regional Championships. Free admission, free parking. Includes a special Children's Area. (225) 933-2027 Pennington Center (511)

August 17 - 19 - 19th Annual "Le Cajun" Music Awards, Lafayette - The Grammy style awards ceremony, sponsored by the Cajun French Music Association (CFMA), includes awards for Band of the Year, Best Accordionist, Best Fiddler, Best Male and Female Vocalist, Song of the Year, and Best Recording of the Year. Cajun bands from outside Louisiana, including Europe are also recipients of awards. This year there will also be a "People's Choice Award," for Best CD voted on by the entire membership. Heymann Performing Arts Center (531)

August 30 - September 3 - Louisiana Shrimp & Petroleum Festival, Morgan City - Louisiana's oldest state-chartered harvest festival will take place during Labor Day weekend in a five-day extravaganza of family entertainment. Continuous live music by local and national acts, a huge arts & crafts show and sale, a children's village, a cajun culinary classic, a traditional blessing of the fleet, a water parade, food, and so much more! No gate fee! (800) 256-2931 Downtown (540)

September 8 - 9 - DeltaFest, Monroe - A family oriented festival which brings people together from all parts of the delta. (318) 329-4940 Chennault Park (539)

October 3 - 7 - Tangipahoa Parish Fair, Amite - Family oriented fair with midway, 4H & school exhibits, food booths, game booths, live entertainment, and a parade Friday at 9:00 AM. (985) 748-5537 Tangipahoa Parish Fairgrounds (505)

October 18 - Bon Appétit, Amite - Food tasting festival featuring selections from area restaurants and caterers, music, and door prizes. 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. (985) 748-5537 Amite Community Center (503)

October 19 - 21 - Sunshine Festival, Donaldsonville - Old Fashioned Carnival Atmosphere with A Midway. It's a family-oriented event with rides for children of all ages. Regional food vendors will be there offering their wares, as well as great entertainment venues. Gate Admission: $2.00 (225) 473-4814 Old Louisiana State Fair Grounds (527)

October 25 - November 4 - Greater Baton Rouge State Fair, Baton Rouge - Activities include a carnival, a livestock show, food, commercial exhibits, Louisiana agricultural products exhibits, musical entertainment, and more. (225) 755-3247 BREC Airline Highway Fairgrounds (270)

October 25 - November 11 - Louisiana State Fair, Shreveport - Featuring exhibits, a carnival, and many other events. (318) 635-1361 Independence Stadium (271)

November 17 - 18 - Camp Moore Annual Civil War Living History Encampment, Tangipahoa - Scripted battles, living history, and memorial ceremonies highlight this two-day event. Entertaining and educational for the entire family. (985) 229-2438 Camp Moore Confederate Museum (545)

2008 Events

April 11 - 13 - French Quarter Festival, New Orleans - This festival happens two weeks before jazz fest each year. There are more than 60 booths serving food and 15 live music stages celebrating the French Quarter's history and culture through music. Music types range from gospel to jazz to Cajun to classical, and all the other genres in between. (504) 522-5730 (2212)

April 11 - 13 - Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival, Ponchatoula - The annual Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival features a parade, live entertainment and a variety of vendors. (800) 917-7045 (2215)

April 23 - 27 - Festival International de Louisiane, Lafayette - This annual April festival in downtown Lafayette brings in artists, chefs, and musicians from all over the world. This is a free festival. (337) 232-8086 (2207)

April 29 - May 11 - Annual Contraband Days Festival, Lake Charles - This annual festival celebrates notorious pirate Jean Lafitte, who buried his contraband treasure along southwestern Louisiana's waterways. A variety of events, including a tennis tournament, an antique car show, a pirate parade, live concerts and family activities take place at several venues in Lake Charles. (337) 436-5508 (2208)

May 2 - 4 - Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival, Breaux Bridge - We hope to see you there! (337)332-6655 Parc Hardy (2205)

May 2 - 3 - Cinco de Mayo Fiesta Shreveport, Shreveport - A celebration of Hispanic culture, Cinco de Mayo Fiesta offers music, food and entertainment. This annual festival takes place in early May. (318) 746-7256 (2216)

May 22 - 28 - Mudbug Madness, Shreveport - What began in 1984 as a two-day street festival in downtown Shreveport is now one of Louisiana's largest and most popular Cajun festivals, featuring renown Cajun, Zydeco, Blues and Jazz artists, mouth-watering Cajun cuisine, raucous contests, and fun for all ages. Admission is free on Thursday and Friday's from 11AM until 6PM; $3.00 per person after 6PM. Admission on Saturday and Sunday is $3.00 per person from 11 AM until closing. Children under 12 are free at all times. Festival Plaza (544)

May 22 - June 1 - Cajun Heartland State Fair, Lafayette - The 20th Anniversary Cajun Heartland State Fair will provide the best in family entertainment for children of all ages. North American Midway Entertainment will have numerous super rides such as the huge white water log ride, the giant Ferris wheel, the Fire Ball and the Power Surge! Games, free concerts and free attractions will entertain everyone. (337)265-2100 Convention Center (2700)

May 22 - 25 - Gonzales Jambalaya Festival, Gonzales - Elements of this Gonzales festival include food, music, carnival rides and activities. Jambalaya is served daily and the festival is held over the Memorial Day weekend at the end of May. (225) 644-2937 (2206)

June 12 - 21 - 58th Annual Dodge Louisiana High School Finals Rodeo, Gonzales - Cowboys and cowgirls representing high schools from all regions of Louisiana will compete for the title of state champion in each of 12 different rodeo events. The top 4 contestants in each event earn the right to represent Louisiana at the National High School Finals Rodeo in Springfield, IL. Rodeo events will include Bull Riding, Bareback Riding, Saddle Bronc Riding, Barrel Racing, Pole Bending, Team Roping, Tie-down Calf Roping, Breakaway Calf Roping, Goat Tying, Steer Wrestling, Boy's Cutting and Girl's Cutting. This is an extremely family-oriented event and will be great fun for kids of all ages. (225) 721-3209 Lamar-Dixon Expo Center (534)

June 13 - 15 - Louisiana Corn Festival, Bunkie - A lot more to offer than fancy floats, and horse back riders. (318) 346-2575 (1143)

June 14 - 15 - Melrose Arts and Crafts Festival, Melrose - Held annually on the second weekend of June, this event offers a variety of handcrafted items including baskets, artwork, pottery, crafts, jewelry, dolls, sculptures, toys and more. (800) 259-1714 Melrose Plantation (2210)

June 14 - 15 - Arts & Crafts Festival, Melrose - This annual event is held the second weekend of June on the grounds of a National Historic Landmark. Tours of the Big House and the African House are available for an additional $5.00 fee. The event features quality handcrafted items, baskets, original works of art, pottery, crafts, jewelry, dolls, sculptures, toys, homemade jellies, and more. This event attracts 150 plus juried artists and craftsmen. Sponsored by the Association for Preservation of Historic Natchitoches. Melrose is open for tours from Noon to 4:00 PM Tuesday - Sunday. (318) 379-0055 Melrose Plantation (542)

July 3 - 6 - Annual Mandeville Seafood Festival, Mandeville - This 3-day, annual event features New Orleans style cuisine, live music, arts vendors and children's activities. The live music performances offer a variety of styles ranging from jazz to rock to reggae. (985) 893-0304 (2209)

July 18 - 19 - Natchitoches/NSU Folk Festival, Natchitoches - An annual July event celebrating Louisiana's culture and folk life. The event features folk artists, exhibitors, craftsmen and live entertainment. (800) 259-1714 Northwestern State University (2211)

July 31 - August 3 - Satchmo SummerFest, New Orleans - Dedicated to the memory of Louis Armstrong, also called Satchmo, this festival features educational seminars, exhibits, activities and a line-up of performances from local and international jazz musicians. The event takes place in August at a variety of different venues in New Orleans. (800) 673-5725 Old US Mint (2213)

August 30 - 31 - Zydeco Music Festival, Plaisance - The annual festival was started to maintain the culture and heritage of old Creole communities. It is patterned after a tradition to throw parties (called La La) to raise money for families having difficulty. (318) 942-2392 (2214)

October 23 - November 9 - State Fair of Louisiana, Shreveport - Come join us celebrating 100 years of 4H at The State Fair of Louisiana! (318) 635-1361 (2699)

October. 23 - November 2 - Greater Baton Rouge State Fair, Baton Rouge - Fun for everyone. You don't want to miss this fair! (225)755-3247 Fairgrounds (2701)

2009 Events

April 3 - 5 - 38th Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival, Ponchatoula - The annual Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival features a parade, live entertainment and a variety of vendors. (800) 917-7045 (3223)

April 17 - 19 - French Quarter Festival, New Orleans - This festival happens two weeks before jazz fest each year. There are more than 60 booths serving food and 15 live music stages celebrating the French Quarter's history and culture through music. Music types range from gospel to jazz to Cajun to classical, and all the other genres in between. (800) 673-5725 (3222)

April 22 - 26 - Festival International de Louisiane, Lafayette - This annual April festival in downtown Lafayette brings in artists, chefs, and musicians from all over the world. This is a free festival. 337) 232-8086 (3224)

April 29 - May 10 - 51st Annual Contraband Days Festival, Lake Charles - This annual festival celebrates notorious pirate Jean Lafitte, who buried his contraband treasure along southwestern Louisiana's waterways. A variety of events, including a tennis tournament, an antique car show, a pirate parade,live concerts and family activities take place at several venues in Lake Charles. (337) 436-5508 (3226)

May 1 - 3 - Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival, Breaux Bridge - Hope to see you there. (337)332-6655 (3227)

July 2 - 5 - Annual Mandeville Seafood Festival, Mandeville - This 3-day, annual event features New Orleans style cuisine, live music, arts vendors and children's activities. The live music performances offer a variety of styles ranging from jazz to rock to reggae. (985) 893-0304 (3228)

July 17 - 18 - 2009 Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival, Natchitoches - (318) 357-4332 Location NSU Campus (3229)

July 30 - August 2 - Satchmo SummerFest, New Orleans - Dedicated to the memory of Louis Armstrong, also called Satchmo, this festival features educational seminars, exhibits, activities and a line-up of performances from local and international jazz musicians. The event takes place in August at a variety of different venues in New Orleans. (800) 673-5725 Old US Mint (3230)