Festivals & Events...

Louisiana Shrimp & Petroleum Festival - Morgan City - Every Labor Day weekend - Tap your toes and tempt your taste buds at Louisiana’s oldest state-chartered harvest festival. The five-day extravaganza of family entertainment includes continuous live music by local and national acts, a huge arts & crafts show and sale, a Children’s Village, the Cajun Culinary Classic, the traditional Blessing of the Fleet and water parade—and all with no gate fee! Bayou Teche Bear Festival - Franklin - The Bayou Teche Bear Festival highlights the Louisiana black bear and promotes public awareness of the Louisiana black bear's presence throughout our bayou. The festival features numerous events & activities including seminars, music, field trips, arts and crafts, food booths, souvenirs, a parade and more... Cypress Sawmill Festival - Patterson - March 31 – April 3 , 2005 - This Top 20 Southeast Tourism Society event honors an industry that was vital to the local economy at the turn of the century. The Sawmill festival is a family event featuring continuous live music, a cypress sawmill display, numerous tournaments, a passe partout (two-person saw) contest, arts and crafts, a Cajun cook-off, rides and games, and the terrific food that made Cajun Country famous. Christmas on the Cajun Coast - Franklin, Patterson, Morgan City, - December - Explore the magic of Christmas on the Cajun Coast. Elegant antebellum homes decked in Victorian holiday finery. Boulevards of live oaks twinkling with white lights. Traditional holiday performances. Festive Christmas parades. Christmas on the Cajun Coast encompasses numerous activities for the entire family as the towns of Franklin, Patterson and Morgan City celebrate a real Louisiana Christmas! Harvest Moon Fest - Franklin - November - Welcome the return of fall with all-day festivities on Franklin's charming Main Street. Enjoy live music; a children's carnival; teen activities; an antique, hot rod, classic car and motorcycle show; a power boat exhibit, concessions and special retail promotions.

New Orleans Bookfair - New Orleans - An open to the public, free book festival celebrating muckraking in independent publishing.

Ark-La-Tex Jazz & Gumbo Music Festival - Shreveport - May - a Louisiana cuisine, crafts and music event.

Bunk Johnson/New Iberia Jazz, Arts & Heritage Festival - New Iberia - May 10th, 11th & 12th - A wide variety of music, flowers, arts, dance, food and entertainment for the entire family.

Essence Music Festival - New Orleans - July 5th, 6th and 7th - the annual Essence Music Festival at the Louisiana Superdome and the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

Festival International de Louisiane - Lafayette - April 23~28th - Where the French from France meet the French from Louisiana.  Performers info online as well as daily schedules by events or by stage.

Festival of the Bonfires - Lutcher - 2nd weekend of December -unique Cajun Christmas celebration. Site has history, schedule of events, activities, maps and info.

Go 4th On The River - New Orleans - Fourth of July - featuring entertainment and fireworks extravaganza sponsored by the riverfront attractions and local television and radio.

Gospel Fest Jubilee - Mamou - second Saturday in October - a fun family day of worshipping our Lord Jesus Christ through songs, dance, skits, etc.

Greek Festival - New Orleans - May 25th, 26th and 27th - Acropolis on the bayou!

Gueydan Duck Festival - Gueydan - August 22 - 25 - annual event celebrating the sport of duck and goose hunting.

Louisiana Folklife Festival - Monroe - Second weekend of September - celebrate our heritage derived from many countries, cultures, and ethnic groups. This rich and varied mixture has resulted in a dynamic people who exhibit a zest for living.

Louisiana Renaissance Festival - Hammond - Nov 2~Dec 8 - open for six festive weekends. It's an English village and festive market place, mixed with a little bit of Louisiana spice. Come experience the exciting romantic renaissance and the most unique gift selections in Louisiana.

Mandeville Seafood Festival - Mandeville - summer - featuring music, Louisiana cuisine, arts and crafts, and fireworks.

Natchitoches Christmas Festival - Natchitoches - first Saturday in December - offers a parade, live entertainment, food, carnival rides and a fireworks show. The finale is the turning on of over 300,000 Christmas lights and 77 lightdecorations in the historic district and along the scenic Cane River Lake.

New Iberia Festivals / Fairs - Schedule of Events

New Orleans Film Festival - New Orleans - October - showcases American and foreign films including premieres of major feature films and short works and includes mentor sessions, workshops and panel discussions with industry leaders - all with directors, actors, screenwriters, cinematographers, film critics, and fans in attendance.

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival - New Orleans - official site. April 26~May 5 - Showcases strong gospel, rhythm and blues, soul, and jazz acts.

New Orleans Wine & Food Experience - New Orleans - May 22~26 - pairs the classic cuisine of New Orleans with great wines. Features vintner dinners, seminars, and grand tastings.

Pontchatoula Strawberry Festival - Pontchatoula - April 13th and 14th - Watch this page for up to the minute information on entertainment, activities and other details you may need to know about the largest FREE two day festival in the state of Louisiana.

Red River Revel Arts Festival - Shreveport - September 29~October 6 - outdoor festival featuring art, music, food, and more.

Satchmo Summer Fest - New Orleans - August 2~4 - "What a wonderful World" you'll discover during an "edutaining" weekend honoring the man, his music and his life.

Saint Patrick's Day - New Orleans - another reason to have a parade in New Orleans.

Shakespeare Festival - New Orleans - Shakespeare on the road: bringing Shakespeare to Louisiana Students

Slidell Heritage Festival - Slidell - Fourth of July - delicious food, sensational music and entertainment, arts, crafts, antiques, games for the kids, classic cars, a Fourth of July Parade and, of course, a fantastic fireworks display!

Southern Decadence Festival - New Orleans - August 28~September 2 - The official Southern Decadence web site

Tangipahoa Parish - Schedule of Events

Tease-0-Rama - New Orleans - May 18~20 - celebration of burlesque, cabaret, and go-go dance.

Tennessee Williams Literary Festival - New Orleans - March 20~24 - A celebration which showcases national and regional scholars, writers, and performing artists. Programs include panel discussions, theatrical performances, a one-act play competition, lectures, literary walking tours, musical performances, and a bookfair.

Three Rivers Art Festival - Covington - second week of November - Annual juried art and fine craft festival held in historic downtown Covington.

Voodoo Music Festival - New Orleans - featuring a variety of artists.

Zydeco Festival - Opelousas - If you love Zydeco music, this is the fest for you. In the Plaisance community of Opelousas just north of Lafayette.