Celebrating Louisiana through Festivals & Events

Join the Fun at Louisiana's Vibrant Festivals: Celebrating the State's Rich Culture, Delicious Food, and Talented Musicians!

Did you know that Louisiana is home to over 400 unique festivals? From crops to cuisine to music, if it's worth celebrating, you can bet it's happening at one of our lively events! As a self-proclaimed festival enthusiast, I couldn't resist adding festival-hopping to my list of 30 things to do before turning 30. But why stop at 30 when there are countless more festivals to explore? (And no, I won't reveal my age, haha!)

So far, I've had the pleasure of attending an impressive array of festivals across Louisiana, each with its own distinctive flavor and flair. As a staff photographer, I captured the energy and excitement of the KBON 101.1 FM Music Festival and the Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival, where I indulged in some of the best crawfish dishes around. I've tapped my toes to the rhythms of Zydeco music at the Festivals Acadiens et Créoles in Lafayette, volunteered as a videographer at the internationally renowned Festival International de Louisiane, and marveled at the breathtaking hot air balloons at the Glow in the Cro- Hot Air Balloon Festival in Carencro and the Lake Charles Hot Air Balloon Festival.

But it's not just the big-name festivals that have caught my attention. I've also delved into the heart of Louisiana's communities, joining in on the fun at fundraisers, cookoffs, and other heartwarming events. From the Black Pot Cookoff, where I savored the rich flavors of Cajun cuisine, to the Crazy Wheels Car Show, showcasing some of the most unique vehicles around, there's always something happening in Louisiana that brings people together.

And it's not just about the food and music - Louisiana's festivals are also a celebration of its rich history and culture. I've been transported back in time at the Louisiana Renaissance Festival in Hammond, immersed in the traditions of Mardi Gras at the Courir de Mardi Gras in Church Point, and marveled at the vibrant costumes and floats at the Irish Italian Parade in Metairie. I've also experienced the warm hospitality and community spirit of Louisiana firsthand, whether it's the welcoming smiles at the Delcambre Farmers Market or the joy of Papa Noel's arrival in St. Martin Parish.

As a travel enthusiast, I'm always on the lookout for new festivals to attend and experiences to cherish. So, tell me, what's your favorite festival in Louisiana? I'm eager to hear your recommendations and continue my quest to celebrate Louisiana's unique culture, mouthwatering cuisine, and soulful music at its diverse and dynamic festivals. Join me in exploring the magic of Louisiana's festivals and let's create unforgettable memories together!

#Louisianaculture #louisianatravel #travel #louisianatourism #Festivals #Louisiana #lifestyle

---

Here's a list of the festivals i've experienced so far:

1. KBON 101.1 FM Music Festival (Staff Photographer)

2. Abbeville Cattle Festival

3. Acadian Memorial Heritage Festival (St. Martinville)

4. Acadiana Poboy Festival

5. Arnaudville Étouffée Festival

6. Atchafalaya Basin Festival (Staff Photographer)

7. Bandito Festival (Baton Rouge)

8. Berwick Lighthouse Festival

9. Beauregard Watermelon Festival

10. Books along the Teche Literary Festival (New Iberia)

11. Beignet Festival (New Orleans)

12. Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival (Staff Photographer)

13. Broussard Independence Festival

14. Bunkie Corn Festival

15. Cajun Frog Festival (Henderson)

16. Cajun Heartland State Fair (Lafayette)

17. Contraband Days/ Pirate Festival (Lake Charles)

18. Courir de Mardi Gras (Acadiana)

19. Crowley Rice Festival

20. Delcambre Shrimp Festival

21. El Festival Español de Nueva Iberia

22. Erath 4th of July Festival

23. Festivals Acadiens et Créoles (Lafayette)

24. Festival International de Louisiane (Volunteer Videographer)

25. Festival of Bonfires (Lutcher)

26. Glow in the Cro- Hot Air Balloon Festival (Carencro)

27. Gonzales Hot Air Balloon Festival

28. Gonzales Jambalaya Festival

29. Gueydan Duck Festival

30. Halloween Art & Nature Festival (Cecilia/ Arnaudville)

31. Holi Festival (Lafayette)

32. Iowa Rabbit Festival

33. King Cake Festival (New Orleans)

34. Kite Fest Louisiane' (West Baton Rouge)

35. La Festival de Mardi Gras A’ Lafayette

36. La La Festival (Lafayette)

37. Lake Arthur Regatta

38. Lake Charles Hot Air Balloon Festival

39. Los Islenos Fiesta (St. Bernard)

40. Louisiana Renaissance Festival (Hammond)

41. Lunar New Year Festival ( Lafayette)

42. New Iberia Hot Sauce Festival

43. Natchitoches Christmas Festival

44. Natchitoches Meat Pie Festival

45. New Iberia Sugar Cane Festival

46. New Orleans Creole Tomato Festival

47. Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival

48. Port Barre Cracklin Festival

49. Rayne Frog Festival

50. Scott Boudin Festival

51. Shake Your Trail Feather Festival (Breaux Bridge)

52. St. Martinville Pepper Festival

53. Sunflower Festival (Gilliam)

Fundraisers, Cookoffs & other wonderful events:

1. Acadian Culture Day (Vermilionville)

2. Angel Wings & Heart Strings (Henderson)

3. Black Pot Cookoff

4. Breaux Bridge Chamber Jambalaya Cookoff

5. Brittany's Project (Franklin)

6. Cajun Heartland State Fair (Lafayette)

7. Courir de Mardi Gras (Church Point)

8. Crazy Wheels Car Show

9. Cycle Zydeco (Cajun Country)

10. Delcambre Farmers Market

11. Dreams come true- Anything over Rice cookoff

12. Games of Acadiana benefitting Miles Perret Cancer Services (Lafayette)

13. Irish Italian Parade (Metairie)

14. Jeep Jaunt

15. Krewe de Chien Parade (Downtown Lafayette)

16. Lion's Club Rice and Gravy Cookoff (Breaux Bridge)

17. Magnolia Skate Park (St. Martinville)

18. Mercredi Show (Pelican Park- Carencro)

19. Papa Noel's arrival in St. Martin Parish

20. Rhythms on the River (River Ranch- Lafayette)

21. Sugar Jam - Sugar Mill Pond (Youngsville)

22. World Championship Gumbo Cookoff (New Iberia)

23. Zydeco Breakfast at Buck and Johnny's (Breaux Bridge)