Your Guide to Spring Festivals in Louisiana

Louisiana can properly claim the title "Festival Capital of the World," with more than 400 festivals scheduled annually around the state. In the spring, however, the festival action goes into warp speed. Every weekend — and sometimes the weekdays in between — brings a new round of events that makes it hard for a festival-goer to choose. There’s no shortage of festivals kicking off just after Mardi Gras.

*Always check the festival websites for the most up-to-date information, as events and dates are subject to change.

Food Festivals

Springtime brings an abundance of fresh produce in Louisiana. Taste the bounty at the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival or the Louisiana Peach Festival in Ruston for sweet and juicy fruit, try some dishes that incorporate them and enjoy all the classic fun that comes with a festival.

Louisiana has quite a few festivals that are centered solely on the state’s signature dishes. See the Étouffée Festival in Arnaudville, highlighting the savory rice dish that comes smothered in a seafood gravy, or the Gonzales Jambalaya Festival for a bowl of the mouthwatering classic. A traditional Cajun snack, boudin (a spicy pork and rice mixture stuffed into casing), is the star of the Scott Boudin Festival in the heart of Acadiana. Get a taste of fresh Louisiana seafood at the Amite Oyster Festival. And of course, what would Louisiana be without crawfish festivals? Bring your adventurous palate and a healthy appetite!

Music Festivals

Arguably the most popular music festival in Louisiana is the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, a seven-day festival that draws some of the best musical acts of all genres, including jazz, rock, R&B and more. The French Quarter Festival is a massive event with 22 stages and 400-plus hours of live entertainment. 

Great music can be found outside of New Orleans as well. The Baton Rouge Blues Festival, one of the oldest blues festivals in the nation, honors Louisiana's own blues artists, specifically the unique sound of swamp blues. In Natchitoches, you can find the Natchitoches Jazz / R&B Festival rocking country and rock n’ roll to zydeco, blues and everything in between on the banks of the Cane River.

Cultural Festivals

Lafayette hosts Festival International de Louisiane, a free festival celebrating south Louisiana's French cultural heritage. Native musicians as well as performing artists from Europe, Africa, Canada and the Caribbean play on the festival's multiple stages. Shop Marche des Arts, a fine arts market with artists from around the country, and Marche du Monde, a world market with sculptures, photography, jewelry and more.

While music is a main attraction, Louisiana celebrates all forms of the arts. In New Iberia, explore author James Lee Burke’s hometown through the lens of his character Detective Dave Robicheaux at the Books Along The Teche Literary Festival. Explore local Cajun culture through storytelling, poetry, workshops, music, tours by bus or boat and plenty of good food. The Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival has been supporting and shining a spotlight on writers, actors, musicians and other artists for decades. The organization is credited with providing professional writing instruction for hundreds of students in New Orleans. Literary fans of all kinds flock to the fest, hosted in the city Tennessee Williams dubbed his spiritual home.

In Krotz Springs, participants at the Sportsmen's Heritage Festival can see, hear and taste the unique culture created on the banks of the Atchafalaya River. Foodies will love the wild game cook-off, music fans will be entertained by the Cajun, swamp pop and zydeco tunes, and kids of all ages will enjoy carnival rides and games.

Last but not least, you can count on Louisiana to have some wacky festival themes. Did you know Rayne is the Frog Capital of the World? The Rayne Frog Festival honors this title with frog-tastic music, activities, family-friendly entertainment and more. And in Lake Charles, the Louisiana Pirate Festival unfolds with music, food, games, contests — all of which occur around a pirate theme that pays homage to Louisiana's "patron" pirate, Jean Lafitte.

We’ve always believed that there’s more fun to have in Louisiana than just about anywhere else. If this list of incredible festivals hasn’t convinced you, there’s even more to experience in Louisiana. Foodies, adventurers, heritage lovers and fun-seeking families will not be disappointed with all there is to do at Louisiana’s festivals. For more about Louisiana’s abundance of food, music, culture and every quirky festival in between, take a peek at our festivals calendar. 

Find fun in every season with Louisiana’s summer festivals and fall festivals.