Things to Do in Louisiana This Month
No matter the season, there's always something to celebrate in Louisiana.
From barbecue cook-offs to end-of-summer celebrations, here's how to spend September in Louisiana.
It’s fall, y’all! Fall in Louisiana brings cool evenings and warm gumbo. Festival season is in full swing, with parish fairs, fall festivals and football games filling the calendar. Get outside and explore our state parks, or stay indoors and discover one of Louisiana’s state museums.
Featured Events in Louisiana
Gretna Fest
October 3, 10, 17 & 24
Gretna
Funky and full of soul, Gretna Fest boasts eight acts across four weekends. Enjoy headliners like Gretchen Wilson, Amanda Shaw, Irma Thomas and Third Eye Blind right on the western bank of the Mighty Mississippi. Between sets, sip craft beer, grab a bite from the food court and shop local art vendors.
Before the festival, learn more about Gretna’s European influences at the German American Cultural Museum. Then experience a working blacksmith shop and antique steam pumper inside the Gretna Historical Society Museum, whose iconic cherry red exterior and tall, arched windows make a perfect photo op.
La Fête Des Vieux Temps
October 2-4
Raceland
Experience authentic Cajun culture at the annual La Fête Des Vieux Temps — the “Festival of Old Times.” Learn to Cajun-two-step to musical genres like swamp pop and zydeco, sample authentic boudin and jam to live, local music.
Make a weekend of the bayou’s beauty. Explore the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve’s Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center, where you can learn about the history and culture of Acadian people through films and exhibits.
Experience Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou.
Blues, Brews & BBQ
October 3
Violet
Find Blues, Brews and BBQ in Violet, just a hop and a skip from the Crescent City. Held at Docville Farm, an age-old property that runs alongside the city’s riverbank, this festival highlights soulful blues music, crisp brews and sweet, tangy barbecue. The event is free and family-friendly.
After finger-lickin’ barbecue plates and chilled pale ales, wind down at nearby St. Bernard State Park. Located on the Mississippi River, the park’s dense, shaded forests make for a gorgeous hike. Little ones will love exploring the playground, complete with a jungle gym and swing set.
Learn more about St. Bernard Parish.
Northeast Louisiana Celtic Festival
October 3
West Monroe
Sound your bagpipes! The Northeast Louisiana Celtic Festival features clover-green costumes, authentic Celtic music and delectable Irish and Scottish treats. Youth can compete in the Highland Games, take Irish-jig lessons or search for a leprechaun’s hidden treasure.
Later, explore Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Soak up nature from an observation deck, or leaf-peep on a cool, fall hike. For a closer look at waterfowl, head to the pier, where you can birdwatch in the bayou.
Roberts Cove Germanfest
October 3-4
Rayne
Every October, the quaint and quiet Roberts Cove hosts Germanfest — an event that has welcomed more than 12,000 visitors to the area for nearly 20 years. Enjoy traditional German-dance and folklore demonstrations, live music and German beer, and snack on spicy bratwurst, crunchy schnitzel and plush, salt-studded pretzels.
Once you’ve made a few new traditions, explore the Faith Trail, which runs through the city. You’ll see the Waldfahrtskappelle (a tiny pilgrimage chapel), the grave of a proposed Cajun saint, an endangered cemetery and more.
Plan your trip to Acadia Parish.
Zwolle Tamale Fiesta
October 8-10
Zwolle
The Zwolle Tamale Fiesta upholds one of Louisiana’s finest culinary traditions: tamale-making. Attendees can learn to make their own through hands-on demonstrations while appreciating the vibrant Spanish costumes, dances and traditions also displayed at the festival. Not to mention, the area boasts gorgeous trails for hiking, biking and leaf-peeping.
For a closer look at the area’s natural beauty, drive the Toledo Bend Forest Scenic Byway, a 78-mile stretch of sprawling green land with waterfront views. Or keep the fun going at Cypress Bend Golf Resort, where lakefront sunsets gleam atop the reservoir.
Learn more about Toledo Bend Lake Country.
Festivals Acadiens et Créoles
October 8-11
Lafayette
Louisiana holds a festival for everything, and at Festivals Acadiens et Créoles, the state’s Acadian heritage takes center stage. This three-day event includes a lineup of live music, art vendors, workshops and cooking demonstrations of classic Creole and Cajun dishes by local chefs.
For a look at the area’s art history, visit Vermilionville, a living history museum and folklife park. Embark on a self-guided tour through moss-draped oaks, or stop by demonstration booths, where locals perform the early crafts of Acadians, Creoles and Native Americans.
Louisiana Gumbo Festival
October 9-11
Chackbay
Where better to celebrate the state’s signature dish than at the Louisiana Gumbo Festival! Sample fresh-from-scratch chicken, seafood and sausage gumbo, as well as other Cajun specialties like jambalaya. Between meals, groove to live music all weekend long.
Make a weekend of the Cajun Bayou’s beauty. Camp at the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, where you can explore Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center. Then, embark on a hike or boat tour.
Check out more things to do in Lafourche Parish.
National Fried Chicken Festival
October 9-11
New Orleans
The Big Easy wouldn’t be named one of the best food cities in the world without hosting a National Fried Chicken Festival of its own, right? Experience a diverse food lineup — including vegan and vegetarian items — from the city’s best chefs, and catch performances Nelly, 2 Chains, Dillon Francis, Ying Yang Twins and more.
For a quintessential New Orleans experience, a visit to the historic and mysterious French Quarter is a must. Listen to the lively tunes of buskers, sample fluffy, powdery beignets from Café Du Monde or visit the open-air stalls of the French Market.
Que Pasa Fest
October 10-11
New Orleans
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at the annual Que Pasa Fest! The festival highlights Hispanic culture and traditions in the Greater New Orleans area. Experience a weekend of live music, delectable Hispanic food, folkloric dances, sports, children's activities and more. The festival is free and open to all ages.
After the thrill of the festival, wind down at Grand Isle State Park, a secluded paradise with trails, campsites and peaceful waterfront views.
World Championship Gumbo Cook-Off
October 10-11
New Iberia
Also known as the "Superbowl of Gumbo", the World Championship Gumbo Cookoff is a free two-day event that takes place every October in New Iberia. Each year, hundreds of cooking teams and thousands of enthusiasts gather to see who will take home a trophy and earn ultimate bragging rights. When you’re not taste-testing gumbo, kick back near the stage for live music and dancing.
End the trip with a sweet treat from LeJeune’s Bakery in Jeanerette. Since the 1800s, the LeJeune family has baked such tasty French bread and ginger cakes that their bakery earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places.
Prize Fest
October 14-18
Shreveport
At Prize Fest, explore works from local film-makers, comedians, musicians and chefs. The annual street festival spans five action-packed days with activities like stand-up open-mic nights and film screenings, and with competitions in disciplines like photography and the culinary arts.
Dive deeper into Shreveport’s local art scene. The city boasts creative projects that sing, from local films at the Robinson Film Center to revolving modern-art installations at Southern Museum of Art Shreveport.
International Rice Festival
October 15-18
Crowley
Cool, autumn breezes ring in the International Rice Festival. Each day has its own can’t-miss events: Stop by for carnival rides and live music on two sound stages, vote for the best musician in a fiddle and accordion contest, watch a classic-car show and enter a rice and Creole cookery contest.
Bring Louisiana back to your home kitchen with Cajun-cooking essentials like seasoning, roux, boudin and andouille sausage from Richard’s Cajun Foods in nearby Church Point. For a sweet treat on your drive back, stop by Frosto for mile-high sundaes, classic ice cream floats and creamy milkshakes.
Learn more about Acadia Parish.
Chuck Fest
October 16-17
Lake Charles
Chuck Fest, one of Lake Charles’ largest annual festivals, celebrates bands, beers and all things Louisiana. The free festival highlights Southwest Louisiana’s famous musical genres, swamp pop and zydeco, as well its distinctively joyful culture and jaw-dropping meals (think: boudin, gumbo and cracklin’).
Before the festival starts, take a morning paddle through Sam Houston Jones State Park, where Bayou Adventure provides self-serve paddle rentals.
Andouille Festival
October 16-18
LaPlace
Love Cajun cooking? The Andouille Festival in LaPlace returns for another year of live entertainment, carnival rides and delicious Louisiana staples. Don’t miss the main event — a cooking contest that highlights classic andouille-based fare like gumbo and jambalaya.
Pick out your own gumbo fixins’ at the German Coast Farmers Market, which has a reputation for offering some of Louisiana’s most delicious produce. Shop for ripe, seasonal fruit; crisp, fresh vegetables; sweet, golden honey and handmade goods.
Discover more about Louisiana's River Parishes.
NOLA Funk Fest
October 16-18
New Orleans
Louisiana’s rich musical heritage comes to life at the groovy NOLA Funk Fest. Revel in an impressive lineup of local and renowned funk artists like George Porter, Jr., Dumpstaphunk and Neal Francis, and sample soulful Louisiana foods amid a lively atmosphere with iconic New Orleans flair.
No trip to the Crescent City is complete without a grand tour — luckily, there’s plenty to choose from, like a ride on the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen or a Witches Brew paranormal history tour.
Louisiana Legends Festival
October 17
Homer
At the annual Louisiana Legends Festival, attendees can experience blues, gospel, harmonica, pop and country music playing on two stages in Downtown Homer. The free event covers five downtown blocks and boasts more than 50 arts, crafts and food vendors, as well as a car show, dog show, bass tournament and parade.
While you’re in town, visit the Herbert S. Ford Memorial Museum, which will be open for tours. Catch a lakefront sunset at the expansive Lake Claiborne State Park, where you can also kayak, canoe, fish or hike.
Rougarou Fest
October 18-20
Houma
The Rougarou Fest is a free, family-friendly festival with a spooky flair. Celebrate the rich folklore that exists along the bayous of Southeast Louisiana through live music, cultural demonstrations, children's activities, Cajun food, the Krewe Ga Rou parade and more.
Don’t stop your adventure downtown! Houma’s Wetlands Cultural Trail offers cypress-lined bayou views. Stop to tour the nearby Greenwood Gator Farm, where Tim “The Gator Man” shares his expertise on Louisiana’s most famous reptile.
French Food Festival
October 23-25
Larose
It’s no secret that many signature Louisiana dishes were influenced by the French. At the French Food Festival, enjoy a diverse array of dishes unique to the bayou, like étouffée, beignets and more. Immerse yourself in Cajun culture with live music, folklife exhibits and more.
Later, take the family to the Bayou Country Children’s Museum, which features elementary activities with a Cajun twist. Little ones can climb aboard child-sized Mardi Gras floats and shrimp boats.
Learn more about Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou.
Annual Sweet Dough Pie Festival
October 31
Grand Coteau
A cross between a buttery, flaky pie crust and a tender, chewy sugar cookie, sweet dough pies are uniquely Cajun. Celebrate their history at Grand Coteau’s Sweet Dough Pie Festival, where you can sample dozens of variations (think: nutmeg-peppered doughs or jam-stuffed centers) while listening to swamp pop and zydeco.
While you’re in the area, listen to more live music at Blue Moon Saloon or Prejean’s. These Louisiana-famous joints play live Cajun bands nightly while serving up other regional fare like gumbo and crawfish.
Learn more about St. Landry Parish.
State Parks & Preserves
Statewide
Louisiana is home to 21 beautiful state parks filled with fun family experiences. As temperatures rise and foliage blooms, consider the state’s exciting hiking, biking and paddle trails. Or book a getaway at one of our lovely cabins.
Make Plans for Louisiana This Month
Whether it's one of our many exciting festivals or an adventure in the great outdoors, there is always something unique to experience in Louisiana. Be sure to check our calendar of events for the most up-to-date list of festivities.
