Things To Do in Louisiana This Weekend
Whether you are a culture seeker, food aficionado, outdoor adventurer or history lover, Louisiana is filled with opportunities for you to #FeedYourSoul.
Here's a roundup of fun Louisiana events and activities.
With nine state museums and 21 state parks and preserves, there is no shortage of things to do every day of the year in Louisiana. Head to countless festivals. Listen to live music that will get in your bones and never leave. Enjoy world-class fishing, boating and paddling. Get up close with nature on biking and hiking trails. You'll find excellent camping and picnic areas, including well-equipped cabins and RV parks at a Louisiana state park.
Discover the history of Mardi Gras, see Louis Armstrong's cornet, relive historical moments in Louisiana sports history and so much more when you visit one of Louisiana's state museums. There are countless opportunities to immerse yourself in the culture that makes Louisiana such a special place.
These are just a few #OnlyLouisiana events happening around the state this weekend. For a full list of this weekend's events, click here!
Island Strong Music Fest
July 17-19
Grand Isle
Hoping to get a little sand in your sandals? Grand Isle’s Island Strong Music Fest offers beachfront shows right at home. Dance to tunes ranging from country to zydeco, or grab delicious seafood like crawfish, shrimp po’boys and crab pasta smothered in a Cajun alfredo.
Sweeping across Louisiana’s shoreline, Grand Isle is a secluded paradise with trails, campsites and peaceful waterfront views. Be sure to visit Grand Isle State Park for a hike or swim before listening to hip-shaking evening performances.
Learn more about Jefferson Parish.
Red River Balloon Rally
July 18-19
Bossier City
One of the best ways to experience Shreveport-Bossier is at Red River Balloon Rally, where dozens of larger-than-life balloons glow at dusk. Not to mention, visitors can float into the clouds on balloon rides or watch kaleidoscopic fireworks illuminate the sky.
Add another dose of color to your trip with the local Agora Borealis, an artisan marketplace designed to feel like a gallery. Need fresh air? Stroll the Asian Gardens of Shreveport, where more than 15 countries are represented through lush landscapes and imported statues.
Plan your stay in Shreveport-Bossier.
Cajun Music & Food Festival
July 19
Lake Charles
Experience the Cajun Music & Food Festival, where swamp pop and boudin take the stage. Wander Lake Charles’ Burton Coliseum for local food, craft vendors and auctions, or hang out at the main stage for all day music from folks like Jason Fry & Ray Thibodeaux and Kevin Naquin.
Come Sunday morning, feel free to join a Cajun French Mass downtown, followed by a coffee and donut social. Later, hit the lake for water sports, or grab gumbo and fried alligator at Steamboat Bill’s.
Plan your trip to Lake Charles.
Chicken Fest
July 19
Sulphur
Bring your whole flock, from kids to friends — even your best-dressed hen — for a clucking good time at Chicken Fest. Get in the competitive spirit with events like chicken pageants, a wing-eating contest and the Iron Chicken obstacle course, which is completed while wearing an inflatable chicken suit. Other highlights include the artisan market, laser tag and color-your-own festival T-shirts.
Make time for classic summer activities with a day of water slides, splash pads and floats along a lazy river at SPAR Waterpark. Prefer cooling off among the sand and surf? Take a scenic drive south — about an hour — to Holly Beach to walk beside crashing waves, watch feasting shore birds or even camp overnight.
Plan your trip to Lake Charles.
Lafayette Nutcracker Market: Christmas in July
July 19
Lafayette
While you can’t make your holiday schedule any less packed, you can get started on your gift-giving list — or simply indulge in a Saturday afternoon of retail therapy — at Lafayette Nutcracker Market: Christmas in July. Support small businesses as you browse stalls for the ultimate presents, from handcrafted jewelry to children’s boutique clothing, along with stylish holiday and garden items to decorate your home.
On Sunday, slip on your dancing shoes for a zydeco dance party — or fais do do — at Vermilionville. Admission is $10 and includes access to the Living History Museum. After, head to Moncus Park for tree-lined trails, an inclusive playground and a splash pad, plus plenty of sweet and refreshing treats during its National Ice Cream Day event.
Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival
July 19
Natchitoches
Grab a hot bowl of jambalaya at the annual Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival, which honors Louisiana’s culinary and creative legacies. Explore modern folklife through vendors who highlight intricate beadwork, handcrafted quilts, woven baskets and whittled banjos, or listen to fiddlers, Cajun musicians and zydeco artists. Little ones can enjoy a harmonica or blacksmithing workshop, while adults can soak up the wisdom of narrative sessions on Delta blues, juke joints and dance halls.
While you're exploring the city's culinary legacy, stop by Lasyone's Meat Pie Restaurant, a longstanding go-to for Cajun and Creole cuisine. Bite into a crisp, handheld empanada filled with spiced beef or savor a classic shrimp po'boy. Later, stroll around Cane River Lake (part of Cane River National Heritage Area) at sunset for stunning, waterfront views of Louisiana's oldest city.
Learn more about Natchitoches.
Paint and Plant Party
July 19
Monroe
There’s no better time than summer to get in touch with your green thumb. At the Paint and Plant Party, decorate a beautiful flower pot to match your vibe (or as a special gift), then add a new leafy friend — yours to cherish. There will also be plenty of food and drinks to enjoy. Tickets are $20.
Arrive on Friday for a night of live music at local spots like The Rouge Bar & Lounge or Enoch’s Irish Pub & Cafe. Then, get outdoors for fishing and birding at D'Arbonne National Wildlife Refuge or swimming, hiking, picnicking and paddling at Jimmie Davis State Park.
Taste of Africa Fest
July 19
New Orleans
From Afrobeats to authentic international cuisine, Taste of Africa Fest celebrates the food, music, art and fashion of African culture and beyond. Feel the rhythm of electrifying dance and music performances, snag a spot to see the hottest looks on the runway and find unique items at the arts and crafts booths. Snag your tickets.
For more Black cultural experiences, check out Big Easy-specific stops on Louisiana’s Civil Rights Trail, or see the stunning creations of contemporary artists with the New African Masquerades exhibition at the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA).
Balloons Over DeSoto
July 20
Mansfield
You can blame Balloons Over DeSoto for dotting Mansfield’s sky with pops of color. As you watch checkered balloons rise, enjoy scrumptious meals, live entertainment and an evening fireworks show. Plus, your little ones will love playing in the bounce houses.
Before the event, cast a reel into one of DeSoto Parish’s crystalline lakes, or stroll the shops at the historic Village of Grand Cane.
Plan your stay in DeSoto Parish.
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 to experience in Louisiana. Be sure to check our calendar of events for the most up-to-date list of festivities.
