Things to Do in Louisiana This Weekend
Whether you're a culture seeker, food aficionado, outdoor adventurer or history lover, Louisiana is filled with opportunities to #FeedYourSoul.
Here's a roundup of fun Louisiana events and activities.
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.
Louisiana Halloween Events Roundup
Trick or Treating at Louisiana State Parks
Looking for family-friendly Halloween events in Louisiana? Louisiana state parks offer safe and fun trick or treating. At Fairview-Riverside State Park, enjoy Halloween night trick or treating from 4-6 p.m. Tickfaw State Park invites families to dress in costume for trick or treating around the park’s campgrounds from 7-9:30 p.m. And on Nov. 1, Lake D’Arbonne State Park hosts trick or treating around the park’s decorated campsites from 4-6 p.m.
Other Halloween Events in Louisiana
In Monroe, the Krewe of Janus offers trick or treating at the decorated Krewe Den. The fun starts at 6 p.m., and all ages are welcome.
In Alexandria, three branches of the Rapides Parish Public Library host family-friendly Halloween celebrations. The Martin Luther King Jr. branch invites families to a Spooktacular Trick-or-Treat Bash with candy giveaways, music and spooky fun. Head to the Westside Regional Library for the Pumpkin Palooza, featuring pumpkin crafts, face-painting, a cupcake walk, beanbag toss and trick or treating. The main branch hosts a Family Fall Bazaar with pumpkin painting, monster bowling, a storytime and scavenger hunt.
Dance through the night at Halloween NOMS, a costume party and concert at Taylor Park in Natchitoches.
There’s no shortage of family-friendly Halloween fun on Louisiana’s Northshore. The Boo Bash: Halloween Community Block Party in Covington offers safe, fun trick or treating, party games, face-painting, live music and free children’s books. In Madisonville, Ghosts, Goblins and Gumbo invites families to trick or treat from decorated car trunks at the Pine Street Park. And the town of Abita Springs hosts a Trunk-or-Treat Halloween Block Party, featuring hayrides, costume contests, live music and plenty of delicious snacks.
In Lake Charles, look no further than Prien Lake Mall for Halloween fun at the Boo-Tastic Bash, with trick or treating for the kiddos, plus games and activities. Dress up for family fun at DeQuincy Fall Festival, held at the DeQuincy Walking Path.
The New Orleans Recreation Development Commission hosts a number of family-friendly Halloween events, including a spooky haunted house at Lafitte Greenway Station and a Halloween Spooktacular at Joe W. Brown and Morris Jeff. Also in New Orleans, the Official Halloween Bar Crawl makes its way through the Crescent City, offering a night of creepy cocktails, elaborate costumes and a frighteningly fun atmosphere.
In Baton Rouge, don’t miss the House of Halloween Bar Crawl, with exclusive Halloween-themed drink specials at nine downtown bars. Families with little ones can visit the River Road African American Museum for a “The Wiz”-themed celebration. Dress as your favorite Oz character for a chance to win prizes, and enjoy sweet treats, games and a soundtrack singalong.
State Fair of Louisiana
Shreveport
Select dates from October 30–November 16
Get your classic fair fix at the State Fair of Louisiana! At the carnival, enjoy thrill rides like The Beast and the Iron Dragon Coaster, soak in the views from the Century Wheel or take the kiddos on the Combo Cars or Choo Choo Express. Watch high-energy shows like Dallas the Fire Guy and Circus Hollywood, and end the night with live music from Timera Clark, Crystal Thomas and Bigg Robb.
Brush up on your Louisiana history at the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum, just minutes from the fairgrounds. Exhibits include detailed scale dioramas that portray a snapshot of Louisiana life in the 1930s and murals dedicated to local landscapes and historical events.
Sabine Freestate Festival
Florien
October 31 – November 2
Embrace your inner outlaw at the Sabine Freestate Festival in Florien. Enjoy three days of good old-fashioned Western fun, with art vendors, games, pioneer demonstrations, live shootouts, comedy shows and a fully loaded barbecue cook-off.
The Toledo Bend Forest Scenic Byway encompasses the entire eastern side of Toledo Bend Lake, taking visitors past overlooks, little-known bayous and remote pine forests. Learn about the region’s history and culture without leaving the driver’s seat.
Explore Toledo Bend Lake Country.
BBQ & Bourbon on the Bayou Festival
Thibodaux
November 1
Don’t miss Lafourche Arc’s BBQ & Bourbon on the Bayou Festival. Grill masters and backyard cookout enthusiasts can compete in the barbecue cook-off, or reap the rewards by becoming a taste-tester. Try a variety of bourbons and sip craft cocktails while the kiddos enjoy arts and crafts and face-painting. The best part? Proceeds benefit Lafourche Arc’s mission to help individuals with disabilities enhance their quality of life.
While you’re in Thibodaux, take a swamp tour with Zam’s Swamp Tours. You’ll see alligators, turtles, birds and other animals, and learn about the fascinating ecosystem that makes Louisiana special.
Experience Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou.
Louisiana Book Festival
Baton Rouge
November 1
The South’s literary influence runs deep. With writers like Harper Lee and Jesmyn Ward, and themes like identity, faith and belonging, Southern literature matters. And what better way to explore it than at the Louisiana Book Festival? Meet the state’s celebrated authors, listen to panel talks from experts and head home inspired — with plenty to add to your TBR.
Just around the corner is Baton Rouge’s lively art scene. Baton Rouge Center for Contemporary Art showcases can’t-miss prints, paintings and sketches, while the dynamic LSU Museum of Art offers painting, sculpture, photography and even Chinese jade collections.
Pastalaya & Gumbo on the Bayou Cook-Off
Houma
November 1
Who makes the best pastalaya and gumbo on the bayou? Watch top local chefs go head-to-head for bragging rights, and then enjoy the delicious results! Head to Houma’s Pastalaya and Gumbo on the Bayou Cook-Off for all-you-can-eat pastalaya and gumbo, plus live music, vendors, raffles and family fun.
In the heart of Houma’s historic district, Terrebonne Folklife Cultural Center hosts interesting exhibits and artwork by local craftspeople, as well as weekly classes and workshops. Try quilting, knitting or crocheting, soap carving or duck decoy carving, or work up an appetite at their ever-popular Cajun dance lessons.
Pumpkin Chunkin’ Contest
Lake Charles
November 1
Fun meets science for an epic pumpkin chunkin’ throwdown in Lake Charles. Three divisions of teams build their own pumpkin launchers and compete to become the pumpkin chunkin’ champion. Bring the kiddos to watch these gourds fly across the sandy shores of Interstate 10 North Beach in Lake Charles.
Make it a family outing at Lake Area Adventures. This facility packs 35,000 square feet with activities for every age. Younger kids can bounce and slide across the Inflatable AirPark, while older ones climb the ropes course or dive into VR games and racing simulators in the Gamers Lounge.
Giant Omelette Celebration
Abbeville
November 1-2
Watching chefs flip a single omelet might not sound worthwhile, but what if we told you more than 5,000 eggs, 50 pounds of butter and an elephant-sized cast-iron skillet were involved? Welcome to Abbeville, home to one of Louisiana’s most egg-cellent festivals — the Annual Giant Omelette Celebration!
Explore the great outdoors at Palmetto Island State Park. Rent a canoe and paddle the Vermilion River for beautiful views and a close look at the park’s namesake — shaggy, tropical palmetto trees found all over the swamps.
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.
