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.
With nine state museums and 21 state parks and preserves, there's 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. We've got countless opportunities to immerse yourself in the culture that makes Louisiana such a special place. These are just a few of the #OnlyLouisiana events happening around the state this weekend. For a full list of this weekend's events, click here!
Alligator Festival
Luling
September 25-28
Later, gator! Luling’s Alligator Festival delights families with carnival rides, craft vendors, live music and delicious alligator-based dishes. You might just have the chance to pet a live alligator, too.
Don’t leave without a proper visit to a swamp. Luling’s Swamp Adventures offers thrilling airboat tours through alligator-filled estuaries. Have lunch nearby at The Seafood Pot, where chefs cook up authentic crawfish, gumbo and po’boys.
Experience Louisiana’s River Parishes.
Red River Revel
September 25-28 & October 2-5
Shreveport
During Red River Revel, Shreveport is home base for creatives. This seven-day arts-and-culture festival features more than 100 juried visual, musical, theatrical and performing artists from around the country. Names like Rachel Ammons have been known to grace the mainstage, and the food is phenomenal: Enjoy Cajun cuisine like boudin balls and blackened catfish.
When the festivities subside, wind down with your family. Venture through the immersive dome gallery where hundreds of aquatic species thrive at the Shreveport Aquarium, or stroll through Artspace, a contemporary art museum and gallery.
Learn more about Shreveport-Bossier.
Ark-La-Miss Fair
September 26-October 5
Monroe
Come fall, Louisiana is brimming with fairs — like the Ark-La-Miss Fair. There's no better way to spend a crisp, cool night than snacking on funnel cakes and seeing the city from the top of a neon Ferris wheel. Enjoy carnival rides, livestock shows, live performances, snack booths and more.
Gear up for a fun-filled day with a morning coffee, which you'll find no shortage of in Monroe. Try a lightly sweetened Cuban coffee at Alex Latin Restaurant & Cafeteria or a cold brew at Seventh Square Coffee.
Bogalusa Blues & Heritage Festival
September 26-27
Bogalusa
The Bogalusa Blues & Heritage Festival isn’t a secret anymore. That’s because this dynamic festival has been voted one of the state's best for its killer blues lineup, peaceful riverfront campgrounds and top-notch food. Groove to contemporary and classic sounds from Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers, Vasti Jackson, Chris Thomas King and more.
Pack some sunscreen, because you’ll want to cool off in the calm waters of the Bogue Chitto River. Canoe or tube down this lazy river for a memorable end to summer.
Learn more about Washington Parish.
C.O.Y.C. Hurricane Festival
September 26-27
Cut Off
Head to Cut Off for Hurricane Festival, where you can experience a carnival, see live music, shop from local artisans and more. Don't miss sampling delicious Louisiana classics like gumbo, pistolettes, oysters and fried alligator!
Before you head to the festival, explore Cut Off, a small fishing community which got its name from a short-cut canal connecting it to New Orleans. Try a guided fishing tour from a local charter, or stop by Cajun Pecan House for an authentic sweet and crunchy praline.
Find more things to do in Lafourche Parish.
Louisiana Chicken Festival
September 26-27
Dubach
We might not know why the chicken really crossed the road, but we do know Dubach loves to celebrate it. The Louisiana Chicken Festival is an assemblage of events: Join a chicken run, corn hole tournament, cakewalk or dogtrot. Grab a crispy, crunchy plate of fried tenders as you watch the highly anticipated Strut, Cackle & Crow contest, and end the night with a street dance.
Camp at nearby Lincoln Parish Park, where some of the country’s top-rated mountain-biking trails wind through forested greenspace. Lincoln Parish guests are welcome to bring pets, start campfires and use the park’s free Wi-Fi, too. Hoping to stay indoors? City dwellers will enjoy venturing through 18 blocks of downtown Ruston.
Experience Ruston-Lincoln Parish.
Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival
September 26-28
New Iberia
Whether dusted upon beignets or drizzled into a French 75, Louisiana sugar is everywhere. What sweeter way to celebrate this good than at the Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival? Enjoy three parades that honor those in the sugarcane industry, and when the sun sets, head to a nightly fais do-do (a Cajun dance party), where you can groove to live music.
Keep the sweet treats rolling with a trip to LeJeune’s Bakery in Jeanerette. Since the 1800s, five generations of LeJeunes have baked French bread and ginger cakes tasty enough to earn a spot on the National Register of Historic Places.
Learn more about Iberia Parish.
Bayou Fest and Boat Parade
September 27
Lafayette
Celebrate the joyful culture of the Bayou Vermilion District at Bayou Fest. Dress up your boat, kayak or watercraft and float up to 10.6 miles down Bayou Vermilion. Later, drive or shuttle to Southside Park for a mini-fest complete with live music, games, food and craft beer. Need a watercraft for the parade? Canoes and kayaks will be available to rent on-site.
Can't get enough of South Louisiana's gorgeous landscape? Located 10 minutes from downtown Lafayette is Acadiana Park Campground, which offers six miles of hiking trails and 150 acres of forest to camp within.
Learn more about Lafayette.
Make Plans for Louisiana This Month
Whether it's one of our many exciting festivals or an adventure in the great outdoors, there's always something to experience in Louisiana. Be sure to check our calendar of events for the most up-to-date list of festivities.
