Louisiana is arguably the "festival capital of the world," with more than 400 festivals in its annual events calendar throughout the state. Just recently, it hosted the LIX Super Bowl at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. Spring ushers in the best weather and a lively atmosphere to participate in celebrations of food, music, heritage and more, showcasing the state’s beautiful blend of rich culture and community spirit.
Springtime brings an abundance of fresh produce to Louisiana. Taste the bounty at the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival (April 11-13) or the Louisiana Peach Festival (June 7) in Ruston for sweet and juicy fruit as well as dishes that incorporate them, and enjoy all the classic fun that comes with a festival.
The state has quite a few festivals that are centred solely on its signature dishes. The Étouffée Festival (April 25-27) in Arnaudville highlights the savoury rice dish that comes smothered in a seafood gravy, while the Gonzales Jambalaya Festival (May 22-25) is dedicated to bowls of the mouthwatering classic. A traditional Cajun snack, boudin (a spicy pork and rice mixture stuffed into a casing), is the star of the Scott Boudin Festival (April 4-6). You can also taste fresh Louisiana seafood at the Amite Oyster Festival (March 14-16).
Arguably the most popular music festival in Louisiana is the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival (April 24-May 4), 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 elsewhere in the state, too. The Baton Rouge Blues Festival (April 4-6), one of the oldest blues festivals in the nation, honours Louisiana's own blues artists and, specifically, the unique sound of swamp blues. In Natchitoches, you can find the Natchitoches Jazz/R&B Festival (May 9-10) for rocking country and rock n’ roll to zydeco, blues and everything in between on the banks of the Cane River.
Lafayette hosts Festival International de Louisiane (April 23-27), a free festival celebrating South Louisiana's French cultural heritage. Homegrown musicians as well as performing artists from Europe, Africa, Canada and the Caribbean will play on the festival's six stages. Shop Marche des Arts, a fine arts market with artists from around the country, and Marche du Monde, a world market selling sculptures, photography, jewellery and more.
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 (April 4-6). Explore local Cajun culture through storytelling, poetry, workshops, music, tours by bus or boat and plenty of good food. The Tennessee Williams and New Orleans Literary Festival (March 26-30) has been supporting and shining a spotlight on writers, actors, musicians and other artists for decades. The organisation 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 traditional festival activities.
Last but not least, you can count on Louisiana to have some wacky festival themes. In Rayne, the "frog capital of the world," the Rayne Frog Festival (May 9-10) honours this title with a frog cook-off, frog-eating contest, folklore tent, frog racing and jumping, and more. In Lake Charles, the Louisiana Pirate Festival unfolds with music, food, games and contests, all of which occur around a pirate theme that pays homage to Louisiana's "patron" pirate, Jean Lafitte.
