MAY 25-27
New Orleans Wine and Food Experience, New Orleans, nowfe.com
Known as one of the premiere events in the city and celebrating New Orleans’s favorite hobby, the New Orleans Wine and Food Experience celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. The event features the Royal Street Stroll and the Grand Tasting with wines from all over the country.
MAY 25-28
Krotz Springs Sportsmen’s Heritage Festival, Krotz Springs, LA, kssportsmensheritagefestival.com
With the mission to share with Louisianans the culture of hunting, fishing, and sporting that is so important to Krotz Springs, the Sportsmen’s Heritage Festival invites you to the Heart of the Atchafalaya to join in on some great food, music, dancing, and a wild-game cook-off.
MAY 26-27
Swamp Pop Music Festival, Hammond, LA, hiddenoaksfamilycampground.com
The 17th Annual Swamp Pop Music Festival is being held memorial day weekend and tickets are on sale for $15 per adult camper (18 and up) with a 2 night minimum. There will be music, food, and craft vendors both fest days.
MAY 26-28
Bayou Country Superfest, New Orleans, bayoucountrysuperfest.com
What has for the past six years been held annually in LSU’s Tiger Stadium has now come to the Superdome. The Bayou Country Superfest is your chance to see all your favorite country singers. Performing this year are artists like Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Brooks & Dunn, Rascal Flatts, and so much more.
Greek Festival, New Orleans, greekfestnola.com
The New Orleans Greek Festival is back in its 44th year, and is your one stop for all things Greek: homemade Greek wine and food, Greek music, traditional Greek dancing by the Hellenic Dancers, a live Greek band playing on the Bayou, and tons of Greek desserts.
Jambalaya Festival, Gonzales, LA, jambalayafestival.org
The Gonzales Jambalaya Festival Association invites you to join them for the 48th annual Jambalaya Fest. The festival includes world champion jambalaya served daily and several cooking contests, along with so many rides and games, it takes four days to experience everything.
MAY 29-JUNE 3
Birdfoot Festival, New Orleans, birdfootfestival.org
Named for the branching footprint of the Mississippi River Delta, the Birdfoot Festival is a unique music festival that celebrates chamber music. Featuring both experienced and novice musicians, this festival allows guests to experience the culture of chamber music while fostering collaboration between emerging and international artists.
MAY 31-JUNE 3
Le Festival de la Viande Boucanée de la Louisiane, Ville Platte, LA, lasmokedmeatfestival.com
Dedicated to veterans of all military branches, the Smoked Meat Festival is held in Ville Platte, the smoked meat capital of the world. This two-day festival includes cook-offs with both professional and amateur divisions, food booths, beauty pageants, live music, and more food than you’ll know what to do with.
JUNE
JUNE 2-4
Gheens Bon Mangé Festival, Gheens, LA, gheensbonmange.weebly.com
Featuring live auctions all weekend, a full menu with delicious seafood options, and wonderful entertainment all in an air-conditioned building, the 44th annual Bon Mangé Festival is free to all, and offers free parking.
JUNE 3
New Orleans International Beer Festival, New Orleans, neworleansinternationalbeerfest.com
Showcasing two-ounce unlimited samples of craft beers from around the world, this year’s festival is sure to attract beer enthusiasts from near and far. Combining beer with delicious New Orleans food and featuring a cider garden and beer seminars, the fest is completely devoted to the art of beer drinking.
JUNE 3-4
The New Orleans Oyster Festival, Woldenberg Park, neworleansoysterfestival.com
Complete with a great live music lineup, eating and shucking contests, crafts, and a hearty collection of seafood restaurants, the New Orleans Oyster Festival requests your presence and an empty belly. Admission is free, so come on out to crack one open and start shucking.
JUNE 8-10
Louisiana Corn Festival, Lake St. Bunkie, LA, bunkiechamber.net/lacornfest
Proud to be the only corn festival in Louisiana, the Bunkie Corn Festival’s mission is to honor the impact that agriculture has had on the Louisiana community. Including fun activities for all ages, this festival features nightly live music, rides, games, a royal court, a parade, and of course corn-themed contests.
JUNE 9-11
New Orleans Pride Festival, prideneworleans.com
Be a part of the festival that recognizes and celebrates the LGBT community by coming out to show your pride. This festival welcomes people of all backgrounds and all walks of life, and invites you to experience a weekend of events centered around the LGBT community.
JUNE 10-11
Creole Tomato Festival, French Quarter, frenchmarket.org
Enjoy this staple ingredient of New Orleans cooking at the French Market and participate in all things tomato. Indulge in dishes created by famous local chefs, compete in the annual tomato eating contest, and buy the freshest produce around.
JUNE 15-17
Snake Oil Festival, snakeoilfestival.com
This festival, hosted right here in New Orleans, is the premier festival for sideshows, circuses, cultural arts, burlesque, music, comedy, and any sort of alternative entertainment you can think of. Tickets packages vary, starting at $15 and ranging up to $105.
JUNE 17-18
Coquille Park Junefest, Covington, LA, steinhaurerproductions.com
This festival is Covington’s own cultural arts and crafts show featuring local artists and their creations. Head across the lake to see some extraordinary art and support Covington’s local artists.
JUNE 23-24
Acadiana PRIDE Festival, Lafayette, LA, acadianapride.org
This festival strives to promote unity among Acadiana’s LGBTQ community and raises funds for LGBTQ nonprofit organizations in the area. The PRIDE Festival features musical events, parties, and a drag brunch to help support LGBTQ communities around the state.
Beauregard Watermelon Festival, DeRidder, LA, louisianatravel.com/la-events/beauregard-watermelon-festival
Come out to enjoy the harvest of the Sugartown watermelons at the Beauregard Watermelon Festival. Guests of this delicious festival will delight in games, contests, carnival rides, shopping, and tasty watermelon treats.
Louisiana Peach Festival, Ruston, LA, louisianapeachfestival.org
This peachy event kicks off with an event called “Peach Stops” in which participants have a week to visit all the stops and get their peach passport validated, and could win a prize of $1000. During the festival, have fun with a frenzy of peach-themed events, live music, and tons of yummy dishes featuring delicious peaches.
JUNE 23-25
Louisiana Catfish Festival, Des Allemands, LA, louisianacatfishfestival.com/home.html
One of the most anticipated events of the year for the Des Allemands area, the Louisiana Catfish festival features family fun with homemade catfish dishes, rides and attractions, and live music.
JUNE 24-25
Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco Festival, Louis Armstrong Park, jazzandheritage.org/Cajun-zydeco
Home of some of the greatest Cajun and Zydeco heritage in the New Orleans area, this festival has something for everyone to enjoy. Enjoy live music and Cajun dancing, and take part in Cajun cultural events like art exhibits, concerts, literary events and lectures, and education workshops.
JUNE 30-JULY 4
Erath 4th of July Celebration, Erath, LA, erath4.com
Join the 81st annual Erath 4th of July Celebration this year with more events than you’ll have time for. With five days of pageants, contests, food, cook-offs, fireworks, parades, music, a fun run, and various community building activities, this 4th of July bash will be a time to remember.
JUNE 29-JULY 2
Essence Festival, Various Locations, essence.com/festival
Featuring hit artists like Mary J. Blige, Chance the Rapper, Solange, and John Legend, the annual Essence Festival is a must-see event. The festival also features famous speakers such as Dr. Cissy Houston, Rev. Al Sharpton, and Ava Duvernay. Ticket packages vary and start a $126.
