Alligator Festival
Sept. 24–27 | West Bank Bridge Park
alligatorfestival.org
The Rotary Club of St. Charles is bringing back their annual scholarship fundraiser for local youths. Four days of food, drink, games, arts and crafts and more.
Bogalusa Blues and Heritage Festival
Sept. 25–26 | Cassidy Park
bogalusablues.com
One of the new stops on the blues music trail, the festival returns this year with a diverse cast of local and national musicians including Johnny Sansone, John Cleary and Little Freddie King.
Ascension Hot Air Balloon Festival
Sept. 25–26 | Lamar-Dixon Expo Center
ascensionballooning.com
Watch hot air balloons take off from the lush fields of the Expo Center. Complete with carnival rides, live music and more.
Jim Bowie Festival and BBQ Throwdown
Sept. 25–26 | River View RV Park & Resort
The KCBS-approved BBQ championship takes place on the banks of the Mississippi. Enjoy the food alongside a dunking booth, local bands and more.
NOLA on Tap Beer Fest
Sept. 26 | Festival Grounds, City Park
nolaontap.org
Celebrate the start of Oktoberfest in New Orleans with a plethora of national, local and microbrewed beers. Other activities include live music and a homebrewer’s Beer Judge Certification Program competition.
Edwin Hampton Music Festival
Sept. 26 | St. Augustine High School
staugnola.org/2015-hamp-fest/
Local musicians honor the founder of the “Marching 100” with Hamp Fest. Gates open at 6 pm and legendary funk band Cameo is headlining.
Ponchatoula Appraisal Fair & Art Stroll
Sept. 26 | Downtown Ponchatoula
Enjoy a stroll through downtown Ponchatoula while taking in the local artwork. As well, stop by the back porch to have antiques, furniture and more appraised.
Harvest Days
Sept. 26–27 | LSU AgCenter
Witness the Battle of Baton Rouge as it is reenacted on the museum grounds. The event also features other living history demonstrations, folk art, and more.
St. Tammany Parish Fair
Sept. 30–Oct 4 | Covington Fairgrounds sttammanyparishfair.info
Take part in a variety of wide-ranging events that showcase local culture, including a pageant, bagpipe concerts, gardening seminars and a tri-state rodeo.
Tangipahoa Parish Fair
Sept. 30–Oct. 4 | Tangipahoa Fairgrounds tangipahoaparishfair.org
Centering on livestock and agriculture, the Tangipahoa Parish Fair also includes a spelling bee, live music, carnival rides, pageants and a parade through Amite.
Halloween at the Myrtles
Oct. 1-31 | Myrtle’s Plantation
myrtleplantation.com
“America’s Most Haunted Home” will give you the Halloween experience of a lifetime every weekend in October. Staying at this plantation will give you the perfect blend of great hospitality and paranormal activity.
Ponderosa Stomp
Oct. 1–3 | Rock ’n’ Bowl ponderosastomp.com
This festival features not only renowned roots acts, but also music history conferences, a show for record collectors and a kick-off party.
Hell Yes Fest
Oct. 1–11 | New Movement | hellyesfest.com
Cultivating a wealth of talent from The New Movement, HYF runs for two weeks, with the first focusing on sketch comedy and film and the second focusing on improv and standup.
Gretna Heritage Festival
Oct. 2–4 | Gretna Festival Grounds gretnafest.com
The Gretna Heritage Festival celebrates its 25th anniversary with 25 blocks of food, music and more. Celebrity guests Kid Rock, Hank Williams Jr. and Bret Michaels will also make appearances.
Blues in Da Parish
Oct. 3 | Docville Park
Now in its third year, Blues in Da Parish features live music along with agricultural and history exhibits, food and a variety of children’s activities.
Denham Springs Fall Festival
Oct. 3 | Denham Springs Antique Village
denhamspringsantiquedistrict.net
Denham Springs’ festival season kicks off with tours of Old City Hall, music at the Old Train Station, rides, antique booths, art booths and plenty of food.
Warrior Dash
Oct. 3 | West Feliciana Parish Sports Park
warriordash.com/location/2015-warrior-dash-louisiana
Warrior Dash challenges you to complete a 3.5 mi race that is only fit for the brave. The race includes 12 obstacles which takes things up a notch. Don’t worry, the race isn’t just sweat and tears, there will be an afterparty that will be sure to make you forget about the pain.
Sugar Fest
Oct. 4 | West Baton Rouge Museum
Explore six of Baton Rouge’s historic sugar plantations while also taking in historical demonstrations, a cakewalk, music and more.
Angola Prison Rodeo
Oct. 4–25 | Louisiana State Penitentiary | angolarodeo.com
Taking place every Sunday in October, the rodeo features a wide variety of events from barrel racing to wild horse races. The rodeo also offers food and an inmate-made crafts show.
Beauregard Parish Fair
Oct. 6–10 | Beauregard Parish Fairgrounds
This year’s theme is “sowing seeds of health and wealth,” so with that in mind, check out the fair’s parade, pageant and agricultural exhibits.
West Louisiana Forestry Festival and Fair
Oct. 7–11 | Vernon Parish Fairgrounds
Vernon residents show off their agricultural work at the Forestry Festival. A black-pot cooking contest, dancing and music are also on the agenda.
Festivals Acadiens et Créoles
Oct. 7–11 | Girard Park festivalsacadiens.com
Marking the 250th anniversary of the Acadians’ arrival in Louisiana, the festival this year features an Acadian twist on Mardi Gras along with historical demonstrations, live bands, food and more.
Atchafalaya Catfish Festival
Oct. 8–10 | Melville Civic Center
atchafalaya.org/events
Have your catfish however you want it at the annual Atchafalaya Catfish Festival. The festival also hosts a carnival, live music, DJs and more.
Louisiana Cattle Festival
Oct. 8–11 | Downtown Abbeville
cityofabbeville.net/louisiana-cattle-festival/
A celebration of all things bovine, the Louisiana Cattle Festival features a cattle show, baby show, cooking contest and street dancing.
Gentilly Fest
Oct. 9–11 | Pontchartrain Park | gentillyfest.com
This festival acts as a fundraiser for the Gentilly area, while also providing practical recovery information. It includes a music tent, gospel tent, pony rides and local artwork.
Bridge City Gumbo Festival
Oct. 9–11 | Holy Guardian Angels Church | bridgecitygumbofestival.org
Two thousand gallons of Bridge City’s renowned seafood and gumbo are served over the course of this festival. Fairgoers can also take part in carnival rides and music.
Louisiana Gumbo Festival of Chackbay
Oct. 9–11 | Festival Grounds | lagumbofest.com
The Chackbay Fire Department hosts the gumbo festival this year. Musicians featured include Drunk Punch Ponies and Mule Kick.
Natchitoches Fall Pilgrimage and Tour of Homes
Oct. 9–11 | Melrose Plantation | natchitoches.net
Offering the opportunity to tour some of Natchitoches’ most beautiful residences, the tour of homes offers three options, including a candelight tour and a town tour.
World Championship Gumbo Cookoff
Oct. 9–11 | Bouligny Plaza
iberiachamber.org/gumbo-cookoff
Take advantage of the more than 40 food booths, live music and shopping galore at the Gumbo Cookoff. Spread over three days, the final one is dedicated to the 90 teams competing for best gumbo.
12th Annual Voice of the Wetlands (VOW) Festival
Oct. 9–11 | 5403 Westpark, Houma voiceofthewetlands.org/vow-festival
Support environmentalism and cultural appreciation at the VOW Festival. Attendees can enjoy traditional Cajun dishes between the dozens of musical performances.
Deutsches Haus Oktoberfest
Oct 9–24 | Rivertown Exhibition Hall
oktoberfestnola.com
The German heritage festival returns this year with a variety of cool events, including dachshund races, chicken dancing and more.
Japan Fest
Oct. 10 | New Orleans Museum of Art
noma.org/videos/detail/17/Japan-Fest
NOMA is once again hosting their Japan Fest, a celebration of Japanese culture and heritage. It features performances by noted performers Shinobu Yamato and Kaminari Taiko along with tea ceremonies and tours of the museum’s Japanese collection.
Old Arabi Sugar Fest
Oct. 10 | LeBeau Plantation | oldarabi.com/sugar-fest
Sponsored by Domino Sugar, Arabi celebrates their sugar industry with dessert-eating competitions, sugar art and the ever-popular donut-eating contest.
Que Pasa Fest 2015
Oct. 10 | Lafreniere Park | quepasafest.com
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at the beautiful Lafreniere Park. Focusing on Cuban artistry, the festival hosts concerts and presentations by local Latin artists.
Fall for Art
Oct. 10 | St. Tammany Art Association sttammanyartassociation.org/programs
Taking place in the historic St. John district, this event offers the ability to not only see art from all over the Southeast, but also engage with art galleries, screenings, and more.
Carnaval Latino
Oct. 10–11 | French Market | carnavalatinola.com
Kicking off with a Spanish twist on the float parade tradition, the French Market is hosting a variety of Latin events, including empowerment seminars, live music and more.
Madisonville Wooden Boat Festival
Oct. 10–11 | Madisonville Riverfront
woodenboatfest.org
The Lake Pontchartrain Maritime Museum is hosting a beautiful collection of wooden boats along with a car show, beer garden, boat-building contest and live music.
Awesome Art on the Bayou
Oct. 10–11 | Jambalaya Park
The River Region will exhibit its best art at this event. Expect art competitions, a children’s art village, entertainment and more.
Celebración Latina
Oct. 11 | Audubon Zoo
This festival will celebrate Hispanic culture with a variety of games, crafts, food, music and more.
Fall Garden Festival
Oct. 11–12 | New Orleans Botanical Garden, City Park | neworleanscitypark.com/events
Kids can watch the aerialist performance and take Scarecrow Trail while parents participate in cooking demonstrations and educational lectures.
International Rice Festival
Oct. 15–18 | Rice Festival Grounds
ricefestival.com
The renowned Rice Festival returns this year with a plethora of special events, including a poker run, senior citizens ball, rice and creole cooking competition, 5K walk/run, parades and more.
New Orleans Film Festival
Oct. 15–22 | Prytania Theatre
neworleansfilmfestival.org
Showcasing a range of talent both national and local, the famous film festival returns with eight days of screenings, conferences, seminars and more.
45th Annual New Orleans Gem, Mineral, Fossil & Jewelry Show
Oct. 16-18 | Best Western Landmark Hotel
The chance to buy rare gems, minerals, fossils, and jewelry is back this year. Not only will you be able to buy products but there will be demonstrations of how to make them for you and the entire family to watch.
Andouille Festival
Oct. 16–18 | Thomas F. Daley Memorial Park
andouillefestival.com
The festival offers plenty of the titular andouille sausage along with a jazz brunch, eating contest, children’s art tent, live music and more.
Crescent City Blues and BBQ Festival
Oct. 16–18 | Lafayette Square jazzandheritage.org/blues-fest
The centerpiece of this year’s festival is The Funky Meters performance with Allen Touissant and Irma Thomas. Also featured will be lots of BBQ as well as options for vegans.
Violet Oyster Festival
Oct. 16–18 | Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church | olol-church.com
In addition to a variety of oysters, the event will have plenty of live music, games and family-oriented events.
International Acadian Festival
Oct. 16–18 | Bayou-Plaquemine Waterfront Park | acadianfestival.org
This festival celebrating Acadian heritage features a cochon-de-lait Cajun cooking contest, a parade and the arrival of the festival’s queen, Evangeline.
Anba Dlo
Oct. 17 | New Orleans Healing Center | anbadlofestival.org
Titled after the Haitian Kreyol phrase meaning “beneath the waters,” local residents can celebrate local culture with a costume parade and party while also raising awareness about St. Claude and water.
Boo Carre Halloween & Harvest Festival
Oct. 17 | French Market
A family-focused Halloween event that features a petting zoo, costume contest, pie-eating contest, pumpkin sales and more.
Monster Mash
Oct. 17 | Bogue Falaya Park | sthfoundation.org/foundation/monstermash.htm
Offering residents a unique and family-fun experience in Covington, the Monster Mash has lots of children’s activities along with entertainment for the rest of the family.
Party in the Pits BBQ Cook-Off
Oct. 17 | Memorial Park
Dozens of teams compete at Party in the Pits, held in the scenic “Strawberry Festival” Park. Families can expect plenty of fun, food and games.
Old Farmer’s Day and Horse-Pulling Contest
Oct. 17–18 | Brunett Farms | oldfarmersday.com
Centering on historical reenactments of agrarian and agricultural work, the event includes the eponymous horse-pulling contest, pottery making, biscuit cooking and more.
Gautier Mullet and Music Fest
Oct. 17–18 | Downtown Gautier | gautiermulletfest.org
In addition to the annual art contest, the event also has a classic car and motorcycle show, local bands, food and beer.
Pet Fest
Oct. 18 | Lafreniere Park
jeffersonspca.org/pet-fest-2015
The 8th Annual Pet Fest will include hundreds of homeless animals who are available for adoption and looking for a furever home. This year’s theme is Tales from the Barkside.
Laurel Valley Heritage Festival
Oct. 18 | Laurel Valley Village Store
Feed farm animals, take a look at the antique farm machinery exhibits and purchase crafts and more from dozens of vendors.
Louisiana Cotton Festival
Oct. 20–25 | North Side Civic Center louisianacottonfestival.com
Live music and dancing lead to street dancing, coronations, a carnival, a pet show and more.
Greater Baton Rouge State Fair
Oct. 22–Nov. 1 | Baton Rouge Fairgrounds | gbrsf.com
Featuring over 40 carnival rides, the Baton Rouge State Fair also has plenty of live performers, food, games and entertainment for local residents.
State Fair of Louisiana
Oct. 22–Nov. 8 | Louisiana State Fairgrounds statefairoflouisiana.com
Touted as “the largest livestock show and carnival in the state,” the State Fair of Louisiana returns this year with Lainey Wilson and Bayou Boogie.
Garden Symposium
Oct. 23-24 | 11757 Ferdinand St, St Francisville, La. southerngardensymposium.org
Attention gardeners! It is time to go where the best tips and workshops on gardening are being offered to the public. After leaving the classes and seminars, your garden is destined to be flawless.
Bucktown Seafood Festival
Oct. 23–25 | St. Louis King of France School
slkfschool.com/bucktown-seafood-festival
Featuring live performances by Category 6, New Orleans Karma and St. King Louis students, this festival will involve lots of seafood and lots of fun.
French Food Festival
Oct. 23–25 | Larose Civic Center
bayoucivicclub.org/features/french-food-fest
Featuring the best of Cajun and French cuisine, the festival also has a bull-riding show, live auction, carnival, basketball tournament and more.
Ghost in the Oaks
Oct. 23–25 | Amusement Park & Storyland, City Park friendsofcitypark.com/Events/ghostsintheoaks
This family-friendly event is perfect for young trick-or-treaters. Ghost in the Oaks features a pumpkin patch, trick-or-treating, rides and more. Children under 36 months get in free!
Sweet Dough Pie Festival
Oct. 24 | St. Charles Borromeo Church
sweetdoughgc.com
The perfect way to get a glimpse of Grand Coteau’s local culture and history. Take part in the pie-eating contest or check out the arts and crafts vendors.
Arts Alive Fair and Festival
Oct. 24 | Founders Park
Hosting an open-air market, the festival also has clowns, face painting, balloon artists, live entertainment, food and more.
Yellow Leaf Arts Festival
Oct. 24–25 | Parker Memorial Park
yellowleaf.felicianalocal.com
Local artisans show off their work, including glass art, sculpture, pottery, jewelry, metalwork and more. Families can also enjoy the local sweet potatoes baked into pies, muffins and cakes.
Rougarou Fest
Oct. 24–25 | Downtown Houma
rougaroufest.org
Featuring the deliriously fun Rougarou Run, where participants are chased by zombies and monsters, this festival hosts a multitude of great activities.
Haints, Haunts and Halloween
Oct. 25 | Rural Life Museum
Children can comfortably enjoy the fun of an old-fashioned fair hosted on the museum grounds. Events include trick-or-treating and storytelling.
Feast on the Levee
Oct. 25 | St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
Anyone looking to dig in to local dishes and southern favorites should look no further. Dine on classics like pastalaya and fried turkey while enjoying a silent auction and more.
Yellow Rails and Rice Festival
Oct. 28–Nov. 1 | Hampton Inn and Suites, Jennings
A means for understanding the value of “working wetlands,” local farmers and birders can participate in various information sessions, lectures and workshops.
Voodoo Music + Arts Experience
Oct. 30 - Nov. 1 | City Park
worshipthemusic.com
Come Experience New Orleans premiere alternative music festival featuring performances by Ozzy Osborne, DeadMau5, Gerard Way, Jack U, Florence & the Machine, Metric, and more.
Louisiana Book Festival
Oct. 31 | State Library of Louisiana
louisianabookfestival.org
Meet exceptional writers and find some great books for any occasion at this annual book festival.
Harvest Moon Festival
Oct. 31 | Downtown Franklin
Start the fall season and celebrate the Harvest Moon in historic Franklin’s Downtown District. The event will have a BBQ cookoff, car show and more.
