Lakeside2Riverside: 2025 Spring Festivals Guide Edition
APRIL
April 23-27 | Cycle Zydeco
Various Locations | cyclezydeco.org
Cycle Zydeco combines cycling and Creole/Cajun culture across five days of scenic Louisiana rides. There will be nightly performances by Lost Bayou Ramblers and Chubby Carrier, plus swamp tours and crawfish boils. The festival features 30-45 mile daily routes on flat terrain.
April 23-27 | Festival International de Louisiane
Downtown Lafayette | festivalinternational.org
The Festival International de Louisiane brings global music and culture to downtown Lafayette across five days of celebration. Performances across multiple stages featuring world music artists, international cuisine from local vendors, a vibrant arts market, and a dedicated family zone. Admission is free.
April 24-27, May 1-4 | New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
Fair Grounds Race Course and Slots | nojazzfest.com
The 2025 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival brings world-class music to the historic Fair Grounds Race Course. Performances will include Pearl Jam, Luke Combs, Lenny Kravitz, and so much more. Enjoy traditional New Orleans cuisine, local arts and crafts vendors, and cultural demonstrations.
April 25 & 26 | Grand Isle Migratory Bird Celebration
Grand Isle | grandisleevents.org/bird-celebration
The Grand Isle Migratory Bird Celebration showcases the island's role as a stopover for spring migrating birds. In addition to boat tours, there will also be demonstrations of bird banding techniques and guided walks through Grand Isle State Park. Registration is required for guided tours.
April 25-27 | Italian Festival
Highway 51, Tickfaw | theitalianfestivalorg.com
Tickfaw's
Italian Festival celebrates Italian heritage and culture with three days of
food, music, and family entertainment with performances by Thomas Cain &
the Dominos, Bag of Donuts, and more. This family-friendly event will also have
authentic cuisine from regional restaurants and carnival rides.
April 25-27 | Plaquemines Parish Seafood Festival
333 F Edward Hebert Blvd., Belle Chasse | plaqueminesparishfestival.com
The Plaquemines Parish Seafood Festival is three days of fresh local catches and live swamp pop entertainment. The festival will feature fresh boiled seafood, fried seafood platters, seafood gumbo, and other local delicacies prepared by community vendors.
April 26 | Denham Springs Spring Festival
Downtown Denham Springs | denhamspringsantiquedistrict.net
The Denham Springs Spring Festival transforms the city's historic downtown into a vibrant celebration of local culture and community spirit. There will be food trucks serving Louisiana favorites, a classic car show, face painting and inflatables, and guided tours of the historic district.
April 26 & 27 | Kite Fest Louisiane
3383 Rosedale Rd., Port Allen | westbatonrouge.net
Experience the magic of flight at this award-winning festival featuring professional kite demonstrations, family workshops, and evening entertainment. Saturday, April 26, will conclude with live music by Waters Edge and a spectacular fireworks display alongside illuminated night kites. Admission is free.
April 28-30 | NOLA Crawfish Festival
The Broadside | facebook.com/nolacrawfishfestival
The 10th annual NOLA Crawfish Festival includes thousands of pounds of crawfish boiled on-site by renowned NOLA Crawfish King Chris "Shaggy" Davis and his expert team. Early bird three-day passes are available, and live music will be provided by Ivan Neville, Tony Hall, and more.
April 29 | Swing in the Oaks
42 Dreyfous Dr. | lpomusic.com/citypark
The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra's annual free concert is a community tradition featuring live symphonic music performed by the LPO and 125 LPO Academy students with community members picnicking to celebrate New Orleans' rich musical heritage in one of the city's most iconic settings.
April 29 & 30 | Daze Between New Orleans
Mahalia Jackson Theater | dazebetweennola.com
Experience a vibrant celebration during Jazz Fest's mid-week break with this dynamic music festival. There will be an all-star lineup including Umphrey's McGee and the Allman Betts Band New Orleans Family Revival, plus evening performances and special collaborations. Tickets start at $67.50.
MAY
May 2-4 | Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival
Parc Hardy, Breaux Bridge | bbcrawfest.com
The Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival brings three days of Cajun, Zydeco, and swamp pop music to Breaux Bridge's Parc Hardy. Over 30 bands will perform across three stages within the fest. Daily admission is $5-15, while weekend passes are $25.
May 3 & 4 | St. Tammany Collectors Con
Castine Center, Mandeville | sttammanycollectorscon.com
This year's St. Tammany Collectors Con will include special guest appearances by voice actors John DiMaggio and Tara Strong, plus panels with comic artists Jim Lee and Todd McFarlane. The convention also features the Gulf South's largest vintage toy market. Admission is $15-25.
May 4 | May the 4th Be With You
Downtown Houma Courthouse Square | facebook.com/m4houma
Houma's May the 4th Be With You includes live performances by the Caniacs & Nonc Nu Da and Wild Matous, plus a spectacular Star Wars character parade featuring costumed fans and professional cosplay groups. There will be themed vendor booths and costume contests with prizes.
May 5 | Cinco de Mayo Fest
Lafreniere Park, Metairie | cincodemayofest.com
Get ready to enjoy Margaritas,
tacos, and good times at this year's Cinco de Mayo Fest in Metairie. What started
as an intimate block party in front of Los Jefes Grill in Fat City has grown
into an annual celebration with live music, delicious Mexican food, lucha
libre, bull riding, and more.
May 8-10 | Boggy Bayou Festival
4473 Heritage Rd., Ville Platte | boggybayoufestival.com
Celebrate
the 40th annual Boggy Bayou Festival, benefiting Prairie Manor Nursing Home,
with local music, traditional Cajun food, and family activities. There will
also be craft vendors, pageant competitions, and community auctions. Carnival
ride bracelets will also be available.
May 10 & 17 | A Taste of Covington
Historic Downtown Covington | atasteofcovington.com
Experience this premier Covington culinary event featuring two signature celebrations at the St. Tammany Art House. The Festa del Vino (May 10) offers exclusive wine tastings and hors d'oeuvres, while the Grand Tasting (May 17) showcases regional flavors alongside live entertainment.
May 16-18 | Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo
Bayou St. John | thebayouboogaloo.com
Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo brings three days of local music, art, and culture to Bayou St. John waterway. The festival features jazz, funk, brass bands, and contemporary sounds from a variety of performing acts. You can even have fun while floating on Bayou St. John.
May 16-18 | Sand In My Boots
Beaches of Gulf Shores, AL | sandinmybootsfest.com
The Sand
in My Boots Festival will transform Gulf Shores into a three-day celebration
with performances by Morgan Wallen, Post Malone, Wiz Khalifa, Diplo, and more.
General admission and VIP packages are available. Don't miss out on the sand,
sun, and good times.
May 23-25 | New Orleans Greek Festival
1200 Allen Toussaint Blvd. | gfno.com
The New Orleans Greek Festival celebrates Greek culture with authentic cuisine, dance, and traditions. Highlights include performances by the Hellenic Dancers, authentic Greek dishes, and guided church tours of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral. The fest will be celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
May 29-June 1 | Gulf Coast Jam
Panama Beach, FL | gulfcoastjam.com
Experience four days of country music in Panama Beach during the Gulf Coast Jam, featuring headliners Lainey Wilson, Sam Hunt, Jordan Hunt, and more. This beachside festival includes multiple stages, VIP options, and special military appreciation areas. Get your tickets soon before they sell out.
JUNE & UPCOMING
June 7 & 8 | Creole Tomato Festival
French Market | frenchmarket.org/event/37th-annual-creole-tomato-festival/all
Celebrate the start of summer at the 39th annual Creole Tomato Festival, featuring live music on multiple stages, fresh Creole tomatoes for sale, specialty food booths, and family activities throughout the historic French Market. Admission is free.
June 12-15 | New Orleans Wine and Food Experience
Multiple Locations | nowfe.com
The New Orleans Wine and Food Experience features over 1,000 wines from 250 wineries, the "Tournament of Rosés" competition, the signature "King of Louisiana Seafood" cook-off, sommelier-led tastings, and the popular "Labs & Lectures" series. Must be 21+ to attend most events.
November 1 | Freret Street Festival
Freret Street from Napoleon to Valmont | freretstreetfestival.org
Enjoy tons of live music and delicious food at this local street festival on Freret Street, running on Freret from Napoleon to Valmont. Live talent for festivities have included groups and singers such as Deep Sleep Atlantic, Kota Dosa, and Renee Gros & Tiago.
