Festival season has arrived, and all those events you look forward to every year are in full swing once again. Get out your calendars, folks, and prepare to fill them up quickly – we’ve got all the details! 

 

SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA ZYDECO MUSIC FESTIVAL

September 3

Yambilee Festival Grounds  |  Opelousas

The world’s largest Zydeco music festival celebrates the rich culture of Louisiana Creoles. Festival goers will enjoy a parade and kick-off breakfast, then a full day and night of celebration with music, artisan booths, and traditional Creole food by vendors and food trucks.

zydeco.org

 

LYDIA CAJUN FOOD FEST

September 10

Weeks Park  |  New Iberia 

Bring the whole family to this fundraiser event for the Lydia Cancer Association. Try some of the best Cajun food around and listen to live bands throughout the day. 

lydiacancerassociation.org

 

SHADOWS ON THE TECHE FARM FEST

September 22

Shadows on the Teche  |  New Iberia

Once again marking the start of the Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival, this event is fun for the whole family. Come out to Shadows on the Teche for lots of activities, live entertainment, and food and drinks. 

shadowsontheteche.org

 

LOUISIANA SUGAR CANE FESTIVAL

September 23-25

Various Locations Citywide  |  New Iberia

Now in its 79th year, sugarcane-producing parishes from across Louisiana will gather to celebrate the Louisiana sugarcane industry with a weekend of parades, a street fair, a fais-do-do, live Cajun and Zydeco music, pageantry and more. Don’t miss this much-anticipated festival!

hisugar.org

 

LOUISIANA CATTLE FESTIVAL & FAIR

October 7-9

The Red Barn  |  Abbeville

Celebrate the cattle industry with a pageant, parade, livestock show, fais do-do with live music, fair, carnival rides, delicious food, a cook-off, and lots of Cajun hospitality. 

louisianacattlefestival.org

 

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP GUMBO COOKOFF

October 8-9

Bouligny Plaza  |  New Iberia

There’s plenty to entertain the whole family at the 32nd annual Gumbo Cookoff, including a Roux Run, a Meanest Beans Competition, Youth Cook Off, food, and live music. Be sure to stick around for the main event on Sunday, when more than 100 types of gumbos will be judged for the ultimate title. 

iberiachamber.org/gumbocookoff

 

BAYOU FESTIVAL & BOAT PARADE

September 24

Vermilionville  |  Lafayette

The best day on the Vermilion – Bayou Vermilion District’s Bayou Festival and Boat Parade, 8 AM – 6 PM September 24. Come set sail from the dock at Vermilionville then parade down to Southside Park for the party– food, drinks, live music, costume contest, games and more.

vermilionville.org/event/bvds-bayou-festival-and-boat-parade

 

FESTIVALS ACADIENS ET CRÉOLES 

October 14-16 

Girard Park  |  Lafayette

Festivals Acadiens et Créoles began as the Tribute to Cajun Music Festival organized by CODOFIL in 1974, was officially established in 1977, adding music, food and crafts, and is now a three-day festival that draws crowds from across the world. Non-stop music, dancing and food that together showcase all the culture and cuisine Acadiana has to offer, creating an unforgettable experience for festival goers. 

festivalsacadiens.com

 

TAILGATING COOKOFF

October 15 

Loreauville Park  |  Loreauville

Good ol’ fashion Cajun tailgating cookoff with cornhole tournament, fais-do-do, kids games, silent/live auction, refreshments and more.

Facebook @tailgatingcookoffloreauville

 

INTERNATIONAL RICE FESTIVAL

October 20-23

Various Locations Citywide  |  Crowley

The 85th annual festival will include two parades (Children’s and Grand), Rice Cooking Contest, Rice Eating Contest, Farmers Banquet, Queens Ball, live entertainment on two stages, arts and crafts, and plenty of food and drink. 

ricefestival.com

 

GULF BREW

October 22 

Downtown Area  |  Lafayette

At Louisiana’s oldest craft beer festival, an outdoor street fair along Jefferson Street Downtown Lafayette, ticket holders will enjoy sampling more than 200 beers from craft breweries across the county, beer tap trucks, music stages, and crafts booths scattered along the route, with the main stage located in front of the Acadiana Center for the Arts.

acadianacenterforthearts.org/event/gulf-brew-2022

 

THE BIG EASEL

October 22 

River Ranch Town Square  |  Lafayette

The outdoor festival will feature the works of more than 60+ visual artists in media like acrylic, pottery, porcelain, mixed media, oil, photography, metal, jewelry, wood, glass, encaustic, clay, watercolor, fiber, and more. All art will be for sale on the day of the event.

Facebook @TheBigEasel

 

BENEATH THE BALCONIES

October 23

Main Street  |  New Iberia

Enjoy a series of theatrical presentations and musical performances on select balconies along New Iberia’s award-winning Main Street. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy food and music at Shadows on the Teche before the event. 

Facebook @nibeneaththebalconies

 

SOUTH LOUISIANA BLACKPOT FESTIVAL 

October 28-30

Vermilionville Historic Village  |  Lafayette 

In its 17th year, the festival features an impressive line-up of live musicians, camping with fellow festival goers, lots of dancing, and cook-off contests in five categories: Gravy, Gumbo, Cracklins, Jambalaya, and Dessert. Don’t miss it!

blackpotfestival.com

 

GIANT OMELETTE CELEBRATION

November 5-6

Magdalen  Square  |  Abbeville

 

This two-day family festival features a juried art show, egg games for the whole family, delicious Cajun foods, live music and more  – and ends with a procession of chefs and the cooking of a 5,000+ egg omelette in a 12-foot skillet. 

giantomelette.com

 

COW ISLAND LIVE!

November 18

Cow Island  |  Abbeville

Rural Vermilion Parish is the host for this annual two-day event showcasing live, original music and some of the best blackpot jambalaya you’ve ever had. Bring your tent and spend the night in a beautiful cluster of oak trees and don’t forget to bring your chairs, your ice chest with your favorite beverage, and your dancin’ shoes!

cowislandlivemuscifestival.com