Things to Do in Louisiana This Weekend
Here's a roundup of Louisiana events and activities happening this weekend.
Blossoming azaleas and Cajun-spiced crawfish boils fill the air during the spring in Louisiana. Festivals celebrate just about anything under the sun — from music to food, frogs and more. Head to a local farm to pick your own fruits and veggies, paddle our bayous or try a new waterfront restaurant.
St. Patrick’s Day Events in Louisiana
Celtic Bayou Festival
March 13-14
Lafayette
In Lafayette, enjoy Irish pub food, live Celtic music, whiskey tasting, language workshops and lookalike competitions at the Celtic Bayou Festival. Got skills in the kitchen? Enter the Guinness cook-off or the Bailey’s bake-off, then hit the pub crawl in downtown Lafayette to keep the craic rolling.
Learn more about Lafayette’s history at Vermilionville, a living museum and folklife park. Embark on a self-guided tour through moss-draped oaks, or stop by artisan booths where locals demonstrate early crafts practiced by Acadians, Creoles and Native Americans.
Wearin’ of the Green St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 14
Baton Rouge
Head to Baton Rouge for the largest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the region. Celebrating 41 years of Irish cheer, the Wearin’ of the Green Parade rolls at its new time of 11 a.m., bringing more than 70 floats, dance groups, bands and dignitaries to the streets of Louisiana’s capital city. Sláinte!
Post-parade, make your way to one of Baton Rouge’s Irish pubs or famous St. Patrick’s Day block parties to enjoy live music and green beer. O’Haras Irish Pub is a favorite, serving European brews and Irish-American delicacies like beef and Guinness stew or corned beef and cabbage.
Shamrockin’ Fest
March 14
Alexandria
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and support local schools at Shamrockin’ Fest in Alexandria. Snack on delicious food, sample themed craft cocktails, dance to music from a live band and participate in a silent auction.
Explore the Alexandria Museum of Art, located just a block away. The museum is home to more than 30 resident artists and hosts workshops, lectures, exhibitions and special events.
Teche Plein Air Competition
March 7-14
New Iberia
Artists and art lovers alike flock to New Iberia for the Teche Plein Air Competition, in which painters craft their masterpieces “en plein air,” or outside. Spectators can watch artists paint, participate in demos and even purchase their favorites during the Awards Ceremony & Fine Art Sale.
Take a TABASCO® Factory Tour on nearby Avery Island. The hot red sauce livens up Southern staples like gumbo, fried chicken and collard greens. Watch the bottling process from start to finish, learn how the famous sauce began and take home a few spicy souvenirs from the gift shop.
Plan your visit to Iberia Parish.
New Orleans Book Festival
March 12-15
New Orleans
Mystery mavens, romance readers and fantasy fiends, don’t miss the New Orleans Book Festival at Tulane University. The festival showcases more than 100 national, regional and local authors, plus media personalities and influencers, from Ken Burns and Salman Rushdie to Nicole Richie and Dax Shepard. On Sunday, bring the kiddos to Family Day, a free mini-fest celebrating children’s authors.
Explore New Orleans’ charming independent bookstores. Start with the Garden District Book Shop, tucked into a former roller rink, before visiting Tubby & Coo’s and Baldwin & Co.
Independence Sicilian Heritage Festival
March 13-15
Independence
Ever participated in a spaghetti cook-off? How about a meatball toss? Experience both — and more — at the Independence Sicilian Heritage Festival. Come dressed as your favorite character for a 1-mile fun run, then cheer on a fruit-and-veggie-themed parade and savor traditional Sicilian fare.
In nearby Folsom, the Global Wildlife Center promises a ride on the wild side. Climb aboard a safari wagon to meet, feed and learn about hundreds of endangered species from around the world, including zebra, giraffes, camels and kangaroos.
Plan your trip to Tangipahoa Parish.
Ghost Ships on the River
March 14
Jackson
Experience the 1863 naval attack on Port Hudson during Ghost Ships on the River. Smell the smoky gunpowder, hear the explosions across the water and watch as cannon fire illuminates the night. Learn about ghost stories inspired by the incident, and maybe even spot a specter or two.
Love the movie “Sinners”? Visit Teddy’s Juke Joint, an authentic blues dive bar in nearby Zachary. You’ll feel immediately at home in this unassuming music venue, which is adorned with holiday lights, Mardi Gras beads and license plates.
Learn more about East Feliciana Parish.
2026 United Way for South Louisiana SOUPer Bowl
March 14
Houma
It may not be football season, but the competition is simmering with these local teams. At United Way’s SOUPer Bowl Cook-Off, try soups, gumbos and chilis, and be sure to vote for your favorite. While you’re there, enjoy a few local lagers and live music.
You can’t visit Houma without boot, scoot and boogieing your way to Bayou Terrebonne Distillers, where you can sip locally crafted white whiskey, barrel-aged bourbon and silver rum. These small-batch spirits nod to Louisiana’s longstanding relationship with the sugarcane industry.
Azalea Trail
Spring
Lafayette
Have a sunny day to spare? Explore Lafayette’s fuchsia-lined Azalea Trail. Spot the vibrant Southern perennial, which is typically in bloom from March through May, along 20 miles of historic neighborhoods.
Whether you're an outdoor adventurer, music lover or just crave good food, Louisiana is filled with opportunities to #FeedYourSoul. Check our events calendar for more festivities.
