Jazz Fest
It’s a tradition, it’s a moment, it’s seven days of food, music and culture that hundreds of thousands of people gather each year to enjoy.
For decades, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival has brought music lovers of all kinds together at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans. What started as a one-day jazz concert has grown into a beautiful blend of music and the heritage that surrounds the city and beyond, this year highlighting the music and culture of Cuba. Giants like Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton have all played the festival stage, while local favorites like Trombone Shorty and Big Freedia all bring a familiar New Orleans flavor. Enjoy the music and artistry while munching on local favorites from the dozens of New Orleans restaurants positioned around the festival grounds. Buy tickets, check out the official 2017 poster and clothing pattern, map out the food vendors and plan your musical agenda all at nojazzfest.com.
Greater New Orleans
May 4-7. New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. New Orleans. nojazzfest.com
May 5-7. Bayou Bash. Slidell.
May 6. Jammin’ On Julia. New Orleans. artsdistrictneworleans.com
May 11-14. UNO Film Festival. New Orleans. facebook.com/UNOFilmFest
May 13. Corset Crawl. New Orleans. creativitycollective.com/corsetcrawl
May 13-14. Mother’s Day Tea. New Orleans. windsorcourthotel.com/le-salon
May 19. Bayou Boogaloo. New Orleans. thebayouboogaloo.com
May 25-28. New Orleans Wine and Food Experience. New Orleans. nowfe.com
May 26-28. Greek Fest. New Orleans. greekfestnola.com
May 27-28. Bayou Country Superfest. New Orleans. bayoucountrysuperfest.com
May 27-28. Magnolia State Feis. Kenner. irishdance-louisiana.com/feis
June 2-18. New Orleans Shakespeare Festival. New Orleans. neworleansshakespeare.org
June 3-4. Oyster Festival. New Orleans. nolaoysterfest.org
June 10. New Orleans Pride Parade. New Orleans. facebook.com/NewOrleansPrideFestival
June 10. Youth Fishing Rodeo. Pearl River. louisiananorthshore.com
June 17. Louisiana Bicycle Festival. Abita Springs. labicyclefestival.com
June 22-24. FestiGals. New Orleans. festigals.org
June 24-25. Cajun & Zydeco Festival. New Orleans. jazzandheritage.org/cajun-zydeco
June 29-July 2. Essence Festival. New Orleans. essence.com/festival-2017
Cajun Country
May 4-14. Contraband Days Louisiana Pirate Festival. Lake Charles. contrabanddays.com
May 4-7. Thibodaux Fireman’s Fair. Thibodaux. firemensfair.com
May 5-7. Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival. Breaux Bridge. 337-332-6655. bbcrawfest.com
May 6. 21st Annual Celebration of Herbs & Gardens. Sunset. sunsetherbfestival.com
May 12-14. Bayou Cajun Fest. Larose. bayoucivicclub.org/features/bayou-cajun-fest
May 13. Delcambre Boat Poker Run. Delcambre. facebook.com/delcambreboatparade
May 13. TFAE Run For Excellence 5K and Food Fest. Houma. tfae.org
May 13-14. NOLA Veggie Fest. New Orleans. nolaveggiefest.com
May 18-20. Starks Mayhaw Festival. Starks. mayhawfest.com/home
May 18-20. Cruisin Cajun Country. New Iberia. cruisincajuncountry.com
May 20. Healing Traditions in Acadiana. Vermilionville. vermilionville.org
May 21. 6th annual Bayou Vermilion Festival & Boat Parade. Vermilionville. vermilionville.org
May 25-27. Krotz Springs Sportsmen’s Heritage Festival. Krotz Springs. kssportsmensheritage-festival.com
May 25-June 4. Cajun Heartland State Fair. Lafayette. cajundome.com/chsf.aspx
May 27. Splash Bash. New Iberia. 337-339-5903. iberiatravel.com
June 2-4. Cajun Heritage Festival. Larose. cajunheritagefestival.com
June 7-10. Swollfest Fishing Rodeo. Grand Isle. swollfest.com
June 23-25. Louisiana Catfish Festival. Des Allemandes. louisianacatfishfestival.com
June 24. Gulf Coast Shrimp & Jazz Festival. Lake Charles. swlashrimpnjazzfest.com
June 25. Stars and Stripes – A Musical Celebration. New Iberia. iberiacultural.com
Central
May 5-6. Mayfest. Leesville. vernonparish.org/MayFest
North
May 6. Gusher Days Festival. Oil City. gusherdaysfestival.com
May 7. Mansfield Battlefield Tours. Mansfield. facebook.com/MansfieldSHS
May 8-13. Poke Salad Festival. Blanchard. pokesaladfestival.com
May 26-27. Little Walter Music Festival. Alexandria. alexandriapinevillela.com/littlewalter
May 26-29. Mudapalooza. Sarepta. muddybottomsatv.com
June 9-10. Grilling On Main BBQ Cook Off. Minden. visitwebster.net
June 16-18. Let The Good Times Roll Festival. Shreveport. rhoomega.com
June 17. Sunflower Trail and Festival. Gilliam. redrivercrossroads-historical.org/sunflowertrail
Plantation Country
May 11. Showing of “Masterpieces, The Most Extraordinary Buildings Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.” Baton Rouge. manshiptheatre.org
May 26-27. Gonzales Jambalaya Festival. Gonzales. jambalayafestival.org
May 27-Sept.4. STAR Tournament. Baton Rouge. ccastar.com
FESTIVAL SPOTLIGHT
May 5-7
Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival
Each May the “Crawfish Capital of the World” holds an annual festival surrounding the treasured crustacean. Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival is a weekend long event highlighting crawfish, Cajun music and culture, dance contests and more at Parc Hardy in Breaux Bridge.
May 26-27
Little Walter Music Festival
Little Walter Music Festival is held annually at the Alexandria Amphitheater in honor of Rock & Roll Hall of Famer “Little Walter.” This year’s Memorial weekend event will feature Sundance Head, the 2016 winner of NBC’s “The Voice.”
June 2-4
Cajun Heritage Festival
The Larose Civic Center will play host to the 2017 Cajun Heritage Festival. Festivalgoers can experience carving demonstrations, authentic Cajun food, raffles and even a duck calling competition. Guests can take part in texturing and painting seminars, as well as show their skills in a miniature boat-building contest.
May 23-25
Louisiana Catfish Festival
What started as a church fundraiser has now turned the city of Des Allemandes into the Catfish Capital of the World. The Louisiana Catfish Festival, held at the St. Gertrude the Great Catholic Church, offers music and games along with the state’s tastiest catfish.
