5 Can’t-Miss Music Festivals in Louisiana

Since 1970, The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival has grown into a two-weekend extravaganza held each spring at the Fair Grounds Race Course and Slots. Drawing nearly half a million attendees each year, the festival boasts 12 stages of soul-stirring music, including jazz, gospel, R&B and rock acts. Complementing the tunes is a feast of mouthwatering New Orleans delights such as muffuletta sandwiches, jambalaya and sausage po-boys for you to enjoy alongside live cooking demonstrations from some of Louisiana’s finest chefs. Browse artisan booths for handcrafted clothing and leather goods – and don’t miss the Louisiana Folklife and Native American Villages for demonstrations of indigenous arts such as basket weaving and beadwork, as well as the elaborate creation of shrimp nets and sculptures for Mardi Gras floats.

For over three decades, the Mudbug Madness Festival has transformed downtown Shreveport into a lively celebration each May during Memorial Day weekend. “Mudbug” is a local nickname for crawfish, which are the stars of this event. The three-day jamboree features thrilling crawfish eating contests and nonstop grooves, earning its reputation as one of Louisiana's largest and most popular Cajun festivals. With 30 bands across two stages and the infectious rhythms of zydeco, country, blues and pop, there's always a beat to dance to. The festival also includes highly entertaining crawfish calling contests, a quirky Louisiana tradition where participants use imaginative vocal techniques to attract mudbugs. Children under 12 can enjoy free admission, and day passes are available.

Picture yourself dancing through downtown Lafayette, Louisiana, surrounded by the tantalizing aromas of global cuisine and the enchanting sights of French stilt walkers and street performers. Welcome to Festival International de Louisiane, the premier international music and arts festival that transforms Lafayette into an entertainment epicenter for five unforgettable days every April. Named “Best World Music Festival” by the Reader’s Choice Awards, this grand celebration features hundreds of international and local artists performing across seven stages – showcasing everything from French folk music to regional Cajun and zydeco. Learn new dance moves, get hands-on with interactive workshops, and search through the open-air arts and crafts market and evocative exhibits for otherworldly treasures.

Catch the rhythm of Louisiana at the Baton Rouge Blues Festival – one of the oldest blues festivals in the USA. For an entire weekend, soul-stirring sounds echo from electrifying outdoor stages and intimate, jam-packed shows at legendary spots like Phil Brady’s and Teddy’s Juke Joint. Free for the whole family, the festival pays vibrant homage to the city’s swamp blues legacy, with over 30 live performances guaranteed to move your feet. Enjoy the rich flavors of Baton Rouge's spicy crawfish and other culinary delights while exploring handcrafted novelties and exclusive treasures.

Gretna, Louisiana, is a historic community on the Westbank of New Orleans. It is renowned for Gretna Fest, where the Mississippi River sets the stage for a spirited weekend of celebration. This esteemed festival attracts local, regional, national and international talent, with past headliners including Chicago, The Beach Boys and Brooks & Dunn. The expansive event stretches for 20 continuous blocks, with nearly 100 vendors offering a variety of foods, crafts and unique finds. Cultural experiences abound in themed hubs such as the Italian Village, easily recognized by its charming clotheslines and checkered tablecloths, and the German Village, where you can savor authentic brats and pretzels. Feel free to wave to the locals enjoying the festivities from their front porches. Children 12 and under can enjoy the festival for free, though a ticket is required to access the Kid’s Corner for rides and games.

Getting to Louisiana is easy. Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) offers direct flights from most major destinations. Airports in Baton Rouge (BTR), Lafayette (LFT) and Shreveport (SHV) also have regional flights throughout the USA.