BY TIM HEDGLEY, GROUP TRAVEL EDITOR
French Quarter Festivals, Inc. (FQFI) annually produces three festivals: French Quarter Festival, Satchmo SummerFest, and Holidays New Orleans Style.
FQFI is a 501c(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to promote the Vieux Carré and the City of New Orleans through high-quality special events and activities that showcase the culture and heritage of this unique city, contribute to the economic well-being of the community, and instil increased pride in the people of New Orleans.
Billed as the largest free music festival in the South, French Quarter Festival attracts hundreds of thousands of people over four days.
For decades, more than 20 stages throughout the French Quarter have presented over 1,700 local musicians who play every genre from jazz and R&B to gospel, classical and New Orleans funk.
Imagine: Basking in the shade of the historic Jackson Square while listening to a brass or zydeco band.
For More information Visit: https://frenchquarterfest.org/
Festival Cuisine for All
Naturally, food is a big star here. More than 75 food and beverage booths located throughout the French Quarter feature authentic local cuisine from the area’s oldest and most-beloved restaurants, as well as up-and-coming stars of the culinary scene. Tastes hundreds of local dishes, including po’boys, seafood-stuffed mirliton, boudin egg rolls, “crawfish boil” pickles and more. Is your mouth watering yet? Once you’ve got your food in hand, explore all that the French Quarter has to offer: The French Market, Cafe Du Monde and Bourbon Street.
New Orleans 9th Annual Cigar Box Guitar Festival January 16-18th, 2025
For More information Visit: https://www.neworleanscbg.com/
50th Annual Louisiana Crawfish Festival – Thursday, March 20, 2025
Come join us at the Frederick J Sigur Civic Centre for a weekend filled with delicious crawfish, live music, and good times with friends and family. Indulge in the finest Cajun cuisine, enjoy thrilling carnival rides, and explore unique arts and crafts from local vendors. Whether you’re a crawfish connoisseur or just looking for a fun day out, this festival has something for everyone. Don’t miss out on this iconic Louisiana tradition – mark your calendars and get ready to experience the best of Cajun culture at the Louisiana Crawfish Festival!
For More information Visit: https://www.louisianacrawfishfestival.com/
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival – April 24th/ May 4th, 2025
For more than 50 years, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival – known to locals as Jazz Fest – has brought together millions of people from around the world to celebrate jazz in Louisiana. The grand event unfolds during the last weekend in April and the first weekend in May.
For More Information Visit: https://www.explorelouisiana.com/articles/new-orleans-jazz-and-heritage-festival-things-to-know
Rayne Mardi Gras Parade and Gumbo Cook-Off February 15, 2025
The Rayne Mardi Gras Parade and Gumbo Cook-Off is set for February 15, 2025, with the parade beginning at 2 p.m. and the cook-off to follow. The parade will travel its normal route in Rayne, LA down the Boulevard. Lineup will start on American Legion drive and the parade will end at the Rayne Civic Center. After the parade, the gumbo cook-off and after-party will begin. There will be food, beverages, and family-friendly entertainment. Celebrating right after Valentine’s Day, Rayne is showing off how much they LOVE Mardi Gras. Join us for an experience like no other! To enter the parade and/or cook-off, visit the Rayne Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture’s website.
For More Information, Visit: www.raynechamber.net
Louisiana King Cake Festival February 15, 2025
Join us for our inaugural Bayou King Cake Festival in Downtown Thibodaux hosted by the Lafourche Education Foundation. Get in the spirit of Mardi Gras sample a variety of locally baked King Cakes and vote on the one you believe is the best on the bayou. The fun continues with the Krewe of King Cake Children’s Parade and live music from Nonc Nu & the Wild Matous. Tickets are $10, giving you 5 tastings and 1 opportunity to vote for your favourite. Additional tastings are $1.
For More Information Visit: https://www.explorelouisiana.com/events/mardi-gras/louisiana-king-cake-festival
Amite Oyster Festival
March 17- 16, 2025
The Amite Oyster Festival is a one-of-a-kind festival. In the spring of every year this family fun fest attracts visitors from all over the country. Great music, great fun, and of course great oysters are waiting to be enjoyed in Amite, Louisiana. A full weekend festival includes music from Cajun, country, rock and roll, and reggae artists. When something is this good, why limit it to one weekend? The Amite Oyster Festival has grown to become a month long event for the Town of Amite City to celebrate the oyster industry, the Oyster Festival and the Town of Amite City. Come on out on a weekend before the fest, and you’ll be treated to a shuckin’ good time!
For More Information Visit: https://www.explorelouisiana.com/events/festivals/amite-oyster-festival
Hammond BBQ
March 22-24, 2025
Every March, thousands of BBQ lovers descend upon Downtown for the Hammond Smokin’ BBQ Challenge. Bringing together beer aficionados, BBQ enthusiasts and fun lovers alike, everyone comes for a good time. However, one of the most important aspects of the Competition is more significant than beer, BBQ, and entertainment. Our local charities benefit from this contest, one of the largest events in Hammond, Louisiana. The Hammond Smokin’ BBQ Challenge began in 2003 as a competition that would help fundraise for local organizations, specifically TARC, which serves those with disabilities. In its first year, the event raised $10,000 for the organization and has since expanded its reach to other non-profits and has raised north of $50,000 in past years. Hammond BBQ, Inc. is the non-profit association governing the event.
For More Information Visit https://www.explorelouisiana.com/events/culinary-events/hammond-bbq
Louisiana 1st Annual Moonshine Festival
March 8th 2025
Presented by Keeping It Country Live, AMVETS Veterans Tribute & Louisiana Moonshine Company. Family-friendly event with an ALL DAY lineup of LIVE MUSIC featuring many artists, food, vendors, moonshine tastings with Louisiana Moonshine Company and more …
For More Information Visit: https://louisianamoonshinefestival.com/
