| Fairs & Festivals |
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2010 June 30-July 4 Erath Fourth of July Celebration Fireworks, barbecue cook-off, rides, watermelon-eating contest, water fights, fais do-do and food. Downtown Erath, 337.937.8401, www.erath4.com/default.htm. JULY July 1-3 Golden Meadow-Fourchon International Tarpon Rodeo Boat parade, music, food, fireworks and rodeo with fishing contests. Port Fourchon Marina, 288 Floatation Canal Road, Port Fourchon, 985.860.3287. July 1-4 Greater Mandeville Seafood Festival Seafood, crafts, music, kids' activities, rides, boat show, fireworks, with concert night on July 1. Jackson Avenue and Lakeshore Drive, Mandeville, 985.624.9762, www.seafoodfest.com. July 3 Donaldsonville's Celebration Fireworks, fais do-do, Cajun-style barbecue cook-off, antique car and historic displays. Crescent Park, Donaldsonville, 225.445.3653. July 3 Lebeau Zydeco Festival Lebeau, Celebration of zydeco music, crafts and Cajun food. Immaculate Conception Church, 103 Lebeau Church Road, off U.S. 71, Lebeau, 337.623.5909. July 4 Eunice Fourth of July Celebration Cajun music and one of the state's largest fireworks displays. Northwest Pavilion, Eunice, 337.457.7389, www.eunice-la.com July 4 Go Fourth on the River Riverboat rides, music, food, a patriotic cake competition and a dueling barges fireworks extravaganza on the river. Woldenberg Park and Riverfront from the French Market to the Riverwalk, New Orleans, 985.630.4604. July 4 Grand Isle Fourth of July Fireworks and entertainment. Bridgeside Marina, Grand Isle, 985.787.2419. July 4 July Fete Parade, music, kids' activities, fireworks and a softball tournament. Rice Festival Grounds, Crowley, 337.788.4100, 337.788.4123. July 4 Let Freedom Ring Crafts, cultural displays, music and fireworks. Peltier Park, Thibodaux, 985.446.0248. July 4 Light Up the Sky for the Fourth of July Family entertainment and fireworks. Zemurray Park, Hammond, 800.542.7520, 985.542.3400. July 4 St. Bernard Salutes America Fourth of July Celebration Food, music, fireworks. Government Complex, Chalmette, 504.278.4228. July 4 Slidell Heritage Festival Music, food, games and fireworks, raising money for local charities. Heritage Park, Slidell, 985.643.1234. July 4 Star-Spangled Celebration Food, music, an air show, tours of the vessel and fireworks over the river. USS Kidd and Nautical Center, 305 S. River Road, Baton Rouge, 225.342.1942. July 2-4 Essence Music Festival Concerts, food, empowerment seminars, vendors. Louisiana Superdome and the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, http://essencemusicfestival.com/. July 9-11 Louisiana Catfish Festival Music, games, rides, catfish-cooking and -eating contests. St. Gertrude Catholic Church, Des Allemands, 985.758.7542. July 9-11 San Fermin: Running of the Bulls in New Orleans Food, music, entertainment, the homage to the bull running in Pamplona, Spain, featuring The Big Easy RollerGirls pursuing the runners with plastic bats and the first annual Ernest Hemingway Talent Contest. Various locations in the French Quarter, www.nolabulls.com. July 16-17 Swamp Pop Music Festival Music, jambalaya cook-off, car show, poker run and a queen's pageant to benefit Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Lamar-Dixon Expo Center, Gonzales, 225.755.3427. July 21-25 Tales of the Cocktail Lectures, discussions, book signings, dinner pairings, cooking demonsrations, cocktail-mixing seminars, walking tours, film screenings, a bartending course and a block party. Hotel Monteleone and various locations, New Orleans, 504.299.0404. July 22-24 Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo Oldest fishing rodeo in North America with big game, shoreline, spear fishing and tag release divisions, food and music. Tarpon Rodeo Pavilion, Grand Isle, 985.787.2997. July 30-31 Feliciana Hummingbird Celebration Evening program and reception (Rosedown), hummingbird banding and garden tours. St. Francisville, Rosedown Plantation, 12501 La. 10, St. Francisville, 800.488.6502. AUGUST Aug. 5-8 Satchmo Summerfest Music festival celebrating Louis Armstrong with concerts, seminars, kids' activities, the Satchmo Club Strut (Aug 6 on Frenchmen St) and a second-line parade. Old U.S. Mint, 400 Esplanade Ave., New Orleans, 504.522.5730, www.satchmosummerfest.com. Aug. 6-8 Pennington Balloon Festival Hot air balloon competitions, liftoffs, balloon glows at night, fireworks, music, kids' activities. Pennington Center and BREC's Perkins Road Park, Baton Rouge, 225.933.2027, www.laballooning.com. Aug. 7 Whitney White Linen Night Coordinated gallery openings, with a street party featuring performances, food and music. Contemporary Arts Center and Warehouse Arts District, New Orleans, 504.528.3805. Aug. 12-15 Six String Music Musicians' Invitational Festival Tropical style music in the Jimmy Buffett vein; singer/songwriters play for three days and nights at French Quarter venues with auctions to benefit charities. French Quarter, New Orleans, 504.392.4384. Aug. 18-22 Delcambre Shrimp Festival Rides, food, bands, shrimp cook-off, water fights, dancing, blessing of the fleet. Main Street, Delcambre, 337.685.2653, 888.942.3742. Aug. 20-21 Le Cajun Music Awards Show & Festival Cajun French Music Association presents Cajun music, dancing, crafts, food and CFMA Music Awards. Cade Community Center, Cade, 800.346.1958, 337.367.1526. Aug. 27-29 FETE ROUGE WINE AND CULINARY FESTIVAL Three days of wine and food tastings as well as cocktails and dinner, with music and dancing. Sheraton Atrium Hotel, 102 France St., Baton Rouge, www.bresbr.info/ Aug. 26-29 Gueydan Duck Festival Rides crafts, parades, goose-calling and duck-calling contests, skeet shoots, dog trials, Cajun food and music. Gueydan, 337.536.7858, 888.536.6456, www.duckfestival.org. SEPTEMBER SEPT. 1-6 DecaFest Theater, music, films, literary and culinary events benefiting HIV/AIDS and LGBT community organizations. French Quarter, New Orleans, 504.945.6789. Sept. 2-6 Louisiana Shrimp & Petroleum Fesival Louisiana's oldest chartered harvest festival with Cajun music, swamp rock, zydeco, country, rhythm and blues, shrimp cook-off, arts, crafts, fireworks, kids' village, blessing of the fleet. Downtown Morgan City, 800.256.2931, www.shrimp-petrofest.org. Sept. 4 Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival Zydeco and French music, regional cuisine, African-American crafts. Zydeco festival grounds, 457 Zydeco Road, Plaisance, 337.232.7672. Sept. 5 Battle of the Bands Bands battle it out for money and bragging rights with crafts, food, specialty booths and prizes. Land-O-Pines Family Campground, 17145 Million Dollar Road, Covington, 985.892.6023. Sept. 5 Creole Zydeco Festival Music, dancing and food. Adam Carlson Park, St. Martinville, 337.394.4635. Sept. 10-12 Bayou Lafourche Antiques Show & Sale Dozens of antiques dealers, sponsored by the TAWASI Women's Club. Harang Auditorium, 310 Canal Blvd., Thibodaux, 985.446.3858. Sept. 10-11 Lydia Cajun Food Fest Food, crafts, rides, music, a poker run, dancing. Weeks Park, La. 83, Lydia, 337.365.3005, 337.365.5577. Sept. 17-19 Grand Bois Inter-Tribal Pow-Wow American Indian crafts, food and dancing. 470 Bourg-Larose Highway, Bourg, 985.594.7410. Sept. 18 Les Cadiens du Teche Cajun Music Festival Music, dancing, food and crafts. Cyr Gates Community Center, 300 Parkview Drive, New Iberia, 337.364.7975. Sept. 18 Louisiana Gator Fest Rides, games, music, gator cook-off, beauty pageants, crafts, kids' activities, animal displays. St. Tammany Trace Pavilion, 21490 Koop Drive, Mandeville, 985.867.9490, 985.639.8040, ext. 228. Sept. 22-26 Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival Parades, agricultural exhibits, rides, fais do-do, art, livestock and flower shows. City Park, New Iberia, 337.369.9631, 888.942.3742. Sept. 24-26 Alligator Festival Rides, music, food, alligator displays and a run. Luling-Destrehan Bridge, La. 310, Luling/Boutte, 985.785.9035, www.stcharlesrotary.com. Sept. 24-25, Oct. 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 22-23, 29-30. Oktoberfest Traditional German music, dancing, food and drink. Deutches Haus, 200 S. Galvez St., 504.522.8014. (May have to relocate.) Sept. 25 Archbishop Chapelle Craft Show More than 150 craft booths plus food, raffles and face painting. 8800 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 504.456.6770. Sept. 25 FRENCH market where y'hat festival Wear your favorite topper to a party at the French Market with a fashion show, hat-making booth, a hat contest and hats for sale. French Market, New Orleans, www.frenchmarket.org. Sept. 25 Swamp Pop Extravaganza All-day music festival with crafts, food, prizes, outdoor attractions. Land-O-Pines Family Campground, 17145 Million Dollar Road, Covington, 985.892.6023. Sept. 29-Oct. 3 Tangipahoa Parish Free Fair Agricultural events, crafts, entertainment, rides, parade and a rodeo. Tangipahoa Fair Grounds, Amite, 800.542.7520.October Oct. 1-2 St. Philip Neri Oktoberfest Music, games, crafts, German food and a beer garden. 6600 Kawanee Ave., Metairie. 504.432.2118. Oct. 1-3 Gretna Heritage Festival Music, crafts, rides, games, German beer garden, an Italian Village and a food court. Gretna Market, Huey P. Long Avenue, Gretna, 504.361.7748, www.gretnafest.com/. Oct. 1-3 St. Theresa of Avila/St. John "Festival of Friends" Food, music, rides, games, country store, bingo and a fun run. 212 E. New River St., Gonzales, 225.647.2803, 225.647.8035. Oct. 1-29 Fanfare Celebration of the arts with dance, films, music, theater, lectures and performances. Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond, 985.543,4366. Oct. 2 Capital One Art for Art's Sake Coordinated gallery openings with food, drink, music, street party on Julia and Magazine streets. Warehouse arts district and Uptown, New Orleans, 504.895.7375. Oct. 2 Shadows-on-the-Teche Arts and Crafts Festival Fine arts, pottery, tile art, metal and woodwork, demos and plantation tours. Shadows-on-the-Teche, 317 E. Main St., New Iberia, 877.200.4924. Oct. 2-3 Roberts Cove GermanFest German music, folklore, kids' activities, dancing, food and crafts. St. Leo's Catholic Church, La. 98, Roberts Cove, 337.334.8354, www.robertscovegermanfest.com. Oct. 2-10 Livingston Parish Fair Rides, crafts, food. Fair Grounds, Livingston, 888.317.7899, Oct. 3 SugarFest Food, music, crafts, historic building tours, children's activities, hayrides and hands-on sugar experiments. West Baton Rouge Museum, 845 N. Jefferson Ave., P0ort Allen, 225.336.2422. Oct. 3, 1, 17, 24, 31 Angola Prison Rodeo Inmate rodeo dubbed "The Wildest Show in the South, " music, crafts, food. Angola, Louisiana State Penitentiary, 225.655.2030, http://angolarodeo.com/. Oct. 7-10 Louisiana Cattle Festival Parade, livestock shows, cooking contests, Cajun French band competition, French storytelling contest, street dance. Abbeville, 337.898.4110, 337.893.6328. Oct. 8-10 Boucherie Festival Cracklin' and jambalaya-cooking contests, parade, music, rides, food and a pageant. Ascension Civic Center, 9608 Airline Highway, Sorrento, 225.675.8515. Oct. 8-10 Bridge City Gumbo Festival Food, gumbo-cooking contest, rides, crafts, music and a fais do-do. Bridge City, Holy Guardian Angels Church, 1701 Bridge City Ave., 504.436.4881. Oct. 8-10 Festivals Acadiens A combination of festivals includes Downtown Alive, the Louisiana Craft Fair, the Bayou Food Festival and Festival de Musique Acadienne, featuring zydeco and Cajun music, Cajun and Creole food, native crafts, special events, folklife exhibits. Girard Park and downtown Lafayette, 337.232.3737, 800.346.1958, www.FestivalsAcadiens.com. Oct. 8-10 St. Mary Magdalen Seafood Festival Rides, games, raffles, food and music. 6425 West Metairie Ave., Metairie, 504.733.0922. Oct. 8-10 Voice of the Wetlands Festival Festival promoting coastal education, awareness and lobbying efforts with displays, food and music. Southdown Plantation House, 1208 Museum Drive, Houma, 985.798.5665, www.voiceofthewetlands.org. Oct. 8-10 World Championship Gumbo Cook-off Food and gumbo cook-off with samples, vendors and music. Bouligny Plaza, Main Street, New Iberia, 337.369.9631. Oct. 9-10 Art in Autumn Gardens Art Festival Art by more than 175 artists with entertainers, dancing and crafts throughout the gardens and plantation tours. Houmas House Plantation and Gardens, 40136 River Road, Darrow, 225.328.7354, www.artgumbo.org. Oct. 9-10 Carnaval Latino Concerts, cultural attractions, food, crafts, kids' entertainment, a parade, dance and street entertainers. East Bank Mardi Gras World, where Henderson Street meets the river, New Orleans, 504.581.8561. Oct. 9-10 Gentilly Fest Music, food, crafts, kids activities, pony rides. Pontchartrain Park Playground (corner Press Drive and Prentiss Drive), New Orleans, www.gentillyfest.com Oct. 9-10 Slidell Sell-A-Bration Arts & Crafts Show Show and sale with craft demos, food and raffles. Northshore Harbor Center, 100 Harbor Center, Slidell, 985.641.2021. Oct. 10 Italian Festa Food, music, dancing, hot air balloons, city's largest Tarentella dance, presentation of Italian princesses and fireworks. Sheraton Atrium Hotel, downtown Baton Rouge, www.gbraia.org. Oct. 12-17 Louisiana Cotton Festival Cajun contradanse, fais do-do, food and the ancient game of Le Tournoi. Civic Center, North City Park, Ville Platte, 337.363.6367. Oct. 14-16 74th International Rice Festival One of the oldest agricultural festivals in the state with rice-eating contest, parades, entertainment, livestock show and cooking contests. Crowley, 337.783.3067, www.ricefestival.com. Oct. 14-21 New Orleans Film Festival Local, national and international film and video screenings, Q&As with the filmmakers, workshops, seminars, awards ceremonies and social events. Canal Place Cinema and Contemporary Arts Center, New Orleans, 504.309.6633, neworleansfilmfest.com. OCT. 15-17 Bayou Dularge Knights of Columbus Fishing Rodeo & Fair Cajun food, auctions, rides, music and a fishing rodeo (freshwater, saltwater, offshore and children's divisions). St. Eloi KC Home, 1331 Drive, Beatrous Road, Theriot, 985.876.0728, 985.223.3861. Oct. 15-17 Cochon de Lait Festival Pig roast with music, rides and games. St. Edward the Confessor Parish, 4901 West Metairie Ave., Metairie, 504.888.0703. Oct. 15-17 Festival of the Lake Music, crafts, 5K and fun run, food, inflatables, sports booths and games. Our Lady of the Lake Parish, 312 Lafitte St., Mandeville, 985.626.5671, www.ollparish.info. Oct. 15-17 Louisiana Gumbo Festival Cajun food, music, dancing, rides, gumbo cook-off, parade and auction. Choupic Fairgrounds, La. 304, Chackbay, north of Thibodaux, 985.633.7789, www.lagumbofest.com. Oct. 15-17 St. Cletus Oyster Festival Food, games, an auction, kiddie land and bands. 3600 Claire Ave., Gretna, 504.367.7951. Oct. 15-17 St. John Parish Andouille Festival Food, crafts, rides and entertainment. Percy Hebert Building, LaPlace, 985.652.9569. Oct. 15-17 The Tour du Teche First annual top-to-bottom canoe and kayak challenge down Bayou Teche from Port Barre to Berwick, a 125-mile ultra marathon. Bayou Teche, New Iberia, 337.394.6232. www.tourduteche.com Oct. 16 Wild Game, Seafood & BBQ Cookoff Team competitions in each specialty, voted on by attendees, benefits Community Christian Concern of Slidell. Fritchie Park, Slidell, 985.646.0357. Oct. 16 Wild Things 2010 Wildlife festival with exhibits, games, canoe, van and pontoon boat tours, guided walks, a hayride, food, contests, a youth wildlife art contest and show. Southeast Louisiana Refuges, 61389 La. 434, Lacombe, 985.882.2000. Oct. 16-17 Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival Blues and rhythm-and-blues music from New Orleans and the Deep South, art show, crafts, food. Lafayette Square Park, 544 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, www.crescentcitybluesfest.com. Oct. 16-17 Oak Alley Plantation Fall Arts & Crafts Festival Craft festival with Cajun/creole food, demonstrations, children's activities, petting zoo and musical entertainment. 3645 La. 18, Vacherie, 800.442.5539, 225.265.2151. Oct. 16-17 64th Annual Fall Rodeo Rodeo and livestock show, sponsored by the Terrebonne Livestock Association. Houma Air Base, 221 Moffet Road, Houma, 985.860.2513. Oct. 17 St. Martinville Pepper Festival Pepper-eating contest, music, crafts, games and food. Evangeline Oak Park, St. Martinville, 337.394.9396. Oct.20-23 Washington Parish Free Fair Believed to be the largest county/parish fair in the United States, with horticultural and livestock exhibits, rides, food, music and a rodeo. Franklinton, 985.839.7840. Oct. 20-24 65th Annual Yambilee Festival Sweet potato celebration, music, food, crafts, rides and the traditional sweet potato auction. Yambilee Fairgrounds, 1939 W. Landry St., Opelousas, 337.948.8848. Oct. 22-24 Boo Carre Halloween and Harvest Festival Music, costume party and contests, trick-or-treating as well as pumpkin painting and carving. French Market, New Orleans, www.frenchmarket.org. Oct. 22-24. Bucktown Seafood Festival Food, bands, games, inflatables. St. Louis King of France School, 1600 Lake Ave., Metairie, 504.833.8224. Oct. 22-24 New Orleans Bikefest Motorcycle Rally & Music Festival Bike show, games, stunt riders, food, vendors, poker run, camping and music. Bayou Segnette State Park, 7777 West Bank Expressway, Westwego, 504.274.0266, www.neworleansbikefest.com. Oct. 23 Monster Mash Fall Family Festival Food, music, crafts, auction, games, inflatables, rock wall climbing, vendors and entertainers. Bogue Falaya Park, 100 Park Drive, Covington, 985.898.4171. Oct. 23 Pumpkin-Palooza Pumpkin cooking and decorating contests, costume contests, games, prizes, cake walk. 3412 Haring Road, Metairie, 504.887.4801. Oct. 23-24 Madisonville Wooden Boat Festival Boat-building demos and contests, marine auction, entertainment, flea market, food, crafts, music and the Quick'n Dirty Boat Building Contest. 133 Mabel Drive, and banks of the Tchefuncte River, Madisonville, 985.845.9200. Oct. 23-24 Yellow Leaf Arts Festival Art, music and crafts. Parker Park on Commerce Street, St. Francisville, 225.635.3665. Oct. 28-Nov.7 Greater Baton Rouge State Fair Rides, food, nightly concerts, 4-H shows, children's activities, games and exhibits. 16072 Airline Highway Park/Fairgrounds, Baton Rouge, 225.755.3247, 800.527.6843. Oct. 29-31 French Food Festival Music, a boucherie, Cajun food, crafts, music, cooking demonstrations, folklife exhibits and rides. Larose Regional Park and Civic Center, 307 E. Fifth St., Larose, 985.633.7789. Oct. 30 Abita River Chili Cook-off Music, dancing, crafts, Halloween costume contest and a cook-off. Abita Springs Park, Abita Springs, 985.360.5087, 985.264.2177. Oct. 30 Louisiana Book Festival Author presentations, readings, discussions, book signings, book-related demonstrations, professional storytellers. State Capitol and Library of Louisiana, Baton Rouge, 225.219.9503. Oct. 30-31 Cajun Village Fall Fest Cajun food, crafts, pottery demos, antiques, Louisiana wine tasting. Cajun Village, 6470 La. 22, Sorrento, 225.675.5572. NOVEMBER Nov. 5-7 Cut Off Youth Center Fair Cajun food, music, dancing, Carnival midway. 205 W. 79th St. (off La. 1 South), Cut Off, 985.632.7616. Nov. 6 Bywater Mirliton Festival Music, food, art and a children's area. Markey Park (Piety and Royal Streets), New Orleans, 504.638.0865. Nov. 6 The Great Chili Challenge Chili-cooking contest, games, music and concessions. City Park, 300 Parkview Drive, New Iberia, 337.364.2273, 888.942.3742. Nov. 6 Shadows Civil War Encampment Living history reenactment. Shadows-on-the-Teche, New Iberia, 337.369.6446877.200.4924. Nov.6 Southdown Fall Marketplace Arts & Crafts Fair More that 300 booths of arts, crafts, antiques, a food court, Museum tours. Southdown Plantation House, 1208 Museum Drive, Houma. 985.851.0154. Nov. 6-7 Giant Omelette Celebration Music, crafts, kids activities, home tours, antique car show, egg games and the making of a 5,000-egg Great Cajun omelet. Abbeville, 337.893.0013, 337.898.6600, www.giantomelette.org. Nov. 6-7 Louisiana Swamp Festival Louisiana food, music, crafts, hands-on animal exhibits, special animal feedings. Audubon Zoo, New Orleans, 504.581.4629. Nov. 6-7, 13-14, 20-21, 26-28, Dec. 4-5 and 11-12 Louisiana Renaissance Festival Recreation of life in a medieval village with jousting, merchants, entertainment and food. La. 1064, Hammond, 985.429.9992, www.La-renfest.com. Nov. 10-13 Red Stick International Animation Festival Workshops, lectures and public screenings of classic animated films and films from the festival competition. Shaw Center for the Arts, Louisiana Arts & Science Museum, Old State Capitol, Baton Rouge, 225.578.8903. Nov. 11-14 Port Barre Cracklin Festival Cracklin' cooking contest, Cajun music, rides, crafts and pageants. Port Barre, Veterans Memorial Park, 504 Sazian Ave., 337.585.6673, www.portbarrecracklinfestival.com. Nov. 11-14 Scandinavian Festival All kinds of Scandinavian food, children's activities, jazz concerts and a boutique. Norwegian Seamen's Church, 1772 Prytania St. 504.525.3602. Nov. 12-14 Holy Name of Jesus School Gator Fest Rides, music, cooking demonstrations, games and food, with alumni night Nov 12. 6325 Cromwell Place, New Orleans, 504.861.1466. Nov. 12-14 Sacred Heart of Jesus River Parishes Fall Festival Rides, games, music, a beauty pageant, raffles, kids' entertainment, motorcycle expo and bingo. 453 Spruce St., Norco, 985.764.9958. Nov. 12-14 St. Clement of Rome Oyster Festival Rides, games, food and music. 3978 West Esplanade Ave., Metairie. 504.887.7321. NOV. 12-14 St. Rita Pecan Festival Pecan pies, cookies and candy, rides, bands, crafts and games. St. Rita Church and School, 7100 Jefferson Highway, Harahan, 504.737.0744. Nov. 12-14 Westwego Cypress Swamp Fest Rides, games, food, crafts and music. Bayou Segnette State Park, 7777 West Bank Expressway, 504.341.1003. Nov. 12-15 Rayne Frog Festival Cajun fais do-do, frog racing, jumping and cooking contests, food, carnival and parade. Various locations, Rayne, 337.334.2332. Nov. 13 Thibodeauxville Fall Fest Food, crafts, games, music and a duck race on Bayou Lafourche. Downtown Thibodaux, 985.446,1187. Nov. 13-14 Destrehan Plantation Fall Festival Antique village, chefs' demos, Cajun and creole food, music, crafts and house tours. Destrehan Plantation, 13034 River Road, 985.764.9315. Nov. 13-14 Three Rivers Art Festival Juried art festival with Arts Alive stage, kids' performance stage, music, student art competition, 5K race. Columbia Street, Covington, 985.871.4141, 985.705.7968. Nov. 14 Congo Square Rhythms Festival African arts market, food, cultural activities and music. Congo Square/Armstrong Park, 718 N. Rampart St., New Orleans, 504.558.6100. Nov. 14 Fourth annual Congo Square Rhythms Festival Features food, music and crafts. Armstrong Park, 901 N. Rampart St., New Orleans, www.congosquarerhythms.com Nov. 17-21 New Orleans Fringe Theater Festival Original, avant-garde performances in nontradional venues with 45 performing groups presenting 140 performances. Various locations primarily in the Marigny and Bywater, 504.941.3640. Nov. 20 Tuba, Tuba, Tuba Tribute to Tuba Fats Sousaphone players converge no the Farmers Market, culminating with an all-star jam, with tastings, cooking demonstrations and raffles French Market, New Orleans, www.FrenchMarket.org. Nov. 20-21 Broadmoor High Arts & Crafts Festival Handmade items, art, food and Santa Claus. 10100 Goodwood Blvd., Baton Rouge, 225.926.1420. Nov. 20-21 Nov. 20-21 Camp Moore Living History Encampment Civil War reenactment at the largest Confederate training camp in Louisiana. Camp Moore Confederate Museum and Cemetery, Tangipahoa, 985.229.2438. Nov. 21 New Orleans Po-Boy Preservation Festival The sandwich is honored with music, po-boy contests, children's activities and discussions and exhibits exploring the origins of the local favorite. Oak Street, South Carrollton Avenue at Riverbend, New Orleans, www.Poboyfest.com. Nov. 26-Jan. 1 Celebration in the Oaks Lighting displays, entertainment, rides, visits with Santa, decorated Christmas trees. City Park, New Orleans, 504.483.9415. DECEMBER Dec. 1-Jan. 6 Christmas New Orleans Style Tours of historic homes, candlelight caroling, madrigal dinners, cooking demonstrations and concerts. Various location in New Orleans, 504.522.5730. Dec. 3 Once Upon a Cajun Christmas A parade with Papa Noel, caroling, entertainments and tree lighting. Downtown Houma, 800.688.2732, 985.873.6408. Dec. 3-5 Christmas Extravaganza Arts & Crafts Expo Hundreds of craft booths and food. Covington Fairgrounds, Covington. 985.796.5853. Dec. 3-5 Plaquemines Parish Fair and Orange Festival The festival returns to its original home this year with a carnival (on Dec 3), food, music, helicopter rides, crafts, citrus displays, orange-eating contests. Fort Jackson, Buras, 504.398.4434, 504.415.5604, 504.394.3700. Dec. 4 A Bayou Christmas Cajun Christmas celebration with food, music and Papa Noel. Larose Regional Park, La. 308, Larose, 985.693.7355. Dec. 4 Delcambre Holiday Gumbo Cook-off and Boat Parade Cook-off, crafts, entertainment, boat parade on the bayou with Santa and fireworks. Shrimp Festival Building, Delcambre, 337.648.2422, www.delcambreboatparade.com. Dec. 10-12 Festival of the Bonfires Cajun food, music, gumbo cook-off, crafts, rides and a nightly bonfire. Lutcher Recreation Park, 2545 Louisiana Ave, Lutcher, 800.367.7852, www.festivalofthebonfires.org. Dec. 11-12 Holiday on the Boulevard New Orleans, Food, vendors, entertainment, storytelling, Santa Claus and Baba Kwanzaa and Mama YeYe. Ashe Cultural Arts Center on Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard, New Orleans, 504.569.9070. Dec. 11-12 Treme Creole Gumbo Festival New Orleans Jazz and R&B by Treme artists, gumbo-cooking demos, crafts and Jazz Fest merchandise. Jazz and Heritage Center, 1225 N. Rampart St., New Orleans, 504.558.6100. Dec. 12 St. Lucy Festival of Lights Holiday light displays, crafts, food, entertainment, Christmas parade. St Martin d'Tours Church Square, St. Martinville, 337.394.9404, 337.224.1627. |