16. FEST FOR ALL
City: Baton Rouge, LA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (225) 344-8558
Description: A two-day extravaganza of culture, Fest For All is an art lover’s dream day. People pour into downtown to view and buy works from 75 artists. They meander along tree-shaded North Boulevard and check out handcrafted jewelry, pottery, oil paintings, collages, and woven pieces. It’s a good time to meet and mix with artists. Many gladly explain their craft and how they came about creating one-of-a-kind pieces. Historic sites, such as the Old State Capitol, and downtown churches provide spaces for performers. You can enjoy contemporary and classic dance groups, and musicians playing everything from symphonic works to jazz. The children’s tent is set up for creative explorations and laughter.
17. JAMBALAYA FESTIVAL
City: Baton Rouge, LA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (225) 647-2937
Description: Jambalaya, one of Louisiana’s signature dishes, is a mixture of rice, meats, or seafood and seasonings often cooked in a big black cast-iron pot outdoors. It has even been celebrated in song. You’ll never see as much of it cooked or eaten as you will at the Jambalaya Festival. There are two days of world championship cooking, stage shows, music, and carnival rides. Bring your dancing shoes.
18. JUNETEENTH Freedom FESTIVAL
City: Baton Rouge, LA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (225) 474-5553
Description: This event, sponsored by the River Road African American Museum, celebrates the end of slavery in the United States. It also observes the struggle of African Americans to achieve civil rights. The three-day festival features historical exhibits, African dancers, live music, a talent show, arts and crafts, a kids’ tent, family reunions, and a health fair.
19. ART MELT
City: Baton Rouge, LA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Address: 100 Lafayette St.
Description: Take in the state’s largest juried art show showcasing Louisiana’s artists. Start at the Brunner Gallery for a visual uplift, then head for other downtown venues for a tour of the other senses—sound, smell, and taste. Art Melt is for the hip crowd that likes a touch of sophistication, and it appeals to young professionals and to the well-traveled crowd.
20. DONALDSONVILLE FIREWORKS AND FAIS DO DO
City: Baton Rouge, LA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (225) 323-4970
Description: A fais do do is a Cajun dance party. The colloquial French term is similar to “beddy bye” and was used when Cajun mothers urged their babies to sleep so that parents could enjoy a dance. What better time to participate in a community dance than the Fourth of July? Donaldsonville combines the tradition with fireworks, contests, and holiday entertainment.
21. FELICIANA HUMMINGBIRD CELEBRATION
City: Baton Rouge, LA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (800) 488-6502
Address: 12501 La. 10
Description: Wee tiny hummingbirds settle in for the summer months in the Baton Rouge region. Most depart for the long trip to Mexico in the fall, but a few stay in the area through the winter. Rosedown, one of the state’s treasured antebellum mansions, is the setting for the Hummingbird Celebration in July. Participants can learn how to weigh, measure, and band the birds. Discover more about hummers at lectures and pick up ideas for planting hummingbird-friendly plants.
22. STAR-SPANGLED CELEBRATION
City: Baton Rouge, LA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (225) 342-1942
Description: Baton Rouge families gather early in the day for the Star-Spangled Celebration on July Fourth. Streets and plazas are packed near the USS Kidd, the World War II Fletcher destroyer docked at the museum. It’s usually sunny and hot, so everyone wears casual summer clothing. Food and beverage booths keep folks cooled off. People vie for the best viewing spaces atop the Mississippi River levee. A major part of the entertainment is a mock air attack on the Kidd as Air National Guard takes to the sky above the boat. Later the Baton Rouge Concert Band strikes up a medley of patriotic songs and marches, ending with the bombastic 1812 Overture. The booming cannon sounds within the band signals the beginning of a spectacular fireworks show over the Mississippi River.
23. WHITE LINEN NIGHT
City: Baton Rouge, LA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (225) 635-3873
Description: Romantics read about the dramatic “long hot summer,” but south Louisiana residents live it. In Baton Rouge activities slow down. It’s time for cool menus, cool drinks, and cool clothing. White linen suits and dresses came into fashion long before modern fabrics, but now we don light duds in cool colors. With a nod to their ancestors’ summertime garb, residents of St. Francisville enjoy a night in late August to “take in the air,” strolling the streets, visiting with friends and visitors, shopping for arts and antiques, and enjoying music. It’s a relaxed way to pass a good time.
24. AWESOME ART IN AUTUMN GARDENS FESTIVAL
City: Baton Rouge, LA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (225) 473-7841
Address: 40136 La. 942
Description: One of the most magnificent gardens in Louisiana can be enjoyed in its fall glory during this festival. Stroll at your leisure and enjoy fine art, folk art, and literary and performing arts intertwined with history and nature. The event gives people a chance to admire the numerous semi-tropical plants that thrive in Louisiana’s warm climate. Enjoy the spectacular fountains and garden sculptures.
25. BIZTECH EXPO
City: Baton Rouge, LA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (225) 928-1700
Description: Louisiana’s largest business and technology trade show, BizTech is a two-day business-to-business event for leading businesses as well as entrepreneurs. More than 200 exhibitors participate in the two-day event, which includes a CEO Forum and updates by experts on the regional and national economies.
26. BOO AT THE ZOO
City: Baton Rouge, LA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (225) 775-3877
Address: 3601 Thomas Rd.
Description: A merry, not scary, trick-or-treating extravaganza, Boo at the Zoo has become a Halloween tradition for families. Let the kids dress up in their favorite costumes. Get snapshots with the animals. Treat stations are set up in different sections of the zoo. There’s a Hay Maze and a Boo Den, too.
27. GREATER BATON ROUGE STATE FAIR
City: Baton Rouge, LA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (225) 755-3247
Description: Organized by the all-volunteer Fair Board, the Baton Rouge State Fair stretches over a week with carnival rides and special youth activities. There are lawn tractor races, magicians, clowns, and pony rides. In the Farm Experience, children can watch chickens hatch and learn about raising animals. Live music entertainment includes country, rock, blues, soul, and swamp pop. Buster Brown Day is especially planned for physically and mentally challenged children. Proceeds go toward worthy causes.
28. LOUISIANA BOOK FESTIVAL
City: Baton Rouge, LA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (225) 755-3247
Description: Sponsored by the Louisiana State Library, the free festival opens a grand window into the world of writing and reading. Spend the day with Louisiana’s book lovers and books. More than 190 poets, writers, and scholars take part in readings, book talks, and panel discussions held in the Louisiana State Library, the State Capitol, and the State Museum. Get your cherished books autographed by a favorite author. Tents are set up for young readers, book browsing and signing, book-related arts, food, and beverages. The day ends with the Baton Rouge Symphony’s performance of The Sound of Books, with music selections from movies that originated from books.
29. THE MYRTLES HALLOWEEN EXTRAVAGANZA
City: Baton Rouge, LA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (225) 635-6277
Description: Experience the true meaning of Halloween at The Myrtles, the antebellum home that’s been called America’s Most Haunted House. The event starts at 7 p.m., and evening shadows lend mystery to the atmosphere of this fascinating home. Guides dress in costumes for the event, and the gift shop stays open. Refreshments and libations are served in the original courtyard.
30. SUGARFEST
City: Baton Rouge, LA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (225) 336-2422
Address: 845 North Jefferson Ave.
Description: This is a sweet celebration of the sugar cane harvest and the culture of sugar cane plantations. Tour the museum grounds and view authentic plantation cabins, a shotgun house, and the 1830 Aillet House. Watch a mule-driven cane grinder in action. Chew on fresh sugar cane samples, and let the kids ride the sugar train. They also can take part in historic hands-on activities, such as wash day (scrubbing laundry the old-fashioned way). Live music performances include such groups as the Fabulous Bagasse Boyz and the Storyville Stompers. Check out the sweets contest, cake walk, and sugary treats.