Fairs, festivals and major events

January-March

Sugar Bowl football game in New Orleans (January); Mardi Gras statewide (before Ash Wednesday); Audubon Pilgrimage in St. Francisville (March).

April-June

French Quarter Festival in New Orleans (April); Festival International de Louisiane in Lafayette (April); Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans (April-May); Contraband Days in Lake Charles (May); Crawfish Festival in Breaux Bridge (May); Mudbug Madness in Shreveport (May); Peach Festival in Ruston (June).

July-September

Essence Music Festival in New Orleans (July); Satchmo Summerfest in New Orleans (August); Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Festival in Plaisance (September); Festivals Acadiens in Lafayette (September).

October-December

Red River Revel in Shreveport (October); Yambilee Festival in Opelousas (October); State Fair of Louisiana in Shreveport (November); Christmas Festival of Lights in Natchitoches (November-December); Christmas Eve Bonfires on the Mississippi River Levee (December).