Louisiana Seafood Festivals

There must be something in the water. How else can you explain the amazing flavor of Louisiana's seafood? Don't think you've eaten Louisiana seafood before? We bet you have—Louisiana is the number one provider of shrimp, oysters, crab, crawfish and even gator in the country.

We think that's reason to celebrate, and we don't mean five friends and a cake. We're talking 10,000 of our closest friends, street parades, live music and fireworks extravaganzas. Would you expect any less from the home of Mardi Gras? We didn't think so.

Check out these summer seafood festivals.

New Orleans Oyster Fest: If you were to eat your way across New Orleans at the city's best seafood restaurants, it'd take you a good week, a tank of gas and plenty of dough for tips and parking. But here's a secret: You can try them all on one June afternoon at the New Orleans Oyster Festival. Restaurants such as Acme Oyster House, Drago's and GW Fins serve up a variety of fare and there's even an Acme Oyster eating Contest. 

Lacombe Crab Festival: From soft-shell crab poboys and crab cakes to boiled crabs and crab fingers, if there’s a way to cook a crab, they are doing it at this annual June festival. Of course, all sorts of other foods are dished up too, and many feature Louisiana seafood. Grab a seat under the oaks at John Davis Memorial Park and listen to blues, zydeco and gospel performers. 

Mandeville Seafood Festival: Held each Independence Day weekend, the Mandeville Seafood Festival at Fontainebleu State Park celebrates your right to boil, bake and fry. With more than 20 food booths, it offers a one-stop buffet of seafood dishes, such as Louisiana lobster puffs, barbecue shrimp, fish on a stick and seafood gumbo. Fill your plate and then catch a concert or fireworks show beside Lake Pontchartrain.

Delcambre Shrimp Festival: Shrimping has long been the lifeblood of this Louisiana community, and its people come together the third full weekend in August each year to celebrate the beloved crustacean. Feast upon shrimp served up every way you can imagine, and see who wins the shrimp cook-off. As you climb aboard the carnival rides and boogie to the live music, keep an eye out for the lovely Shrimp Queen.

Louisiana Shrimp & Petroleum Festival: Shrimp and petroleum may seem an unlikely pairing, but the industries are a mainstay of Morgan City's economy and this Labor Day weekend festival celebrates them both. The free event features down-home Cajun cooking, arts and crafts, live music, parades and a Blessing of the Fleet.