Festivals Happening this Weekend - April 26 through April 30

It's a big weekend for festivals in Louisiana.

Festival WeekendPhoto byM Henderson

The last weekend of April is a prime time for festivals. Here are several happening this weekend.

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival - April 28 -- May 7

1751 Gentilly Blvd.

Some of the biggest names in music can be heard at the 2023 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Santana, Ed Sheeran, Jill Scott, Kenny Loggins, Melissa Etheridge, and Tom Jones are just a few of the headliners appearing during this 7-day festival. Spanning two weekends, the action happens at the Fair Grounds Race Course, just 10 minutes from the French Quarter. Hours are 11 AM to 7 PM, April 28, 29 & 30, and May 4, 5, 6 & 7.

Ticket prices are $95 for adults; $5 for children, ages 2 to 10.

Festival International de Louisiane - Lafayette - April 26, 27, 28, 29, 30

Downtown Lafayette

A 5-day cultural celebration comes alive this weekend in Lafayette at Festival International de Louisiane. Top-notch music from around the world, gourmet food, handcrafted artworks, demonstrations, and more delight visitors to this non-ticketed, free festival.

Musical highlights include Chris Ardoin & NuStep Zydeco (Louisiana), Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba (Mali), ADG7 (South Korea), San Salvadore (France), Louis Michot (Louisiana), RAM (Haiti), Dub Inc (France), and so much more. Sample Crawfish Pistolettes, Shrimp Etouffee in Puff Pastry, Sweet Potato Beignet Balls, Alligator Balls, Boudin, Crawfish Monica Pasta, bread pudding, meat pies; the list goes on and on.

Special events include La Plume et La Scene, an original play and Louisiana poetry showcase, Allons Jouer et Chante avec Clovis Ecrevisse, stories and songs of Clovis Crawfish and friends, and a traditional French mass at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist.

Italian Festival - Tickfaw - April 28, 29, 30

Highway 51 next to the City Hall

Tangipahoa Parish is the location for celebrating Italian-American heritage with food, live entertainment, carnival rides, and a parade through downtown Tickfaw at the annual Italian Festival.

Italian cookies, spaghetti & meatballs, lasagna, muffulettas, stuffed artichokes, and cannoli are just a few of the food items available for purchase. Hear The Topcats, After 8, Nashville South, Hometown Boys, and several other bands throughout the weekend.

Festival hours are:

• Friday 6 PM to 11 PM
• Saturday 8 AM to 11 PM
• Sunday 10 AM to 6 PM

This family-friendly event is free to attend. Armbands are available for $30 per person per day, for unlimited rides.

Plaquemine Parish Seafood Festival - Belle Chasse - April 28, 29, 30

225 F Edward Hebert Blvd.

Celebrating the parish's unique seafood and culture, the Plaquemine Parish Seafood Festival features delicious cuisine prepared by local restaurants and organizations. The Croatian American Society will be selling their famous char-grilled oysters. Live music, crafts, a 5K race, carnival rides, and a kid's tent are just a few of the fun things planned for this year's festival.

Festival hours are:

• Friday 6 PM to 10:30 PM
• Saturday 11:30 AM to 10:30 PM
• Sunday 11:30 AM to 8:30 PM

Admission is free on Friday. $5 for adults and free for children 12 and under, Saturday and Sunday.

Annual Etouffee Festival - Arnaudville - April 28, 29, 30

370 Main Street

Music, food, carnival rides, bingo, and shopping at St. Therese's Boutique are all on tap at this year's Etouffee Festival in Arnaudville. An etouffee cook-off will happen Saturday, April 29, with judging beginning at 11:30 AM. Festival goers get to enjoy a variety of etouffees made with crawfish, seafood, vegetables, and wild game.

Organized by St. Francis Regis Catholic Church.