Louisiana Festivals & Events Happening this Weekend: August 29 through September 2

[Updated]

It's Labor Day weekend, y'all, so it's time to party!! This is where the fun is happening around the state.

New Orleans Street ParadePhoto byNice M NshutionUnsplash

South Decadence - New Orleans - August 29, 30 & 31, September 1 & 2

Southern Decadence is the largest LGBTQ+ event in New Orleans celebrated nightly throughout the city with wonderful parties and events, culminating in a grand parade.

The following venues will hold nightly events:

• Phoenix Bar, 941 Elysian Fields Avenue
• Corner Pocket, 940 St Louis Street
• Oz, 800 Bourbon Street
• Bourbon Pub & Parade, 801 Bourbon Street
• Virgin Hotel New Orleans, 550 Baronne Street
• Toulouse Theatre, 615 Toulouse Street
• Fillmore New Orleans, 6 Canal Street

The 52nd Annual Southern Decadence Parade kicks-off at 2:00 PM on Sunday, September 1, at the Golden Lantern Bar, 1239 Royal Street.

Louisiana Shrimp & Petroleum Festival - Morgan City - August 30 & 31, September 1 & 2

305 Everett Street

Lawrence Park in Morgan City is the location of the 89th annual Louisiana Shrimp & Petroleum Festival. The festival features arts & crafts, a children's village, the blessing of the fleet, a street parade, a mass in the park, fireworks on the river, carnival rides, a car show, Louisiana delicacies, music in the park, and much more. This is the only place in the world where the general public can walk aboard an authentic offshore drilling rig - Mr. Charlie Oil Rig.

The musical lineup includes:

• Cliff Hillebran & Sidepiece Band
• Swampland Revival
• Gospel Music in the Park
• Caleb Lapeyrouse & The Drivers
• Centro Norento
• Deep Water Rehab
• Kings of Neon
• Rick Lorenzo
• Cajun Roots
• Justin Cornett Band
• Snapper & The Fishsticks
• Yeah You Right
• Left on Red
• Soulshine
• South 70

This is a free event.

Cane River Zydeco Festival & Poker Run - Natchitoches -August 30 & 31

100 Rue Beauport

The 25th annual Cane River Zydeco Festival & Poker Run is a two-day party featuring Zydeco music, Cajun music, food, beverages, a dance contest, and a poker run. Gates open at 6:00 PM on Friday with free admission for a Zydeco dance contest, line dancing, swing dancing, and DJ Rob Real. The poker run begins at noon on Saturday, and festival gates open at 2:00 PM.

Musical guests include:

• Marcus Ardoin & The Zydeco Legends
• Lil' Nathan & The Zydeco Big Timers

Admission on Saturday is $20.

Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival - Opelousas - August 31

1939 W Landry Street

The 42nd Annual Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Festival takes place on the Yambilee Festival Grounds in Opelousas. The schedule of events on Saturday includes a Zydeco Parade beginning at 8:30 AM and a Zydeco Breakfast from 9:00 to 11:00 AM beneath the oak trees on the Courthouse Square. The music starts at 12:00 PM.

This year's guests include:

• Grammy winner Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band
• LeRoy Thomas & Zydeco Road Runners
• Geno Delafose & French Rockin Boogie
• C. J. Chenier & the Red-Hot Louisiana Band
• NUZO Zydeco
• Jeremy Fruge & The Zydeco Hot Boyz
• Rusty Metoyer & Zydeco Krush
• Chris Ardoin & NuStep Zydeco

Admission is $25 for adults; $5 for children 12 and under. Festival gates open at 11:00 AM.

Creole Renaissance Festival - Rayne - September 1

210 Frog Festival Drive

The Rayne Civic Center & Pavillion is the setting for the Creole Renaissance Festival. A family-friendly celebration of all things Creole, the festival focuses on the people, the food, the culture, and the Zydeco music.

Bands appearing live include:

• Next Gen Zydeco
• Rosie Ledet
• Horace Trahan and The Ossun Express
• Mike Broussard and Nu Edition Zydeco
• Preston Frank and The Frank Family Band
• The Return of BooZoo Chavis' Magic Sounds featuring Poncho Chavis
• The Zydeco Force Reunion
• Step Rideau and The Zydeco Outlaws
• J Paul Jr. and The Zydeco Nubreeds
• Keith Frank and The Soileau Zydeco Band

Doors open at 11:00 AM; music begins at noon. Tickets are available online.