Weekend Festivals: March 21-24/Tennessee Williams, Crawfish, Music, BBQ, Arts, and More

Boiled CrawfishPhoto byStephanie MoodyonUnsplash

Spring is here! Thanks to a mild winter in Louisiana, flowers are already in bloom. Here are a few places where you can get out, maybe eat some crawfish, and enjoy the start of the season.

Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival - New Orleans - March 21 to March 24

214 Royal Street

A celebration of Tennessee Williams, literature, New Orleans culture, and writers, the Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival attracts participants from around the world.

2024 Louisiana Crawfish Festival - Chalmette - March 21 to March 24

8245 W. Judge Perez Drive

St. Bernard Parish Frederick Sigur Civic Center is the setting for the Louisiana Crawfish Festival in Chalmette. The festival features succulent crawfish prepared in various ways, Cajun cuisine, music, contests, and more.

Tunica Hills Music Festival - St. Francisville - March 22 & 23

Downtown St. Francisville

Enjoy live music, jam circles, and complimentary rides through downtown St. Francisville at the Tunica Hills Music Festival. Bands and musicians from around the region will perform on three stages at the free and open to the public event.

Hammond Smokin' BBQ Challenge - Hammond - March 22 & 23

Downtown Hammond

Barbecue cookoffs, food for sale, and live entertainment highlight the Hammond Smokin' BBQ Challenge which supports local charities.

South Louisiana Truck & Tractor Pull - Hammond - March 22 & 23

15107 E. Yellow Water Road

Starting at 6:00 PM, the South Louisiana Truck & Tractor Pull promises lots of adrenaline-packed action with smoke and horsepower. Admission is $20; 5 and under are admitted free.

Arts Walk - Thibodaux - March 22 to September 27

409 B West 3rd Street

Shop, dine, and enjoy the talents of local artists during the Arts Walk in Downtown Thibodaux. There will be live music on multiple stages during this free event.

Southdown Marketplace Craft Show Festival - Houma - March 23

1208 Museum Drive

A one-day event, the Southdown Marketplace Craft Show Festival features 300 local and national arts & crafts vendors at Southdown Plantation. In addition to shopping, there will be Cajun food, a live Cajun band, a kids' area, and more. Admission is $5.

Washington Community Festival - Washington - March 23

404 North Main Street

The Washington Community Festival will host three blocks of live music, vendors, a car show, and a catfish cookoff. The free festival will take place along Washington's Main Street from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM.

Annual World Championship Crawfish Etouffee Cookoff - Eunice - March 23

651 Samuel Drive

Professional and amateur cooks will vy for the title of "World Champion" at the World Championship Crawfish Etouffee Cookoff. From 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Northwest Pavillion in Eunice, guests can enjoy etouffee, music, and arts & crafts. Admission and parking are free.

Louisiana Crawfish Boil Championships - Marrero - March 23

4520 Sixth Street

Over 60 teams will boil more than 40,000 pounds of crawfish in an effort to win the Championship Belt for Best-tasting Crawfish in the state at the Louisiana Crawfish Boil Championships. Tickets at the door are $45 + fees for adults and $20 for those 13 to 18 with student ID or other proof of age. Those under 12 are admitted free. Admission includes all the crawfish you care to sample and musical entertainment.

Cane River Film Festival - Natchitoches - March 23

1011 Keyser Avenue

Parkway Cinema is the setting for film screenings, an awards ceremony, and Q&A panel discussions during the 7th Annual Cane River Film Festival. Doors are open from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Louisiana Red Beans & Rice Heritage and Music Festival - Baton Rouge - March 23

Downtown Baton Rouge

Held in Rhorer Plaza, the first annual Louisiana Red Beans & Rice Heritage and Music Festival features a cookoff, food tastings, music, and fun for the entire family.

Abbeville's Sicilian Celebration - Abbeville - March 23

304 S. State Street

Celebrate Sicilian culture with museum tours, live music, demonstrations, food, drinks, vendors, and a cooking contest at Abbeville's Sicilian Celebration. Doors are open from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

New Orleans Air Show - Belle Chasse - March 23 & 24

400 Russell Avenue

The 2024 New Orleans Air Show features some of the country's top aviators, static displays of planes and military equipment, a kids' zone, US Navy Blue Angels, and more. Parking and admission are free. Gates open at 8:00 AM with the show starting at 10:00 AM.