Louisiana Festivals & Events Happening this Weekend: October 18, 19, 20

The Wooden Boat Festival happens in Madisonville this weekend.Photo byKristina KutlešaonUnsplash

Beautiful fall weather makes this weekend perfect for attending one or several festivals. Get out there and catch as many as possible leading up to Halloween while the temperature is so agreeable.

NOLA Funk Fest - New Orleans - October 18, 19, 20

400 Esplanade Avenue

A weekend of energy, excitement, and funk, the NOLA Funk Fest features a spectacular lineup of artists, immersive cultural experiences, and a brand-new exhibition of Louisiana Blues.

Musical acts include:

• Russell Batiste Memorial Second Line featuring The Original Pinettes Brass Band & The Baby Dolls
• Soul Project
• New Orleans Nightcrawlers
• Corey Henry & The Treme Funktet
• Eddie Roberts & The Lucky Strokes
• New Orleans Suspects with The Dirty Dozen Horns
• George Porter, Jr. & Runnin' Pardners
• Big Freedia
• River Eckert
• Jamal Batiste Band
• John "Papa" Gros Band
• Good Enough for Good Times
• Tribal Gold with Big Chief Juan Pardo
• Bobby Rush
• Dumpstaphunk
• The Soul Rebels
• Geo Leo (George Porter, Jr. & Neocentelli playing the music of The Meters with Stanton Moore & Ivan Neville)
• Jason Neville Funky Soul Band
• David Batiste & The Gladiators
• Space & Harmony
• Omari Neville
• Bucktown Allstars
• Erica Falls & Vintage Soul
• Marcia Ball
• John Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen
• Tank & The Bangas

General admission tickets for a single day start at $40/$20 for students.

Re-Thunk Junk Flea Market Trail - Oberlin - October 18, 19, 20

8904 Highway 165

The Re-Thunk Junk Flea Market Trail offers three days of bargain hunting at its best. Shoppers can find traditional yard sale items, clothing, jewelry, furniture, antiques, household items, arts & crafts, and more. Food vendors will be available along the trail.

Boucherie & Balloon Festival - Sorrento - October 18, 19, 20

9690 Airline Highway

Hot air balloons, cracklin' and jambalaya cookoffs, live music, a pageant, and plenty of shopping await visitors at the Boucherie & Balloon Festival.

Bands performing include:

• Justin Cornett Band
• Don Rich
• Tommy G & Stormy Weather Band
• Dustin Sonnier & The Wanted
• Ryan Foret & Foret Tradition
• Wayne Toups
• Aaron Foret Band
• The Mojoes

Festival admission is by donation.

Rougarou Fest - Houma - October 18, 19, 20

86 Valhi Boulevard

A free family festival with a spooky flair, the Rougarou Fest celebrates the rich folklore of Southeast Louisiana bayous. Ranked one of the top costume parties in the US, the festival showcases cultural activities, live music, a costume contest, Cajun food, a Krewe Ga Rou parade, carnival rides, nutria pardoning, a scavenger hunt, a haunted house, pumpkin lighting, children's activities, and much more.

This year's live music lineup includes:

• The NOLA Troublemakers
• The Wolfe Johns Blues Band
• Left on Red
• Back Boots
• Brittany Pool & The Rugarouxs
• Josh Garrett
• Nonc Nu & Da Wild Matous
• Cajun Music Preservation Society
• Waylon Thibodeaux

There will be outdoor viewing of the movie Hocus Pocus at 7:00 PM on Friday and Saturday nights.

Andouille Festival - LaPlace - October 18, 19, 20

2900 U.S. Highway 51

The 49th Annual Andouille Festival in St. John the Baptist Parish features entertainment, food, sweets, arts & crafts, a second-line parade, and carnival rides.

Live music over the weekend will be provided by:

• Nathan & The Zydeco Cha Chas
• Sweet Southern Heat
• Tee Nah Nah
• Shot Time
• G Funk
• 90 Degrees West
• Peyton Falgoust
• The Topcats
• Alt'R Ego
• Soul Vibrations Band
• Hot 8 Brass Band (second line)
• Tribe Called Gumbolia (second line)
• Partners N Crime
• The Phunkey Monkeys

Admission is $5 per person. Carnival ride ticket packages are available.

Acadia Music Fest - Thibodaux - October 19

Percy Brown Road

Featuring local and national artists, the Acadia Music Festival is Thibodaux's largest outdoor music event. Food and merch will be available.

This year's entertainment schedule features:

• Icarus Jones
• The Premier Soul Band
• Little John & The Dirty Clarks
• Joe Haydel
• Austin Williams
• Cowboy Mouth
• DJ Spin
• Nelly

$50 advance tickets for those 13+ are available online. Cost at the gate is $70.

Wooden Boat Festival - Madisonville - October 19 & 20

133 Mable Drive

Held on the banks of the beautiful Tchefuncte River, the Wooden Boat Festival attracts classic boats, spectator boats, wooden boats, and music enthusiasts. In its 33rd year, the event seeks to inspire and engage patrons in bringing the state's maritime history to life.

Single-day tickets are $10 for those 12 and over.