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Festivals, Fairs and Other Events

MAY

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
April 25th - May 4th
At the New Orleans Fair Grounds Racetrack, 1751 Gentilly Blvd. 504-522-4786.Music, contemporary and traditional crafts, food, educational workshops. For more information go to www.nojazzfest.com.

Chaz Festival
May 1st
New Orleans, 3020 St. Claude Ave. Music, food and dancing. (504) 645-7090, www.chazfestival.com.

Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival
May 2nd-4th
Breaux Bridge, Parc Hardy. Cajun and zydeco music, crawfish races, crawfish-eating and -cooking contests, food, cooking demonstrations, crafts, rides. (337) 332-6655, www.bbcrawfest.com.

St. Philip Neri May Fair
May 2nd-3rd
Metairie, 6600 Kawanee Ave. Come join us "Under the Big Top" as we celebrate the St. Philip Neri Parish 2008 May Fair, Friday, 6:00pm and Saturday, 11:00am-10:00pm. We will have great music including 5 Finger Discount on Friday. Flipside and Soul Vaxxination on Saturday. Don't miss the fun and games including aventureland, kiddie land, the rock wall, paint ball, cherry bells, parade of prizes, and Bingo.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor Tomato Festival
May 3rd-4th Chalmette, Our Lady of Prompt Succor School, 2305 Fenelon St. Food, rides, music and games. 909-4784.

Jammin' on Julia
May 3rd
French Quarter, New Orleans. Art, Music & Food--Dance to the tunes of the 60's. Enjoy viewing the 60's automobiles on site.

Saints and Sinners GLBT Literary Festival
May 8th-11th
New Orleans, Bourbon Orleans Hotel and other French Quarter locations. Writing workshops, literary panel discussions, readings and theater. 581-1144.

Ponchatoula's 8th Annual Strawberry Jam'n Toast To The Arts Festival
May 9th-10th
Ponchatoula, LA.

Gretna Arts & Crafts Festival
May 10th
Gretna, Huey P. Long Avenue at Sixth Street. Crafts, cooking demonstrations, children's activities, a writers tent and a German beer garden. 341-5745.

Mount Carmel Crawfish Cookoff
May 19th
New Orleans, 7027 Milne Blvd. Crawfish, music, children's activities. 628-2346 or 288-7626.

Greek Festival
May 23rd-25th
New Orleans, Hellenic Cultural Center, 1200 Robert E. Lee Blvd. Greek food, dancing, children's activities, 5K race, music, cathedral tours and a gift shop. 282-0259, www.greekfestnola.com.

Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo
May 23rd-24th
Bayou St. John, between Orleans Avenue and Canal Street. Music, art, food, kids activities, Boogaloo Contest. 488-3865.

Memorial Day Swamp Pop Music Festival
May 24th
Hidden Oaks Family Campground, Hammond. Louisiana musicians performing live, dancing, food & crafts. Call (985) 345-9244.

Louisiana National Guard Youth Challenge Program
May 17th
At the National Guard Armory, 1855 Ames Blvd., Marrero. The Youth Challenge Program will be interviewing 16-19 year old applicants for the July 13th class to be held at Camp Beauregard in Pineville, LA. For more information, please call 1-800-Camp-Kid.

Louisiana SPCA Adoption Affair
May 24th from 11:00am-3:00pm
An Adoption Affair, will be held at Petco, located at 1629 Westbank Expressway., from 11:00am-3:00pm. La/SPCA adobption counselors and volunteers will be on hand to help you select the right pet for your family. Call 368-5191 or visit www.la-spca.org for more information.

Back to the Beach Festival
May 30th - June 1st
Kenner, at the lake at the end of Williams Boulevard. Music, food, games, crafts, car show to benefit the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation. 836-2215.

JUNE

Creole Tomato Festival
June 7th-8th
'French Market. Celebration of the Creole tomato with cooking demonstrations, tomato tastings, a parade, food and music. 522-2621 or 524-8843.

New Orleans Seafood Festival
June 7th-8th
New Orleans, Jackson Square and French Quarter locations. Music, cooking demonstrations, tastings, cookbook signings, vendors. Inaugural festival to promote the fishing industry. 525-1117, www.neworleansseafoodfestival.com.

Louisiana Bicycle Festival
June 15th
Abita Springs, UCM Museum, 22275 Louisiana 36. Antique bicycle exhibits, bicycle flea market, food, music bike contests. (985) 892-2624 or visit http ucmmuseum.com.

Lacombe Crab Cook-Off Festival
June 21st-22nd
Lacombe, John Davis Park, U.S. 190 and Twelth Street. Music, crab and seafood dishes, cooking competitions, crafts, rides and music. (985) 882-3010.

Greater Mandeville Seafood Festival June 27th-29th
Jackson Avenue at Lakeshore Drive. Seafood, crafts, music, children's activities, rides, classic car show, fireworks. (985) 624-9762, www.seafoodfest.com.

Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration
June 28th
Covington, Bogue Falaya Park. Family picnic with big band music and fireworks. (985) 892-1873.

Girl Scout Council of Southeast La. Rhapsody in Green
June 21st
AT the Louisiana Children's Museum
Price is $100.00
Rhapsody in Green: A Night of Glitz, Glamour and Girl Scouting is the Girl Scout Council of Southeast Louisiana's fundraising gala. The evening will be filled with live music, a silent auction and raffle, along with hors d'oeuvres and beverages.

JULY

2008 Mandeville Seafood Festival
July 3rd - 6th
Fontainbebleau State Park, located off US 190 in Mandeville, LA. Admission is $10.00, Children 10 and under and Seniors 65 and over are free.
Over 20 Food Booths - Fried & Boiled Seafood, Mixed Drinks, Beer,New Orleans Style Po-boys, Funnel Cakes ARTS & CRAFTS :: ANTIQUES - Wide Variety of Jewelry, Furniture, Items For The Home, Paintings and Clothing. LOCAL BANDS - Jazz, Rock & Roll, Rhythm & Blues, Cajun and Reggae and Gospel. TWO STAGES - Lake Ponchartrain Stage & Lagniappe Stage. Mandeville Idol Contest. Games & Prizes, Duck Pick, Frog Bean Bag, Football Toss, Rides, Bungee Jump, Rock Wall, Splash Shack, Mega 20ft Slide and Sea of Balls Jump and much more. For more information please visit website, www.seafoodfest.com

Fourth of July Fireworks Extravaganza
July 4th
Hammond, Zemurray Park. Family entertainment and fireworks. 800-542-7520.

Kenner Fourth of July Freedom Fest
July 4th
Kenner, Treasure Chest Casino grounds, Williams Boulevard at Lake Pontchartrain. Fireworks. 443-8000.

Go Fourth on the River
July 4th
New Orleans, Woldenberg Park. Riverboat rides, music, food and fireworks. 581-4629.

Slidell Heritage Festival
July 4th
Slidell, Heritage Park. Music, food, games, crafts, and fireworks. (985) 643-1234.

Essence Music Festival July 4th-6th
New Orleans, Louisiana Superdome and the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Concerts, along with food and seminars. Tickets available from Ticketmaster (522-5555 or www.ticketmaster.com). www.essence.com.

Tales of the Cocktail
July 16th-20th
Hotel Monteleone and other French Quarter locations. Lectures, discussions, book signings, dinner pairings, cooking demonstrations, cocktail mixing seminars, walking tours, films screening a bartending course and a block party. 299-0404.

Christmas In July July 19th
Ponchatoulas Historic District .Come listen to a variety of live music, stage will be located right next to Ole Hardhide. Outdoor Art & Crafts Festival. Shop early for Christmas. For more information call 1 (800) 617-4502.

Satchmo SummerFest
July 31st - August 3rd
Old U.S. Mint, 400 Esplanade Ave. Celebrates Louis Armstrong with outdoor concerts, seminars, children's activities, a club crawl and second-line parade. 522-5730, www.satchmosummerfest.com.

AUGUST

Whitney White Linen Night
Aug 2nd
New Orleans, Contemporary Arts Center and Warehouse Arts District. Gallery openings, food and music. 528-3805.

National Hot Air Balloon Championships
Aug 8th-10th
Baton Rouge, Pennington Center and BREC's Perkins Road Park. The Southeast Regional and Louisiana State Hot Air Balloon competitions, liftoffs, fireworks, music, kids' activities. (225) 933-2027, www.laballooning.com

Southern Decadence Festival
Aug. 27-Sept. 1
French Quarter. Gay and lesbian fest with dances, street parties, talent shows, costume contest and a parade. 529-2107, www.southerndecadence.net.

SEPTEMBER

Cajun Heritage Festival
September 5th-7th
Larose Civic Center, Hwy. 308 in Larose. (985) 537-7701.

Oktoberfest
September 19th
New Orleans, Deutsches Haus, 200 S. Galvez St. Traditional German music, dancing, food and drink. 522-8014.

St. James Historical Society Heritage Day
September 28th
Lutcher, St. James Historical Society Museum, 1988 Louisiana 44. Food, crafts and traditional craft demonstrations. (225) 869-1717.

Italian Heritage Festival
TBA Kenner's 9th annual Italian Heritage Festival held in historic Rivertown. This is a free event with live music, food vendors who participate and sell Italian food and drink, as well as crafters who sell handmade creations. The festival will have face-painting and "Splash Castle" for kids, and a demonstration of the "Tarantella" and cooking by area chefs for adults.

Annual Alligator Day
TBA Hammond, Kliebert Alligator and Turtle Farm. Tours, alligator racing, music, food. (800) 854-9164.

OCTOBER

Bucktown Seafood Festival
October Metairie, St. Louis King of France School, 1600 Lake Ave. 504-833-8224. Food, music, games, Lenten fish fry.

Fanfare
Oct. 1st-Oct. 31st Hammond, Southeastern Louisiana University. Dance, films, music, theater, lectures and performing arts. (985) 543-4366.

Oktoberfest
Oct. 3rd-4th,10th-11th, 17th-18th, 24th-25th
New Orleans, Deutsches Haus, 200 S. Galvez St. Traditional German music, dancing, food and drink. 522-8014.

Gretna Heritage Festival
Oct. 3rd-5th
Gretna Market, Huey P. Long Avenue. Music, crafts, rides and games, German Beer Garden, Italian Village with St. Joseph's altar, food court. 361-7748.

St. Mary Magdalen Seafood Festival
Oct. 3rd-5th
Metairie, 6425 West Metairie Ave. Rides, games, food and music. 733-0922.

Angola Prison Rodeo
Oct. 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th
Louisiana State Penitentiary. Inmate rodeo dubbed "The Wildest Show in the South," music, crafts, food. (225) 655-4411.Louisiana Cotton Festival Oct. 9-14, Ville Platte, Civic Center, North City Park. Cajun contradanse, fais do-do, food and the ancient game of Le Tournoi. (337) 363-6367.

New Orleans Film Festival
Oct. 9th-16th
Canal Place Cinema and Contemporary Arts Center. Local, national and international film and video screenings, workshops, seminars and social events. 309-6633, neworleansfilmfest.com.

St. Matthew the Apostle Fall Family Fest
Oct. 10th-12th
St. Matthew The Apostle, 10021 Jefferson Hwy., River Ridge. The Annual Fall Family Festival that offers a lot of specilty booths with homemade food and from restaurants, live entertainment, and games of change.

Wild Things
Oct. 12th-18th
Lacombe, Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge. Wildlife festival during National Wildlife Refuge week with exhibits, games, boat and canoe tours, food, contests, a youth wildlife art contest and show. (985) 882-2000.

International Acadian Festival
Oct. 17th-19th
Plaquemine. Cajun and country music, food and a festival parade. (225) 687-6549.

St. John Parish Andouille Festival
Oct. 17th-19th
LaPlace, Percy Hebert Building. Food, crafts, rides and continuous entertainment. (985) 652-9569.

3rd Annual Fall Arts & Crafts Festival
Oct. 18th-19th
Oak Alley Plantation, Vacherie, LA. Call 1 (800) 44ALLEY for more information.

Madisonville Wooden Boat Festival
Oct. 18th-19th
Water Street along the Tchefuncte River. Boat-building demonstration and contests, marine auction, entertainment, flea market, food, crafts and music. (985) 845-9200 or (985) 892-0520.

35th Annual French Food Festival
October 24th-26th
Larose Regional Park, LA Hwy. 308, Larose. Cajun food, music & dancing. For more information, call (985) 693-7355

NOVEMBER

St. Rita Pecan Festival
November 7th-9th
Harahan, St. Rita Church and School. Pecan pies, cookies and candy, rides, bands, crafts, games, family entertainment. (504) 737-2915.

Crescent City Home Brewers Winter Fest
November 8th
New Orleans, 200 S. Galvez St. German food, beer, locally brewed beer and music. (504) 443-2316.

Destrehan Plantation Fall Festival
November 8th-9th
Destrehan Plantation. Antique village, chefs' demonstrations, food, music, dancing. (985) 764-9315.

River Parishes Fall Festival
November 14th-16th
Norco, Sacred Heart School, 453 Spruce St. Rides, games, bands, crafts, food and a beauty pageant. (985) 764-9958.

Three Rivers Art Festival
November 15th-16th
Covington, Columbia Street. Juried art festival with an Arts Alive! stage, children's performance stage, music, student art competition, 5K race. (985) 871-4141 or (985) 705-7968.

DECEMBER

Plaquemines Parish Fair and Orange Festival
December 5th-7th
Belle Chasse, Medal of Honor Park. Cajun music, arts and crafts, citrus displays, orange-peeling-and-eating contests. 656-7599 or 394-3700.

Christmas Extravaganza Arts & Crafts Expo
December 5th-7th
St. Tammany Parish Fair Grounds, 1304 N. Columbia St. Hundreds of craft booths, food and a Christmas village. (985) 796-5853.

A Bayou Christmas
December 6th
Larose Regional Park, Highway 308. Evening boat parade, children's events, snowfield, music and Cajun food. (985) 693-7355.

Christmas Past Festival
December 13th
Old Mandeville Trailhead/Farmers Market, Girod Street and Lakefront areas. Festival-goers encouraged to dress for costume contest, horse and carriage rides, theatrical skits, Christmas caroling, Scrooge Scavenger hunts for kids, evening costume ball, Dickens era breakfast, lunch, dinner offerings. (985) 624-5683.

Celebration in the Oaks
November - December (closed Dec. 24-25)
New Orleans City Park. Lighting displays, entertainment, rides, Santa visits. 483-9415.

Christmas-New Orleans Style
TBA . Tours of historic homes, candlelight caroling, madrigal dinners, chefs' demonstrations. (504) 522-5730.

Zeitgeist Creative Music Festival
TBA, New Orleans, Zeitgeist Multi-disciplinary Arts Center, 2940 Canal St. Creative music, electronica, free jazz by local and international artists. (504) 352-1150.