11 Mar 2022

JAMbalaya Acoustic Music Jam

2024-02-22T14:41:52-06:00

Every first Sunday of the month at 12:30pm, Tom’s Fiddle & Bow in Arnaudville hosts a casual jam session for experienced and beginner musicians. Those who don’t play are welcome to listen in and meet the musicians.

Tom’s Fiddle and Bow is a repair and restoration shop for string instruments, one of only a handful in Acadiana. Tom specializes in making fiddles and sells his handmade creations in the shop. He is a native of Massachusetts but lived in New Hampshire and Maine for many years before relocating to South Louisiana. Tom studied at the Violin Craftsmen Institute at the University of New Hampshire and trained with master craftsmen. Now, he’s a staple in the community.

JAMbalaya Acoustic Music Jam2024-02-22T14:41:52-06:00
9 Mar 2022

Live Music at Lakeview

2024-06-06T10:30:59-05:00

Lakeview Park & Beach in Eunice throws amazing parties. From their Lundi Gras Boucherie to their Saturday night Old Fashioned Fais Do-Do barn dances, it is a haven for live music lovers. Their rustic barn is the perfect setting for foot-stompin’, two-steppin’ Cajun, zydeco, and country dancing. Acadiana’s best performers are known to frequent the barn stage, including Grammy-nominated band, Bonsoir Catin. Come out and pass a good time with the locals. During the summer months you can enjoy live music on the beach.

There is a $10 admission fee for all guests of Lakeview. Campers receive complimentary tickets with their RV site/Cottage. Happy Hour begins 1 hour before the band starts.

Check out their website to see who’s playing.

2016 Louey Tourism Award Winner for Campground/RV Park of the Year.

The Barn at Lakeview Park & Beach in Eunice, Louisiana
The Barn at Lakeview Park & Beach in Eunice, Louisiana
The Barn at Lakeview Park & Beach in Eunice, Louisiana
Live Music at Lakeview2024-06-06T10:30:59-05:00
7 Mar 2022

Arnaudville Étouffée Festival

2024-07-19T15:04:49-05:00

Enjoy life like a local in Arnaudville, Louisiana at the Annual Étouffée Festival. Étouffée is a “smothered” dish and a favorite among locals. Love for the dish is strong enough to stir up a friendly rivalry every year at this festival cook-off. Traditionally, étouffée is made with crawfish. However, at this event, you can enjoy a variety of étouffées including crawfish, seafood, vegetable, and even wild game!

The cook-off takes place on Saturday with judging beginning at 11:30am. Taste great cooking, ride carnival rides, dance to live music, play bingo, or shop at St. Therese’s Boutique. The boutique is open from 1pm-5pm on Saturday and Sunday. It features antique and vintage items for sale in the Little Flower Gym. On Sunday, enjoy an auto show from 8am to 12pm with all makes and models on display.

Check their Facebook Page for updates. Find nearby accommodations here.

Arnaudville Étouffée Festival in Louisiana
Arnaudville Étouffée Festival in Louisiana
Arnaudville Étouffée Festival in Louisiana
Arnaudville Étouffée Festival in Louisiana
Arnaudville Étouffée Festival2024-07-19T15:04:49-05:00
4 Mar 2022

Savoy Music Jam

2024-02-22T14:38:49-06:00

This jam session in Eunice, Louisiana is a special Saturday morning tradition hosted at the Savoy Music Center. This building is home to the master accordion craftsman, Marc Savoy. The three-hour Cajun jam session has gotten the attention of major media outlets throughout the years. It was featured on Good Morning America, National Geographic, and Smithsonian Magazine. Visitors from all over the world make their way to the jam to meet the musicians and enjoy traditional Cajun music.

Marc’s jam session etiquette is part of the reason the jam is so famous. It is not a place for younger artists to “show-off”. Instead, the musicians are led by the older generation of Cajun music fiddlers and accordionists. It’s not a talent show, but a cultural exchange of stories, tunes, tips, and a few laughs.

Don’t know how to play? That’s just fine. Chairs are set up for the audience to sit and listen or get up and dance!

Savoy Music Center
Savoy Music Center
Savoy Music Center
Savoy Music Jam2024-02-22T14:38:49-06:00
4 Mar 2022

Jammin’ on the Bayou

2024-02-22T14:45:33-06:00

This jam session is hosted by musician Stanley Lee at the St. Landry Parish Visitor Center in Opelousas, Louisiana. Musicians at any level of expertise bring an instrument and suggest their favorite songs. Bystanders can sit and listen in or dance along. The jam session is free and open to the public. Anyone can stop by and join in on the fun.

The jam is held every third Saturday of the month starting around 1pm. After the show, stick around the visitor center. One of our experienced Travel Counselors can point you to other points of interest in the parish. If you want to stay longer, they can even provide a tour of our award-winning, sustainable welcome center.

Jammin’ on the Bayou2024-02-22T14:45:33-06:00
4 Mar 2022

Cajun Mardi Gras Festival

2025-01-09T11:37:06-06:00

This five-day celebration is not your typical idea of Mardi Gras. There are no beads and doubloons here. Instead, in Eunice, Louisiana, men and women on horseback don hand-crafted wire masks, tall hats called capuchons, and colorful costumes. The main event is the Courir de Mardi Gras & Chicken Run. Here, revelers chase a chicken or guineafowl and participate in Medieval begging practices.

The courir takes place on Mardi Gras day and is only one part of the celebration. Starting the Friday before Mardi Gras Day, you can cut loose all weekend long. Dance in the street at music concerts and jam sessions. There are even activities for children and teenagers at the Lil’ Mardi Gras held on Sunday. Also on Sunday is an old-time boucherie (hog butchering).

The Eunice Courir de Mardi Gras dates back to when the town was first established in the late 19th century. The courir was abandoned for a few years during World War II, but in 1946 a small band of riders revived the tradition. Today, the Eunice Courir de Mardi Gras has more than 2,000 participants on the run. It continues to increase each year.

Learn more about the history of rural Louisiana Mardi Gras traditions here.

Eunice Mardi Gras
Courir de Mardi Gras and Chicken Run in Eunice, Louisiana
Eunice Mardi Gras at The Liberty
Mardi Gras in Eunice, Louisiana
Mardi Gras in Eunice, Louisiana
Cajun Mardi Gras Festival2025-01-09T11:37:06-06:00
4 Mar 2022

Annual Gumbo Cook-Off

2025-01-14T14:40:33-06:00

The Gumbo Foundation cooks for a cause in Opelousas, Louisiana. Every year, area chefs gather to compete for the best gumbo. St. Landry Parish is a haven for gumbo with plenty of Cajun and Creole restaurants. Every household in Acadiana has a family recipe for their own brand of gumbo. With such variety, winning the best is a high honor. Grab a bowl of gumbo or dance along to live music with a lineup of Cajun and zydeco musicians.

This event isn’t just about great food. All the proceeds from the cook-off benefit a child whose family is burdened with medical-related expenses. Each year, a different child is chosen to receive help.

The Gumbo Cook-Off happens every year on the last Saturday in January. Enjoy good food and fun music all for a good cause.

Visit their event page to learn how to join the cook-off or for event updates.

Gumbo Cook-Off in Opelousas, Louisiana
Gumbo Cook-Off in Opelousas, Louisiana
Gumbo Cook-Off in Opelousas, Louisiana
Gumbo Cook-Off in Opelousas, Louisiana
Annual Gumbo Cook-off in Opelousas, Louisiana
Gumbo Cook-Off in Opelousas, Louisiana
Annual Gumbo Cook-Off2025-01-14T14:40:33-06:00
4 Mar 2022

Eunice Lil’ Mardi Gras

2025-01-16T12:31:00-06:00

Kids get in on the Mardi Gras fun too in Eunice, Louisiana. In fact, the Eunice Lil’ Mardi Gras is a Courir de Mardi Gras and chicken chase just for kids. Children ages 1-14 get to participate, and they are encouraged to be in full costume, mask, and capuchon. The Mardi Gras run begins at 9am. Participants arrive back at the Eunice Recreation Complex at 12pm for lunch, then depart for Harris Field at 1:15pm for the chicken chase. The day ends with a children’s parade in downtown Eunice at 3pm.

For this event, participants are broken into different divisions based on age. Registration is open at 7am at the Eunice Recreation Complex. You can also complete registration at EuniceRec.com.

Courir de Mardi Gras is based on Medieval begging rituals. For more information about this traditional celebration, visit our Mardi Gras page.

Eunice Lil’ Mardi Gras2025-01-16T12:31:00-06:00
4 Mar 2022

Washington Community Festival

2024-07-19T14:42:49-05:00

The Washington Community Festival is a revitalization of the former Catfish Festival which was historically held in the steamboat town. It will take place on Saturday, March 22 along Washington’s Main Street from 10am to 9pm. It’s gonna be a good time in the old town!

The event will host three blocks of vendors, live music, a car show, and a Catfish Cook-Off. The Bayou Courtableau has been famous for many years for its large catfish, so this cook-off fits right in with the heritage of the area and is a subtle nod to the older festival. There will also be a silent auction.

Contact the Washington Town Hall at 337-826-3626 or the steamboatcityassociation@gmail.com for vendor, car show, or cook-off information.

Washington Community Festival
Washington Community Festival2024-07-19T14:42:49-05:00
4 Mar 2022

Annual Krotz Springs Sportsmen’s Heritage Festival

2024-07-19T15:08:36-05:00

The Annual Krotz Springs Sportsmen’s Heritage Festival was voted best New Event for 2013 by the Louisiana Association of Fairs & Festivals. The mission of this cultural event is to promote the wetlands and woodlands that surround the community of Krotz Springs and the Atchafalaya River. Join the locals in celebrating and sharing the heritage and extraordinary wildlife and habitats on the banks of the Atchafalaya the weekend after Memorial Day. Adventurous foodies can vote for the best wild game in the Fur, Feathers, or Fins cook-off. Cajun, Swamp Pop, and Zydeco music fans can take over the dance floor, and families will enjoy the fairgrounds, food, and art vendors.

Annual Krotz Springs Sportsmen’s Heritage Festival2024-07-19T15:08:36-05:00

St. Landry Parish Visitor Center
Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm

337.948.8004
978 Kennerson Road (I-49 exit 23)
P.O. Box 1415 • Opelousas, LA 70570

Visitor Guide (En)
Visitor Guide (Fr)

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