21 Mar 2022

Fête de la Nature

2026-04-22T11:19:16-05:00

Fête de la Nature is a celebration of Acadiana’s natural surroundings through art, music, food, and science. This event takes place at Atelier de la Nature in Arnaudville, Louisiana. Throughout the day, scientists will lead an open-to-the-public BioBlitz. At the BioBlitz, participants search for every species of bird, reptile, insect, plant and fungus living at the reserve.

Register for this event for free here.

A benefit crawfish boil will be run by our great team of volunteers. Crawfish will be $20 for 3lbs. Proceeds will help fund Atelier de la Nature’s education programs.

Tickets available for:

  • General Admission: FREE – Please register to attend
  • Crawfish (3lbs crawfish + 2 potatoes) presale: $20
  • Camping (per tent): $10

Crawfish will also be sold at the event, as well as other concessions (card and cash accepted).

During lunch, we will also enjoy a performance by ŒUVAL (pronounced Huval as in the family name), a Lafayette band that digs deep into their heritage and surroundings to bridge the traditional and modern and infuse their Cajun Créole Zydeco music with attitude.

Event schedule:

  • 6:30-8 Birds
  • 8-10 Arthropods
  • 10-12 Amphibians, Reptiles & Fishes
  • 12-2 Crawfish Boil and Music
  • 2-5 Plants, Fungus, Mammals
  • 5-8 set up tents, dinner break and fire
  • 8-onwards: Nocturnal insects, bats, night-hikes, pond walk, bonfire and camping

FREE registration is REQUIRED for all attendees. If you’d like to support Atelier de la Nature, a donation would be greatly appreciated. Suggested donation is $10.

Multilingual accessibility (French/Spanish/English). Please contact us for other accessibility requests.

Fête de la Nature2026-04-22T11:19:16-05:00
16 Mar 2022

An Evening in the Gardens

2022-03-16T14:14:36-05:00

The Academy of the Sacred Heart, site of the only Vatican-recognized miracle in America at the Shrine of St. John Berchmans, is celebrating 200 years this year. As part of this celebration, they are inviting the community to join them for music and dining in their gardens on April 9th.

Listen in as their renowned Acadiana Symphony Orchestra enchants guests. Performing alongside them is the Academy Upper School Choir, Academy Lower School Choir, and Berchmans Academy Boys Choir. Enjoy this springtime celebration on the historic and picturesque grounds of their centuries-old campus.

An Evening in the Gardens2022-03-16T14:14:36-05:00
9 Mar 2022

Live Music at Lakeview

2026-05-12T16:32:02-05:00

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 Lakeview2026-05-12T16:32:02-05:00
4 Mar 2022

Live Music at Toby’s

2024-04-26T11:02:51-05:00

Visit Toby’s Lounge in Opelousas on Fridays and Saturdays to get your fill of the best local music around. Grab a drink and sit at the bar as local musicians inspire you to dance. From Cajun fiddles to zydeco accordions and everything in between, it is sure to be a great evening.

For a list of live music events for the upcoming weekend, visit our Facebook page every Thursday.

May 3 – 8:30pm, The Cartoons
May 4 – 8:30pm, Clifton Brown and Rusty Bucket
May 10 – 8:30pm, Shadow Road
May 11 – 8:30pm, Junior Dugas
May 17 – 8:30pm, Shawn P Saucier and LA Scramble Band
May 18 – 8:30pm, Tailgators
May 24 – 8:30pm, Coyotes Moon
May 25 – 8:30pm, Bayou County
May 31 – 8:30pm, JC Melancon

Live Music at Toby’s2024-04-26T11:02:51-05:00
4 Mar 2022

Cajun Mardi Gras Festival

2026-06-30T14:50:45-05:00

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 Festival2026-06-30T14:50:45-05:00
4 Mar 2022

Here’s the Beef Cook-Off

2026-06-30T14:59:30-05:00

Calling all carnivores, foodies, and chefs. You get to be the food critic at the Annual Here’s the Beef Cook-Off in Opelousas, Louisiana as pitmasters and area chefs prepare their best beef dishes. The culinary categories include gourmet, brisket, roast, gravies and stews, tongue, and ground meat. That’s right; beef tongue is a delicacy in Cajun Country and can be sampled at the festival. If you think your cooking has what it takes to win, entry to the contest is $40. Call Jay Guidry at 337-351-1763 for more details.

Prior to the cook-off, an old-fashioned trail ride takes off at 8am. It’s $15 to ride plus you get tasty, authentic Louisiana cooking for breakfast. At the Here’s the Beef Cook-Off, for only $10, you can dance and hear live music by local Cajun-style bands starting at 10am and eat all the award-winning food you want.

This long-running annual event is sponsored by the St. Landry Parish Cattlemen’s Association, Cattlewomen, and the LA Beef Industry Council. The Cattlemen’s Association aims to educate people about the importance of the cattle and farm industry in St. Landry Parish and throughout the state of Louisiana.

Here’s the Beef Cook-Off2026-06-30T14:59:30-05:00
4 Mar 2022

Annual Gumbo Cook-Off

2026-06-30T13:59:07-05:00

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-Off2026-06-30T13:59:07-05:00
4 Mar 2022

World Championship Crawfish Étouffée Cook-Off

2026-02-19T16:38:27-06:00

The Eunice Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the City of Eunice, proudly presents the 39th Annual World Championship Crawfish Étouffée Cook-off.

This event features professional and amateur cooks vying for the title of “World Champion.” Taking place in the city of Eunice this is one of the best ways to taste crawfish in Louisiana. 45-50 teams will compete to see who can cook the best crawfish étouffée in three categories: Amateur, Professional and Best Decorated Booth. Once the judges have their samples from the booths, the public can buy the crawfish étouffée directly from the participants. Vote for your favorite to win the People’s Choice Award. The winners will be announced around 3:30pm.

Join us on Saturday, March 28, at the Pavilion at 651 Samuel Drive in Eunice from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM as we celebrate 39 years of Cajun culture, music, and mouthwatering étouffée.

Enjoy live Cajun and zydeco music (starting at 10am) with Cajun Fire, Leroy Thomas & the Zydeco Roadrunners, and Swampland Revival performing all day.

There will also be arts and crafts, fun jumps, and more fun activities for the whole family. World Championship Crawfish Étouffée Cook-off is now held on the last Saturday in March every year. Admission and parking are free.

World Championship Crawfish Etouffee Cook-Off in Eunice, Louisiana
World Championship Crawfish Etouffee Cook-Off in Eunice, Louisiana
World Championship Crawfish Etouffee Cook-off
World Championship Crawfish Etouffee Cook-Off in Eunice, Louisiana
World Championship Crawfish Étouffée Cook-Off2026-02-19T16:38:27-06:00
4 Mar 2022

Washington Community Festival

2026-05-01T12:43:41-05:00

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 21 along Washington’s Main Street from 10am to 6pm. 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.

Enjoy live performances by Horace Trahan & the Ossun Express, Don Fontenot et Les Amis de la Louisiane as well as a Cajun & Creole Jam with Mark Ardoin.

Visit https://www.townofwashingtonevents.org for more information on vendors, car show and cook-off.

Washington Community Festival
Washington Community Festival2026-05-01T12:43:41-05:00
4 Mar 2022

Congé

2025-02-28T09:47:13-06:00

Congé is a spring celebration held on the breathtaking grounds of the Academy of the Sacred Heart and Berchmans Academy in Grand Coteau, Louisiana. Toss some confetti eggs with the kids as you play carnival games or test yourselves on the rock wall. There will also be games, live music, fantastic food, a silent auction, and a raffle.

The Congé Easter Egg hunt starts at 10am. Your child can take pictures with the Easter Bunny and find as many eggs as they can carry.

Congé2025-02-28T09:47:13-06:00

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)

Privacy Policy  |  Copyright St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission  |  Fraud Report
Go to Top