4 Mar 2022

Original Southwest LA Zydeco Music Festival

2025-11-26T15:39:44-06:00

Opelousas is the Zydeco Music Capital of the World and home to one of the biggest zydeco music celebrations, the Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival. In 1981, there was a real fear that Creole and zydeco music was dying out. To combat this, a group of concerned citizens organized the Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival. Today, the event features the best performers in zydeco. Swamp-pop, swing, R&B, and southern soul enjoyers will also have a great time. It’s the perfect event to dance to your favorite zydeco musicians.

On Friday, enjoy the Zydeco Festival’s Kick-off Dance taking place at Evangeline Downs at 9pm. Tickets are $25.

The main event is at the Yambilee Building with music starting at 12pm. Stay tuned for the live music lineup.

The Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival is usually held the Saturday before Labor Day in Opelousas.

Gates open at 11am, but the music starts at 12pm. Admission is $25 for adults and $5 for kids 12 and under. No coolers allowed. RV Parking is $10/day (no electricity). No glass containers. No BBQ pits. No open flame burners.

Annual Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival in Opelousas, Louisiana
Annual Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival in Opelousas, Louisiana
Annual Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival in Opelousas, Louisiana
Original Southwest LA Zydeco Music Festival2025-11-26T15:39:44-06:00
4 Mar 2022

Port Barre Cracklin Festival

2025-11-26T14:56:43-06:00

There’s only one thing Louisiana loves more than boudin, and that’s cracklins! A cracklin is pork rind’s bigger, better, and tastier sibling. This popular, southern snack is made by deep-frying chunks of pork in its own rendered oil…twice. While you can find cracklins in almost every local grocery or gas station stop in St. Landry Parish, there’s one place you have to go to get them fresh.

The Port Barre Lions Club is thrilled to announce the 40th Annual Cracklin Festival, set to take place on the second full weekend in November at Veterans Memorial Park in Port Barre, Louisiana. This beloved community event celebrates the rich Cajun heritage of Acadiana and offers a weekend filled with family-friendly activities, local cuisine, and live entertainment offering a lively mix of Cajun, Zydeco, and country music to keep the crowd dancing all weekend long.

The Cracklin Festival is a showcase of Louisiana’s iconic culinary tradition—cracklins—and serves as a vital fundraiser for the Port Barre Lions Club, supporting various charitable initiatives in the community. The cook-off has two categories, pork and chicken cracklins and there are two divisions, amateur and professional.  We are giving awards for the best decorated booths as well.

Enjoy local delicacies beyond cracklins, including gumbo, jambalaya, and boudin, while browsing handcrafted goods from talented artisans.

Featuring contestants from across the region, their youth pageant celebrates the spirit of Acadiana and honoring the young women of the community.  Official Crowning will be held at the festival grounds for the new 2026 Miss & Teen Cracklin Festival Queens.

Who doesn’t like a good hometown parade? Every year our Cracklin Festival Parade rolls down Saizan Ave with our Festival King and Queen, visiting festival royalty, local school and community groups, even a few campaigning politicians every now and then. Come join us for all of fun! 

The Cracklin Festival is a major fundraising effort for the Port Barre Lions Club, with proceeds supporting numerous local projects, scholarships, and charitable causes throughout the year. With a commitment to service, the Lions Club also runs various outreach programs focused on vision health and disaster relief for the local community.

The Port Barre Lions Club was founded with a mission to serve, the Port Barre Lions Club has a long-standing history of community involvement and outreach. The Cracklin Festival is just one of many ways the Port Barre Lions Club brings people together to celebrate local culture while giving back.

The Port Barre Lions Club invites everyone to join the celebration and experience the unique charm of the Cracklin Festival. Mark your calendars and bring your family and friends to enjoy the best of Cajun culture and cuisine. For more information, please visit our website or follow us on social media for updates.

Contact:

Port Barre Lions Club

Email: cracklinfest@yahoo.com  

Phone: 337-692-3311

Website:  https://cracklinfest.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/portbarrelions

Please note:  For safety purposes and to ensure everyone has a fun and safe experience, we will be enforcing a Clear Bag Policy this year. Clear bags must be no larger than 12″x6″x12″. Small clutch bags are allowed (no larger than 4.5″x6.5″). Diaper bags are permitted with an accompanying infant, but they will be subject to search. No backpacks, purses, or other opaque bags will be allowed.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation! Let’s make this year’s festival a memorable and safe event for all.

Port Barre Cracklin Festival in Louisiana
Cracklin Festival in Port Barre, Louisiana
Cracklin Festival in Port Barre, Louisiana
Cracklin Festival in Port Barre, Louisiana
Cracklin Festival in Port Barre, Louisiana
Cracklin Festival in Port Barre, Louisiana
Port Barre Cracklin Festival2025-11-26T14:56:43-06:00
4 Mar 2022

Holy Ghost Creole Festival

2025-11-26T14:58:17-06:00

Experience Creole culture at the Holy Ghost Creole Festival in Opelousas, Louisiana. Every year, the festival takes place on the first full weekend of November and kicks off on Friday morning with finger-lickin’ fried catfish. That night, experience gospel hymns featuring several choir groups from Holy Ghost Catholic Church.

Saturday, the festival grounds open early with live music and more Creole food to sample including their famous backbone stew and barbeque pork steak. Dinner tickets may be purchased at the Church Parish Office until the day of the event, or you may purchase tickets on the grounds. That morning, participate in the 5k run or 1-mile fun walk to prepare for a day of amazing food. Pies, boudin, cracklins, and other great local foods will be sold each day of the festival. All-day long, hear zydeco music bands under the music tent, but be sure to take a break to seek out the festival’s famous sweet dough pies. Holy Ghost volunteers spend hours preparing and baking this local treat because they are just too tempting to pass up.

Sunday, join the locals in celebrating their Creole heritage at the Creole Festival Parade. The route runs from Landry Street all the way to Union Street. Feel free to bring lawn chairs or a blanket to enjoy the parade.

Click here for nearby accommodations.

Holy Ghost Creole Festival in Opelousas, Louisiana
Holy Ghost Creole Festival in Opelousas, Louisiana
Holy Ghost Creole Festival in Opelousas, Louisiana
Holy Ghost Creole Festival in Opelousas, Louisiana
Holy Ghost Creole Festival Sweet Dough Pies in Opelousas, Louisiana
Holy Ghost Creole Festival in Opelousas, Louisiana
Holy Ghost Creole Festival2025-11-26T14:58:17-06:00
4 Mar 2022

Lundi Gras Boucherie

2025-08-06T09:56:25-05:00

The best way to taste Louisiana is at an old-time boucherie. The Lundi Gras Boucherie features dishes prepared by Acadiana’s best chefs. The event takes place every year in Eunice, Louisiana on the Monday before Mardi Gras/Fat Tuesday. This long-running tradition began as a way to survive the winter months with plenty of meat. Today, it is a community celebration that begins early in the morning with the butchering of the hog. The meat is then prepared for dishes such as boudin, boudin rouge, cracklins, backbone stew, and ponce. Nothing goes to waste – even the ears of the hog are used to make hogshead cheese, something similar to a terrine.

This event is hosted by Lakeview Park & Beach and takes place on the grounds. All day and night, live Cajun and zydeco music bands play in the barn, turned dancehall. There is not an admission fee for this event, but you will need to purchase tickets from the bar in order to sample dishes. Beer and other adult beverages are available at the bar inside the barn.

Lundi Gras Boucherie at Lakeview Park & Beach in Eunice, Louisiana
Lundi Gras Boucherie at Lakeview Park & Beach in Eunice, Louisiana
Lundi Gras Boucherie in Eunice, Louisiana
Lundi Gras Boucherie in Eunice, Louisiana
Lundi Gras Boucherie2025-08-06T09:56:25-05:00
23 Jan 2019

Zydeco Capital Jam debuts in St. Landry Parish

2025-02-26T16:14:10-06:00

Monthly event restores tradition in Zydeco Capital of the World

Zydeco Capital Jam, a monthly jam session for zydeco musicians and fans, kicks off from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 9 at the St. Landry Parish Visitor Center at I-49 exit 23, just north of Opelousas. Corey Ledet, a Grammy-nominated accordionist who has served as a teacher in UL Lafayette’s Traditional Music Program, will lead the jam.

Herman Fuselier, new executive director of the St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission, said the event is the region’s first zydeco jam session in nearly a decade.

“Cajun music jam sessions are held throughout St. Landry Parish and Acadiana,” said Fuselier. “But nowhere is there a jam session for zydeco music.

“The Zydeco Capital Jam would bring back a tradition we haven’t had since zydeco legend Roy Carrier died in 2010. Many great musicians came out of the Thursday night jams that Roy had at the Offshore Lounge in Lawtell.

“There’s no better place to revive the jams than the official Zydeco Music Capital of the World – Opelousas.”

Fuselier added the jam gives visitors and locals something to do after Saturday morning music events, such as the zydeco breakfasts in the area, and dances later that evening. The zydeco jam, set for the second Saturday of each month, would complement Jammin’ on the Bayou, a Cajun/country jam on the third Saturdays at the Visitor Center.

Zydeco Capital Jam debuts in St. Landry Parish2025-02-26T16:14:10-06:00

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)

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