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
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

Zydeco Capital Jam

2024-06-05T12:23:36-05:00

Zydeco Capital Jam is a monthly jam session for zydeco musicians and fans. The jam takes place on the second Saturday of every month at the St. Landry Parish Visitor Center, just north of Opelousas.

This is the first jam of its kind in nearly a decade. It recalls the tradition from when zydeco legend Roy Carrier would jam with other great musicians at the Offshore Lounge in Lawtell. Where better to revive the tradition of zydeco music jams than in the Zydeco Music Capital of the World – Opelousas, Louisiana.

Bring your favorite instrument and jam or sit back and appreciate the music. Every month, our executive director, Herman Fuselier, invites zydeco musicians to lead the jam. They can range from world-famous names to hidden gems from the parish. These jam sessions are your opportunity to hear your favorite songs, play with friends, and experience the Gumbo For Your Soul that is zydeco music.

The Zydeco Capital Jam is open to musicians of all skill levels. Seating is available for zydeco fans to sit and tap their toes.

Zydeco Capital Jam in Opelousas, Louisiana
Zydeco Capital Jam in Opelousas, Louisiana
Zydeco Capital Jam in Opelousas, Louisiana
Zydeco Capital Jam in Opelousas, Louisiana
Zydeco Capital Jam in Opelousas, Louisiana
Zydeco Capital Jam in Opelousas, Louisiana
Zydeco Capital Jam2024-06-05T12:23:36-05:00
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

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

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

Here’s the Beef Cook-Off

2025-02-13T15:07:28-06:00

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-Off2025-02-13T15:07:28-06:00
4 Mar 2022

World Championship Crawfish Étouffée Cook-Off

2025-02-14T10:25:32-06:00

The Eunice Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the City of Eunice, proudly presents the 38th 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. 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 29, 2025, at the Pavilion at 651 Samuel Drive in Eunice from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM as we celebrate 38 years of Cajun culture, music, and mouthwatering étouffée.

Enjoy live Cajun and zydeco music (starting at 10am) by Cajun Strong, Geno Delafose, and Jamie Bergeron. There will be plenty of dancing and, of course, tons of étouffée. In addition to world-class Cajun cuisine and live music, enjoy an array of arts & crafts vendors and kids’ activities, including a hands-on Music Instrument Petting Zoo presented by Louisiana Folk Roots.

There will also be arts and crafts, a petting zoo, pony rides, 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-Off2025-02-14T10:25:32-06:00
4 Mar 2022

Lebeau Zydeco Festival

2025-05-07T10:32:41-05:00

It’s all zydeco music, all day long at the Lebeau Zydeco Festival. From the place that gave us zydeco hits like, “Don’t Mess With My Toot Toot” comes an annual celebration of the genre and its roots in the Creole community. Located on the grounds of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lebeau, Louisiana, this festival was made for the fans. It features the most popular zydeco music bands in South Louisiana. Bring a dancing partner, maybe a lawn chair, and an appetite. The festival is famous for its pork backbone dinners.

For Lebeau’s 33rd Annual Zydeco Fest on July 5th, Geno Delafose, Jeremy Fruge, Step Rideau, and Rusty Metoyer will be performing live with sounds by DJ Jammin’ J

No BBQ pits, ATVs, glass containers, or ice chests/coolers allowed. This festival is held annually on the first Saturday of July.

Admission is $20 for adults and $10 for kids.

Get your festival shirt by contacting Theresa Rideau at 337-257-9457. Vendors call Geneva at 337-945-4238. For more information call Geneva at 337-945-4238, Mayor Irving at 337-351-3902, or the parish office at 337-623-0303.

Lebeau Zydeco Festival
Lebeau Zydeco Festival
Lebeau Zydeco Festival
Lebeau Zydeco Festival2025-05-07T10:32:41-05:00

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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