Immerse yourself in the colorful cultures of Southern Louisiana at one of the many events in West Baton Rouge Parish throughout the year. Consider these celebrations your excuse to get away, relax, and eat some delicious Cajun food. You’ll find family-friendly Louisiana festivals that bring the region’s history to life with over-the-top entertainment, interactive fun, and memories to last a lifetime. Check out these annual events in West Baton Rouge when planning your next vacation.
February
Mardi Gras Parades
Louisiana is best place to celebrate Mardi Gras, and West Baton Rouge Parish is full of festive and family-friendly parades throughout the season. Watch as over-the-top floats roll by and shiny green, gold, and purple beads can be seen all over. The Addis Volunteer Fire Department Mardi Gras Parade is always the Sunday two weeks before Mardi Gras (Addis, LA) and the Krewe of Good Friends Parade is held the Sunday right before Mardi Gras (Port Allen, LA).
Addis, LA
Port Allen, LA
April
Kite Fest Louisiane'
West Baton Rouge is known as the Kite Capital of Louisiana, and the annual Kite Fest Louisiane' is the perfect event to experience why first hand. Large, colorful kites of all designs flown by professionals and hobbyists fill the sky during this weekend-long festival. The event includes face painting, inflatables, kite designing, food booths, and indoor flying entertainment, so grab a lawn chair and take it all in with your family.
2750 North Westport Drive
Port Allen, LA 70767
July
Fourth Fest
Commemorate the Fourth of July at the free Fourth Fest on the river in downtown Port Allen. Dance to live music, indulge in a progressive dinner at the food and beverage vendors, and entertain your kids with face painting, clowns, magicians, and space walks. All the fun concludes with a fabulous fireworks show on the river.
Riverfront on the Mississippi River Levee
Port Allen, LA 70767
September
Oldies But Goodies Fest & Smokin' Oldies Cook-Off
Remember “the good old days” at Oldies But Goodies Fest & Smokin' Oldies Cook-Off, one of the most popular events in West Baton Rouge. On Saturday, cooks from across the South travel to Port Allen to compete in the BCA-sanctioned state championship barbecue cook-off and the SCA-sanctioned steak cook-off for a shot at the nearly $5,000 payout. Listen to live music from the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s both days, and compete in the jitterbug and hula hoop contests and enjoy an antique car show and Poker Run on Sunday.
2750 North Westport Drive
Port Allen, LA 70767
October
Sugar Fest
On the first Sunday each October, the West Baton Rouge Museum hosts Sugar Fest, voted a “Top 20 Events in the Southeast”. Immerse yourself in life on a 19th-century sugar plantation with living history demonstrations, mule-driven grinding, a cake walk, and live music at this popular Louisiana festival. The museum grounds include six historic structures, hands-on exhibits, and out-of-circulation books, photographs, and documents that you won't find anywhere else.
845 North Jefferson Avenue
Port Allen, LA 70767
November
Veterans On Parade
Pay tribute to our veterans at the Veterans On Parade in Port Allen the Sunday before Veterans Day each year. Join the crowd to wave at the veterans as they march by, then gather at the West Baton Rouge Court House Veterans Memorial wall for a special presentation.
Downtown Port Allen, LA
December
Reflections of the Season
Go on horse and buggy rides, fish in the ice, play in a snow patch, and kick off your holiday season in West Baton Rouge at Reflections of the Season. Wander through elaborately-decorated rooms, meet Santa and his elves, visit with talking reindeer, ride carnival rides, and create priceless gifts at the craft station. Make this Christmas event in Louisiana part of your family's annual holiday celebrations.
2750 North Westport Drive
Port Allen, LA 70767
