Louisiana’s crawfish season is calling, and it’s louder than ever!
From the spicy boil in Breaux Bridge to the music-filled streets of New Orleans, crawfish festivals are no longer just local gatherings—they’re destination events. Travelers are planning trips around these feasts, chasing the perfect mix of Cajun cuisine, live music, and festival chaos.
Every festival is a sensory explosion: mudbugs sizzling, accordion tunes soaring, and the scent of garlic and spices drifting through the air.
In 2026, these celebrations are transforming towns into travel hotspots, drawing foodies, families, and festival lovers from across the country. If your next trip doesn’t include crawfish, are you even truly experiencing Louisiana?
Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival – Breaux Bridge, LA
Breaux Bridge feels like a rite of passage for anyone chasing authentic Cajun culture. You roll in to the smell of cayenne, garlic, and lemon drifting from giant boiling rigs, with volunteers shouting orders over fiddles and accordions.
The parade rolls, the crawfish races spark laughs, and every table turns into a crash course in Louisiana hospitality.
Music spills from multiple stages, where Zydeco two-steps meet classic Cajun waltzes. You can sample boiled crawfish by the tray, then grab étouffée, boudin, and cracklins for variety.
Between bites, browse local crafts and learn a few dance steps from friendly pros who make you feel like family.
In 2026, Breaux Bridge doubles as a perfect travel anchor, with nearby bayou tours and scenic byways. Parking early helps, and cash lines move fastest at the main food tents.
Hydrate, wear breathable clothes, and bring a stack of napkins, because spice builds quickly. If you love photo ops, sunrise over Bayou Teche is a keeper.
Louisiana Crawfish Festival – Chalmette, LA
Set just outside New Orleans, Chalmette’s Louisiana Crawfish Festival brings big flavor with a carnival glow. You get towering rides, neon lights, and a soundtrack of brass, Cajun, and Zydeco that makes the midway thrum.
Food booths stack trays high with bright red crawfish, potatoes, and corn that steam under the lights.
If you like variety, this is a checkpoint worth planning into your 2026 route. The festival blends classic South Louisiana plates with sweet treats and craft vendors for easy grazing.
Local nonprofits and volunteers keep lines moving, and you can snag a shady seat under big tents when the afternoon heat kicks in.
Chalmette’s history adds depth, so consider a side trip to the battlefield site before the gates open. Ride wristbands are great for families, while the music schedule rewards night owls.
Bring a light poncho in case of a passing shower, plus comfortable shoes for the grounds. When the band calls for a two-step, say yes.
Mudbug Madness – Shreveport, LA
Mudbug Madness turns the Shreveport riverfront into a northern Louisiana feast with a dance floor. You will find sprawling food courts, competition boils, and a lineup that blends Zydeco, Cajun, and regional rock.
Children chase bubbles while adults angle for the spiciest trays and a cold drink to keep up.
The 2026 edition aims at travelers building a loop across the state. Early afternoons are mellow for families, while evenings get rowdy with stacked music sets.
Craft vendors showcase local art, and there is usually a cooking demo or storytelling corner that adds texture to the weekend.
Pro tip: bring a lightweight chair for the main stage lawn. Cash speeds up purchases at popular boil tents, and a small cooler with water helps you last.
Parking fills quickly downtown, so rideshares make sense after dark. If you love heat, ask for extra seasoning and watch the steam billow as the lid opens.
Downtown Lake Charles Crawfish Fest – Lake Charles, LA
Lake Charles brings crawfish into the city core, where parades and live stages collide with lakefront breezes. You can grab a heaping tray, find a curb seat, and watch dancers weave through brass and Zydeco numbers.
Vendors pile étouffée, po-boys, and beignets beside local crafts, making it easy to snack and stroll.
In 2026, organizers are leaning into travel stop energy, so expect clearer signage, kid zones, and shade tents. The parade is a blast, with beads flying and plenty of photo moments near murals downtown.
After sunset, string lights pop on and the music ramps into a neighborhood block party feel.
Plan your parking near the civic center or use shuttles when available. Sunscreen, hats, and hand wipes go a long way when the boil spice sneaks up on you.
If rain threatens, the party usually adapts under tents. For a scenic break, slip to the lakefront for golden hour pictures and a quiet breath.
World Championship Crawfish Etouffee Cook-off – Eunice, LA
Eunice puts the spotlight on etouffee, turning the fairgrounds into a battleground of roux, onions, and patience. Teams arrive early, chopping trinity and stirring cast iron with practiced calm.
You will wander through aromas so deep you will swear you can taste them before the first bite hits rice.
Expect serious bragging rights on the line, with judges weighing balance and texture. Spectators get samples, learn kitchen tips, and meet cooks who treat recipes like family heirlooms.
Music drifts in, but the heart is at the pots, where slow-simmered love becomes a silky, peppery masterpiece.
For 2026 road trips, Eunice adds a delicious change-up from straight boils. Bring cash for sample tickets, and patience for popular booths that sell out quickly.
Light clothes help in the steam, and a reusable water bottle is your friend. After the awards, catch a dance at the Liberty Theater and call it a perfect day.
Marrero Crawfish Boil Championships – Marrero, LA
Marrero turns crawfish boiling into high drama, with teams tweaking salt, lemon, and spice ratios in search of perfection. You will see timers, thermometers, and whispered secrets as lids lift and steam clouds roll.
The aroma alone could stop traffic, and the tasting line becomes a friendly battlefield.
What makes 2026 special is the travel-friendly setup, with clear maps and family zones. Expect sides like corn, mushrooms, and sausage to round out trays, plus sauces ranging from buttery to fiery.
Music keeps the pace lively, and local groups often raise funds with dessert booths and raffles.
Arrive early to watch the prep, when sacks hit the rinse tubs and spices stack like trophies. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring paper towels for the inevitable mess.
If your palate is sensitive, start mild before chasing the hottest batches. When judges crown a champion, you will have a new benchmark for boil greatness.
Crawfish Festival at Jazz & Heritage – New Orleans, LA
In New Orleans, crawfish shines alongside world-class music, making every bite feel like part of the show. You will navigate big-festival energy with curated food villages and beloved local vendors.
Between sets, find a shaded spot, peel a few spicy tails, and let brass lines and drum breaks carry you.
For 2026, crawfish stalls get clearer signage and more seating to ease rush-hour crowds. Expect creative spins like crawfish bread, pasta, and étouffée cups next to classic boils.
The mix of cultures is the draw, where festival fashion, second-line spirit, and culinary swagger meet on shared ground.
Hydration and sun gear are musts, plus a tote for souvenirs. Use the app for set times and map out a food circuit to avoid peak lines.
Cashless works, but a backup card helps. When a band kicks into a groove and the crowd whistles, your tray becomes part of the soundtrack.
Slidell Crawfish Cook-off – Slidell, LA
On the Northshore, the Slidell Crawfish Cook-off is a fan favorite set for April 18, 2026 at Fritchie Park. All-you-can-eat wristbands turn the afternoon into a marathon of flavors.
You stroll from tent to tent, comparing spice levels, side add-ins, and those clever dipping sauces locals swear by.
Music keeps spirits high, while kids run between shaded tables and grassy spots. Teams compete for bragging rights, and the friendly rivalry means you taste a surprising range of boil styles.
Volunteers handle wristbands and entry smoothly, so you spend your time eating, chatting, and cheering winners.
Arrive with sunscreen, a hat, and a small tote for water and wipes. Pace yourself, because the variety can sneak up fast.
Parking fills around midday, so consider carpooling. When the sun dips through the pines and the last trays empty, you will understand why this stop anchors so many spring road trips.
Crawfest at Tulane University – New Orleans, LA
Crawfest at Tulane is a one-day April whirlwind where campus lawns turn into a sea of trays and music. You will find student energy everywhere, with bands cycling through tight sets and vendors dishing out crawfish at pace.
The oaks shade conversations, and the smell of seasoning hangs like a promise.
In 2026, Crawfest doubles as a city mini stop for crawfish travelers. It is compact, easy to navigate, and perfect for pairing with a Garden District walk or streetcar ride.
Expect friendly crowds, quick lines, and a playlist that leans indie while nodding to local roots.
Grab tickets early, arrive with sunscreen, and bring a small blanket for the quad. Light layers handle changing breezes between buildings.
If you are new to peeling, someone will show you in seconds. By the last chorus, you will be planning where to eat dinner and still thinking about that perfect tray.