July Festivals in Acadiana

From St. Landry Parish Tourism website

As we move quickly into July, the Louisiana summer heat is on full display. While the thought of sun rays pouring into your skin can be a bit discomforting, this week you might find yourself looking forward to it as we are greeted by the long holiday weekend.

Beyond this weekend’s traditional Independence Day celebrations – a boat day, backyard BBQ, fireworks display and more, Acadiana has more to offer with its July festivals.

Utilize this weekend’s excitement for the summer sun by partaking in the Fourchon Tarpon Rodeo or the Lebeau Zydeco Festival. Continue that excitement throughout the month with July festivals in Lafayette and Lake Charles.

See the list of July festivals in Acadiana below.

July Festivals in Acadiana

Lafayette

Acadiana Pirate Festival

• July 11-12
• 422 Refinery St.
• $50 VIP, $20 adult, $15 children 17 and under, free for children 3 and under
• Website

The second annual Acadiana Pirate Festival brings together live music, pirate crews, interactive shows, vendors, games, food, drinks and more for all ages.

Lake Charles

Cajun Music and Food Festival

• July 18, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
• Burton Complex (7001 Gulf Hwy.)
• $10 admission, cash only. Free for ages 10 and under
• Facebook Event

The Cajun Music and Food Festival features food, music, raffle drawing, live auction, accordion contest and more. ATM on site. RV spots available through the Burton.

Lebeau

Lebeau Zydeco Festival

• July 4, 1 – 10 p.m.
• Lebeau Immaculate Conception Church (103 Lebeau Church Rd.)
• $20 for adults, $10 for kids
• Website

Lebeau’s 34th Annual Zydeco Fest on July 4 will feature Zydeco bands and food, like its famous pork backbone dinners. Geno Delafose, Rusty Metoyer, Step Rideau and J-Paul will be performing. No BBQ pits, ATVs, glass containers, or ice chests/coolers allowed.

Port Fourchon

Golden Meadow Fourchon Tarpon Rodeo

• July 2-4
• 275 Floatation Canal Rd.
• $35 tournament admission, online tickets
• Website

The rodeo brings a fishing tournament, live music, cook-off and more to Port Fourchon.

Travel to More July Festivals in Louisiana

Franklin

Washington Parish Watermelon Festival

• July 10-11, 8 a.m. – 11 p.m. daily
• Washington Parish Fairgrounds
• No admission cost listed
• Facebook Page

The Washington Parish Watermelon Festival celebrates farmers, families and, of course, watermelon, bringing live music, food, contests, crafts and more.

New Orleans

Essence Festival

• July 3-5
• Caesar’s Superdome (1500 Sugar Bowl Dr.), Convention Center (900 Convention Center Blvd.)
• Prices vary, online tickets
• Website

Born from a celebration of Essence Magazine’s 25th anniversary, Essence Festival of Culture celebrates Black excellence with its evening concert series, culture, community and more.

San Fermín in Nueva Orleans

• July 10-12
• Gallier Hall (545 St. Charles Ave.)
• Online tickets, $41-120
• Website

The 20th Running of the Bulls in New Orleans offers a weekend of events with the running of the “bulls” and post-run fiesta kicking off at 6:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 11. The festival began in 2007 as a way to emulate the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain, but with roller derby skaters as the bulls.

Bywater Creative Festival

• July 26-28
• Crescent Park south entrance (2830 Burgundy St.)
• Free
• Spot Reservation

The Bywater Creative Festival features a mix of vendors offering handmade crafts, fashion, art, home décor, specialty goods and food.