Things to Do in Louisiana This Month
No matter the season, there's always something to celebrate in Louisiana.
From springtime celebrations to crawfish creations, here’s how to spend March in Louisiana.
Louisiana comes alive during the spring. Magnolia blossoms unfold, Cajun-spiced crawfish boils steam and lively parades roll through the streets. It’s the season for street fairs, music fests and farmers markets. Go on a pick-your-own berry adventure, paddle our bayous or try a new waterfront restaurant.
PokéBash
March 1
Gonzales
Explore more than 100 tables filled with Pokémon cards, collectibles and figurines at PokéBash in Gonzales. Buy, sell and trade with other collectors, and mix and mingle with other trading card enthusiasts. Gotta catch ‘em all!
You’re sure to be hungry after all the excitement, so grab a table at one of Gonzales’ top-notch seafood restaurants. Savor classic char-grilled oysters and creamy crawfish étouffée at Mike Anderson’s, or try seafood au gratin, fried catfish and charbroiled shrimp at Sno’s Seafood & Steak.
Bloomin’ on the Bricks
March 7
Natchitoches
Stroll historic downtown Natchitoches at Bloomin’ on the Bricks, an annual block party celebrating all things spring. Scout unique garden decor — or even a charming new plant — to add to your backyard oasis while grooving to live music.
While you’re downtown, marvel at the city’s distinctive Creole cottages by carriage. Looking for a thrill? Take the family on a swamp tour at Gator Country.
Here’s the Beef Cook-Off
March 7
Opelousas
Consider yourself a foodie? Check out Here’s the Beef Cook-Off, a longstanding festival in the heart of Cajun country. Sample brisket, roast and — if you dare — beef tongue, a regional delicacy. To really experience Opelousas, don’t miss the old-fashioned trail ride in the morning, followed by breakfast.
While you’re in the area, listen to swamp pop at Blue Moon Saloon or Prejean’s. These Louisiana-famous joints play live Cajun bands nightly while serving up regional fare like gumbo and crawfish.
Los Isleños Fiesta 50th Anniversary
March 7-8
Chalmette
You’ve likely heard of Louisiana’s Creole culture, which was shaped, in no small part, by Spanish settlers. At Los Isleños Fiesta in Chalmette, celebrate the Canary Islands’ history and heritage — and its abiding influence on Creole traditions — at the Los Isleños Museum & Village, whose work is dedicated to preserving Isleños heritage.
After the festivities, wind down at nearby St. Bernard State Park. Located on the Mississippi River, the park’s dense, shaded forests make for a gorgeous hike.
Teche Plein Air Competition
March 7-14
New Iberia
Artists and art lovers alike flock to New Iberia for the one-of-a-kind Teche Plein Air Competition, in which painters craft their masterpieces “en plein air,” or outside. Spectators can watch artists paint, participate in demos and even purchase their favorites during the Awards Ceremony & Fine Art Sale.
Take a TABASCO® Factory Tour on nearby Avery Island. The hot red sauce livens up Southern staples like gumbo, fried chicken and collard greens. Watch the bottling process from start to finish, learn how the famous sauce began and take home a few spicy souvenirs from the gift shop.
Plan your visit to Iberia Parish.
Merry Market in March
March 7-8
Gonzales
It may not be Christmas, but the Merry Market in March still promises a holly-jolly good time. Browse more than 350 indoor and outdoor booths, grab snacks from food trucks and take family photos with the Easter Bunny. Come early, as the first 1,000 visitors receive a complimentary shopping bag.
In nearby Sorrento, continue your shopping spree at The Cajun Village, where charming Acadian homes-turned-specialty-stores showcase made-in-Louisiana products. Enjoy a pick-me-up at The Coffee House, which serves all-day café au laits and beignets.
Uncorked
March 8
St. Francisville
Sip and savor at Uncorked, an elevated evening that centers around fine wines and spirits. Live music soundtracks the night, while local chefs serve up sumptuous small plates.
While you’re in St. Francisville, explore the city’s charming downtown district. Stop by District Mercantile, a 19th-century general store, or sink your teeth into a Bananas Foster cheesecake from The Francis.
Independence Sicilian Heritage Festival
March 13-15
Independence
Ever participated in a spaghetti cook-off? How about a meatball toss? Experience both — and much, much more — at the Independence Sicilian Heritage Festival. Come dressed as your favorite character for a 1-mile fun run, then cheer on a fruit-and-veggie-themed parade and savor traditional Sicilian fare.
In nearby Folsom, the Global Wildlife Center promises a ride on the wild side. Climb aboard a safari wagon to meet, feed and learn about hundreds of endangered species from around the world, including zebra, giraffes, camels and kangaroos.
Plan your trip to Tangipahoa Parish.
Wearin’ of the Green St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 14
Baton Rouge
Head to Baton Rouge for the largest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the region. Celebrating 41 years of Irish cheer, the Wearin’ of the Green Parade rolls at its new time of 11 a.m., bringing more than 70 floats, dance groups, bands and dignitaries to the streets of Louisiana’s capital city. Sláinte!
Post-parade, make your way to one of Baton Rouge’s Irish pubs or famous St. Patrick’s Day block parties to enjoy live music and green beer. O’Haras Irish Pub is a favorite, serving European brews and Irish-American delicacies like beef and Guinness stew or corned beef and cabbage.
Junior League Monroe Spring Market
March 19-21
Monroe
Ready to treat yourself — or check a few Easter gifts off your list? The Junior League of Monroe’s annual Spring Market hosts vendors from around the country, selling everything from clothing and art to one-of-a-kind handmade pieces.
Make it a girls' weekend with a few stops at local coffee shops and vintage boutiques. Sip authentic Vietnamese coffee and boba tea at Viet House Coffee & Tea, then hunt for treasures at West Monroe’s Antique Alley.
Krewe Des Lutins Irish-Italian Parade
March 21
Golden Meadow
Keep your eyes peeled for flying cabbage, carrots and onions — yes, really. Grab a spot along the streets of Golden Meadow for the Krewe Des Lutins Irish-Italian Parade, and who knows? You might come home with ingredients for dinner!
Take a tour through Lafourche Parish’s swamplands and experience nature at its most exhilarating. Airboat Tours by Arthur Matherne provides both high-octane thrills and lazy, leisurely rides, narrated by USCG-approved captains. And Zam’s Swamp Tours offers wildlife sightings and the chance to hold live gators.
Explore Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou.
Louisiana Crawfish Boil Championships
March 21
Marrero
Put your taste buds to the test at the annual Louisiana Crawfish Boil Championships. Recognized as the state’s official crawfish boil championship, this event touts more than 60 teams cooking 40,000 pounds of crustaceans. Arrive early for the Pre-Boil Family Fest, with school performances, live music and carnival rides.
Take a quick trip to nearby Gretna for a slice of Louisiana history. Stroll charming, walkable streets and learn about the city’s German heritage at the German-American Cultural Center and the Gretna Historical Museum.
Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival
March 25-29
New Orleans
Love the literature and luxury of the Jazz Age? Look no further than the Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival, a five-day event held in the French Quarter. This world-famous festival offers everything from poetry readings to panel discussions, theatre performances and cocktail parties. Don’t miss the beloved Stella Shouting Contest, a competition to see who can best yell one of the most famous lines from “A Streetcar Named Desire.”
Every literature-themed weekend deserves a bookstore trail. Start with the Garden District Book Shop, which is tucked into a former roller rink, before visiting Tubby & Coo’s Traveling Book Shop and Baldwin & Co.
Bayou Terrebonne Boucherie
March 28
Houma
Think you can toss barrels better than a Cajun? Wade on down to the bayou for the esteemed Bayou Terrebonne Boucherie! Enjoy plenty of freshly butchered pork and white beans from local vendors, and, once you’ve had your fill, kick back to some live music. Festival-goers can also join duck calling, nail driving and barrel tossing competitions.
Want to spend more time in the great outdoors? Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge encompasses 4,000 acres of freshwater marsh, swamp and man-made canals, attracting thousands of migratory birds from around the country — perfect for adding rare species to your field journal.
The Pioneer and Heritage Festival
March 28
Merryville
Walk in the footsteps of some of Louisiana’s earliest settlers at the Pioneer and Heritage Festival in Merryville. Shop local vendors, watch historical demonstrations, enjoy live music and explore the Historic Burks Log Cabin.
Extend your trip with a self-guided tour down the Myths and Legends Byway, based on true accounts, tall tales and stories somewhere in between. Stops include DeRidder’s Gothic Jail and the Talbert-Pierson Cemetery.
Azalea Trail
Spring
Lafayette
Have a sunny day to spare? Explore Lafayette’s fuchsia-lined Azalea Trail. Spot the vibrant Southern perennial, which is typically in bloom from March through May, along 20 miles of historic neighborhoods.
Make Plans for Louisiana This Month
Whether it's one of our many exciting festivals or an adventure in the great outdoors, there is always something unique to experience in Louisiana. Be sure to check our calendar of events for the most up-to-date list of festivities.
