Louisiana is a state renowned for its seafood culture, and it’s no wonder why! From crawfish to oysters, the Gulf Coast state has some of the freshest and most flavorful seafood in the world. To celebrate this unique aspect of Louisiana’s culture, there are a variety of seafood festivals that take place across the state each year. Here are some of the best festivals to check out if you’re a seafood lover in Louisiana.
Louisiana Seafood Festival
Kicking off the list is the Louisiana Seafood Festival. This three-day festival is held at New Orleans’ Woldenberg Park every September and features a variety of seafood dishes prepared by some of the top chefs in Louisiana. Famous seafood dishes like shrimp and grits, crawfish étouffée, and fried oysters are just a few of the many offerings available at this festival. There’s also plenty of live music, cooking demonstrations, and a beer garden to enjoy.
Delcambre Shrimp Festival
The town of Delcambre, located about 20 miles southwest of Lafayette, is known as the "Shrimp Capital of Louisiana." Naturally, the annual Delcambre Shrimp Festival is a must-visit event for seafood lovers. This four-day festival in August features everything from shrimp gumbo to shrimp and grits, along with carnival rides, live music, and a blessing of the shrimp fleet.
Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco Festival
This two-day festival celebrating Cajun and zydeco music also features plenty of delicious seafood dishes. Held in June at Louis Armstrong Park in New Orleans, the Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco Festival offers attendees the chance to try dishes like crawfish beignets, blackened catfish, and seafood jambalaya. Of course, there’s also plenty of live music and dancing to enjoy.
French Quarter Oyster Festival
If you’re a fan of oysters, then the French Quarter Oyster Festival is the event for you. Held in June on the grounds of the New Orleans Jazz Museum at the Mint, this festival features oyster shucking contests, cooking demonstrations, and plenty of oyster dishes to sample. Fried oyster po’boys, oyster Rockefeller, and charbroiled oysters are some of the most popular offerings.
Plaquemines Parish Seafood Festival
Taking place in Belle Chasse, Louisiana, the Plaquemines Parish Seafood Festival is a three-day event in May that celebrates the many seafood offerings of the Gulf Coast. Fried catfish, shrimp po’boys, and oyster patties are just a few of the seafood dishes available at the festival. Attendees can also enjoy live music, carnival rides, and arts and crafts booths.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a seafood aficionado or just looking to try some of the best seafood dishes Louisiana has to offer, these festivals are a great place to start. With everything from gumbo to crawfish, there’s something to suit every taste at these Louisiana seafood festivals. Plan your summer vacation in Louisiana and don’t miss the opportunity to indulge in all the mouthwatering seafood dishes that you can find in these festivals.