Your Guide to Bayou Country Festival Season
Fall is festival season in Houma, Louisiana’s Bayou Country. This means there is a new, fun way to spend every weekend. With so much activity, we at Houma Travel decided to offer you our guide to Bayou Country Festival Season, highlighting just a few of the fun things you can experience during our favorite time of year.
Downtown Fall Fest
September 15th-17th
Kicking off Houma’s festival season this year is Downtown Fall Fest – a brand new festival showcasing over 30 of the most talented musicians in the local and surrounding areas. In its first year, Downtown Fall Fest is bringing three full days of non-stop music, food and more to Historic Downtown Houma.
Must See: Check out all three stages filled with bands such as Category 6, Randy Jackson of Zebra, and Southern Whiskey Rebellion.
Must Do: Shop the vendor booths for local crafts, food and more.
Must Taste: Come Hungry! Downtown Fall Fest will be hosting both a jambalaya and BBQ cook off that you won’t want to miss.
Best of the Bayou
September 22nd-23rd
Best of the Bayou Music Festival is home to the Houma area’s premiere music event. Enjoy two full days and two stages of local, regional and nationally headlining bands. Be sure to bring the kids! Best of the Bayou has a unique kids area for your little music lovers to enjoy as well.
Must See: Calling all classic car enthusiasts! Best of the Bayou hosts an impressive classic car show filled with tons of beauties the entire weekend.
Must Do: Strap on your running shoes and take part in the Glow Run 5K Walk/Run sponsored by 96.7 KCIL. Participants will receive drink tickets and festival admittance when they register!
Must Taste: It wouldn’t be Best of the Bayou without a plate full of Big Mike’s BBQ and a scoop of Scarlet Scoop Ice Cream (local favorites)!
SonRise Music Festival
October 7th
Houma’s Christian music festival, SonRise, is a full day festival featuring some of the areas top Christian bands and performers.
Must See: Watch artists Austin Matherene and Natalie Haydel create beautiful paintings during musical performances.
Must Do: Show your support! While the festival is free, all donations go to the work of World of Hope Ministries and the Terrebonne Children’s Advocacy Center.
Must Taste: Fill your belly with delicious shrimp and corn soup and Big Easy Kettle Corn.
Voice of the Wetlands Festival
October 13th-15th
Drawing in thousands of music and food lovers from around the world, Voice of the Wetlands Festival is noted for bringing awareness to coastal environmental issues and its effects on our way of life. Enjoy three days of remarkable food, music and artistry under beautiful moss-draped trees in the heart of Bayou Country.
Must See: The Friday Night Guitar Fights featuring Grammy-nominated blues sensation Tab Benoit is a can’t miss event!
Must Do: Take in the scenery! Where else can you be surrounded by the sounds of blues music, the smells of Cajun cooking and the beauty of a clear Louisiana sky.
Must Taste: Be sure to pick up a bowl of alligator sauce picquante and choose from an array of homemade desserts to get the most out of your Voice of the Wetlands experience.
Rougarou Fest
October 21st-22nd
Rougarou Fest is a family-friendly festival with a spooky flair that celebrates the folklore of the bayous of Southeast Louisiana. Named one of USA Today’s Top 10 Costume Parties in the US and Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 Events for October, this one-of-a-kind festival is unlike anything you have ever seen.
Must See: Giant puppets, dancing witches and zombies, boat “floats,” the festival queen and the Rougarou himself… do yourself a favor and catch Rougarou Fest’s spectacular parade!
Must Do: If you love to dress up, don’t miss your chance to participate in the costume contest.
Must Taste: Handmade blackberry dumplings, oyster poboys, fried alligator…. this list could go on forever.
Chauvin Fest
October 28th-29th
Chauvin Fest is an annual weekend celebration of local music, cuisine and community in rural Louisiana. You’ll be hard pressed to find a more Cajun celebration anywhere else.
Must See: Chauvin Fest brings some of Louisiana music’s heavy hitters such as Grammy Award winner Chubby Carrier, Grammy Award nominee Geno Delafose and Junior Lacrosse to the stage.
Must Do: DANSER! When you’re at a festival on the bayou, dancing to the sounds of zydeco and swamp pop is a must.
Must Taste: Swing by the jambalaya cook-off to grab a bowl (or two) or the Louisiana classic.
Southdown Marketplace Artisan Craft Show
November 4th
Southdown Marketplace is a annual arts & crafts festival featuring more than 300 local and national vendors. This family-friendly event has been a Houma area tradition for over 25 years and continues to draw hundreds of people to celebrate.
Must Do: Shop, Shop, Shop. There is literally something for everyone.
Must See: During the festival, tours of the plantation are available. It’s a great opportunity if you’ve never seen it before.
Must Taste: A trip to Southdown Marketplace would never be complete without a bowl of their famous corn soup.
Bayou Beer Fest
November 11th
Houma’s premiere beer festival! Bayou Beer Fest has quickly become a big hit in the Houma area festival scene. While delighting in all things beer, music and Cajun food, your patronage also serves a great cause, supporting local veteran organizations.
Must Do: Purchase the $35 early bird package. Not only do you get 40 sample tickets (trust us, you’ll want all 40) but you also get a commemorative sampling cup.
Must See: Catch Nonc Nu & the Wild Matous perform. You’ll quickly see why they are a local favorite.
Must Taste: While there is an abundance of delicious Cajun food, the beer is the star here. Be sure to check out the wide variety of home brews!
For more on Bayou Country Festival Season, check out www.houmatravel.com/events!
