Building A Destination: #Getdowntownlc
March 2024
Business Pitch 2024
March 2024
With over 400 festivals taking place each year, Louisiana is known as the Festival Capital of America, and Southwest Louisiana does its part in contributing to that designation. In the season of spring alone, you’ll find at least a dozen reasons to celebrate everything that makes our region so special – music, food, culture!
SWLA Spring Festival Season 2024
compiled by Angie Kay Dilmore
Black Heritage Festival
March 7-10
Lake Charles Event Center
blackheritagefestivallouisiana.com
This four-day event honors the heritage of SWLA’s vibrant Black community. Senior Citizen Bingo takes place at the MLK Center on Mar. 7. Saturday, Mar. 9 marks Black Heritage Day and will be celebrated at the Lake Charles Event Center with music, dance, food and merchandise vendors, empowerment sessions, a health fair, kids’ zone and a Black Pot Cook-Off. On Sunday, Mar. 10, experience a Gospel Extravaganza at Word of Hope Family Worship Center, 6:00 p.m.
SWLA Yoga Fest
March 22, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Drew Park, Lake Charles
swlayogafest.com
Experience a day of several types of yoga, meditation, breathwork and sound immersion led by local yogis. Food and merchandise vendors also onsite.
SWLA Garden Conference & Expo
Admission $3 March 22-23, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Burton Coliseum
swlmg.weebly.com/gardenexpo.html
This festival showcases local non-profit horticultural clubs, Master Gardeners, 4-H members and over 60 vendors selling vegetable plants, flowers, trees, shrubs, herbs, soil enhancers, plant containers, lawn and garden ornaments, outdoor furniture and decorating items.
Iowa Rabbit Festival
March 14-16
Burton Coliseum
March 14 – Family Night. No gate admission. (Carnival ONLY).
iowarabbitfestival.com
March 15 – Carnival and musical entertainment inside the Coliseum. Admission $10, Kids 12 & under free.
March 16 – Rabbit Cook Off, Carnival, Rabbit Show, and entertainment inside Burton Coliseum. Admission $15, Kids 12 & under free.
The Iowa Rabbit Festival attracts over 20,000 people throughout the festival weekend and is considered one of the top 20 events in the Southeastern United States. The festival features a rabbit show, vendor booths, carnival, rides a pageant, and plenty of live entertainment by local, regional, and national artists. The Rabbit Cook-Off features all types of rabbit cuisine and the popular People’s Choice Award where spectators can taste a variety of rabbit dishes.
Live @ the Lakefront Concert Series
Fridays, March 22, 29, April 5, 5:30 – 10:00 p.m.
Arcade Amphitheatre
900 Lakeshore Dr.
artscouncilswla.org
This annual popular concert series is hosted by the Arts and Humanities Council of SWLA and features local bands, art market, and food trucks, all overlooking the beautiful lake. Set up your lawn chairs and blankets and settle in for some great entertainment! Band lineup TBA.
Louisiana Railroad Days Festival
April 11-13
Dequincy, La.
larailroaddaysfestival.com
DeQuincy celebrates its railroading heritage with a fun-filled four-day festival. See their website for a full schedule of events.
This is Home Fest
April 20
Lake Charles Event Center
thisishomefest.com
This is Home Fest celebrates Southwest Louisiana culture through eclectic music and art. Concert-goers can visit two different stages – one featuring zydeco music and the other a lineup of popular funk/jazz groups. For a full list of artists, see their website.
Spring Art Walk
April 27, 2:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Downtown Lake Charles
artscouncilswla.com
The Arts & Humanities Council of SWLA hosts Art Walk each spring. This event features area artists in pop-up galleries, art activities and demonstrations, adult and student Art War competitions, food truck and booths, live performances, and an impressive Outdoor Art Market with vendors offering a wide variety of items.
Louisiana Pirate Festival
May 3-12
Lake Charles Civic Center
www.louisianapiratefestival.com/
Ahoy maties! The Louisiana Pirate Festival sails up to the seawall beginning May 3, when the pirates attack with cannon fire, invade the city, and Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter walks the plank. Enjoy carnival rides, Pirate Parades, entertainment for all ages, fireworks, beach games and competitions, and Louisiana cuisine in the Galley Alley. Louisiana Pirate Festival, formerly Contraband Days, has been commemorating legendary pirate Jean Lafitte and his gang since 1957.
Downtown at Sundown Concert Series
Fridays – May 24, May 31, June 7,
June 14, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Downtown Lake Charles
cityoflakecharles.com/
Hosted by the City of Lake Charles, the ever-popular Downtown at Sundown takes place on Ryan Street between Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center and the Parish Courthouse. While music is the primary draw, you’ll also find tabletop art galleries, activities for children, and food booths for downtown restaurants. Each concert features a different local or regional artist performing favorite music genres, including swamp pop, Cajun, zydeco, and classic rock. Stay tuned for this year’s lineup!
More fun just over the border!
2024 Spring Fairs and Festivals in SETX
Embrace the Spirit
by Sadie Atha
Southeast Texas in springtime is a vibrant hub of culture and celebration with numerous annual events and festivals. Experience the unique blend of Cajun zest and Texas spirit in festivals that promise unforgettable memories.
Beaumont Mural Festival
March 2-3
The Event Centre in Downtown
700 Crockett St, Beaumont, Tx.
www.beaumontcvb.com/mural-festival
This event turns Beaumont into a living canvas, with live mural painting, entertainment, community art collaborations, vendors and more! Muralists from across the country and the world paint murals throughout downtown Beaumont and the region to expand the public arts scene. Experience a colorful fusion of creativity and culture as Beaumont transforms into a canvas of imagination.
SOAR Family Day
March 3, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
McFaddin-Ward House
1906 McFaddin Ave.
Beaumont, Tx.
www.mcfaddin-ward.org/event/soar-family-day-2024
Held at the historical McFaddin-Ward House, SOAR Family Day offers live music, food trucks, picnicking on the grounds, family activities, garden and butterfly crafts, a garden of painted butterflies by local artists, butterfly ride-on bikes, the Houston Museum of Natural Science Bug Cart, booths from the Sabine-Neches Master Naturalists and Tyrrell Park Nature center, and more!
YMBL South Texas State Fair & Rodeo
March 21-31
Ford Park Fair Grounds
7250 Wespark Beaumont, Tx.
www.ymbl.org
Step into your cowboy boots and come to the Texas-sized rodeo with a bit of Louisiana flair. Hosted by the Young Men’s Business League (YMBL), you’ll enjoy thrilling events like bull riding and mutton bustin’, along with a fun kids’ zone, livestock shows, and a variety of local food and craft vendors. This event also features an expansive local art, quilt and photo show.
Neches River Festival
April 12-13
Downtown Beaumont
www.nechesriverfestival.com
Celebrating its 76th year, the Neches River festival pays homage to the Neches River that surrounds Beaumont and serves as a key access point to the city’s port. This festival centers around the river and riverfront activities, fireworks displays, water carnivals, ski and boat shows and regattas. The festival also includes a variety of events and exhibitions during “Festival week”: a city-wide parade, bridge tournament, art show/competition and flower show, to name a few.
Eco-Fest and Butterfly Release
April 20
Shangri La Botanical Gardens & Nature Center
2111 W. Park Avenue, Orange, Tx.
www.shangrilagardens.org/eco-fest-and-butterfly-release
Celebrate Earth Day with this unique and down-to-earth festival at Shangri La Botanical Gardens & Nature Center in Orange, Texas. This celebration focuses on natural history while highlighting sustainability, offering strolls through the garden and engaging presentations throughout the day. Family friendly activities and games will take place on Saturday, April 20, 10:00 a.m. -3:30 p.m. with multiple inspirational Butterfly Releases at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m.
409 Day
April 27, 2024
Tyrrell Park
3930 Babe Zaharias Drive
Beaumont, Tx.
Hosted by the nonprofit 409Family, this Southeast Texas cultural festival at Beaumont’s Tyrrell Park offers a day packed with free family activities. Highlights include a kids’ inflatable zone, arts and crafts, nature walks at Cattail Marsh, live performances, local vendors, and a variety of food trucks. It’s a fun and free way to celebrate the region’s heritage and community spirit.
St. Michael Mediterranean Festival
May 4
690 N. 15th Street
Beaumont, TX
www.stmichaelmedfestbmt.com
Bring your appetite to enjoy the annual St. Michael’s Mediterranean Festival in Beaumont. Since 2009, this festival celebrates Middle Eastern & Hellenic culture, with an emphasis on the finest Greek & Middle Eastern foods and pastries. This free festival includes church tours, a shopping bazaar, dance performances, live music and children’s activities.
The Beaumont Convention and Visitors Bureau offers exclusive hotel packages tailored for festival-goers. Plan your adventure at VisitBeaumontTx.com and the Beaumont CVB can help turn your festival journey into an extraordinary experience.
