Spring Festival Guide 2023

(Ark-La-Tex Weekend) - From crawfish to beer to music and fairs, the Ark-La-Tex is full of fun festivals every weekend during the Spring months. Click on the festival name to be taken to their site for more information.

76th Jefferson Historical Pilgrimage

May 4-7

Explore four historic homes and enchanting gardens. Witness a re-enactment of the infamous trial of Diamond Bessie. Plus a luncheon at The Excelsior House hotel and craft fair.

Location - Jefferson, Tex

Twice as Fine Texarkana Wine Festival

May 6 | 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Celebrate good times at this wine, art and music festival. Wineries from across Texas will let you sample their product. Gourmet treats, great music, and fantastic art will be on hand as well.

Location - Spring Lake Park, Texarkana, Tex

30th Annual Mayhaw Festival

May 6 | 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

It’s a day full of fun, craft and food vendors, an antique car and motorcycle show, tours of the Newton House Museum, and a 5K fun run. Of course there will be lots of Mayhaw jelly. It’s free to attend

Location - Newton House Museum, 510 N. Jackson, El Dorado, Ark

40th Annual River City Fest 2022

May 11 - 13

“Frontiers and Forty Years” is the theme. See a parade, firework display, pageant, games/contests, car show, carnival, food, music, and elements from the old Frontier Days Festival.

Location - River Front, Logansport, La

Natchitoches Jazz/R&B Festival

May 12-13

The riverbank will come alive with R&B, Jazz and a whole lot more. Mark Chesnutt and Elton Live! Tribute Band perform.

Location - Natchitoches Riverbank

Kegs & Corks Craft Beer, Wine, and Music Festival

May 13 | 1:00 pm - 6 pm

The East Bank District comes alive! Sample some local and regional craft beers and wines. Listen to local artists and snack on some local cuisine.

Location - East Bank District, Barksdale Boulevard, Bossier City

Stuffed Shrimp Festival

May 14 | 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Shreveport is the home of Stuffed Shrimp and it’s time to eat a bunch of Shrimp. The kids will enjoy the Stuffed Shrimpland (kids play area).

Location - Louisiana State Fairgrounds, Shreveport

Historic Jefferson Train Show

May 20-21

Check out the impressive model trains, layouts and the Railroad Museum. Ride the Historic Jefferson Railway and the Lonesome Dove Safari Train.

Location - 305 E. Austin St., Jefferson, Tex

Magnolia Blossom Festival

May 19-20

Celebrate the namesake tree and flower of the great city of Magnolia. See the art show along with the parade, car show and more. Stay and partake in the World Championship Steak Cook-Off.

Location - Downtown Magnolia, Ark

The Authentic Bonnie & Clyde Festival

May 26-27

Events include a Bonnie & Clyde look-a-like contest, a “shoot-out” downtown, cake walks, and lots of live entertainment.

Location - Bonnie & Clyde Ambush Museum, 2419 Main St., Gibsland, La

Mudbug Madness

May 26-28

Eat crawfish. Do a little shopping. Eat more mudbugs. Listen to the great music. Eat even more crawfish. You get the idea. It’s a fun way to start Memorial Day Weekend.

Location - Shreveport Festival Plaza

4th Annual Paddlefish Festival

March 4 | 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Come out for this celebration of all things about the Paddlefish. There will be fun and games, animal feedings and more.

Location - Shreveport Aquarium, 601 Clyde Fant Pkwy.

Acrofest 2023

March 4 | 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Celebrate the Oklahoma state dinosaur Acrocanthosaurus atokensis! Have fun at the Dino Bingo. See a replica of the Jurassic Park jeeps and more.

Location - The Museum of the Red River, 812 East Lincoln Rd., Idabel Okla.

Bossier City Makers Fair

March 4 | 11a.m. - 6p.m.

Over 125 local artists and makers line the pedestrian boulevard at the Louisiana Boardwalk Outlets. Come out to shop and see what’s new. Grab a bite to eat and listen to live entertainment and kid’s activities.

Location - Louisiana Boardwalk Outlets, Bossier City

2nd Annual Southern Arkansas Jazz Festival

March 4 | Noon - 9:00pm

Enjoy clinics, performances and a finale concert from the Southern Arkansas University Jazz Ensemble with guest artists Chad Eby, Thomas Taylor and Jon Ailabouni.

Location - Harton Theater, Southern Arkansas University, Magnolia, Ark

Bloomin’ on the Bricks

March 11 | 9:00 am - 2:00 pm

Downtown Natchitoches comes alive with color with thousands of flowers. Shop lawn and garden vendors. Free admission.

Location - Downtown Natchitoches

Cane River Film Festival

March 18

The festival looks to share Louisiana stories with a world wide audience. Highlights include student and independent filmmakers.

Locations - Parkway Cinema 6 in Natchitoches

Crawfest

March 17-19

It’s a full weekend of crawfish and food that will sure to delight everyone! Plus some really good music and art.

Location - Betty Virginia Park, 3901 Fairfield Ave., Shreveport

Louisiana Redbud Festival

March 18

It’s Fiesta Time for Redbud! Spend the day having fun from a turtle race to a car show, parade and carnival. All to celebrate the Redbud tree.

Location - Downtown Vivian, La

318 Day

March 18 | 2 p.m. - 8 p.m.

It’s one of the first major events at the new Performance Pavilion at Caddo Common Park. Free admission to celebrate with food, music and art.

Location - Caddo Common Park, Texas Ave., Shreveport

39th Annual Heritage Festival

March 25 | 9 a.m.

The Iota Rho Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. has provided a platform to spotlight the talents of youth in the areas of art, dance, music, speech, and quiz bowl. The purpose of this event focuses on the sorority’s national initiative to Uplift Our Local Community.

Location - Webster Junior High School, 700 E. Union St., Minden, La

Atlanta Local: Spring Maker’s Fair

March 25 | 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Merchants around downtown kick off the spring season with family fun and shopping with vendors from within 50 miles of Atlanta.

Location - Downtown Atlanta, Tex

Spring Fest Pig Roast

March 25 | 2 p.m.

Enjoy a BBQ Pork Meal, bounce houses and live music. Plus cornhole, door prizes and more.

Location - 105 Peterson, Many, La

15th Annual Shreveport Blues Festival

March 25 | 8:00 pm

Six acts take the stage: Pokey Bear, Calvin Richardson, Tucka, J-Wonn and Calvin Richardson.

Location - Shreveport Municipal Auditorium

29th Annual Dogwood Days Festival

March 31 - April 1

It will be a safe and exciting time with food, live music, games, a bike show and more. Enter some of the tournaments or cookoffs.

Location - Downtown Idabel, Okla

Shelby County Grill Fest

March 31 - April 1

Cooking starts on Friday and judging is on Saturday.

Location - Rodeo Arena, Center, Tex

159th Anniversary Battle of Pleasant Hill Reenactment and Festival

March 31 - April 2

It was the biggest battles of the Civil War west of the Mississippi. The Battle of Pleasant Hill is remembered every year with a reenactment. Learn about what happened during and after the battle.

Location - 23271 Hwy. 175, Pelican, La

77th Annual Four States Fair & Rodeo

March 31 - April 9

Get ready for one of the largest events in the area.. The rides, food and fun are back along with the Demolition Derby and the Four States Fair Rodeo.

Location - 3700 E. 50th St., Texarkana, Ark.

CORK

April 1 | 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Over 90 wines will be served as well as a lot of tasty treats. Meet and talk wine with experts and enjoy live music and participate in the raffle drawings.

Location - Festival Plaza, 101 Crockett St., Shreveport

9th Annual Bloom on Main

April 2 | 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Come out for fantastic ideas for your garden and yard. Shop from a wide array of vendors from garden decor to plants and flowers. Free admission.

Location - Main Street, Many, La

49th Annual Street Rod Reunion

April 8 | 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

One of the oldest car clubs in Louisiana hosts this show of classic hot rods and cars.

Location - Louisiana Downs Casino & Racetrack, Bossier City

Germantown Bluegrass Festival

April 15

Listen to Bluegrass bands then hitch a ride to the Germantown historic site.

Location - Webster Parish Fairgrounds, Minden, La

Bugs & Brews Festival

April 15

11 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Feast on some mudbugs at Bossier City’s first crawfish festival. Listen to music all day.

Location - Louisiana Downs Casino & Racetrack, Bossier City

49th Annual Melrose Arts and Crafts Festival

April 15-16

It’s all about local arts and crafts from photography, jewelry, paintings, stained glass, woodworking, pottery and more on an historic setting.

Location - Melrose on the Cane, 3533 LA-119, Melrose, La

Scottish Tartan Festival

April 22 | 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Minden honors Scottish culture at a new location. Visit the clans, enjoy the Children’s Area, see the dog show Highland Coos and do a little shopping.

Location - Miller Quarters, 182 Gleason St., Minden, La

28th Annual Zwolle Loggers & Forestry Festival

April 21-22

See how our local loggers and forestry service members do their trade. Try your hand all sorts of forestry skills. Get dirty in the Mud Bog.

Location - Zwolle Festival Grounds, Zwolle, La

3rd Annual Bourbon & Barbeque Festival

April 22 | 3 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Great BBQ + lots of bourbon will make for an incredible afternoon and evening.

Location - Red River District, downtown Shreveport

Pinefest

April 27 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Have fun at this free festival featuring old fashioned carnival games, miniature train rides and complimentary saplings to plant in your yard.

Location - Mount Pleasant Sports Complex, 300 County Road 1314, Mount Pleasant, Tex

30th Annual Choctaw Apache Tribe of Ebarb Annual Powwow

April 28-29

Celebrate the Native American culture and the 2,500+ member tribe roots. enjoy traditional dancing, unique craft items, jewelry, and Indian Fellowship.

Location - 217 Gene Knight Rd., Noble, La

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